France names new three‑star
France’s 2026 Michelin Guide added 62 new starred restaurants and elevated Les Morainières in Savoie to three‑star status. (luxus-plus.com) The trend underlines a push toward hyper‑regional menus as the key differentiator for top tables in 2026. (houseandgarden.co.uk)
The MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 France & Monaco selection lists 668 starred establishments in total: 31 three‑star, 84 two‑star and 553 one‑star restaurants. (michelin.com) The awards were unveiled at a ceremony at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum on March 16, 2026, and the Guide’s release also singled out 14 venues for an “ethical approach” to gastronomy. (michelin.com) Les Morainières was opened in 2005 by Michaël and Ingrid Arnoult; Michaël trained at Montargis Hotel School and worked under Emmanuel Renaut at Les Flocons de Sel before returning to the Savoie foothills to found the restaurant. ( ) A Michelin inspector recorded the restaurant’s remote siting on the Savoie–Ain border with views of Mont du Chat, noted that Michaël Arnoult runs a compact kitchen brigade, and highlighted a wine list dominated by Roussette de Savoie (Altesse) grapes. (guide.michelin.com) Paris featured several notable promotions in the 2026 selection: Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris received two MICHELIN stars, Alliance was confirmed as a two‑star house, and Virtus is listed by the Guide with two stars. ( ) Michelin’s inspectors pointed to menu shifts for 2026 that include preserved and fermented flavors, cooking over fire and renewed tableside service, while the Guide’s press release emphasized a wave of chef‑led, often husband‑and‑wife, personal ventures rooted in local terroir. ( )
