Auberge Le Prieuré

On the road between Bordeaux and Toulouse, in the heart of a tiny picturesque village near Agen, this country inn occupies a centuries-old stone house, whose terrace, shaded by ancient plane trees, faces a Clunisian priory founded in the 11C. A former consort of Michel Trama of Puymirol, chef Benjamin Toursel has forged his own distinctive modern style, scattered with bold, creative notes that frequently surprise the diner: mouth-wateringly juicy red tuna with a wasabi made out of roses, rhubarb and rose geranium; rack of veal, raw and cooked carrots and nasturtium-flavoured béarnaise. A priory devoted to fine dining…