At the entrance to medieval Le Mans, the historic heart of the city, this former salt loft is the HQ of a youthful couple of enthusiasts. Locally born Charles Barentin and Margot Corvasier first met at the Auberge de Bagatelle, before working together with Christophe Hay at Saint Emilion’s Table de Pavie. In a tastefully refurbished interior (parquet floor, countrified wallpaper and a sage green colour scheme), diners enjoy drool-worthy cuisine at sensible prices: pithiviers of poultry, cabbage and mushrooms with a lemon-spiked sabayon; roast monkfish with bone marrow, spinach and a Champigny beurre sauce… Delightful welcome.