The story
Le Lucé occupies the former games room of the Château du Grand-Lucé, an 18th-century summer palace built for Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay. Located in the Loire Valley just south of Paris, the restaurant is the only space in the château at garden level, offering direct access to the formal parterre for al fresco dining. Inside, original open-beam ceilings, reclaimed tomette tile floors, and large windows framing the gardens create an atmosphere that is both historic and refined. The adjoining bar, set in the former chapel, continues the theme with interiors inspired by the verdant greens of the estate—a nod to the region’s landscape and the château’s past.
Executive Chef Maxime Thomas leads the kitchen with a focus on seasonality and locality. His dishes are constantly changing, driven by the cycle of the seasons and the bounty of the Loire Valley. Many ingredients come from the château’s own potager garden, while others are sourced from nearby organic farms. The result is an elevated farm-to-table experience that honors the region’s richness while presenting authentically French plates with a subtly modern approach. The Michelin inspectors have taken note, awarding Le Lucé a spot in the Michelin Guide’s Recommended category for 2026.
The menu is a reflection of what is ripe and ready, with Chef Thomas crafting each dish from farm-fresh ingredients. The artful presentation is matched by the setting—whether in the garden-side salon or on the terrace overlooking the parterre. The wine list, curated with the Loire Valley’s exceptional vineyards at hand, includes local Sancerres, famous Bordeaux, Beaujolais, and Champagnes, offering pairings that complement the Modern Cuisine. Le Lucé is a place where the history of the château and the freshness of the land meet, delivering a dining experience that is both elegant and grounded.
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