Le Florida

The story

Le Florida in Jegun, France: Michelin-Recommended Gascony Dining

In the small thermal village of Castéra-Verduzan, near Jegun in the Gers, Le Florida is an auberge where family history runs deep. What began in 1935 as Angèle Abadie's pension de famille—a place for spa visitors to eat, sleep, and dance—has evolved into a contemporary inn with a gastronomic restaurant that draws on the land around it.

The story spans four generations, from Angèle to her daughter Paulette, then to her grandson Bernard, whose kitchen earned the restaurant its first renown. Today, the torch has passed to Manon and Rafael, a couple whose backgrounds complement the place perfectly: Rafael grew up in the aromas of a traditional Mexican restaurant, while Manon is a daughter of Lot-et-Garonne farming country, raised among livestock and foie gras producers. They took over in December 2023, determined to write their own chapter while honouring the past.

The restaurant's philosophy is direct: from fork to plate, it champions locavore, organic cooking. The kitchen favours short supply chains, regional products and seasonal rhythms, betting on taste and authenticity over fuss. It is a commitment that has earned Le Florida a place in the Michelin Guide, a 14/20 from Gault&Millau, and a spot on Le Fooding's selection. The cooking is firmly of the southwest, but shaped by the conviction that good food is also healthy food.

The setting matches the food. The auberge sits in the rolling hills of the Gers, a landscape often compared to Tuscany for its light and valleys. The four guest rooms open onto private terraces; some have jacuzzis for two. The design is rustic but refined. Chickens roam the grounds. It is a place built for slowing down, whether you come for dinner and a massage or a longer stay between festivals.