French Michelin Guide Star Losses
The new Michelin Guide has stripped stars from 19 restaurants in France, including spots in Paris, the Côte d’Azur, and Orléans [https://www.apero-bordeaux.fr/guide-michelin-2026-ces-19-restaurants-francais-qui-viennent-de-perdre-une-etoile/, https://sosoir.lesoir.be/734029/article/2026-03-12/guide-michelin-2026-voici-les-restaurants-qui-perdent-une-etoile-en-france]. Le Lièvre Gourmand, the last starred restaurant in Orléans, was downgraded [https://francebleu.fr/centre-val-de-loire/loiret-45/orleans/cette-etoile-j-y-tiens-le-guide-michelin-retrograde-le-lievre-gourmand-dernier-restaurant-etoile-a-orleans-4313892].
The Michelin Guide's 2026 edition has removed stars from a total of 19 restaurants across France, impacting establishments in various regions, including Paris, Côte d’Azur, and Orléans. The downgrades, revealed ahead of the official ceremony on March 16, serve as a reminder that Michelin stars are not permanent and are subject to continuous evaluation. Among the notable losses is Le Relais de la Poste in Magescq, which had maintained two stars since 1971, making it one of France's longest-standing two-starred restaurants. Chef Jean Coussau's niece, Clémentine Coussau, who played a significant role in the kitchen for nearly 11 years, departed in June 2025, potentially affecting the restaurant's equilibrium. Several restaurants lost their stars due to chef departures, concept changes, or establishments undergoing transformation or simple reevaluation by Michelin Guide inspectors. La Mirande in Avignon lost its star after chef Florent Pietravalle's departure in October 2025.
