In a country with UNESCO-listed cuisine, the region of Hauts-de-France (Northern France) stands out for the passion and excellence of its chefs and its Michelin-starred restaurants. Now that Hauts-de France is officially the European Region of Gastronomy, it is time to head north of Paris to discover new tastes in elegant settings, based on ingredients rooted in terroir.
Discover the Northen France Region's gastronomy
With 16 Michelin-starred chefs and many restaurants listed in the influential Gault et Millau guides, the Northern France region is a foodie’s paradise, where both traditional and innovative cuisine can be savoured whilst exploring the region’s sights. These include Amiens with it stunning cathedral and floating gardens, the picturesque village of Gerberoy, the Bay of Somme (among the world’s loveliest bays), the Château de Chantilly with its renaissance art collection second only to that of the Louvre in Paris, the Musée du Louvre-Lens, and the city of Lille.
Enjoy some renowned restaurants
Luxurious places to stay are close at hand too, such as the exquisite Auberge du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly with its Michelin-starred restaurant La table du Connetable. 2 Michelin starred chef Alexandre Gauthier is at the helm of Auberge de la Grenouillère in La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil. Alexandre shot to fame when he served local Licques chicken to heads of state, including Barack Obama, at Paris’ COP21 conference.
La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil - Restaurant la Grenouillère ©papi aime mamie studio
Other Michelin-starred names to look out for are Christophe Dufossé at the Hôtel Le Château de Busnes (including its gourmet cooking courses) and Sébastien Tantot at the Auberge la Bonne idée in Saint Jean aux Bois near Compiègne. Then there are other huge talents such as Florent Ladeyn at the Auberge du Vert-Mont in Boeschepe, Steven Ramon at Rouge Barre in Lille and Pierre-Alain Delaby at Le Mathurin in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme, known for his seafood.
*Saffron from the Somme Bay ©CRT Hauts-de-France_comdesimages.com *
Michelin restaurants can also be found in Lille, Lens and Wimereux on the Opal Coast. The chefs of at the helms of these exquisite restaurants all insist on using high-quality seasonal produce. Some incorporate rare ingredients such as saffron grown in the Somme Bay, as championed by Porquet and Ludovic Colpart at the Auberge du Pont de Rethondes.
A selection of fresh and authentic products
The chefs of Northern France have fully embraced the “farm to table” concept. They love to get out and about, selecting ingredients from market stalls, market gardeners and producers, plus seafood in the Somme Bay.
Many local products you’ll sample are also available to buy, including Philippe Olivier cheeses, served in the best restaurants but also available in his fromageries in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Lille, Lens and elsewhere.
*Boulogne-sur-Mer, Germain Olivier from Fromagerie Philippe Olivier © CRT Hauts-de-France_AS Flament *
The same goes for champagne (10% of French output comes from Hauts-de-France) and fine wines.The French art de vivre is very much alive and well in Northern France. This is demonstrated not only in what you’re served but how you’re served it – at beautifully set tables with delicately placed cutlery and glasses. Here again, let yourself be inspired to take home hand-made local accessories for your own dining table, from shops including the Orfèvrerie d’Ercuis, Cristallerie d’Arc in Arques, Au Bleu d’Arras and Maison Porcelaine in Chantilly.
2021: List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Northern France
One-Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Nature in Armentières
- Le Val d'Auge in Bondues
- La Table in Lille
- Le Rozo in Lille
- Le Cerisier in Lille
- Haut bonheur de la Table in Cassel
- Le Pavillon in Le Touquet
- La Liégeoise in Wimereux
- La Grange de Belle Eglise in Belle-Eglise
- L'Orée de la forêt in Etouy
- L'Auberge La Bonne Idée in Saint-Jean-aux-Bois
- La Table du Connétable in Chantilly
- Le Verbois in Chantilly
- Le Marcq in Marcq-en-Baroeul
Two-Michelin-starred restaurants:
Article written by French Weekend Breaks https://www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/page/meet-michelin-starred-chefs-your-doorstep
More information on Hauts de France:
- www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk/page/meet-michelin-starred-chefs-your-doorstep
- www.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk
- FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/ILoveNorthernFrance
- INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/ilovenorthernfrance
By France.fr
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