5 Best Restaurants in Valence, Lyon and the Alps

If you think the Pic empire has a lock on Valence gastronomy, think again: the extraordinary precision and refinement of Baptiste Poinot's cooking makes a foodie stopover in Valence an absolute must. Though the dining room itself is a bit on the quirky side, there is nothing to quibble over when it comes to the gorgeous presentation and scintillating tastes in dishes like melt-in-your-mouth trout fillet with salsify puree and crunchy grains of roasted buckwheat all in a cloud of curried foam. Desserts are equally tantalizing and the bountiful cheese cart is a sight to behold. The €60 three-course lunch menu is a good introduction to this marvelous Michelin-starred cuisine.

Set on the edge of Valence's Old Town, a few minutes from the Parc Jouvet, this hidden gem is one more reason to get thee to Valence. Chef Masashi Ijichi's Japanese roots and pedigreed French training (at the House of Pic) merge in a stunning cuisine that is virtuosic without being bombastic. Ijichi's delicate flavor pairings and poetic presentation rely on the intrinsic virtues of the freshest ingredients: an inky black sea urchin filled with golden pumpkin whipped cream and jellied lobster or white chocolate mousse and bright mango puree. The pared down dining room is an excellent backdrop to highlight the food, but be sure to leave some time, as this is a moment to savor.

Try the truffled galettes with asparagus or the loup de mer (sea bass) with caviar to see how the acclaimed Anne-Sophie Pic—the first female chef in France to earn three Michelin stars since Eugènie Brazier in 1933—is continuing a family legacy that began in 1889. Pic carries on the tradition of her grandfather, one of the first celebrity chefs in France, on the same premises where he earned three Michelin stars in 1934. Settle into the sumptuous dining room for an epic meal seated on Louis Seize-style bergères or, in summer, in the lush tropical garden; you can then retire upstairs to the luxe-contemporary guest rooms at the Hotel Pic.

If Maison Pic, superstar chef Anne-Sophie Pic's gastronomic mothership, is too much of a splurge (and a splurge it is), her gourmet bistro just two steps away will set you right up. Named for her grandfather, founder of the Pic empire, the menu riffs on all the French classics that built the Pic name. The handsome wood-and-leather decor and swanky lighting feel both classic and contemporary, much like the menu of such timeless stalwarts as snails and parsleyed roasted potatoes, pâté en croute, filet de dorade royale, grilled entrecôte, and leeks vinaigrette, all at a fraction of what you'd pay next door.

Stepping through the door of this charming Belle Époque brasserie is a bit like traveling back in time, so beautifully preserved is its turn-of-the-century ambience, with classic globe lighting, tile floors, and linen-bedecked wooden tables. The expansive menu includes all the traditional French classics: steak tartare, moules frites (mussels and fries), foie gras, and escargots, all washed down with a local Côtes du Rhône. If you still have room, the cheese plate or a classic dessert (like pavé au chocolat Valrhona or crème brûlée) assure a happy ending.