schiller-wine: 4-course Lunch at Restaurant Le Favori (1-star Michelin), with Head Sommelier Paul Rybard, in Cheverny

The Loire Tour 2025 by ombiasy WineTours took place from Sunday, October 5 to Thursday, October 16, 2025. The tour started in Nantes and ended in Sancerre, with a bus transfer and lunch in Paris. There were 9 of us including Annette and myself.

Following:

Tasting at Domaine François Chidaine in Montlouis-sur-Loire - Loire Valley 2025 by ombiasy WineTours

we went for lunch to Le Favori, a 1-star Michelin restaurant in Cheverny. We had a 4-course lunch.

mindtrip: Restaurant Le Favori, situated within the verdant grounds of Les Sources de Cheverny, offers a refined dining experience under the guidance of Chef Frédéric Calmels. The restaurant's design features natural materials, with large windows providing panoramic views of the surrounding gardens and natural pools. The menu emphasizes seasonal produce from the Loire Valley and Sologne, highlighting vegetables complemented by rare herbs and spices, and dishes featuring meticulously sourced fish and game from the Grand Ouest region. The establishment has been awarded a Michelin star, reflecting its commitment to culinary excellence.

Loire 2025 by ombiasy WineTours led by Annette Schiller

Annette Schiller in her announcement: What comes to your mind when you hear ‘Loire Valley’? Of course images of glorious Châteaux pop up in your mind. Yes that is true and we will visit some iconic château and dig deep into France’s history. However, during this wine tour we also discover a magnificent, but often overlooked French wine region and one of the most exciting best kept secrets of excellent, high quality wines at very reasonable prices. The Loire Valley wine region is a vast area and consists of several distinct wine regions, each with its own characteristic grapes, appellations, and wine style. We take you on a journey from the Atlantic Ocean to the Auvergne mountains to explore this unique region. We learn to appreciate “Sancerre”, "Pouilly-Fumé", “Vouvray", “Chinon”, as well as many other not so familiar appellations.

Restaurant Le Favori – 1-star Michelin in Cheverny

Guide Michelin: In the heart of a wooded estate, this venue sets the scene for a culinary experience that is both delicate and daring under the auspices of Pierre Frindel, formerly at Sources de Caudalie. The chef delicately crafts local and less local produce, deploying his consummate skill and subtle creativity. Each dish strikes an accomplished, harmonious balance between tradition and modernity, depicted by a breast of Bresse poultry, melt-in-the-mouth aubergine, smoked caviar and crunchy confit leg, underscored by a saffron jus, or by John Dory in nasturtium oil. Spot-on cooking, elegant plating and a dining room turned towards the countryside.

1 Michelin Star (Le Favori)

Welcome to the heart of the Loire Valley, at the edge of the gardens of France and the Sologne forest. Our restaurant, Le Favori, stands majestically at the center of the estate, much like its namesake at court in this region shaped by the Châteaux.

Like the dining room, which opens out onto the natural landscape, the Chef finds his inspiration in this life-giving and wild land that has welcomed him. His cuisine is one that respects life: both human and plant. In his menus, he focusses on vegetables, which he combines with unusual herbs and spices. Central to his dishes, they are accompanied by fish and game eticulously chosen from the west of France.

Let your senses guide you on a journey (Le Favori)

In harmony with the people of the land—gatherers, breeders, fishermen, craftsmen, and artists of the region—we prioritize well-being and respect for both people and nature in our quest for meaning and self-improvement. Vegetables and mushrooms, enhanced by herbs, plants, and spices, are at the heart of our creations, with fish and game complementing them.

The cuisine expresses its full finesse through a vibrant and inspired culinary language, where each dish combines precision, boldness, and elegance. A crystal-clear sophistication, free of artifice, revealing the pure essence of the ingredients in perfectly mastered harmony.

In this soothing and inspiring setting, harmony and balance prevail. The personality of the dishes is distinct, with controlled risk-taking, lively acidity, and deep sauces and juices that add depth to the compositions.

The dining room at Le Favori offers an elegant and soothing atmosphere, where natural wood envelops the space in gentle harmony. Large bay windows open onto the flower gardens and natural ponds, creating a living and inspiring tableau. The clean lines and warm materials invite contemplation and a unique gastronomic experience.

Paul Rybard’s perfect pairing (Le Favori)

Our Head Sommelier, Paul Rybard, is committed to orchestrate a unique experience for you. culinary and wine journey expressing the soul of the house and the vibrations of the moment.

Les Sources de Cheverny