Le Colombier

The story

Le Colombier, Montélimar: Michelin-starred modern French cooking in Drôme

Le Colombier is the gastronomic restaurant of the Domaine du Colombier, at 270 chemin de Malombre in Malataverne, near Montélimar. Its modern French kitchen holds one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. The dining room sits inside a 14th-century bastide set in a four-hectare park.

Cooking built on the estate's own land

Chef Johan Thyriot, the domaine's chef director, cooks in a style inspired by Japanese kaiseki and organized around the four elements: fire, water, earth and air. Much of the produce comes from the estate itself. A 1,700 m² permaculture vegetable garden, a 450 m² aromatic herb garden, 30 beehives and 400 olive trees supply the kitchens.

Plates from the spring menu

The spring 2025 menu paired fresh pea with kiwi and geranium, and Canadian char with cucumber and pistachio, prepared by the ikejime method. Asparagus appeared with ginger, and artichoke with koji and hazelnut. The meal ended with a strawberry dessert finished with basil and the estate's olive oil.

Stone vaults and a shaded patio

The bastide was built in the 14th century as a waystation on pilgrimage routes. The Bedel family restored it, keeping its pale stone vaults and thick walls. The estate's cellar holds around 850 references, including biodynamic wines from the Les Amoureuses vineyard.