Our take
A couple at the helm: Emmanuel in the kitchen, Lucie in the 900-wine cellar. French cooking that dares to be modern without taking itself too seriously, in a Second Empire setting.
A gastronomic and bistronomic restaurant in Vichy: updated French cooking by chef Emmanuel Basset, in a Napoléon III salon, Lucie Basset's wine cellar.
In the centre of Vichy, Les Caudalies occupies a Napoléon III salon, with its mouldings and generous ceiling height. This is where Emmanuel Basset cooks.
The cooking is French and traditional, but Basset shakes it up: in September 2026, a turbot with guanciale and black rice with mango-harissa, a rabbit braised in Bugey wine with a popcorn powder, and the tournedos Rossini, the house's timeless dish. A good part of the menu follows the daily slate, set by the market. In the cellar, Lucie Basset lines up around 900 labels.
On budget (September 2026 prices): at lunch on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (closed on Wednesday), a set lunch at €31.50 or a menu at €36.50, a glass of wine (or a quarter-litre of water) included; menus from €44 to €69.50; a six-course menu at €80, served to the whole table. Book in advance, especially at the weekend. Air-conditioned dining room that can be booked for private events, for a family or a seminar.
Our take, frankly: it's Vichy's safe bet, the kind of table that pleases regulars as much as a business lunch. You go for careful cooking without fuss and to be guided through the wine list. Weekday lunch is still the best way in to try the restaurant.
Why we love it
- Napoléon III salon in the centre of Vichy, mouldings and high ceilings
- Updated French cooking, with the tournedos Rossini as the menu's timeless dish
- Daily slate that follows the market
- Lucie Basset's cellar of around 900 wines
Top tip
Aim for lunch on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday: the €31.50 set lunch (2026 price), glass of wine included, is the best way in. Book several days ahead for the weekend.
Before you go
- Weekday lunch: the starter-main or main-dessert set lunch at €31.50 (2026 price) is the best way in.
- Booking essential, especially at the weekend: allow at least a few days' notice.
- Book in advance, especially for the weekend
- Set lunch at €31.50 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, glass of wine included (2026 price)
- Closed on Monday and Wednesday, lunch and dinner
- Air-conditioned dining room, public car park nearby
Practical info
- Address
- 9 Rue Besse, 03200 Vichy, France
03200 Vichy - MondayClosed
- Tuesday12h–14h, 19h–21h30
- WednesdayClosed
- Thursday12h–14h, 19h–21h30
- Friday12h–14h, 19h–21h30
- Saturday12h–14h, 19h–21h30
- Today12h–14h
Opening hours
What visitors say
Google rating
Average of 1,869 reviews on Google Maps.
Community rating
No reader reviews yet: yours gets things started.
It's for you if
- You want traditional cooking with a daring streak, and a real cellar behind it
- You're aiming for the lunch menu, the restaurant's best value
- You like seeing producers named on the menu
Give it a miss if
- You decide on the day: booking is essential
- You want a simple, quick table: here, you take your time
Your logbook
Around Les Caudalies
44 spots in and around Vichy, enough to build your day.
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Where to stay nearby
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