Papylles, the gourmet restaurant to discover in Bois-le-Roi near Fontainebleau

Looking for a gourmet break just an hour from Paris? Head for Papylles, a gourmet restaurant in Bois-le-Roi, Seine-et-Marne. A refined table in the heart of nature, between Fontainebleau and Barbizon, signed by chef Thomas Briandet.

Just 15 minutes from Fontainebleau, in the small commune of Bois-le-Roi, the Papylles restaurant nestles in a family home transformed into an intimate table. A simple yet elegant stopover that extends the charm of nearby villages such as Barbizon and Samois-sur-Seine. With its warm decor featuring antique tiles, bespoke furniture and a fireplace for cosy winter evenings, the restaurant invites you to settle in and take your time, particularly on the terrace, which is a delight in fine weather.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor lunch. Although the mercury was high, a breeze followed us throughout the meal, making the moment very pleasant. It has to be said that Papylles is located near the banks of the Seine, which perhaps makes the place more temperate.

At the helm of the house is Thomas Briandet, a young 26-year-old chef who trained in a number of fine establishments, including the kitchens of the Shangri-La Paris, where he cut his teeth with Christophe Moret. He then returned home to build a project in his own image. Before launching Papylles, he started out as a caterer, getting to grips with the reality of entrepreneurship and honing his taste for contact.

Here, he imagines a cuisine d'auteur, where each dish echoes a memory or a season, always with care given to cooking, condiments and juices that tell the story of the dish as much as the products. For the record, the restaurant's name is a play on words paying homage to his grandfather and his taste buds.

On our menu of discoveries, after a fine array of refinedappetizers featuring foie gras and peas to whet our appetites, we discover mackerel à la flamme subtly smoked, accompanied by piquillos and a smoky mustard, enhanced by a few shoots of wild garlic. A dish that plays on textures and liveliness.

Julien Favry's new potato, in a Vichyssoise velouté, with black olives and smoked trout roe, makes for a sweet, iodized mouthful.

The fish course continues in this delicate vein. A Saint-Pierre, pearly just right, arrives glazed with Croisic seaweed, served with artichoke poivrade and lemon paste, for the perfect combination of sea and vegetable.

The Cantal veal, offered in three courses, completes this menu with power: meticulous cooking, vegetables from the Gogottes farm, and special attention paid to juices and accompaniments. We also appreciate the veal tartar, which adds freshness to the whole dish.

We continued on a light note with our homemade Fontainebleau cheese with shallots and chives. A typical Pays de Fontainebleau speciality that we were delighted to try in a savoury version.

We then finish with a lovely 66% chocolate dessert by Nicolas Berger, with its textured, creamy praline and cocoa sorbet.

Papylles offers two tasting menus (4 or 6 courses, from 78€ to 98€) and a short menu that changes with the seasons. On weekdays, enjoy a refined lunch at 48€. The dishes follow one another with coherence and sensitivity, with no fancy tricks. The cellar, selected with care, accompanies the dishes without false note. Precise, attentive service adds to the smoothness of the experience.

Just an hour from Paris, at the crossroads of a rich natural and historical heritage, Papylles is a great place to extend an escapade around Fontainebleau in the Seine-et-Marne region. You'll find peace and quiet, attention to detail, and a cuisine that speaks to the heart as well as the palate.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.