Manoir De Vilaines

Johann (front of house) and Collis (chef) spoil their diners rotten in this culinary landmark established in a pretty 17C village built by Cardinal Richelieu. The period varnished wooden façade leads into a warm, friendly bistro interior that is perfectly suited to the establishment’s focus on good food and good vibes. The chef keeps things simple with a regularly-changing menu of wholesome dishes that are firmly rooted in the seasons, albeit spiced up with the odd exotic touch, such as an Asian-inspired guinea fowl raviole. Similar care is lavished on the knockout desserts.

Saint Lazare Priory is located in the heart of Fontevraud Abbey, one of Europe’s largest monastic complexes. The former’s cloisters have been morphed into a restaurant by designer Patrick Jouin and architect Sanjit Manku, who have staged a marriage between monastic minimalism and untreated materials to set the scene for Thibaut Ruggeri’s cooking. The latter, who hails from Megève and who won the Bocuse d’Or 2013, learnt the trade with iconic culinary names from Michel Guérard to Georges Blanc. A champion of good food and biodynamic farming, local produce takes pride of place (Racan poultry, An

Not far from Poitiers, Château de Dissay, a beautifully curated 15C stately home, now a charming hotel, has transformed one of its elegant saloons decked in parquet floors and ceiling mouldings into a dining area. The modern graphic culinary score finds its roots in pedigree bourgeois recipes and sings an ode to premium produce such as cèpes, langoustine, free-range guinea fowl, Bourbon vanilla. Sauces and jus packed in flavour add a kick, illustrated by turbot confit in mussels and a saffron sauce. Bistronomic menu at the start of the week and at lunchtime.

The son and grandson of restaurateurs, Sébastien Boireau had embarked on a different career before ultimately following in the family footsteps. When his culinary vocation called, he opened this restaurant with an elegant little shopfront in the city centre. Here, he has created a refined dining room (wooden seats with cream leather cushions, white walls, mirrors framed by plants). His cuisine is fresh and modern, and as pared back as the decor: scallop carpaccio; veal fillet, carrot mousseline, blood orange jus…

Housed in an inviting building in the heart of the village of Montamisé, this welcoming restaurant continues to polish its concept. Ludovic Dumont's purposely creative approach is primarily focused on fish and seafood and vegetables, using which he devises multi-course blind menus that are aligned with the seasons. The space is intimate, bright and spruce, and the service is very cordial. There are three welcoming gîtes to extend your stay here.

Marc Paluszka and Alexandra Vincent have breathed new life into these premises, previously La Chênaie, long run by André Chenu. The couple has transformed this local institution without betraying its spirit. In the kitchen, local sourcing – suppliers are mentioned during service – underpins a small, clear and precise menu. This modern cuisine is dotted with Brazilian accents (a nod to the chef's origins), as evidenced by the cachaça in the baba.

This quiet restaurant on the outskirts of Châtellerault features a minimalist decor in a palette of sandy hues. In the kitchen, Richard Robe demonstrates his experience – his perfectly balanced dishes reveal strong technical skills: crispy tempura frogs' legs, home-made ketchup and herb pesto; free-range chicken grilled flat on the yakitori barbecue, served with sauce diable; vanilla and buckwheat caramel millefeuille. Generous food that exudes sincerity.