Auberge du Pont

The story

Auberge du Pont in Billy near Vichy – Bib Gourmand Modern Cuisine by the Allier

A riverside house with a quiet confidence

Set along the Allier river, just a few minutes from Vichy and the medieval Château de Billy, Auberge du Pont is the kind of place that feels both tranquil and intentional. Yannick Réchaussat took over the kitchen here in October 2013, and since then has built a steady reputation for modern cuisine that draws on the best of the region.

The dining room is understated – soft colours, a calm atmosphere, a handful of well-spaced tables. Upstairs, a smaller room can be privatised for more intimate gatherings. In warm weather, the terrace seats forty and overlooks the water, making it one of the most pleasant spots in the area for lunch or dinner.

Cooking that follows the seasons

Réchaussat works exclusively with fresh, local, and seasonal products. That commitment shows in every dish. The midday menu, available Tuesday to Friday, offers a single set formula: amuse-bouche, entrée, plat, dessert. Recent examples include a raviole of avocado and crab wrapped with white asparagus and a sea-urchin corail mayonnaise, followed by a quenelle of sebaste (rose fish) with herbs and peas, or duck served two ways – rosé filet and crispy leg confit with artichokes.

The "Menu Retour du Marché" (27 € at Saturday lunch and every evening) brings a shorter, market-driven selection. A smoked beef bavette with cherry jus, broccoli and ratte potatoes, or a Brillat-Savarin mousse with toasted brioche and strawberry pickles show the kitchen’s range. Desserts like coconut cloud with pineapple, lime, and kalamansi sorbet, or a chocolate palet with caramelia ganache, finish on a high note.

Bib Gourmand recognition

Auberge du Pont holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand – awarded for good quality, good value cooking. It’s a fitting nod to a restaurant that balances precise technique with accessible pricing, and to a chef who lets his ingredients speak without pretence. For anyone in the Vichy region seeking thoughtful modern cuisine in a relaxed, refined setting, this address is well worth the short drive.