The back-to-school bell never rings on the Bay of Douarnenez, where every day feels like a holiday at Belle Maria. The charming former Solvay holiday camp has landed a big catch: chef and serial restaurateur Frédéric Péneau (former partner at Le Chateaubriand, Le Dauphin and Grillé in Paris), now in cahoots with arthouse-film producer Anna Lena. Together, they’ve had the good taste to preserve its salty character, bar a few necessary tweaks (repainted paneling, enlarged windows and shellfish tanks). Same drill in the kitchen, where the former architect knows better than to mess with good fish and seafood – case in point, the headliner lobster, barbecued to perfection and ferried in with incredible fries and homemade mayo. Watch this space: guest rooms are also in the works! · Nora Furia

Ate: Decent crabmeat deviled eggs, followed by said headliner, grilled whole and yours for €60.

Price: Starters €6-18, mains €20-59, seafood €7-55 (platters for 2 to 3 people €89-119), desserts €7-9.