How can you choose just 20 out of the thousands of life-affirming restaurants in France, the most visited country in the world, the country that consistently tops the Michelin guide? If you have plans to join us on one of our France luxury tours, you’ll want to make sure you have a few special meals along the way. We’ve listed 20 of the best restaurants in France below, but before we launch into them, we thought we’d answer some FAQs.

What should I eat at a French restaurant?

Everything! Sometimes menus in traditional bistrots read like lists of your most long-held desires, and they’re different between regions. You won’t want to skip town without getting a steak-frites, a sole meunière, a terrine de Campagne, a French onion soup, a bouillabaisse, a croque monsieur, a Paris-Brest, an îles flottantes, a crème brûlée and eight crepes under your burgeoning belt … will you?

Do you tip at restaurants in France?

Tipping in France is optional so there is no specific percentage you need to keep in mind, but of course good servers appreciate and deserve a gratuity. French restaurant bills include a 15% service charge by law and waiters get paid a living wage, but a discretionary pourboire is commonplace.

How many Michelin star restaurants are there in France?

Unsurprisingly, France is the country with the most Michelin-starred restaurants: 654 in 2025. This includes 31 restaurants with three Michelin stars and 75 restaurants with two Michelin stars.

You may also enjoy reading: What To Wear To A Michelin Star Restaurant

Are restaurants open in France on Sunday?

The eternal question! Who among us hasn’t planned their trip to France to within an inch of its life only to be met with an unexpected French public holiday? Many more restaurants in France do open on Sundays these days, but if you want to eat somewhere specific, you must check and plan well in advance.

Arpège

Paris (7th arrondissement)

Initially, chef Alain Passard’s vegetarian menu was considered radical, but now there are decorated vegan restaurants aplenty. Nonetheless, someone had to get things going, and Arpège continues to be one of the best restaurants in France. It has three Michelin stars, despite (or maybe because of) the kitchen flying by the seat of its pants, sending out whatever ingredients happen to be seasonal and good on any given day.

Mirazur

Menton

This restaurant’s dramatic spot is unsurpassed – it sits in a 1930s-era rotunda building at the foot of the mountains, with panoramic views of the sparkling sea. Somehow, it’s also surrounded by gardens, in which wild rosemary, jasmine, almonds, medlars, peaches, grapes, cherries, asparagus, lemons and flowers thrive, just before they arrive on your plate. It’s a Cote d’Azur dream scene.

Table by Bruno Verjus

Paris

One of the best restaurants in France, but very much itself, Table offers fine dining with an atmosphere that’s warm and accessible. Over the wave-shaped counter, Bruno Verjus himself will happily talk you through his ingredients of the day. The daily menu is called “couleur du jour”, changing completely depending on what his trusted local producers have brought him.

 

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Septime

Paris (11th arrondissement)

Chef Bertrand Grébaut worked at Arpège before he opened Septime, which has redefined what contemporary bistro-style dining can be. The interior – bare wood, industrial lighting, exposed concrete and ivory pillar candles – lets the cooking shine. Look out for truffle potato velouté with brioche, veal sweetbreads with harissa and couscous broth, and some (when in season) special asparagus alchemy.

Maison Lameloise

Chagny, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

In a former post house in the heart of Burgundy, chef Éric Pras brings light, playfulness and vibrancy to classic Burgundian cooking. Think: snail tart with fizzy pickled garlic and nettle coulis, a seared scallop in lemon broth, and a chocolate-cassis mousse.

You may also like to read: The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024 and Where to Find Them

Le Doyenne

Saint-Vrain

Le Doyenné is a restaurant, guesthouse, and farm set within the historical grounds of the Château de Saint-Vrain, about an hour south of Paris. Guests dine in stunningly restored stables, beneath soaring wooden eaves, with views of the cottage garden. The “potager” (kitchen garden) is the beating heart of the restaurant – chefs harvest the choicest picks each morning.

 

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Pic

Valence, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 

The Pic family has been through the Michelin wringer – beginning with three Michelin stars in 1939 and currently holding three again, under Anne-Sophie Pic, the only female chef in France to hold three stars. The Michelin guide describes Anne-Sophie Pic  as “an iconic figure” and her gastronomy is served the appropriate way – on a porcelain plate, under a cloche.

Flocons de Sel

Megève

Emmanuel Renaut fell in love with the Haute-Savoie as a child visiting the mountains on daytrips. Now, he showcases his profound and extraordinary knowledge of Alpine ingredients at the mesmerising chalet that houses his three-Michelin-star restaurant. He says of his menu: “Behind each product are the men and women who enhance our mountain landscape”.

Discover more about our luxury journeys to France: Sophisticated and Stylish: why Southern France is Unmissable

Le Petit Nice

Marseille

Another address with three Michelin stars, this epically sun-soaked restaurant describes its location as “between sky and sea”, which is an accurate summation of its panoramic views. The colors here are only white and various blues; the menu is a heady combination of Mediterranean and maritime, with any combination of dentex, bream, bonito, whiting, comber, snapper and moray coming straight from the fishing boats.

 

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L’Auberge de l’Ill

Illhaeusern

This age-old auberge is an Alsatian inn in the truest, most decadent sense – in a storybook riverside setting, complete with manicured lawns and copious weeping willows. The restaurant is something of an institution, now helmed by chef Marc Haeberlin, grandson of the founders. It’s one of the best restaurants in France for dessert.

Epicure

Paris (8th arrondissement)

At Le Bristol, one of the most iconic luxury hotels in France and indeed the world, no fewer than three Michelin stars will do. Candelabras, damask upholstery, Louis XVI chairs and tasseled tablecloths set the haute cuisine tone at Epicure, where the dishes are technically flawless and endlessly delicious.

Bookmark for later: The Best Restaurants in Paris and Where to Find Them

Régis et Jacques Marcon

Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

A father (Régis) and son (Jacques) are behind this unique, somewhat out-of-the-way spot, amid rolling hills, two hours west of Lyon. There are 10 rooms if you need to stay overnight. The village sits in a cool, damp microclimate, making it famous for its mushrooms, which are abundant on the three-Michelin-star menu every autumn.

 

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La Table d’Elise

Monaco

This is a modern, generous restaurant with one Michelin star that visitors to Monaco should keep in their back pockets (if you happen to be taking our 12-day journey  Ultimate Southern, for instance). The menu is perfectly Provencale: cod with aioli and seasonal vegetables, crab and leek ravioli and slow-cooked Sisteron lamb shoulder with caramelized onions, raisins, cinnamon and semolina.

La Grenouillère

La Madelaine-sous-Montreuil

In a classic old farmhouse by a stream in the picturesque village close to Calais, chef Alexandre Gauthier’s incredible avant-garde culinary personality disrupts the idyllic setting. Inside, the dining room is as artistic and experimental as the food, with lots of glass, wood and rusted metal. The menu is 11 courses of riotous flavor and texture.

You may also enjoy: This Country Takes the Crown for the Most Michelin-Starred Restaurants in 2024

Flaveur

Nice

There are two Michelin stars at Flaveur, one for each of the chefs, brothers Gaël and Mickaël Torteaux. Their menus are inspired by their travels and childhoods in Guadeloupe. In the heart of Nice, the dining room has huge fish-themed wooden cut-outs on the walls and space for just 20 diners. The three, four and seven-course menus are wild adventures.

 

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Pierre Gagnaire

Paris (8th arrondissement)

Another address in Paris means you should probably book our 14-day Ultimate France journey and then stay in the capital for a hectic schedule of haute cuisine at the end. Grandiosely located just off the Champs-Élysées, Pierre Gagnaire is the iconic, poetic restaurant from the chef who grew up in his father Jean Claude’s Michelin-star kitchen. On his website, the chef says “I want to put feeling and intelligence into my cooking. People need poetry, tenderness and well-made things”.

La Villa Madie

Cassis

L’Anse de Corton is a magical little cove known to the people of Cassis, but not to everyone else. La Villa Madie sits snugly within it, a restaurant that was once the darling of Cassis and is now one of the best restaurants in France, even though its chef-owners – Marielle and Dimitri Droisneau – modestly describe themselves as a ‘contemporary innkeeper couple’.

You might be interested to learn: How Do Restaurants Get Awarded a Michelin Star?

Rouge

Nimes

Beninese chef Georgiana Viou brings her favorite West African flavors, her warm disposition and her love for her adopted hometown of Marseille to the table. The result is a creative, Mediterranean fusion menu. The dining room is a cosy, welcoming space, featuring rose velvet, marble and amber tones. The patio is even more inviting.

 

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La Vague d’Or

Saint-Tropez

Among the pine trees and bikinis of Saint-Tropez, La Vague d’Or is chef Arnaud Donckele’s three Michelin-star tribute to this unique, seductive place. He promises guests a magical journey through land and sea, celebrating the traditions of the region, and remaining steadfast on his quest for innovation.

Les Prés d’Eugénie – Michel Guérard

Eugénie-les-Bains, Nouvelle Acquitaine

Michel Guérard, one of the founders of la nouvelle cuisine, sadly died in 2024. This restaurant in a stunningly serene spa hotel, overseen for a few years now by head chef Hugo Souchet, is a testament to Guérard’s dedication and to how admired he was. It’s a light, enchanting temple to French gastronomy, which has retained its three Michelin stars since 1977.

Feeling inspired to experience the best France has to offer, or may the rest of the world? Take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys.

If the range of journeys offered by Luxury Gold doesn’t go quite far enough for you and you’re more concerned with seeing things beyond this planet, perhaps a stargazing vacation is in your future. Forget white sand beaches and Michelin stars – you want stars and planets, meteor showers and the Milky Way. Before we dig into some of the world’s best places for stargazing, let’s run through some basics.

What is stargazing?

Stargazing is the simple act of observing the night sky for enjoyment. It is – in fact – about so much more than stars. Other objects visible in the clearest night skies include comets (large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the sun), meteors (space rocks that have entered the earth’s atmosphere), asteroids (sometimes called minor planets – rocky, airless remnants left from the formation of our solar system, 4.6 billion years ago), planets (celestial bodies that orbit the sun) and even entire galaxies (huge collections of gas, dust, and billions of stars and their solar systems, all held together by gravity).

How do I stargaze?

To stargaze, you must go somewhere far from skyglow of the city lights and watch the sky. Your eyes will take some time to adapt to the darkness, but then you’ll be able to spot things with the help of apps and charts (and expert tour guides). A red flashlight can help you see in the dark without spoiling night vision.

What is the best time for stargazing?

You want velvety, black darkness, which is usually (but not always) achieved in cold weather on cloudless nights. Light pollution makes it difficult to see the breadth of what the sky has to offer, so avoid bright moonlight by stargazing just after a new moon. When looking for dark skies, you’ll hear references to the Bortle scale, where 1 is the darkest sky available on Earth and 9 is an inner-city sky.

You may also enjoy reading: Five best National Parks in the world you can discover with Luxury Gold

10 Best Places for Stargazing in the World:

1. Jasper National Park, Canada

Located just above Banff National Park, spectacular Jasper is a UNESCO World Heritage site and 97% of it is a designated wilderness area, free of light pollution, so life-affirming night skies are all but guaranteed. On our Majesty of the Rockies journey, we spend three nights at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where the restored heritage cabins make a cosy base to return to after a long evening letting your mind wander along the Milky Way.

2. Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, Japan

In Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost park is a subtropical archipelago of evergreen forests, mangroves and coral reefs, with flashes of white sand. After a day drifting through a maze of mangroves in a canoe, the sky opens to you. Just as the park provides refuge for threatened plant and animal species, its residents, tour operators and government agencies also work hard to boost conditions for stargazing. Explore the possibilities of a Luxury Gold journey to Majestic Japan.

You may also like to read: The Most Beautiful National Parks in Western Canada

3. Pic du Midi, France

This is a mountain in the French Pyrenees which is crowned with an iconic observatory. It’s not only one of the best places for stargazing in the world, it’s the oldest high mountain astronomy observatory in the world, and it’s where the moon’s map was drawn up for NASA in 1969. It’s one of the best stargazing sites in the world both practically and culturally. All year round guests can take a cable car to the peak for an otherworldly high-altitude experience – a must for amateur astronomers.

Bookmark for later: The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World You Need to Visit

4. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand

This is the largest reserve in the Southern Hemisphere with pristine dark skies. It’s comprised of Aoraki, Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin, Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo. The dramatic, Lord of the Rings landscape features enormous glacial lakes and golden tussock grasslands flanked by snow-capped mountains. It’s the ideal setting for a little cosmos-watching and celestial magical.

5. Kiruna, Sweden

At the top of Sweden, in the province of Lapland, Kiruna is an arctic city surrounded by forests, marshes, lakes, rivers and mountains. It’s a popular stop for those chasing the Northern Lights or seeking the Midnight Sun, so naturally it’s one of the best places for stargazing, too – essentially a one-stop-shop for all your worldly wonders. Come for the polar night which lasts for 28 days between December and January – it’s completely dark every day save for a few hours of bluish twilight.

6. The Atacama Desert, Chile

This cool, arid plateau glows with fiery oranges and reds, particularly as the sun sets. And once the sun’s done its thing, the landscape transforms into an amateur astrologist’s playground, with its high altitude, minimal light pollution and dark skies offering mesmerising sights wherever you turn. At the San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations (SPACE) open-air observatory, a large selection of telescopes are set up at different angles.

7. New Mexico Dark Skies Trail, USA

Stargazing opportunities abound in and around the colorfully named Pie Town in New Mexico. It’s been called the dark skies trail since 2017, but the skies have been darker for much longer than that. The best places for stargazing include the Cosmic Campground which has an epic, starry spot that is designated by DarkSky International (IDS) as a Dark Sky Sanctuary. It often hosts public star parties and invite serious stargazers to bring their telescopes.

8. Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the world’s greatest wildlife-spotting destinations by day and one of the best places for stargazing by night. In the dry winter months, the sky is festooned with stars, blanketing the horizon. The hazy, remarkable band of light that may make itself known to your eyes as early as dinnertime is the Milky Way. Our Spectacular South Africa journey includes a three-day safari in Kruger National Park.

9. Zselic National Landscape Protection Area, Hungary

Established in 1976 to protect the natural assets of the North Zselic region, this park encompasses over 9,000 hectares. The Triangulum Galaxy can be seen without telescopes on the clearest nights, and the zodiacal light – a glow of diffuse sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust – is visible in spring and autumn.

10. NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia

This one is a private nature reserve established to help protect and conserve the unique ecology and wildlife of the south-west Namib Desert. It has been designated a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark Sky Association. There is minimal tourism on the reserve but at Kwessie Dunes Lodge each bedroom has a special space for stargazing, which is completely open to the sky.

Feeling inspired to see the world in all its glory? Take a look at our collection of small group luxury journeys.

With discerning travelers increasingly seeking experiences that are both indulgent and environmentally conscious, Luxury Gold launched a new tour in partnership with VisitScotland that proves luxury and sustainability go hand in hand.  

This exclusive 10-Day journey through Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes and storied cities takes you deep into the heart of this remarkable country, with every step promoting responsible travel and sustainability. 

Take a look at Spectacular Scotland.

Thoughtfully created, with sustainability in mind

“We’re thrilled to bring this new tour to the Luxury Gold portfolio, and it has been very exciting to work on,” says Karen Gower, Senior Travel Experiences Manager for Luxury Gold. “When crafting this 10-Day itinerary, I’ve combined all of the luxurious touches our guests expect from Luxury Gold, with the best that Scotland has to offer. This includes bucket list destinations and experiences, as well as hidden gems that we know our guests will love.  

“But what really makes Spectacular Scotland stand out in our collection is its focus on sustainability. Working in partnership with VisitScotland, this has been at the forefront when sourcing every experience, supplier and even the pace of the itinerary. Guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on guests, our Travel Concierges are chomping at the bit to run this tour as they can see how fantastic it is!” 

Luxury and sustainability at a glance

A special focus on activities that have a positive impact on the environment, including visits to Cairngorms National Park, Glencoe National Nature Reserve, Loch Fleet Nature Reserve and the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust on the Isle of Mull. 

A new MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience developed specially for this tour – a Highland Tartan demonstration. While other itineraries usually only include one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, this one has four. 

Mostly 2-night stays, which means a smaller carbon footprint in travel terms, as well as allowing guests more time to support the local economy in one area, avoiding areas where there is a strain on the local community due to visitor numbers. 

Restaurant and hotel suppliers have been sourced with sustainability at the forefront of consideration, such as Michelin-starred Unalome by Graeme Cheevers in Glasgow, where you’ll dine on day 8.  

Developed in partnership with VisitScotland

Created in partnership with VisitScotland, Rona Wallace, Senior Manager, Business Development join us for a Q&A to explain more about the sustainability ethos behind our new Spectacular Scotland journey. 

Why is it important to offer responsible travel options?

“Scotland has welcomed visitors for over 200 years, and we want to ensure tourism provides sustainable economic growth for generations to come.  Responsible travel is entirely possible and by working with organizations like TTC and their Luxury Gold brand, we can demonstrate how it can be achieved in Scotland.   

“The principle of Responsible tourism means slowing down the consumer, allowing them to dwell longer and discover different places away. This in turn delivers more for local communities and allows clients on tours to relax and make those local connections which we know from consumer trends is what they are looking for. This in turn delivers a strong selling tour. Spending a longer time in a destination ultimately leads to less carbon production and benefits the hotels too.” 

Do you believe luxury and sustainability in travel can go and-in-hand?

“Definitely.  High quality immersive experiences benefit local businesses and communities, and many of our 5-star accommodation providers take responsible tourism very seriously – they are committed to climate action, social inclusion and giving back to their local communities, using an abundance of local food and drink in their offering while delivering on the expectations of luxury clients.”   

What do you hope our guests learn about Scotland that they may have not already known?

“That memorable experiences go way beyond the standard bucket list – by working closely with the Luxury Gold team and our knowledge of Scotland businesses we’re able to suggest experiences that are unique to Scotland and will live long in the memory.”   

Which experiences on the tour are you particularly excited about?

“It’s a hard choice, as all offer their own unique experience which clients will find memorable, and at times unexpected.  The VIP Visit with Lord Bruce of Broomhall House will be a highlight, but my ultimate favorite has to be the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Highland Tartan Demonstration.  I am sure the clients for Luxury Gold will have some serious fun here, whilst learning about one of Scotland’s ancient industries.”  

What does the future hold for responsible tourism in Scotland?

“There’s a lot of desire amongst tourism businesses to do the right thing for sustainable growth.  Public sector agencies are working in partnership with the private sector to co-ordinate our strategic plans and activity – as a country we’re the right size to deliver on this – small enough to have personal relationships across different sectors, but large enough to make meaningful change.  There’s still a long way to go, but we’re definitely on the right path.  We also want to share our learnings with other destinations and together we can make a difference.” 

You may also enjoy reading: 12 Most Beautiful Places In Scotland You Need To Visit This Year

Spectacular Scotland – a peek at the itinerary

Your luxurious journey through Scotland begins with two nights in its charming capital Edinburgh. Explore iconic landmarks such as St Giles’ Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle, savor seasonal Scottish produce and foraged herbs at the renowned Wedgwood Restaurant on the Royal Mile, and meet the owners on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. 

A VIP visit with Lord Bruce, a descendant of Robert the Bruce, at Broomhall House in St Andrews takes you into the heart of Scottish nobility, and the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park unveils Scotland in all its natural beauty. Take a private tour of Balmoral Castle and estate and visit the historic battleground of Culloden, take a golf lesson on the championship course, and spot sea otter nests and seals at the serene Loch Fleet Nature Reserve. 

Near Dornoch immerse yourself in Scottish heritage with Highland Tartan demonstration, before exploring the breathtaking Glencoe valley with a ranger, both MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences. The next day sample the finest whiskies at the Tobermory Distillery on the picturesque Isle of Mull or round off your day with a visit to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Your journey concludes in Glasgow with a Michelin-starred lunch at Unalome by Graeme Cheever and two nights in the acclaimed Cameron House Hotel. Personalize your final day with a relaxing champagne cruise or another equally exciting activity, ensuring a memorable finale to this remarkable experience. 

Discover the full itinerary here.

For the ultimate combination of luxury and sustainability, secure your place on Spectacular Scotland, for departures in 2026.