Horizon Aubrac Laguiole

Imagine a contemporary vessel built out of stone, iron and glass set in a medieval fortress with a 360° view of the surroundings, nestled in a medieval fortress that they owners fell in love with: Marie-Aude and the late Serge Vieira quickly turned this out-of-the-ordinary venue into an establishment whose reputation extends far beyond the borders of Auvergne. The chef's kindness and talent were appreciated by all; Marie-Aude continues to embody the sense of hospitality that meant so much to him. After working for many years alongside Serge, Aurélien Gransagne keeps the passion alive by elevat

Sodade is a song by Cesária Évora and a nod to the Portuguese origins of the late owner, Serge Vieira. In a large designer dining room or on the terrace overlooking the stream, you will sample dishes that are the epitome of tasty and simple. Pleasant guestrooms to stay longer.

To quote Cyril Attrazic: “I was in love with the Maison, even before I fell for cooking”. To explain, the Maison is the family hotel restaurant business founded by his grandmother in the heart of Aubrac, a high-altitude plateau that could be mistaken for the Mongolian Steppes. By virtue of farming traditions and the harsh climate, the restaurant doesn’t mess about with hospitality, albeit in a modern vein. The chef scrupulously applies the advice of his mentor, Michel Bras: only cook local ingredients (…) with an identity. He does just this, showcasing a giant cèpe picked in the next-door wood

At Hōra and its elegant, understated dining room, Gilles Moreau has reinvented his universe, whilst retaining his knack for flavourful cuisine drawing on local produce: Aubrac beef, aligot and a red wine reduction with shallots; organic trout from the Monts d'Aubrac with a bacon foam, risotto with Vieux Rodez cheese; free-range guinea fowl with black trumpet mushrooms and ham-perfumed wheat. In fine weather, the terrace at the rear is blissfully quiet.

This lovely mill built of local stone and flagstone stands in a bucolic setting on the banks of a river. The restaurant has exposed rafters and large picture windows. Having worked in the restaurants of Pierre Gagnaire, Michel Bras and Alain Ducasse, Émilie and Thomas Roussey, both chefs, have swapped their premises with those of Hervé Busset, who is now based in the heart of Rodez. Working in tandem, the pair create natural cuisine that gives pride of place to seasonal fruit and vegetables supplied by carefully selected local producers. Tomato and basil; aubergine, agastache and buckwheat; oy

Perched in the Cantal mountains, this pleasingly rustic farmstead is the fruit of a beautiful family saga spanning six generations. Tuck into generous traditional cuisine rooted in the local terroir – featuring the legendary truffade, served with every dish, and the family recipe for tripoux à la tomate. All dishes are sincere and precise. And then there is the trolley of regional cheeses, with Salers, produced just a few metres away, taking pride of place.

With this brasserie, Cyril Attrazic has created the ideal offshoot of his gourmet establishment. The modern decor, adorned with panoramic photos of Aubrac landscapes, provides the perfect foil to sample full-flavoured, well-crafted dishes, whether indoors or on the shaded alfresco area out front. A few dishes you may sample include poultry and foie gras pâté en croûte with vegetable pickles; sautéed fillet of hake, red Camargue rice and pistou of herbs; strawberries, elderflower lactic sorbet and miniature waffles.