Paris
One of the oldest organic bakeries in Paris, Moisan sits opposite the entrance to covered Marché Beauvau (look for the small glass sign above the door)…
Must-see restaurants in France
Nantes
Housed within a former neighbourhood butcher shop, and still with the wonderfully retro mosaic sign, this old-fashioned restaurant reacquaints taste buds…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Brimming with big bowls of salad, terrines, pâté and other prepared delicacies, this deli is a good-value bet for quality Parisian 'fast food' such as…
Dijon
This quintessentially French bar du coin (neighbourhood bar), often crowded, hides down an alleyway near the covered market. At lunchtime join the flock…
Nice
Cookies, coffee and cakes are the raison d’être at this calculatedly cute cafe (part of a larger franchise) on the edge of the old town. It’s got the feel…
Nice
The menu at this contemporary urban bistro is signed off by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Michel Llorca. Neutral hues add an understated elegance to the…
The Loire Valley
For a light meal made with local products, or a cup of tea or glass of wine, drop by this quirky salon de thé (tearoom) and restaurant, on the D751…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Designed like a fantasy underwater world, this art nouveau–styled cafe on the 5th floor of the Musée d’Orsay – next to one of the former train station's…
Arles
Based on the ground floor of Le Calendal, this bright and breezy cafe does a nice line in lunchtime sandwiches and salads, plus offers a tempting choice…
Blois
A warm, homey place to dine, with maroon-checked tablecloths and traditional Lyon-style decor. The food is pure Lyonnais, too: andouillette (sausage),…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
Craving a vitamin-packed salad, creative club sandwich or simple onion soup topped with emmental cheese? Industrial-styled Marcel, with its light-bulb-lit…
Paris
With floor-to-ceiling windows framing the faded grandeur of the Galerie Vivienne, the simple Bougainville overflows with regulars at lunchtime. The hearty…
St-Jean de Luz
It's a bit rough around the edges, but this old-school restaurant makes up for its lack of finesse with bags of nautical atmosphere: fishing nets, oil…
Var
Choose between the elegant, muted dining room or the people-watching terrace under the plane trees. Open year-round, 'The Poppy Table' offers classic…
Honfleur
Small tables and wooden floors create a cosy, relaxed and unpretentious setting at this friendly restaurant, and the menu specialises in hearty Norman…
Nîmes
Sicilian brothers Fabio and Salvo Mercadante serve the classic flavours of their homeland at their little den overlooking a busy thoroughfare. Expect…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Inspired by the 'Irani' cafes of Bombay in the late 19th century, this contemporary Indian restaurant has a light and airy vintage decor. Between 3pm and…
Besançon
The warmly lit, all-wood interior coaxes diners to utter relaxation at La Grange. Excelling at steaks and fondues (with a Morteau sausage variety), this…
Paris
Named for the Breton commune near Brest, Plougastel’s decor might be spartan, but its crêpes and savoury galettes are anything but, with generous toppings…
Lyon
The ample three-course lunch menu of home-cooked soups and stews, fish and meat dishes and desserts is reason enough to visit this cosy neighbourhood…
Cahors
Country cuisine de grande-mère is the speciality of this simple little family-owned eatery, secreted away along a narrow and picturesque backstreet in the…
Marseille
Part bookshop, part restaurant, this opulent former arms warehouse overlooks a vast public square and makes a sophisticated setting for a meal, or just…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
This popular restaurant with red awning and classic interior buzzes all the more at weekends when Saturday shoppers and Sunday strollers make a beeline…
Paris
The terrace of this Parisian classic overlooking the Palais Royal is certainly a coveted spot in fine weather. In colder months the traditional dining…
Atlantic Coast
Four kilometres from Arçais, in the equally pretty riverside town of Damuix, the former village school has been converted into this friendly and unusual…
Toulouse
Something of a local legend in Toulouse, this bakery sells enough crumb-generating goodies to satisfy demanding patisserie connoisseurs. Pick up fresh…
Honfleur
Situated at the southern tip of the Vieux Bassin and resembling a ship’s wood-panelled interior, L'Écailleur makes a fine haven from the hustle and bustle…
The Dordogne
Reserve ahead for a spot at one of the riverfront terrace tables at this renovated water mill converted into a lovely restaurant and hotel (doubles €75)…
Chambéry
The menu at this tastefully updated bistro roams from Asian-inspired stir fries to pasta carbonara and a rack of Savoyard classics including tartiflette …
Versailles
Rustic farm objects such as cartwheels strung from old wooden beams add a country air ‘At the Farm’. Cuisine inspired by southwest France spans dishes…
Uzès
This boulangerie (bakery)-patisserie is famous for its figatine (brioche filled with figs). It also makes mouth-watering pastries as well as savoury…
Rennes
Quite a picture along rue Hoche, this blue-tiled boulangerie is a frightfully good-looking stop for a coffee, an eclair, a religieuse or one of their…
St-Germain & Les Invalides
Feisty French staples at this tiny, jam-packed bistro might include Lyonnais boudin noir aux pommes (black pudding with apples), Jura saucisse de Morteau …
Golfe du Morbihan
On the harbourfront, La Criée has long been a favourite among fish lovers. Nautically themed and run by a talented team, the seafood here is a cut above…
Perpignan
Run by a young couple, La Passerelle is a favourite for fish-lovers. It’s quite formal, with bone-china plates, crisp white tablecloths, and upmarket…
Calvados
This character-laden bistro is a Touville classic. The blackboard menus feature plenty of flavourful fish and meat classics, some with an exotic twist …
Burgundy
This brasserie boasts an expansive terrace in a top-notch location – just opposite the Église Abbatiale. The eclectic menu runs the gamut from salads and…
Paris
The eponymous Thai pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles) is the signature dish of this local spot. Other artfully presented takes on Thai classics include…
Limoges
This lively magnet for the Limoges student set is decorated with old records and musical instruments, and is also a hot spot to take a tipple. Menus are…
Sète
Dine on classic Sètoise seafood on this converted barge, which looks more like a big-city bistro inside, with its sharp tables and shiny wooden floor. The…
