The Secret Garden A gastronomic experience at the heart of Château du Rivau

Enjoy unique gastronomy in the heart of the historic courtyard of the Château du Rivau: between fragrant roses and ancestral vines, the Le Jardin Secret restaurant invites you to a refined culinary interlude.

Le Jardin Secret: a showcase for gastronomy in Touraine

Chef Andrea Modesto, former sous-chef to Joël Robuchon, orchestrates a symphony of flavours for your plate. His cuisine marries the treasures of the organic vegetable garden at the château du Rivau with the flavours of his native Italy. The estate’s ancient vegetables and edible wild plants are transformed under his expert hands.

In an intimate setting limited to 20 covers, let yourself be carried away by a menu that dances to the rhythm of the seasons. Local producers from the Val de Loire deliver their finest produce every morning, sublimated by creative touches blending French tradition and transalpine influences.

At the heart of this green bower, your meal becomes an enchanted interlude, lulled by the sight of the château’s roses and vines.

The chef's menu: between tradition and creation

Savour the 6-step tasting menu, where each plate tells a story. Vegetables from the organic kitchen garden are transformed into a creamy velouté, while wild plants bring their unexpected notes to local meats. Andrea Modesto’s creative cuisine reveals the true taste of the produce, in a sustainable development approach that privileges short circuits.

For refined gourmands

Le Jardin Secret is open from April to November, evenings from Monday to Thursday, and lunch and dinner from Friday to Sunday. The menu changes with the season, inspired by the Gardens. Visits to the gardens and château are free for restaurant guests.

What to see around Château du Rivau

A fairytale atmosphere at the château

Under the veranda bathed in natural light, your table awaits you in a setting where time seems suspended. The white tablecloths are adorned with the golden reflections of the sun, while the tufa arches majestically frame your meal. The murmur of the 15th-century fountain gently accompanies your conversations. Make yourself comfortable inthis intimate setting where every detail evokes the art de vivre à la française.

The flavours of the Loire vegetable garden

Wander the aisles of the organic vegetable garden where more than 43 varieties of ancestral vegetables flourish. Multicoloured tomatoes offer you their genuine taste of yesteryear, while monumental squash are reminiscent of Rabelais’ feasts.

Every morning, the passionate gardeners carefully pick the treasures of the season: fragrant aromatic herbs, crunchy young shoots and delicate edible flowers. It’s a daily ballet that delights visitors to the château who come to admire this living conservatory of Loire flavours.

You can extend your pleasure with a digestive stroll through these remarkable gardens.

Extend the experience

Hôtel du Château du Rivau

24Jul

Apé'rivau

In a nutshell about Le Jardin Secret

An exceptional culinary experience

in the enchanting setting of Château du Rivau

An ode to local produce and culinary creativity

where each dish tells a story and reveals the authentic flavours of seasonal produce

Andrea Modesto's cuisine

inspired by the terroir and Italy

Our good addresses

If you’re keen to discover new culinary delights, why not treat yourself to a gourmet getaway in Touraine, where local produce and the expertise of our chefs will give you an unforgettable gastronomic experience.