Maison Pic is the culinary institution that puts Valence on the gastronomic map. Anne-Sophie Pic took over the family restaurant and in 2007 reclaimed the three Michelin stars that her father had briefly lost after her grandfather's death. She is now one of the most acclaimed chefs in France, and her restaurant on the Avenue Victor Hugo is the destination for serious food tourists making the stop between Lyon and the south.
The cooking is technically precise, deeply French in its foundations, and given to unexpected ingredient combinations that occasionally verge on the eccentric but usually work. The tasting menu runs to multiple courses and takes an evening; the more casual Bistrot option on the same property provides access to the kitchen's quality at a more manageable price. Reservations are essential for the main restaurant, often weeks in advance in summer; the bistro is easier. The restaurant has a small hotel attached for those who want the full experience.