For people who love great food, the name Paul Bocuse is as synonymous to food as the Eiffel Tower is to French landmarks. In other words, the 3 star Michelin chef is a name revered amongst foodies and he is considered the grandfather of the traditional French cuisine.   His primary restaurant (he has a few, […]

Trouville-sur-Mer is a fishing village, so it’s no surprise that there are many restaurants serving fresh fish. But despite the several very good restaurants, one jumps out; Chez Alain.   Don’t go looking for references of Chez Alain restaurant in any gastronomic guides such as the Michelin Red Book. You’ll not find any. And that […]

Located in the Durdent valley, alongside the Durdent river itself, you will find a paradisiac restaurant called “Le Champetre”. Not a place where you will find gastronomic food, but you will find decent food in a tropical atmosphere. The restaurant has been growing ever since it has been created, and the growth has been wild. […]

The Bec au Cauchois restaurant, with its upcoming superstar chef Pierre Caillet, is located just outside the town of Valmont on the winding road towards Fecamp. Situated in a long curve alongside the Valmont river and lake, the restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star, but they deserve two stars; they’re that good. This restaurant […]

The “Au Souper Fin” restaurant is located in the middle of nowhere, North of the city of Rouen, in a village called Frichemesnil. The village has some 400 inhabitants, but it’s enough to host a 1 Star Michelin restaurant. So you know you’re not going to see many locals in the restaurant but more people coming […]

In the small village of Veigne, close to the city of Tours, you will find a magnificent estate that towards the middle of last century was turned into a luxury hotel castle; the Domaine de la Tortiniere.   Although the first towers/turrets were built in the 16th century, the castle was built in the mid-19th century. Each […]

The name is ominous for a hotel, since that is what the castle is. The Donjon means “the dungeon”. Located in the most popular tourist beachside resort town in Upper Normandy, Etretat, the Domaine Saint Clair Donjon is a castle that was combined with  villa.   The castle is quite new. It was built in the […]

Sassetot-le-Mauconduit is a little town in Upper Normandy that would go through history unnoticed if it were not that the Empress of Austria, the famous Sissi (remember the movie with Romy Schnieder?), stayed in the town’s castle during one summer holiday.   The castle, built in the 18th century, is prominent in the town. Sissi is rumoured […]

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 […]

The Brasserie du Sillon in St. Malo has one major thing going for it: it’s incredible location. The restaurant is not located in the walled city itself, but outside of it, alongside the beach promenade. The views inside, particularly when seated next to a window are fantastic. It’s even more dramatic when there’s a storm […]

The “Le Belouga” restaurant is located in the swanky and luxury hotel & spa l’Agapa. Located close to the entry of Perros-Guirec almost at the top of the hill, its views are amazing. The Le Belouga restaurant is located on the 1st floor of the hotel (which is also the main entry floor to the hotel), with enormous windows […]

Like any big city, Rouen has at least one Michelin starred restaurant, and in this case it even has a 2-star one called Gill (the first name of the chef/owner). It’s located next to the Seine river quai away from the hassle of the city centre, but close enough to walk there. In fact, it’s […]

An institution for those in the know in Rouen, Dame Cakes is a place where you might a well forget about counting calories, it’s a battle you’ll lose. Located next to the Notre-Dame cathedral (hence the “Dame” in their name), the place only opened in 2002 and already it’s very popular.   From the outside, […]

The Hotel and Restaurant La Couronne is the oldest inn in France, it has been in operation since 1345. You would therefore not be surprised that a) the food is good and b) many celebrities have and still are eating there. The ego walls at the entry and stairs are a testimony to this with […]

Dormy House, a hotel and restaurant, is an institution in the beach town resort of Etretat, perched high up on the cliffs (just below the very old golf course) overlooking the beautiful town and sea. Even if you are not into good food (why come to France then?), eating at Dormy House is worth it just […]

Eating at the famous Mont Saint Michel requires for you to either head for the big island rock and climb a few stairs (but not all the way to the top, all the restaurants are at the bottom half), or to stay on the land side and eat at one of the restaurants close to […]

Le Havre, although not a world capital, counts one 2-star Michelin restaurant (3 stars is the very top); Jean-Luc Tartarin.   The Michelin guide regularly tests these rated restaurants (anonymously) to ensure that the restaurant is as it should be. And when you have 2 Michelin stars, you are at the top of your profession (in […]