Le Carré d'Alethius

The story

Le Carré d'Alethius: Michelin-Starred Modern Cuisine in Charmes-sur-Rhône near Valence

A Michelin-Starred Address in Ardèche

Twenty minutes south of Valence, in the village of Charmes-sur-Rhône, Le Carré d’Alethius combines a three-star hotel with a restaurant that has held a Michelin star since 2014. Owners Stéphanie and Olivier Samin opened the property in 2010, creating a place where comfort and gastronomy meet. The glass-roofed patio, flooded with natural light, sets a calm, intimate tone.

Chef Olivier Samin, formerly second in command to Anne-Sophie Pic, brings that precision to his own kitchen. His modern cuisine is described as graphic, luminous, and driven by seasonality. A typical menu—like the one offered for a past Mother’s Day—might open with green asparagus in textures, paired with foie gras, candied lemon, buckwheat, and bergamot mint. Then turbot with a velouté of Saint-Péray bubbles and spring vegetables, followed by kid goat confit and seared with artichoke Barigoule, black garlic, and a vinegar reduction. Dessert could be strawberry marmalade with toasted sesame, crème fraîche sorbet, and olive oil.

A Team Focused on Pleasure

Behind the experience is a committed team. In the dining room, maître d’hôtel Franck Baule oversees service, while sommelier Alix André guides wine pairings. In the kitchen, chef Olivier is seconded by Augustin Bac. Stéphanie Samin and Adeline Cartier handle the hotel side with personal attention. The restaurant’s Michelin star, renewed every year since 2014, reflects the consistency and ambition of the whole team.

Le Carré d’Alethius is a place for a deliberate meal—whether you’re staying overnight in one of the eight rooms and junior suite, or simply making the short detour off the A7 for a taste of what this corner of Ardèche can offer.