The story
In Chazelles-sur-Lyon, the three-star Hôtel Château Blanchard occupies a striking 1920s mansion. Its Italian Renaissance-inspired facade – adorned with mythological paintings, marble and mosaics – hints at a past life as the grand home of a hat-making industrialist. The building kept the name “château,” as was tradition for these bourgeois villas.
In 2005, the property became a family story. Brothers Sylvain and Frédéric Roux, along with their wives Isabelle and Gwladys, all trained at hotel-school, took over and modernised the estate. Today, a tree-filled park surrounds the hotel, and the restaurant has earned a reputation far beyond the Loire countryside.
Chef Sylvain Roux is the force behind the burners. His cooking is rewarded with a Michelin star, first gained in 2017 and maintained since. The cuisine is distinctly modern, built on the best produce from the Loire region, and changes with the seasons. Guests choose between two menus – Menu Inspiration and Menu Carte Blanche – or order à la carte. Each plate celebrates local ingredients with creativity and precision, balancing flavour and finesse.
The main dining room is elegant and filled with natural light, thanks to high ceilings and tall windows. For more intimate gatherings – family meals or business lunches – a cosy extension offers a different atmosphere. Throughout, Frédéric Roux, the sommelier, guides diners through a carefully curated wine list with a wide selection by the glass. The outdoor terrace, overlooking the garden, is open in warmer months.
Whether you come for the modern cuisine, the historic setting, or the warm service, Château Blanchard delivers a refined yet relaxed experience – a Michelin-starred table in the heart of the French countryside.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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