Avarum

The story

Avarum Blois – Modern Cuisine with Bib Gourmand in Fougères-sur-Bièvre

Avarum: Refined Modern Cuisine in the Loire Valley

Set in the quiet village of Fougères-sur-Bièvre, just a short drive from Blois, Avarum is a restaurant that feels like a discovery. Housed at the foot of the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre, its dining room and terrace offer a calm, elegant backdrop for a meal that is both thoughtful and grounded. The restaurant has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2026, a recognition that speaks to its commitment to good quality, good value cooking.

Chef Jonathan Lemaire leads the kitchen with a clear vision: traditional French cuisine, prepared with fresh, local ingredients. His style is one of precision and sincerity. The menu changes with the seasons, and the kitchen works in close dialogue with local producers. The result is modern cuisine that feels rooted in place — clear, honest, and quietly ambitious.

A Menu Built on Season and Sourcing

Avarum offers several tasting paths. The Menu Découverte (€42) is a classic three-course journey with an optional wine pairing. The Menu Balade (€48) adds cheese and dessert. For those seeking a deeper exploration, the Menu Dégustation (€79) unfolds over seven courses, showcasing the full breadth of the chef’s creativity. A Menu Évasion (€58) allows for two starters or two mains. All menus are built from fresh, seasonal products, and a fully vegetarian menu is available on request.

The kitchen is transparent about its sourcing: poultry, beef, and pork are all raised and slaughtered in France. Wines are selected from local and regional producers, and the restaurant offers a Dvine grand cru wine-by-the-glass service, with three or four 10cl pours.

The Experience: Intimate, Sensory, True

From the moment you step inside, Avarum sets a different pace. The space is uncluttered, the service attentive without being intrusive. Tables are spaced to preserve a sense of privacy, allowing the meal to become a quiet dialogue between the diner and the plate. The chef’s presence in the dining room is understated, but his cooking speaks clearly. Each dish is composed with intention — not to impress, but to mark. It is a cuisine that asks you to slow down, to taste fully, and to remember.

A Bib Gourmand Worth Seeking Out

The Michelin Bib Gourmand is not about spectacle; it is about value and quality, consistently delivered. Avarum embodies this. It is a restaurant where the ambition is not to dazzle, but to nourish — with skill, with care, and with a deep respect for the ingredients of the Loire. For anyone seeking modern cuisine in a setting of quiet elegance, this is a table worth traveling for.