Camargue
Fish and shellfish do not come fresher than this. Watch them get gutted, filleted and grilled in the 'open' glass-walled kitchen, then devour your meal on…
Must-see restaurants in France
Savoie
Armed with cornerstones of cuisine from France's southwest, like cassoulet (rich bean, pork and duck stew), Le Clin d'Oeil transplants southerly sunshine…
Lyon
On the fringes of Croix Rousse, Japanese chef Akira Nishigaki puts his own splendid spin on French cuisine, with plenty of locally sourced fresh…
Var
Dreams of perfect Provençal holidays centre around places like L’Oursinado, a secluded fantasy of a restaurant tucked amongst the pines on a cliff above…
Marseille
The vast former canteen at the vibrant La Friche La Belle de Mai cultural centre manages to pull off the trick of seeming both intimate and stylish…
Lille
Famed for its gaufres (waffles) made with Madagascar vanilla, Meert has served kings, viceroys and generals since 1761. The sumptuous chocolate shop's…
The Dordogne
Folks come from far and wide for chef Vincent Arnould’s refined, beautifully presented creative cuisine of the Périgord. The ceiling soars over the…
Savoie
This lakeshore restaurant, managed by Michelin-starred chef Raphaël Vionnet, places an emphasis on just-caught lake fish but dabbles in southern French…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
No spot in northern Paris satisfies brunch cravings like this hipster coffee house with exposed red brick, velour seating and a menu signed off by Franco…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Ring to enter this epicurean loft (as one would any ‘maison’ or ‘home’), sweep up the monumental staircase to a mezzanine crowned with a glass skylight,…
Giverny
This gorgeous sky-blue-trimmed property’s airy white dining room is a handsome stage for chef Eric Guerin’s exquisite and inventive Michelin-starred…
Var
Midway along the Corniche de l'Esterel, Les Flots Bleus fits the dream vision of a roadside Mediterranean eatery, with fine sea views from its terrace and…
Finistère
There's no sea view (it's in Crozon's town centre), but this is the gourmet choice. With its intimate dining room, charming welcome and delicious cuisine,…
Savoie
Candlelight bathes stone walls, low beams and family heirlooms in this gorgeous double-Michelin-starred restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients are…
The Jura Mountains
Hidden in a cellar on Dole historic rue Pasteur, the 'Grain of Salt' feels instantly contemporary with flashes of violet and acid green against its…
Brittany
Super-chef Olivier Roellinger’s sumptuous restaurant is housed in the impressive Château Richeux, 4km south of Cancale. Roellinger’s creations have earned…
La Rochelle
Opened in the 1950s as a waterfront seafood cafe, André grew so popular it began buying adjacent shops. It is now an eye-catching maze of eight different…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Rising-star chefs continue to make their name at this petit bar de quartier (little neighbourhood bar). Choose from a good-value, uncomplicated selection…
Chambéry
Swift service and charmingly retro decor set the tone at Les Halles, where regional and classic French dishes are executed simply and with finesse…
St-Émilion
A few doors down from the tourist office, this wine bar with fire-engine-red façade is one of the finest places to eat – and inevitably drink – in this…
Bordeaux
Seasonal market produce and a generous pinch of creativity form the backbone of this bistrot coloré (colourful bistro), tucked down a backstreet lane…
The Jura Mountains
Inside a charismatic 18th-century building, La Balance uses local, organic produce to produce signature dishes such as coq au vin with morel mushrooms,…
Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne
This farm-style inn is well worth the 3km trek up the main road towards Col de Guéry. Regional classics like cheesy truffade and pounti (a prune-studded…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
This traditional bakery with an exquisite interior from 1889 is famed for its naturally leavened bread, orange-blossom brioche and flavoured escargots …
Aix-en-Provence
Pierre Reboul’s renowned restaurant has moved from central Aix to the aristocratic Château de la Pioline, a suitably smart location for his high-class…
Bordeaux
Reservations are essential at this Michelin-starred restaurant and wine cellar where vins d'auteur (carefully curated wines by small regional wine…
Burgundy
Balancing top-of-the-line gastronomy with an unfailingly welcoming atmosphere, this husband-and-wife venture is a total gem. Chef Gilles Bérard brings…
Montmartre & Northern Paris
'Eco-responsible' is the tasty buzzword at the second outpost of Les Résistants, in a former wig shop in the earthy 10e. Fresh, seasonal produce is…
Menton
Design, cuisine and sea views (the full sweep of the Med) are all spectacular at this 1930s villa with a twinset of Michelin stars. This is the culinary…
Lille
Entered via a grand archway, a 12th-century aristocratic mansion – a mint under Louis XIV, hence the street's name, and a listed historical monument – is…
Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville
Everything at the Breizh (‘Breton’ in Breton) is 100% authentic, including its organic-flour crêpes and galettes (savoury buckwheat crêpes) that top many…
Bordeaux
Talented young chef Léo Forget is turning heads in foodie Bordeaux with his striking new locavore neobistro, with stylish zinc bar, mix of rough chip-wood…
Auvergne
Chef Pascale Suc pours heart, soul and lovingly selected local ingredients into the meals at this small, simple restaurant. The atmosphere is jolly, Le…
Tours
This intimate restaurant, with just a dozen tables, garners rave reviews for its outstanding traditional French cuisine, prepared à l'ancienne (in the old…
Paris
Navy blues and creamy diamond tiling characterise this Israeli hotspot. Delectable starters – deconstructed kebabs, crispy halloumi cheese with dates,…
Burgundy
South of town, this family-run restaurant with a charmingly cosy, newly remodelled interior is a terrific place to sample firmly traditional Burgundian…
Pays d’Aix
Many restaurants with stunning views rest on their laurels in the kitchen: not so La Table de Ventabren. This Michelin-starred restaurant – with a canvas…
Var
This serious restaurant perches at the summit of Les Arcs in a 12th-century château. In winter, dine in the renovated cave beneath paintings of white…
Nice
This back-alley gem with pavement seating is a vision of French bistro bliss. Mains like duck à l'orange, honey-balsamic glazed lamb shank, or perfect…
Île de Ré
Grab a straw hat to keep off the sun, snag a table overlooking oyster beds and indulge in a plate of freshly shucked oysters, an entire crab, shrimps,…
