Louis CHABRAN

Louis Chabran

The young chef has taken over from his father Michel at the head of Maison Chabran, in Pont-de-l'Isère. A fine story of transition!

This is a must for gourmets. established along the Nationale 7 for over 90 years, Maison Chabran is a veritable institution in the region. An only child, Michel Chabran decided to take over the family bistro in 1970, refusing to see it disappear. After training at a hotel school and an apprenticeship with Jacques Pic in Valence, he transformed the café into a gastronomic hotel-restaurant, winning awards from all the guides (4 Toques from Gault et Millau)

Michel never forced his children Carole and Louis to take up the torch. Yet today, both are carrying on the family adventure.

After graduating with a general baccalaureate and training at a business school, Louis decided, in addition to managing the family SME, to take his first steps in the kitchen. He went on an immersion course with Rostang in Paris, before returning to perfect his training alongside his father.

A smooth transition

Louis officially takes over from Michel in 2023, with passion and humility ("the first qualities of any chef", he says). both business manager (the SME has 5 restaurants in Pont de l'Isère, Tain L'Hermitage and Valence) and head chef, he follows in the family tradition, while also bringing in modernity, but without excess: "Too much modernity kills modernity!"says the chef.

"We've developed bistronomy a lot, because our clientele has changed too. We have to evolve and adapt."Le 45ème bistro is open 7 days a week and offers attractive formulas from €26 and a "coup de cœur" menu at at €79, the springboard to "La Grande Table", the gastronomic restaurant offering more refined cuisine in a hushed atmosphere.

Louis draws his inspiration from the history of the family home, focusing above all on the product, and bringing in new flavors. Enhancing the value of the terroir (with Sisteron lamb, for example), keeping iconic dishes (including the unmissable Grand Marnier soufflé), preserver the authenticity, conviviality and generosity for which the house is renowned - these are the chef's credo.

An entrepreneur at heart, he and his sister Carole are also overseeing the expansion of the house, which should be completed in time for Michel's 80th birthday. What a symbol!

Key dates :

1970: Michel Chabran takes over the family hotel in Pont-de-l'Isère.

1991: Louis Chabran born in Paris

2014: Graduates from ISG (Paris)

2014: Louis Chabran joins his father at Maison Chabran

2023: Head chef at Maison Chabran