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To the meeting of...
The Golden Lion

Robert Michel

For more than twenty years at the head of his hotel-restaurant, this experienced chef has been offering a French cuisine that is both traditional and contemporary, entirely homemade and made from fresh and seasonal products. At his hotel, whose reputation is well established, the man who describes himself as a “bon vivant” does not hesitate to emphasize the importance of taking the time to enjoy a good meal with family or friends…

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Who is he?

This chef with a strong character from the Loire region had the opportunity to cook for many personalities during his brilliant career: Alain Delon, Tino Rossi, Jean Gabin, Eddy Mitchell, Claude Nougaro or Laurent Gerra have tasted his dishes.

  • The kitchen
  • Its terroir
  • Know-how

Starting out with a bang

Finishing as valedictorian when he obtained his CAP Cuisine in Lyon, he continued his ascent during his apprenticeship at the prestigious Maison “Trois Gros”, during which he stood out several times in the Best Apprentices of France competition.

This unconditional lover of cooking has also distinguished himself with brio within true Parisian institutions of the culinary arts, such as Lucas Carton or La Tour d’Argent.

Love at first sight in Bourbonnais

In 1981, it was consecration: then at the head of the superb Hotel-Restaurant Le Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape, Robert Michel obtained a star in the Michelin Guide.

But this traveler in perpetual search of new experiences created in 1983 his own restaurant Le Bois d’Asson, in the Alpes de Haute-Provence, where he settled with his wife.

It was in 1998 that they fell in love and acquired an old charming Bourbonnais inn where they took up residence and transformed it into a Hotel-Restaurant: the Lion d’Or was born! They welcome you in this house full of history dating from 1849, within 4 restaurant rooms or in the heart of a two-hectare park with a view on the pond.

The interview

What is the dish that gives you the most pleasure to cook?

From my experience all over France, I keep this taste for the marriage of sea and land flavors. I will mention two favorites: lobster fricassee with porcini mushrooms and warm oysters with Champagne.

What dish could you absolutely not eat?

Uh… Nothing comes to mind, I think I like everything! With one condition though: I need taste. Cooking without sauce, without juice, without added value: I find that sad.

Do you have a particular memory or an anecdote in the kitchen that you would like to share with us?

I am still very marked by the impressive outpouring of journalists at the Trois Gros when they obtained their third star while I was an apprentice there…

If you were a sweet dish, you would be:

The Saint-Honoré, for its crunchy and gourmet side.

If you were a savory dish, you would be:

A leg of venison with Grand Veneur sauce, to honor the succulent game provided by the magnificent Tronçais forest just a few miles from the restaurant…

If you were a hashtag, you would be:

#chefgourmand

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3 good plans

According to Robert

1 good culinary plan that you would like to share on our territory:

If you are passing through Montluçon Country, I recommend to taste the famous potato pie and Bourbonnais lamb, a product of excellent quality.

1 natural site you particularly like on this territory:

The picturesque Aumance Valley around the village of Hérisson, to be done by bike or by car…

1 cultural site you particularly like in this territory:

The Berry Canal Museum, for its bucolic setting on the banks of the canal and its tribute to the mariners of yesteryear.

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