Gastronomy and a weekend in Burgundy: the best plan!
On Saturday evening, a legendary dinner at the Relais Bernard Loiseau: a restaurant that has left its mark on the history of world gastronomy
It’s impossible to talk about a gastronomic weekend in Burgundy without mentioning the Relais Bernard Loiseau, located in Saulieu. This establishment is not only a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, it’s a living legend of French cuisine. Bernard Loiseau, an iconic figure of the 1980s and 1990s, left his mark on history with his perfectionism, rigor, and culinary style focused on the essentials: light sauces, highlighting the ingredients, and technicality without ostentation. After the chef’s passing in 2003, the establishment has successfully preserved and passed on his legacy. Today, under the direction of Chef Louis-Philippe Vigilant, the Relais Bernard Loiseau continues to uphold the values of its founder. Each dish tells a page of French culinary history, while incorporating a contemporary touch.
Why choose Bernard Loiseau for your Saturday evening?
Because it’s a unique experience: dining in a restaurant that has shaped the image of French haute cuisine around the world.
- For the precision of the dishes, where each ingredient – truffle, Bresse poultry, game, seasonal vegetables – is beautifully balanced.
- For the atmosphere of the place: an elegant, refined setting, steeped in history, where every detail contributes to the emotion.
- To extend your dinner, the Relais also offers a hotel and spa, making this a truly prestigious stopover.
Some signature dishes
Among the Relais’ must-try dishes are the pikeperch with olive oil and sweet garlic purée, the milk-fed lamb chops with reduced jus, and the refined desserts with Burgundian flavors. Each dish is crafted in the original spirit of Loiseau: getting to the heart of the matter, seeking pure emotion.
On Sunday lunchtimes, head for authenticity at La Ferme de la Ruchotte: The farmhouse inn that attracts Michelin-starred chefs
After the prestigious experience in Saulieu, head to Bligny-sur-Ouche to discover La Ferme de la Ruchotte. There’s no Michelin guide or star on the pediment here, and yet many Michelin-starred chefs consider this address one of the best restaurants in Burgundy. At the helm, Frédéric Ménager, former second in command to Alain Chapel, has chosen a different path: one of freedom, sincerity, and a return to his roots. On his farm, he raises heritage poultry, cultivates his vegetable garden, and offers traditional haute bourgeois cuisine nourished entirely by the produce of his land.
Why choose La Ferme de la Ruchotte for your Sunday lunch?
For a contrast: after the codified excellence of the Relais Bernard Loiseau, experience the friendly warmth of a farmhouse inn.
- Because lunch is an authentic experience, where each product has a story and each dish a soul.
- To discover iconic recipes like the vol-au-vent of haute bourgeois cuisine, a cult dish combining chicken, crayfish, truffles, and morels.
- To meet a passionate chef who advocates sustainable, responsible cuisine deeply rooted in nature.
A unique atmosphere
The rustic and warm dining room offers a simple ambiance, far removed from the splendor of Michelin-starred restaurants. Here, the essence lies in the food and the human connection. The hosts willingly share their culinary philosophy, transforming each meal into an enriching encounter.
Gastronomic Weekend in Burgundy – The Alliance of Refinement and Authenticity
This gastronomic weekend in Burgundy combines two complementary facets of the region:
- The prestige of a dinner at the Relais Bernard Loiseau, a temple of French haute cuisine, the legacy of a visionary chef.
- The authenticity of a lunch at La Ferme de la Ruchotte, where the terroir takes center stage, enhanced by a passionate chef-farmer.
In just two days, you’ll travel from the grand, cozy salons of a legendary house to the wood-panelled tables of a vibrant farm, from iconic haute cuisine dishes to noble and sincere peasant creations.
Prepare your gourmet weekend in Burgundy
- Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival in Burgundy, check-in, dinner at the Relais Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu. Option to spend the night thanks to the integrated hotel.
- Day 2 (Sunday): Drive to Bligny-sur-Ouche, discover La Ferme de la Ruchotte for a Sunday lunch rich in flavors and conviviality.
Practical Tips
- Book well in advance, as both restaurants are often fully booked.
- Allow for travel time (Saulieu → Bligny-sur-Ouche ≈ 1 hour).
- Complete the experience with a visit to a winery to add a wine-related dimension to your stay.
Briefly about your Gastronomic Weekend in Burgundy
A gastronomic weekend in Burgundy is much more than a culinary getaway: it’s an immersion in two visions of French gastronomy. On the one hand, the international prestige of the Relais Bernard Loiseau, a living memory of French haute cuisine. On the other, the sincerity of a farmhouse restaurant, La Ferme de la Ruchotte, acclaimed for its authenticity and respect for the product. Together, they create a rare experience, where refinement and conviviality combine to offer a memorable stay in the heart of Burgundy.
