Au Colombier

The story

Au Colombier, Villefranche-sur-Saône – Michelin Recommended Modern Cuisine on the River Saône

By the Saône

Au Colombier sits on the banks of the Saône in Anse, just outside Villefranche-sur-Saône. The contemporary dining room and terrace open onto the river, offering a calm backdrop for lunch or dinner. Chef Frédéric Côte, a member of the Toques Blanches Lyonnaises, leads the kitchen with a philosophy anchored in the “fait maison” – everything made in-house from fresh, local produce. The cuisine is French tradition, revisited with subtlety, earning the restaurant a recommendation from Michelin.

The Chef’s Approach

Côte’s menu changes with the seasons, driven by what the market brings. He describes his cooking as “beaucoup plus que des recettes” – much more than recipes. The emphasis is on clean flavours and precise technique. Guests can choose from a range of menus, from the weekday Plat du Jour (€17.50 at lunch) to the five-course Menu Dégustation “Retour du Marché” (€85), which reflects the day’s best finds and comes with three glasses of wine. The Menu Gourmand (€43) and the Spécial Bord de Saône (€66) showcase dishes like Isère trout meunière, frog legs in persillade butter, and a duo of sweetbreads and filet mignon.

Menus for Every Occasion

For a more festive meal, the Menu Paillote (€74) includes a homemade pâté en croûte and an andouillette of lobster. The restaurant also runs “AfterWorks” evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, starting at 19h, designed for relaxed gatherings after work. Families are welcome, with a children’s Menu des Gones at €19. The service is attentive but unfussy, and the setting adapts to private parties, with private rooms available. Au Colombier is a destination that honours its riverside location and Lyonnais roots, delivering modern cuisine with genuine warmth.