A gourmet tour of France

Prominent restaurant critic Gilles Pudlowski leads the reader on a gourmet tour of France, sharing recipe selections from his favorite restaurants along with the stories behind the accomplished chefs and their kitchens.

From the Carré des Feuillants near the Tuileries gardens in the heart of Paris to the timelessly elegant château of Les Crayères in Champagne, and from the idyllic setting of L'Auberge de l'Ill in the verdant Alsatian countryside to breathtaking views across the sparkling water from Le Petit Nice in Marseille, these are legendary restaurants that bring dreams to life.

Illustrated with Maurice Rougemont's enticing photographs, this finely-researched bible of French gastronomy offers a feast for the eyes and the palate. World-renowned chefs including Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy, Pierre Gagnaire, Alain Passard, and Anne-Sophie Pic each divulge two of their signature recipes to enjoy at home.

Addresses for all of the restaurants are included for readers who wish to embark on their own gourmet tour of the finest in French dining experiences.

"In this book we have selected restaurants from throughout France that allow us to dream a bit, to experience a touch of myth and legend on every level."

A splendidly elegant table surrounded by a sumptuous decor is the perfect, fairy-tale setting to indulge in an exquisite meal of blue lobster with garden pea bonbons, a world-famous truffle soup, or a timeless warm Grand Marnier soufflé.

A Gourmet Tour of France, as it leads us through a world of refinement and delight, puts the spotlight on temples of sophistication that have remained at the summit of culinary references for decades, such as La Tour d'Argent and Ledoyen, as well as on exceptional new addresses to discover like Le Château de Beaulieu near Lille.

It also highlights the fascinating stories and savoir faire of master chefs like the late Alain Chapel and Bernard Loiseau who left a legacy of exquisite talent that continues today: world-famous geniuses from little-known places, such as Paul Bocuse: top chefs giving a new flair to classic venues, like Yannick Alleno at Le Meurice: and secret recipes kept alive for generations, as in family institutions such as Bras and Maison Pic.

From all around France - whether in the Parisian Bois de Boulogne, off a national highway overlooking the serence hills of Burgundy or Lorraine, or opening to the azure Mediterranean in Monte Carlo - these magnificent restaurants of international reputation, their passionate chefs, and the delectable recipes featured in this book combine to tell the story of the grand French culinary tradition.