The Ferme Saint-Simeon, a former farm, has been an institution for centuries. It has been an upmarket “hotel” and more importantly, a restaurant/bar where many famous artists would hang out.

Today, it’s a 5-star hotel / restaurant.

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 […]

NOTE: Since writing this review, the restaurant has changed ownership but still retains the same name. 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]