Driving back from a family Christmas / New Year break in Germany & Switzerland a few weeks ago, we stopped at one my favourite hotels in France: the Hotel Georges Blanc in Vonnas, near Bourg-en-Bresse. This wonderful hotel is part of the five hectare “Village Gourmand” created by three-michelin-star chef, Georges Blanc.
Georges Blanc took over the family business from his mother in 1968 and has progressively developed the restaurant, hotel and surrounding buildings into a gastronomic destination, featuring the local cuisine of the area (most notably the famous Bresse chicken).
I’ve stayed here many times over the years, as it’s conveniently located as a staging post for the Alps, and have always been struck by the impact of this extraordinary man. He has built a true legacy, which he is passing on to his children. He is an ever-present figure, always on hand to greet the diners in the formal gastronomic restaurant.
The image above is the less formal, Ancienne Auberge, which features Bresse chicken in a cream sauce (La Mere Blanc’s Recipe), which is a recipe passed down from his grandmother. This is one of my favourite dishes.
It was wonderful to see Georges Blanc, on this most recent trip, still leading from the front at the age of 82, and truly inspiring to think of the legacy he has created here.
This may be of interest .. 