The restaurant L'Ermitage Saint-Antoine by Cyrine Jarretie gave us a great reason to rediscover the Fontainebleau region. Heading to Barbizon, the painter’s village on the forest’s edge in Seine-et-Marne (77). Here, chef Cyrine Jarretie has revitalized a house well known to locals, splitting it into a gastronomic dining room and a more relaxed bistro, La Table de Lucienne.
We went all-in on the gourmet side with a three-course menu. And it’s cuisine that’s as much a feast for the eyes as for the palate.
Ermitage Saint-Antoine has long been part of the Grande Rue’s landscape. Timber beams, the charm of a village inn, and a loyal local crowd: the place already had its own soul. In early 2026, Cyrine Jarretie took over from Stéphane Delhommel and stepped in with a simple aim: refresh the spot without losing its character.
“The place is already extraordinary,” she says. Rather than tearing it down, she redesigned it in her image and carved it into several distinct zones. You can now drop by for a proper fine-dining meal, a quick lunch, a few tapas, or simply a glass of something. A fine-tine shop, La Boutique, also offers Made in France products, with a tapas corner and a shellfish counter opening later in the day.
The space feels like a family home, with each room carrying its own mood. You shift from a softly intimate vibe to a livelier buzz, whether on the outdoor terrace or in a tucked-away patio, all without changing address.
At 34, Cyrine Jarretie has a career that defies the ordinary. No hospitality school, no formal culinary diploma: this self-taught chef learned the trade on the job, notably alongside Frédéric Simonin. Before that, she earned a master’s in international business, started a film-production company in California, and cooked for ministries and embassies. In short, she has no shortage of energy.
She grew up around here and felt drawn to come back. Her cooking draws on her travels, the people she’s met, and memories, with a guiding thread: respect for French tradition, beautiful produce, and a subtle dash of spice. She loves hosting guests as if at home—casual yet thoughtful. You can follow her work on the Ermitage Instagram account.
The gastronomic menu goes by the charming name La Lisière, a nod to the nearby forest. The seasons dictate the plates, and the Gâtinais terroir takes the lead: local poultry, leeks, honey, saffron, and vegetables from nearby producers.
Before we dive in, the house serves up its opening act: three amuses that set the tone—a Gâtinais leek, a sardine, and a Burgundy snail whose jus pops in your mouth. Three bites, three nods to the region, a quick tour of local terroir before the main course—and we’re already in delicious form.
Next comes a scallop paired with turnip, exquisitely refined. And it's so beautiful it could be a painting.
Mackerel also makes an appearance on the menu as an add-on, dressed with honey and citrus, and brightened by cucumber and herbs—a pleasing balance of sweetness and tanginess.
The dish spotlights a Gâtinais duck, served with a sweet corn purée and chanterelles. It’s generous, comforting and precise all at once. We love the cliché of the sauce poured from a pitcher, in classic old‑France style.
What stands out is the meticulous plating. Flowers, herbs, and aromatic greens create miniature tableaux on the plate, with a delicacy that feels distinctly personal. A confident, feminine touch that makes you want to slow down before the first bite. In a village that inspired Millet and Rousseau, the painter’s palette comparison almost writes itself.
According to the season, the menu may also feature Gogottes tomatoes with white peach and basil in bloom, celery with chanterelles and hazelnuts, or a butternut smoked over oak wood.
To end on a gentle note, two desserts lean into orchard charm and nature. The Pear is paired with fermented milk, meadowsweet, and fresh pollen for a floral, light finish. The Plum, meanwhile, bets on forest honey, buckwheat, and verbena, with a subtle woodland note that recalls the nearby Fontainebleau forest.
The meal winds down with delicate mignardises centered on honey, hazelnut and seasonal blossoms. Macarons and chocolates were on the menu to cap off this generously hearty feast.
Lunch offers three courses (starter, main, dessert) for €68 or five courses for €98. In the evening, a three-course tasting is €98, a five-course tasting €128, and the eight-course Grand Tour €168—the fullest expression of La Lisière.
Prices exclude drinks. To accompany the meal, there are food-and-wine pairings priced from €32 to €105 depending on the option. A smart alternative: an alcohol-free version, based on botanical beverages and house-made creations, is also available, from €18 to €52.
Craving something a little more straightforward? La Table de Lucienne leans into true French bistro fare, with dishes to share or not. Expect Perle Blanche oysters, XXL Burgundy snails, a pâté en croûte, house tarama infused with mandarin oil and trout roe, and even thyme-smoked marrow bone served at the table.
On the plates, braised octopus with burnt leeks from Gâtinais, melt-in-the-mouth beef cheek in saffron jus, and roasted butternut with shards of Ossau-Iraty set the tone, all priced between €21 and €23. Iberian charcuterie boards start at €17. The cheeses are selected by Laetitia Gaborit, MOF cheesemaker, and the desserts come from pastry chef Emeric Ruffin, featuring a mini Tatin or a chocolate-peanut creation that makes you want to book a return visit.
Just a few months after reopening, Hermitage Saint-Antoine is among the 85 venues selected for TheFork Awards 2026, in the category of France's best new restaurants. The restaurant was put forward by chef Frédéric Simonin, and it’s the only Seine-et-Marne address chosen this year.
For the chef, this recognition carries double weight in a field that remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. The public can support the restaurant by voting until October 19, 2026. And the ambition goes further: Cyrine Jarretie says she dreams of one day earning a Michelin star, and the potential is very much there.
This spot will delight curious food lovers who enjoy refined plates and local produce, whether you're planning a romantic dinner, celebrating a special occasion, or a quick escape from Paris. The bistro vibe also makes it perfect for a family outing or a night out with friends without dressing up. All in all, it lends itself to a full day: a walk in the Fontainebleau forest, painterly museums, and a relaxed lunch on the Grande Rue.
A quick tip: tasting menus evolve with new arrivals and the seasons, so the dishes described here may change. Also, remember to book, especially on weekends.
Do you crave the area’s fine dining spots? Head to Papylles, Bois-le-Roi’s gastronomic restaurant, which also sources from the Gogottes farm. On the same Barbizon street, La Folie Barbizon blends hotel, artist residency and locavore cuisine. For more ideas, our guide where to eat in Seine-et-Marne gathers our best addresses in 77.
Ermitage Saint-Antoine awaits you at 51 Grande Rue in Barbizon. The house closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The fine dining room serves dinner on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday; hours may vary, so be sure to check the official site before you come. Reservations can be made online or by calling 01 64 71 00 25.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Thursday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- from 10:30 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
Friday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- from 10:30 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
Saturday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- from 10:00 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
- from 10:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m.
Sunday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:30 p.m.
- from 07:30 p.m. to 09:30 p.m.
- from 10:00 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
- from 10:30 a.m. to 02:30 p.m.
Monday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- from 10:30 a.m. to 08:30 p.m.
Location
51 Grande Rue
77630 Barbizon
Route planner
Official website
www.cyralermitagegroup.com
