Le Jardin des Plumes

The story

Le Jardin des Plumes – Michelin-Starred Norman Cuisine in Giverny

Le Jardin des Plumes – Giverny

In the heart of Normandy, a short walk from Claude Monet’s luminous gardens, Le Jardin des Plumes occupies a handsome neo-Norman house built in 1913. The property was originally a Parisian engineer’s weekend retreat, later a local restaurant, before falling into quiet obscurity. In 2012, chef Éric Guérin revived it as Le Jardin des Plumes, and in 2017 David Gallienne joined the kitchen. By 2020, Gallienne had taken full ownership, and the restaurant earned a Michelin star for its high-quality cooking.

Gallienne is a son of the region, raised on foraging, fishing, and gardening with his grandfather. He trained in starred kitchens across Normandy and brought a worldly perspective to his cooking after travels that included a pivotal gastronomic trip to Japan, where he first met Guérin. Today, his cuisine is rooted in the Norman terroir but never predictable — he takes pleasure in reimagining local products with subtle, surprising flavour combinations.

The dining experience centres on a tasting menu called “L’Impressionniste,” a seven-course journey that changes with the seasons. For the most intimate encounter, there is the Chef’s Table, a space inspired by an artist’s palette where up to six guests sit facing the kitchen. Here, Gallienne improvises freely, drawing on current recipes, testing new dishes, and sharing the stories behind each plate — a childhood memory, a recent journey. The sommelier matches each course with wine, and the service is discreet, letting the food and conversation take centre stage.

The restaurant is set within a large, tree-filled park, and the property also offers hotel rooms and guesthouses for those who wish to linger. With its Michelin star, Le Jardin des Plumes is a destination for anyone seeking a genuine taste of modern Normandy, delivered with both precision and warmth.