The story
Deep in the Landes forest, on the outskirts of Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, Le Moulin de Poustagnacq occupies the former mill building where the town’s grain was once ground. The stone walls and the sound of water remain, but the purpose has shifted entirely: this is now a fine dining destination run by chef Thierry Berthelier and his wife Anne-Marie. They have been at the helm for more than three decades, turning the old minoterie into a place where tradition and invention meet.
Thierry Berthelier describes his cooking as classic French cuisine, animated with vigour and marked by a regional accent from the Landes. His brigade works with seasonal produce to create dishes that are both grounded in terroir and lifted by creativity. A glance at the menu reveals the chef’s signature moves: a “Hamburger de Foie Gras” that reimagines Landes classics, langoustines served as ravioles with a morel sauce, and Saint-Jacques seared on the plancha with a girolle risotto. Pigeon breast with a purée of forgotten vegetables and a plate of aged cheeses follow, before a choice of desserts. The cooking is precise, generous and never fussy.
The dining room and terrace overlook a lake, with the forest mirrored in the water. The terrace, in particular, is described as magic – a place where the calm of the Marensin landscape sets the tone. Inside, the building’s industrial past is softened with warm, authentic touches. The result is a restaurant that feels both secluded and welcoming, a natural stop on the route of anyone seeking the pleasures of Landes gastronomy.
Le Moulin de Poustagnacq has been recognised by the Michelin Guide as a Recommended restaurant, a fitting nod to the Bertheliers’ steady, confident work. Whether for a long lunch on the terrace or a dinner in the mill’s vaulted dining room, this is a place that honours its setting and its craft.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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