Relais Chantovent

The story

Relais Chantovent, Minerve – Michelin-Recommended Dining in the Cathar Country

A Family-Run Restaurant with a View

Relais Chantovent sits at the heart of the Cathar citadel of Minerve, perched on a rocky spur that overlooks the steep gorges of the Cesse and Brian rivers. The panoramic view is immediate and dramatic, but the restaurant is first and foremost a place of pleasure and conviviality, one that a single family has devoted itself to for many years.

Heartfelt, Locally Sourced Cuisine

The kitchen is led by Chef Nicolas, whose cooking is described as a “cuisine de cœur” – cooking from the heart. Everything is made in-house using fresh, local ingredients. In 2014, this dedication earned him the title of Maître Restaurateur, a French government certification that guarantees dishes are prepared on the premises from raw, quality products. The Michelin inspectors have also taken note, awarding the restaurant a Recommended rating in 2026, a fitting nod to its consistent, honest cooking.

The menu changes with the seasons, featuring dishes such as asparagus from Mr. Onoré, served cooked and raw with a light moelleux, or a medallion of lamb with olives, cooked to a precise finish. Desserts like a rolled roasted apple on its biscuit show the kitchen’s attention to detail. The wine list is thoughtfully paired, and the setting – whether indoors or on the terrace – makes every meal feel like an escape.

A Place to Stay

For those who want to linger, the Relais Chantovent also offers simple, comfortable rooms directly opposite the restaurant, right in the historic centre of Minerve. It’s a rare chance to sleep inside a living medieval village, surrounded by the same quiet beauty that defines the dining experience.