Les Arpents: a gastronomic experience in the centre of Amboise

From the secondary school in Tours aux Arpents

It was whilst studying at the Albert Bayet Hotel School in Tours that Franck Breton (who happens to share his name with a winegrower from the Montlouis-sur-Loire appellation – whose wines, incidentally, can be found at Les Arpents!) and Jérôme Lognon. Franck works in the kitchen… much to our delight. He set his sights on fine-dining restaurants from a very early age, his aim being to work alongside and learn from leading chefs. His career path first took him to the kitchens of the Château des Sept Tours, then to Burgundy at the Auberge de la Charme (1* in the Michelin Guide) and subsequently to the Abbaye de la Bussière (1* in the Michelin Guide). Finally, he returned to the region, where he took up a post at the Domaine des Hauts de Loire (2 Michelin stars). It is through these experiences and encounters that he has acquired the discipline, the technical skills and, above all, a love of fine produce and how to bring out the best in it.

Jérôme trained at some of the region’s leading restaurants, where he quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his professionalism and his close rapport with guests. His sole aim: to ensure his guests’ enjoyment and to promise a moment of conviviality and shared experience. Mission accomplished! It’s a real pleasure to experience such attentive, warm and knowledgeable service: from explanations of the dishes and the origins of the ingredients to wine recommendations, here the concept of service truly comes into its own. And when it’s all delivered in good spirits, with a touch of humour, it’s just perfect.

Near the restaurant Les Arpents Things to see in Amboise

Amboise

The Loire by bike

Château du Clos Lucé - Parc Leonardo da Vinci

Caves Ambacia

Hôtel Le Clos d'Amboise

Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard

Restaurant Berthelot

Château Royal d'Amboise

Entre terres royales et eaux sauvages

Chocolaterie Bigot - Visite dégustation

La Pagode de Chanteloup

Château de Pray

Les Ecuries de Pray

Aquarium de Touraine

Camping municipal de l'île d'or

VVF Les Châteaux de la Loire

Centre Aquatique du Val d'Amboise

La Dilecta B&B Amboise

Les Secrets d'Amboise

Loire Aventure, balades libres ou guidées à bord de canoës Canadiens

Au Charme Rabelaisien

SPA Domaine des Thomeaux

Amboise Montgolfière

Chez Oscar & Suzette - Guinguette sur les bords de Loire

Plou et Fils

Golf de Fleuray-Amboise

Plates that are extremely foodies!

The chef’s considerable expertise is undoubtedly evident in the dishes he serves up. From starter to dessert – or rather, from amuse-bouches to petits fours, I should say – everything is executed to perfection and beautifully presented. The cuisine gives pride of place to local produce. Franck Breton and his team have chosen to work directly with local producers, from the Loire fisherman (Thierry Bouvet) to cheese makers, market gardeners and other suppliers who are committed to showcasing local resources. To illustrate my point, here are a few highlights from the current menu that are sure to make your mouth water… and which I’ve sampled with great pleasure on your behalf:

Loire mullet marinated in apple juice with oil and roasted pistachios: exquisitely delicate with a subtle blend of textures and flavours
Catch of the day, Mr Leroux’s green asparagus refreshed with grapefruit and a light wild garlic mayonnaise (but don’t go looking for the latter – it’s served in a separate little casserole dish): cooked to perfection, a plate of pure indulgence!
The first strawberries from Sologne, olives and honey from their own hives. What a surprising idea to include olives in a dessert, but oh so fitting and delicious! By the way, yes, the restaurant does indeed have its own beehives…

Highlights from the restaurant Les Arpents

Reason #1

The cuisine is executed to perfection, offering good value for money.

Reason #2

A friendly atmosphere

Reason #3

Its location right in the centre ofAmboise.

Just for fun of the eyes

Fancy some more? Take your pick from the photos taken by my partner. They illustrate the following recipes:

Duck breast marinated in Loire Garum, foie gras mousse… hidden beneath crunchy vegetables!
Loire carp biscuit, creamy celery purée, tangy mushrooms and Chinese artichokes;
Lightly seared scallops, roasted cauliflower with black lemon, seaweed butter;
Racan squab, the fillet roasted on the breast, the thigh and giblets in cromesquis, coloured beetroot and coffee-infused jus;
Intense chocolate treat with Muscovado sugar;
Granny Smith apple candied in honey.

So, Hubert, would you recommend it?

You can probably guess that the answer is yes, yes, yes! And it’s not just me – the restaurant guides also recommend Les Arpents, with Michelin awarding it a well-deserved ‘Bib Gourmand’. The quality of the food, combined with the friendly and efficient service, undoubtedly makes this restaurant one of the bestin Amboise. Finding it is easy: Les Arpents is conveniently situated in the heart of the town, just a stone’s throw from the royal château. You enter a very cosy first dining room, with just a few tables, which also houses the wine cellar. The second dining room, which is larger, unpretentious yet pleasant, opens onto a lovely terrace. But what really matters isn’t the décor, but the food and the service. And, to top it all off, the prices are very reasonable for such a high standard of quality. So needless to say, it’s wise to book well in advance.

From the fork to the pen

A gourmet and food lover, Hubert Giblet founded the Val de Loire Terres de Gastronomie association, which organises the Automnales de la Gastronomie festival, as well as monthly gourmet walking tours. At the Azay-Chinon Tourist Office, he also oversees events organised under the Vignobles & Découvertes scheme.