Vonnas, a gourmet village

A land of French art de vivre, Bresse has given its gastronomic heritage a star-studded family. The history of Vonnas – Village gourmand is intertwined with the history of the Blanc dynasty: Elisa, mother Blanc, the celebrated two-time Michelin-starred chef, then Georges Blanc, the grandson, himself a Michelin-starred chef, and now his own children. A gastronomic landmark on the international map for lovers of French cuisine.

Birthplace of the Blanc family

The charm of a village where a quiet river flows, disturbed by the busy passage of waiters and cooks early in the morning. You’re in the heart of the Village Blanc! The destiny of Vonnas, a charming little town in southern Bresse, is indissolubly linked to the gastronomic enterprise of the Blanc family: the heart of the village belongs to them.

This family of lemonade makers and charcoal burners became famous when Elisa Blanc took over the family inn at the beginning of the 20th century. Mother Blanc was soon delighting the world with her generous, traditional dishes.

Awarded a Michelin star in 1929, and again in 1931, she passed on her passion to her daughter-in-law, Paulette Blanc, who in turn passed the torch to Georges Blanc. It was he who brought the 3rd Michelin star back to Vonnas, making the auberge the oldest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.

This village is a hymn to gastronomy! The open-air museum retraces the glory of Georges Blanc. The whole village reflects the image of this mythical figure, who did so much to promote Aindin’s gastronomy.

Village Blanc

The charm of the village, the unique history of this dynasty and its gourmet delights are all good reasons to stop off in Vonnas: the Blanc village is a must! Georges Blanc, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, has revived an art of living here through a very chic reconstruction of the old village, featuring a bakery, café, hotels, inn, boutiques and restaurants, and even a cinema and wellness area.

After tasting the iconic poularde de Bresse with foie gras sauce and garlic confit, served at the G7 dinner in Lyon, and Mère Blanc’s historic crêpe vonnassienne, all washed down with equally renowned wines, you’re sure to enjoy a digestive stroll!

The many bridges and footbridges, including the Pont des Compagnons, built by the Compagnons du devoir du tour de France in 1991, invite you to take a stroll. Don’t miss the 12th-century Romanesque church, built on Merovingian remains, or the charming Château d’Epeysolles, owned by the Blanc family and just two kilometers from the village centre. A lovely way to round off an unforgettable gastronomic day!

2rivers

The Veyle and Renon rivers at Vonnas

2Michelin stars

for the gourmet restaurant

4generations

of cooks

5hectares

surface area of the village Blanc

Blanc restaurants in Vonnas

The old Auberge is a reconstruction of the cradle of the family history. With its antique decor, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of fine Bresse cuisine. The Georges Blanc gourmet restaurant offers inventive, brilliant cuisine, with an emphasis on local produce, while the charming setting of La Terrasse is a showcase for refined cuisine.

Enjoy

Bresse gastronomy

A region of exceptional produce, Vonnas is home to crayfish and pike, frogs from the Dombes ponds, famous Bresse poultry, Burgundy snails, and smooth, creamy, light sauces… Sublime ingredients for a rich, subtle cuisine!

An extraordinary cellar

Over 140,000 bottles are stored in Georges Blanc’s cellar, making it one of the 5 largest in the world. In Vonnas, you might also like to try the Blanc wines, made from a Chardonnay grape grown on the family’s wine estate in southern Burgundy.

GOOD TO KNOW

The crêpe vonnassienne in the spotlight!

Every July 1st, Vonnas hosts the horse and crêpe festival. Since 1992, the village has been fragrant with the scent of Vonnassian crêpes or sweet crepes, while the streets echo with the passing horses, ponies and donkeys. A joyous moment of celebration and indulgence.

The crêpe vonnassienne or parmentière is the brainchild of Mère Blanc, Elisa. Made from mashed potatoes, this local crepe has accompanied the rich Bresse recipes of the two-star chef.

Village Blanc

01540 Vonnas