The Dordogne
At Michelin-starred L’Essentiel, it feels like you're dining inside an aristocratic friend’s living room, with floral wallpaper and orange velour chairs…
Must-see restaurants in France
Bordeaux
There's nothing flashy or fancy about this hardcore French bistro, an ode to traditional market cuisine with charismatic François front of house and…
Brittany
This Michelin-starred restaurant is a triumph. Raphaël-Fumio Kudaka has created a menu of wonder with Breton ingredients at this fantastic outpost of…
Latin Quarter
William Ledeuil's third project, Kitchen Ter(re) showcases pasta dishes made from six varieties of ancient grains. But don't write it off as another tired…
Besançon
Thoughtful service adds finesse to Les Tables d'Antan's rustic cuisine, served beneath dangling farm tools and cartwheels. Potato or pasta gratins (creamy…
Latin Quarter
Shhhh…just around the corner from the Panthéon but hidden away on a small, fountained square, this hybrid cafe-restaurant and wine bar is a tip-top…
Auvergne
Near Riom's clock tower, chef Hervé Klein accents local ingredients with flavours from India, Japan and beyond. Be surprised by seven courses selected by…
La Rochelle
Lunch local. Between 10am and 1pm buy a dozen oysters from one of the stands in front of the Marché Central, pay and ask for them to be shucked, then head…
Savoie
Juicy diots (local sausages) in white wine are most popular at this welcoming wood-walled den, but the range of Savoyard cheese dishes is highly…
Nantes
Bruno Triballeau, chef at the French embassy in Bogota for 10 years, and his Colombian wife make a formidable duo at this stylish cevicheria. In their…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Some of France's finest chefs, artisans and purveyors occupy this open-air 'mini district'. Look out for Yannick Alléno (with a restaurant, wine cellar…
Latin Quarter
Baieta means 'little kiss' in the patois of Nice, the home town of culinary sensation Julia Sedefdjian, who at 21 was France's youngest Michelin-starred…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Be it a simple sweet crêpe smeared with melted hand-churned Breton butter, galette (savoury pancake) stuffed with smoked duck breast, pan-fried mushrooms,…
Marseille
Reserve ahead to snag a table at this fabulous little restaurant just off cours Julien. From the service – relaxed, competent and friendly without over…
Cannes
Predictably, it's a 'bobo' (bourgeois bohemian) crowd that gathers at this achingly cool bistro in Cannes' fashionable Carré d'Or. Decor is stylishly…
Burgundy
Chef Jean-Michel Carrette carries forth his father's legacy at this Michelin-starred restaurant, taking classic ingredients like Charolais beef, Bresse…
Paris
Halfway down the stairs by Pont Neuf is this wonderfully secret space beneath the bouquinistes (used-book sellers), where you can watch the bateaux…
Paris
Richer's pared-back, exposed-brick decor is a smart setting for genius creations including wild plaice cerviche with fennel puree and confit tomato jelly…
Yonne
This sweet, unpretentious lunchtime eatery near the cathedral features an ever-changing monthly menu built around fresh local produce and delectable…
Côte d'Azur
Young chef Denis Fétisson has brought Roger Vergé’s baby back to its former glory. Set in an old mill, it’s considered casual in these parts, but comes…
Nice
Great bakeries abound in France, but even here, truly creative artisanal ones stand out. Witness Mama Baker, where organic grains and speciality…
Dauphiné
At this refined old-town restaurant, the leisurely pace of service is essential, if only to let your taste buds catch up with chef Michaël Chassigneux's…
Nice
This chic modern seafood eatery is the latest jewel in the crown of Niçois master restaurateur Armand Crespo. All done up in white-and-turquoise nautical…
The Northeast Coast
Entering this irresistible seafood restaurant via the owners’ fish shop, St-Cristophe – also the name of their boat – you get a chance to inspect the day…
Golfe du Morbihan
Hidden among the timber-frame houses of the old city, this stellar restaurant is overseen by one of Britanny's most talented names, Thierry Seychelles,…
Besançon
Crisp white tablecloths, exposed stone and subtle lighting create an understated backdrop for Le Saint-Pierre's intense flavours: roast lamb in crushed…
Arcachon
Stunning shellfish and seafood to suit most budgets, gracious service and an elegant terrace on the seafront with white tablecloths makes this…
Paris
A striking contemporary dining room in shades of muted blue is the backdrop for truly original cooking by young-gun chef Matthias Marc: Normandy scallop…
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Slick modern decor and an adorable canine mascot (Charlie) greet you at the door of this wonderful backstreet bistro, where the two-woman team dazzles…
Camargue
Surrounded by a vast potager (kitchen garden), which supplies practically all the restaurant's produce, this renowned gourmet table is run by Armand Amal,…
St-Malo
This casual bistro showcases the cheeses and butters handmade by the world-famous Jean-Yves Bordier; you'll find his shop next door. At the bistro, the…
Lourdes
Ex-TV chef Jean-Pierre St-Martin has established his own gastronomic hideaway in St-Savin, 16km south of Lourdes. Known for blending Basque, Breton and…
Paris
It’s almost two decades since Pascal Barbot’s dazzling cuisine at the twin-Michelin-starred L’Astrance made its debut, but it's shown no signs of losing…
Gironde
Expect local products the whole way at La Canfouine ('hut' in local dialect), an upmarket 'hut' on the seashore in the fishing village of Le Canon, about…
Côte d'Azur
Those not in the know wouldn’t give this inconspicuous village bistro a second glance. What they don’t know is that it is Michelin-starred chef Bruno…
Finistère
Splash out on the best of Breton seafood at this Michelin-starred restaurant on the seafront at the east end of town. Chef Loïc Le Bail sources top local…
Auvergne
One of Le Puy's best addresses for food and form. Its atmospheric setting, within a 12th- to 16th-century hôtel particulier (townhouse), sets the tone,…
Avignon
In the top tier of Avignon's restaurants for many a year, this elegant restaurant remains (as its name suggests) as essential as ever. First there's the…
Toulouse
For a no-expense-spared, food-as-art dining experience, Toulouse's double-Michelin-starred master chef Michel Sarran is your man. He's earned an…
Côte d'Azur
Enterprising cheesemonger Philippe Daujam not only sells cheese – he also cooks it into tasty lunches in his deli-style restaurant by the cheese counter…
