Château de Courban

The story

Château de Courban, Châtillon-sur-Seine – Modern Cuisine with Michelin Star in Burgundy

A New Chapter at Château de Courban

In the quiet countryside of northern Côte-d'Or, Château de Courban has turned a new page. After a turbulent 2023 that saw the departure of its long-time chef Takashi Kinoshita and a brief stint by Nicolas Thomas, the estate now welcomes chef Maxime Lesobre at the stoves. Owners Frédéric and Mylène Vandendriessche describe him as "a young chef with determination and desire," and his arrival marks a fresh start for this Michelin-starred address.

The Chef's Vision

Maxime Lesobre brings a philosophy centered on the product itself. "I seek ancestral things, simple things," he says, pointing to work with celery, or the careful aging of meat and fish. His cuisine is rooted in the land, letting ingredients speak. The loss of the restaurant's Michelin star did not deter him—it became motivation. For Lesobre, a great house is built on its people, and here, "the staff is not just a number, it is a family." This shared vision with the Vandendriessche family is what drew him to the château.

A Taste of the Kitchen

While the menu evolves with the seasons, early glimpses show a kitchen that balances refinement and depth. Dishes like roasted cauliflower with creamy sauce and mushroom vinaigrette, or green asparagus cooked à l'anglaise with confit egg yolk and mustard sabayon, hint at a modern cuisine that honors technique without losing warmth. The restaurant also offers vegetarian options and an interesting wine list, all set within the château's elegant dining room or on its outdoor terrace.