Château des Charmes

This emblematic Beaujolais establishment, which continues to honour its rich legacy, is the HQ of Aurélien Merot. The chef delicately and indulgently pampers regional produce with a soft spot for jus and sauces: slow-baked fario trout from Isère, almonds and sorrel sauce; Bresse poultry cooked in Fleurie wine (the house specialty)… Excellent value for money (the lunchtime menu is a bargain!) plus an impressive wine list.

You are sure to feel right at home in this charming stone-built inn set in a picturesque little wine-growing village. In a chic and cosy setting, the surprise set menu (only the ingredients are listed) stars seasonal produce, which are presented in carefully crafted dishes. This skilfully prepared and delicious cuisine is classic at first glance, but often scattered with unorthodox notes (Japanese chilli condiment, Maury-chocolate sauce etc). There are a few comfortable guestrooms for overnight stays.

This restaurant extends a cordial invitation to sample the popular classics that showcase the terroir: Bresse poultry, frogs' legs in parsley sauce, lake fish, cherries jubilee and vanilla ice cream. The chef sticks to tradition, much to the delight of his guests. Dine on the lovely terrace, in the shade of the hundred-year-old lime trees and overlooking the river.

This quintessential country restaurant, tucked away in a picturesque village in the heart of the Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards, is the brainchild of a friendly, industrious couple. He scours the local markets for fine produce, which he unveils in cleverly crafted dishes. For example, langoustines from Brittany with celtuce and the first tomatoes, frogs’ legs poached and deep-fried in Japanese breadcrumbs, or Bresse chicken with pattypan squash, rainbow chard and heirloom carrots… The food is naturally enough paired with a fine selection of Burgundy and Beaujolais. The set menu changes weekly – all

Old-world charm meets contemporary comfort in this tastefully renovated 15C abbey built entirely of honey-coloured stone. The uplifting cuisine celebrates local recipes and classics: pâté en croûte, pike quenelles, volaille de Bresse with morels, scallop mousse, Rossini pigeon and praline tart. In summer, reserve a table on the pleasant terrace overlooking the courtyard garden.

This stone building in the Mâconnais region is surrounded by a landscape of vineyards that extends to the Roche de Solutré. It houses the restaurant of a true Burgundian, Sébastien Chambru, who worked notably at Le Moulin de Mougins. He then headed off to Japan and, in Tokyo, was enthralled by the respect the Japanese chefs had for their ingredients. The author of several cookery books, he now conjures up his delicately creative cuisine here in Fuissé, finding inspiration in the day’s market (marinated and flamed tuna with condiments and beetroot-yuzu vinaigrette for example). In the adjoining

Set in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyard, this elegant establishment is run by a chef with an enviable CV. He draws on classical foundations to deliver quietly inventive dishes: organic 64°C egg, mushroom duxelles, Beaufort shavings, pecans and a porcini-oil emulsion; snails sourced from Gilles Nesme on a parsley royale with hazelnut and cured ham. A well-stocked cheese trolley is presented at the table and the glass-fronted wine cellar showcases an attractive selection at reasonable prices.