Two renowned Parisian establishments have been awarded three stars: Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée, where the chef offers cuisine redesigned around the concept of "naturalness". "Alain DUCASSE has taken a daring turn by designing a kitchen in harmony with nature" comments Michael ELLIS, International Director of MICHELIN guides. “Based around the vegetable-cereal-fish trilogy, its cuisine offers combinations of original flavors and shakes up the codes of haute cuisine. The result is up to the challenge: a meal at the Plaza Athénée is a unique and memorable experience, emotionally overwhelming as much by the stunning decor of the room as by the journey in which each of the dishes takes us. ”

A stone's throw from the Plaza Athénée, the restaurant Le Cinq, located in the Four Seasons George V hotel, also obtained a third star this year. " Au Cinq, chef Christian LE SQUER is a true virtuoso! " continues Michael ELLIS. “He signs superb dishes, mastered to perfection, which show exceptional know-how and a deep knowledge of the best products from our region. Tasted in a sumptuous decor inspired by the Grand Trianon, each plate by Christian LE SQUER is a true work of art, a shining example of what French gastronomy offers the best. ”

The 2016 selection is also enriched with 10 new two-star restaurants, with JY'S, Jean-Yves SCHILLINGER's restaurant located in Colmar, La Grande Maison by Joël ROBUCHON in Bordeaux, La Villa René Lalique by Jean-Georges KLEIN in Wingen-sur Moder, 1920 in Megève, where Julien GATILLON and Paloma of Nicolas DECERCHI in the kitchen officiate in Mougins. Among the new two-star winners, half are Parisian chefs who all took up their posts in 2015: l'Abeille by Christophe MORET, Le Gabriel by Jérôme BANCTEL, Histoires de Mathieu PACAUD, Sylvestre by Sylvestre WAHID and Le Grand Restaurant de Jean-François PIEGE. An achievement rare enough to be reported, which shows the talent and mastery of these chefs, but also the attractiveness and dynamism of the Parisian capital. “The attractiveness of chefs for Paris is a particularly striking element in this 2016 selection” specifies Michael ELLIS. “Whether it's small bistros or more luxurious tables, chefs and investors continue to believe in Paris, to be entrepreneurial. Moreover, among the 380 tables which make their entry for the first time in the guide, 100 are located in Paris. This is proof that Paris is more than ever a metropolis in which chefs continue to undertake business. ”

42 restaurants obtained their first star in the 2016 edition of the MICHELIN guide. The chefs, carried by a region of great richness and exceptional diversity, offer quality cuisine to the four corners of France. Concerned about their environment, they continue to favor short circuits and work with local producers. Attentive to price control and customer expectations, there are many who ensure that quality cuisine is also synonymous with moderate prices, like La Table de Merville in Toulouse, Initial in Caen and the Château de Sand at Porspoder, in Finistère, tables promoted this year where you can have lunch for less than 26 euros.

As for the young generation, it continues to carry the future of French gastronomy. Indeed, several young chefs have won their Michelin star for the first time, such as Angelo FERRIGNO at La Maison des Cariatides in Dijon, the youngest of the selection barely 23 years old, or even Jean-Baptiste LAVERGNE-MORAZZANI, chef at 24 years of La Table du 11, in Versailles. Future great!

On sale from February 5, at a price of 24,90 euros. The selection will be accessible and the restaurants can be reserved on the MICHELIN Restaurants web and mobile supports and ViaMichelin.