La Mère Hamard

The story

La Mère Hamard – Modern Cuisine in Semblançay, Michelin Recommended

La Mère Hamard, Semblançay

Since 1875, La Mère Hamard has been a fixture in the village of Semblançay, a short drive from Tours in the heart of Touraine. The property is made up of two white stone houses: one holds La Table d’Olivier Loize, a country gastronomic restaurant, and the other is a three-star hotel with a private garden.

Chef Olivier Loize, together with his wife Alice (daughter of the renowned Chef Jean Bardet), runs the house with a sincere sense of hospitality. Their approach is eco-responsible—the hotel holds a Clef Verte label—and family-oriented. The restaurant’s cuisine is creative and gourmet, built around seasonal regional products and accented with distant spices. The chef’s cooking is described as an ode to nature, where beauty meets goodness.

The restaurant’s history is rooted in the story of Marie Hamard, a free-spirited cook who, with her husband, bought the building in 1902 and turned it into an inn. Over the years, it became a reference in Touraine for the art of hospitality, drawing guests such as Fernandel and the Duke of Windsor. Today, the Michelin Guide recommends La Mère Hamard, a recognition that speaks to the consistency and quality of the modern cuisine served here.

In summer, the terrace opens for outdoor dining. A private room is available for gatherings. The restaurant also offers takeaway and gift boxes.