Les Pyrénées

Les Pyrénées Review

A former stagecoach inn on the route to Santiago de Compostela now houses the best restaurant in the Pyrénées, directed by renowned master chef Firmin Arrambide and his son Philippe. Characterized by refined interpretations of Pays Basque cooking based on local Pyrenean delicacies, this four-handed team has developed a devout following on both sides of the Franco-Spanish border. An hour from the port in Bayonne, the Arrambides offer superlative fish and seafood along with trout from the Nive, as well as anadromous sea trout and Atlantic salmon in season. Other dishes feature wood pigeon, langoustines, or truffles—and, for dessert, the elder Arrambide's recipe for gâteau Basque has circled the world. After dining, you can bed down in one of the 14 rooms and 4 suites (€65-€275) at the inn; needless to say, you'll want to invest in one of the board plans!