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Best Loire Restaurants...Eating out is a part of the French way of life.   Don’t have a holiday in France without having a meal in a French restaurant.  Although there are many unusual French foods (frogs legs, snails, tête de veau etc.) you will find many foods that are a true delight!  And the Loire has some fantastic restaurants to choose from.
Which restaurant?  Try to find a restaurant that is targeted at French diners (French menus are a good clue!).  Don’t expect to find a fantastic restaurant in the major tourist destinations - here we would recommend something safe and straightforward such as pizza, crêpes etc..
Which time?  It’s often cheaper to eat at lunchtime and during the week.  Sunday lunch is always busy and it pays to book ahead.  In the evenings, don’t arrive too early - 7.30PM is often the earliest you can get served.
Which menu?  Don’t go for à la carte options.  Usually they have the same options as the menu prix fixe and they cost a lot more!  Avoid Menu Touristique like the plague!
Which wine?  Wine can be quite expensive if you go for named bottles.  But carafes of house white or red wine have usually been exquisitely selected by the restauranteur and are excellent value.  Refer to our wine section for more advice on wines in France.

Our favourite restaurants in the Loire:

     - Auberge Bienvenue
     - Café de la Ville
    
- La Croix Blanche
     - Le Logis de Pompois

     - Les Menestrels
     - La Promenade


 See the details in the frame below...

Le Logis de Pompois

BP86 Sainte Verge

79102 Thouars

Tel No. (0)5 49 96 27 84

You would never stumble across this incredible restaurant. It is situated well off the beaten track 5 km north-west of Thouars and a good map is essential to find it! However it really is well worth hunting it out. This is French cuisine at its best, with wonderful service, fine china and lots of little extras. This is a place for celebrating that special occasion, by perhaps partaking of the menu gastronomique with course after course of exquisitely prepared food.
External websites offering information on Loire restaurants (not all visited by us):

- Loire Valley Online
- Fodors Guide
If you know of any other excellent Loire restaurants, please let us have your feedback, including pictures and an explanation of your recommendation.  Thanks!