Jardin des Sens is an exceptional gastronomic restaurant created by the celebrated Pourcel brothers, Jacques and Laurent, together with Olivier Château, set within the historic Hôtel Richer de Belleval in the heart of Montpellier's old town. It's a restaurant in a hotel rather than a hotel restaurant — a breathtaking, transporting space of classified rooms with original decor and remarkable frescoes that carry you into the eternal 17th century, without ever leaving the present thanks to the cuisine. Here, history and gastronomy meet in beautiful harmony across three vaulted dining rooms, where the chefs offer their "conversations" with the Mediterranean they hold so dear.
The cooking is high gastronomy at its most inventive and sincere, built on superb produce and refined technique. The tasting menus range from a more accessible discovery lunch (around €75, served Fridays and Saturdays) up to the grand multi-course Sens & Saveurs and Signature experiences (roughly €195 to €240), with an Escapade dinner menu (around €130, with an optional three-glass wine pairing) served Tuesday to Saturday, plus an à la carte option in the evening. Dishes showcase the best of land and sea — Mediterranean red tuna, blue lobster, turbot, pigeon, Occitanie lamb, and refined desserts — and the experience can be extended with a drink at the Bar l'Élytre on the first floor.
Fittingly for a Relais & Châteaux house, the wine list is a destination in itself, spanning prestigious champagnes and a remarkable cellar of whites and reds from across France's finest appellations. Group and corporate offers are available from ten guests, and the dress code is casual (with long trousers and closed shoes for men). In short, it's a destination dining experience worthy of Montpellier's standing as one of France's great gastronomic cities.