Food: French
Price: Expensive
Rating: Excellent (1 Michelin Star)
Web site: Manoir de Retival

NOTE: Caudebec-en-Caux has recently merged (2016) with other towns nearby and is now called “Rives-en-Seine“. However, since the artists called the town by its original name in their paintings, we will continue to refer to the place by its old name.

The hotel and restaurant “Le Manoir de Retival” is a very special place. First of all, it is located on the hillside between Caudebec-en-Caux and the Pont de Bretonne.

The restaurant is in an old style Manor, the Manoir de Retival and it even has an adjacent chapel. They also have a few rooms available for those who want to stay in this beautiful manor.

Wonderfully restored, the manor is beautiful and charming and full of character. But what makes this place very interesting is the food and the way it’s done:

Manoir de Retival's kitchen in Caudebec-en-Caux — Manoir de Retival’s kitchen in Caudebec-en-Caux

You are seated INSIDE the kitchen at a table that seats a maximum of 16 people (more than 16 means that you’ll be brought to a big room). So you sit and see your meal being prepared while talking to your host and chef David, a German born food-maestro.

In 2016 the restaurant was awarded its first (and probably not last) Michelin star.

It’s also possible, weather permitting, to eat outside (but then you miss the kitchen action).

Outside dining at the Manoir de Retival in Caudebec-en-Caux

The Food

The food style is modern French, extremely well made and very tasty. The menus include a glass of wine for each different course, and the wines are selected from the best vineyards, therefore very appropriate for each course.

Food from the Manoir de Retival in Caudebec-en-Caux

Prices

This is a very expensive restaurant, but then if you go there, you are the only customers. The cheapest menu, served only at lunch, is €70 (but that includes the wine and pre-drinks). The most expensive is the 8 course menu costing €150 per person (including wine and pre-drinks).

Ambiance

Ambiance is whatever you want it to be. You and your friends/group are the only customers. Want to come in a Smoking jacket? No problem. Jeans? No problem.

Service

With only one table to serve, and located inside the kitchen, service is obviously excellent. You decide the pace.

Summary

An excellent restaurant off the beaten track. It’s a wonderful experience if you have the money (and the time, since it’ll take your a few hours to finish your meal), sitting in the kitchen while seeing your food being prepared. Highly recommendable.

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Caudebec-en-Caux – Restaurants – Le Manoir de Retival