There’s no getting away from Georges Blanc in Vonnas. Generations ago, the Blancs opened an auberge beside the River Veyle in a village a few miles east of Mâcon. Since the ebullient Georges won his third Michelin star way back in 1981, the business has expanded.
There is, of course, the renowned Georges Blanc restaurant and his sumptuous Relais & Châteaux 5-star hotel, complete with flunkeys in tunics and amazing breakfasts. His gourmet delicatessen, kitchen shop and interior decoration boutique are just across the market square. The old Lemonade Factory is now the Ancienne Auberge, his bistro serving traditional country fare with affordable menus (chef Sébastien Fichant, Michelin Bib gourmand).
And finally, the Hotel les Saules, the annexe that completes his Vonnas real estate - for now! The immaculately-maintained bedrooms here are sensibly-priced but still spacious and most have a small balcony. Since the swimming pools, spa and tennis court of the grander hotel are all available to Saules guests, many will welcome the opportunity to worship at the shrine of one of France’s greatest living chefs without breaking the bank for accommodation.
By offering a choice of dining and hotel options to suit most pockets, the Blanc family continue to earn enormous respect in this most demanding of professions. It is a tough call to resist an opportunity to celebrate their success.