| Restaurants |
They say you are what you eat.
From simple farm food through to haute cuisine, every mouthful is memorable. Nothing happens by chance. Every ingredient has its purpose, every taste is measured and meaningful. Every meal is an event !
As you travel France, you'll find many restaurants and cafes offer a plate of the day "plât du jour", an economical and interesting lunchtime meal often featuring a local speciality.
Some bed & breakfast and château offer an eveing meal referred to as "tâble d'hôte", which translates to a meal at the table with the "family", although often the hosts prepare it and leave you somewhat alone to enjoy.
We should mention coffee. In Australia we are somehwhat spoiled by our attention to coffee excellence. However, in France, you're likely to be disappointed. Remember also you pay more to sit down for coffee: so if you're watching your budget and time, stand at the bar and save on both.
Below are our highly recommended tips for restaurants:
Paris:
- Chartiers: step back in time to the 1930's: authentic, bustling, sometimes rude, but packed every meal by Parisiennes. Be prerared to share a table, and note the food is just fair but cheap: however, this is a restaurant experience where atmosphere is the guiding criterion.
- La Procope: near Odéon metro, Left Bank: an historic restaurant where Napoleon once left his hat because he couldn't pay the bill. Good food, great atmosphere - packed with locals.
- Le Comptoir,: Left Bank near Odéon metro: be prepared to queue for lunch for the bistro, and bookings are a must well in advance for their fine-dining.
- L'Escargot: Rue Montorgueil: obviously snails are the specialty but the steaks are excellent too !
Outside Paris
- Issoundun, La Cognette - simply one of the best meals we've ever had - 5 star
- Château d'Etoges, Champagne - again, an exquisite dining experience, pricey, but worth every cent.
- Cancale - a town in Normandy, famous for its fresh seafood - pick any one of dozens of restaurants - you can't miss. For a cheaper meal, try mussels and frites - can't be beaten for taste !
- Cadouin: inexpensive but excellent restaurant for lunch whilst visiting the Abbey. Stay nearby in Monpazier - the most beautiful of the bastide towns (see Hôtel Edward 1st)
- Cahors, Le Balandre - another splendid restaurant in the South of France.
- Pujols-sur-Dordogne, La Poudette, nearish Bordeaux: fantastic food, affordable, in quaint homely atmosphere
- Chateau de Sanse, near Gensac, and Bordeaux.