In Fontjoncouse, a small town in the Hautes Corbières, in the Aude, there are 3 stars for 146 inhabitants.
The three stars are those awarded since 2010 in the Michelin guide to the Auberge du Vieux Puits, taken over in 1992 by Gilles and Marie-Christine Goujon.
An establishment that represents a real economic engine for the canton of Durban.
Gilles Goujon
Gilles Goujon, 56 years old, learned the trade with the Rouquette brothers in Béziers, with Roger Vergé (the Moulin de Mougins), before setting up his own business.
Gilles Goujon and his fiancée had no money and could only take over a bankrupt restaurant.
The next step was the daily work to get a first star in 1997,... the second one in 2001.
The consecration comes in 2010 with 3 stars and the title of chef of the year. In 2015, he is ranked 9th in the top 10 best chefs in the world.
In 2017, he obtains 19.5 out of 20 at the Gault & Millau.
Let's go in and taste...
Once past the gate of Fontjoncouse's house, we discover the reception hall and soon a small lounge where the famous "old well" can be seen.
You can appreciate the water level, which varies according to the season, take the time for an aperitif and discover the restaurant room full of light, octopus chandeliers, white leaves on the walls, pieces of rough wood and large bouquets of flowers.
Waiters, maître d'hôtel and sommeliers occupy the space discreetly and with a pleasant good humour. Ties, bow ties, floral motifs or plain colours reign without any seemingly strict rules.
Everyone knows his or her score and knows how to take the time to talk here with a couple of customers, there to explain the components of a dish and thus continue the work of the cooks by magnifying their work.
When the weather in the Aude allows it, you should take advantage of the terrace with its original decoration. Twisted nails, sculptures of pigs, roosters or other animals, armchairs as if carved out of wooden barrels, massive tables made of trunks, the surprises are on all sides.
Latest news...
The Auberge du Vieux Puits, is the best restaurant in the world according to the 2020 ranking of the Tripadvisor website,
Tripadvisor is an Internet site that collects the appreciations of the customers, therefore it is not gastronomic specialists who give their judgements.
Gille Goujon and Marie Christine are obviously very happy.
It should be remembered that Gilles Goujon had already been ranked 9th on the list of the "Thousand Tables of Exception".
A worldwide prize list based on a compilation of some 200 international gastronomic guides and opinions from participating sites.
The top ten restaurants on "La Liste":
1. Restaurant de l'Hôtel de Ville, Crissier (Switzerland)
2. Per Se, New York (USA).
3. Kyo Aji, Tokyo (Japan).
4. Guy Savoy, Paris (France).
5. Schauenstein, Fürstenau (Switzerland).
6. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain).
7. Kyubei, Tokyo (Japan).
8. Maison Troisgros, Roanne (France).
9. Auberge du Vieux Puits, Fontjoncouse (France).
10. Joël Robuchon, Tokyo (Japan).
Auberge du Vieux Puits
5, Avenue St Victor
11360 Fontjoncouse
Tel: 04 68 44 07 37
reception@aubergeduvieuxpuits.fr
https://www.aubergeduvieuxpuits.fr/fr/
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