Le Hittau

The story

Le Hittau – Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, France | Michelin-Starred Modern Cuisine

A kitchen shaped by nature

Chef Yannick Duc grew up in the countryside, spending childhood holidays along the Landes coast. The purity of rural life and the vastness of the ocean remain essential to his balance. He is especially sensitive to the nearby pine forest, whose resinous scents shift through the day, evoking deep memories. This connection fuels a profound respect for what the land provides.

At Le Hittau, awarded one Michelin star, Duc transforms the region’s bounty into delicate associations of flavour. His cooking is both heartfelt and unconstrained — a form of language that shares his discoveries with guests. Modern Cuisine here means letting the ingredients speak, guided by the rhythms of the seasons.

The chef’s aromatic garden

Just next to the restaurant lies a kitchen garden of herbs and edible flowers. Duc visits it daily, watching it evolve. Ladybugs signal healthy growth; nothing pleases him more than plucking a fresh aromatic to complete a dish. Lemon verbena, a personal favourite, appears alongside nasturtium leaves, borage flowers, and tagetes petals in desserts. Each plate becomes a snapshot of the garden’s current mood.

This attention to detail — from forest scent to garden leaf — defines the experience at Le Hittau. The dining room itself is a place for unhurried moments, where the outdoors feels present without being intrusive. Whether at lunch or dinner, the meal is a quiet conversation between nature and the chef.