The story
After a biochemistry degree, a week-long stage in a Michelin-starred kitchen revealed Rémi Laroque’s true calling. He trained at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, then gained experience alongside talented chefs before returning to his native Auvergne. With his wife Noëlline Berthin, he opened L'Impulsif in Châtel-Guyon in 2019, driven by the ambition to reach the highest level. The restaurant’s name reflects Laroque’s impulsive, ever-moving approach—guided by intuition and a constant desire to explore new paths. This energy earned L'Impulsif a Michelin star, a recognition of high-quality cooking that the team demonstrates daily through rigour, creativity, and generosity.
The dining room balances 19th-century mouldings with contemporary lighting and classic table linen that sets off modern tableware. Walls serve as ever-changing canvases for street artists, creating a space that is both elegant and unpretentious. L'Impulsif’s cuisine reinvents and surprises, blending meats and fish with exotic spices. Guests choose their own journey through a discovery menu offered in three, six, or eight courses—a "carte blanche" that unfolds sensations, perfumes, and flavours with each plate. Menus shift with the seasons and are sparked by local produce or a new creative idea. Desserts lean toward fruit-driven lightness but also indulge chocolate and praline cravings.
The wine cellar, a natural extension of the kitchen, holds over 300 references from France’s great terroirs. Reflecting the kitchen’s Asian influences, the list also features a selection of sakes and Japanese spirits. Sommelier Juliette Maisonneuve, a WSET sake diploma holder and winner of the Trophée Mille à Reims, guides each table with discretion and precision. L'Impulsif serves lunch and dinner from Thursday through Sunday, welcoming guests for professional lunches, romantic dinners, or celebrations in a setting that feels like home—but also promises to astonish.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
Facebook
Instagram