La Côte Saint-Jacques

The story

La Côte Saint-Jacques in Joigny – Michelin Two-Star Modern Cuisine by the Yonne

A Family Legacy on the Banks of the Yonne

In Joigny, at the edge of Burgundy’s prestigious wine country, La Côte Saint-Jacques has been a destination for gourmands for nearly eighty years. What began in 1946 as a family pension run by Marie Lorain has grown into a five-star Relais & Châteaux property, anchored by a restaurant that has held two Michelin stars for decades.

The story is rooted in the Lorain family. Marie’s son, Michel, earned the first Michelin star in 1971, the second in 1976, and—together with his son Jean-Michel—the third in 1986. Today, chef Jean-Michel Lorain leads the kitchen, drawing inspiration from the seasons and his travels to create modern cuisine that is, in his own words, “gay, colorful, playful and surprising.” The restaurant’s dining room overlooks the river Yonne, a setting that feels both serene and refined.

The Art of the Meal

Lorain’s cooking is driven by respect for the product. His menus change with the seasons, and the kitchen’s creativity never overshadows the ingredient itself. The sommeliers select wines that harmonise with each dish, and the service style is described as distinguished yet warm—never stiff. The restaurant’s two Michelin stars, awarded for “excellent cooking,” reflect a consistency that has made this address a benchmark in Burgundy.

For those who want to go deeper, the house organises “Bacchus Meetings”—wine dinners where vintners and cellar masters present their wines in small groups, paired with Lorain’s food. Only 24 places are available, making these evenings intimate and sought-after.

More Than a Restaurant

La Côte Saint-Jacques is also a five-star hotel with a 800 m² spa, an indoor pool, and a more casual Bistrot des Générations, where the family’s historic recipes are revived. Whether you come for the two-star dining or for a longer stay, the ethos remains the same: an art of living between vines and river.