Hôtel Mercure Limoges Centre

Not far from the market (ideal for fresh produce), local lad, chef Martin Dumas, has acquired a faithful crowd of regulars. His culinary score, tailored to today’s tastes, features a concise seasonal menu, generous hunks of meat to be shared and the house speciality, “thickly sliced calf’s liver”, which he learnt from Jean-Paul Arabian in Paris. Peaceful small terrace.

This pretty half-timbered house in the heart of the picturesque village of Les Bouchers is the domain of chef Olivier Polla. His modern cuisine lets the ingredients do the talking (foie gras, scallops, calf sweetbreads, female Muscovy duck etc), prepared according to his inspiration. A real treat for the taste buds.

At the foot of the cathedral, this former 17C cloister has plenty of character, courtesy of its old stones blended with more contemporary decor and furnishings. The chef's market-fresh cuisine varies with his mood (multi-course surprise menus in the evening) and the season. His consummate technique and the quality of the ingredients make for a pleasant experience, with a simpler, shorter menu at lunchtime. From the shaded terrace, you can even catch a glimpse of the chef at work in the kitchen.

Elegance reigns in this former porcelain manufacturer's house on the doorstep of Limoges. Works of art, Bernardaud tableware and a hushed atmosphere combine to create a refined experience. In the kitchen, Gilles Dudognon and his son Henri work together to cook up dishes using premium ingredients from the property's vegetable garden and producers in the region. The appealing menu features classics such as pithiviers and lamprey à la bordelaise, alongside more contemporary suggestions such as seared langoustines, cul noir bacon and shell foam. Charming guestrooms, too.