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Mosaic Recognised Among France’s Most Beautiful Restaurants by La Liste
A new chapter for Chef Chantel Dartnall in France
A little over a year after opening the doors to Mosaic at the Château des Tesnières in Torcé, Ille-et-Vilaine, Chef Chantel Dartnall’s extraordinary French journey continues to receive international recognition.
Mosaic has been included in The 2026–2027 La Liste, one of the world’s leading gastronomic rankings, bringing together restaurants from more than 200 countries. The recognition places Mosaic among the most distinguished dining destinations in France and marks another meaningful milestone in Chantel’s remarkable culinary story.
The news was recently shared by French regional newspaper Ouest-France in an article titled “This restaurant in Ille-et-Vilaine ranks among the most beautiful restaurants in France.”
Written by Marie Sasin and published on 17 August 2026 at 11:02 a.m., the article shines a light on Mosaic’s arrival on the international gastronomic landscape and on Chantel’s deeply personal connection to the region.
A return to her roots
For Chantel, Mosaic represents far more than the opening of a new restaurant.
After being named World’s Best Female Chef in 2017, the South African chef embarked on an entirely new chapter when she and her family discovered the Château des Tesnières. Opened in May 2025, Mosaic became the expression of that journey — bringing together her South African heritage, her connection to nature and her distinctive botanical approach to cuisine within the historic surroundings of a nineteenth-century French château.
The Ouest-France feature describes the move as a return to the land of Chantel’s Huguenot ancestors, making the story of Mosaic one that reaches beyond food. It is a story of heritage, discovery, family and a feeling of coming home.
Set within the Château des Tesnières, the estate now encompasses a gastronomic restaurant, six suites and beautiful gardens, with plans for an art gallery dedicated entirely to South African artists in 2028.
“A return to her roots coupled with a crush that she shared with her whole family by buying the Château des Tesnières.”
Where nature becomes cuisine
At the heart of Mosaic is Chantel’s distinctive philosophy of cooking — one deeply inspired by the natural world.
Her cuisine explores the relationship between plants, flowers, herbs, vegetables, textures, aromas and the changing seasons. Rather than simply placing ingredients on a plate, Chantel seeks to create an experience that evokes a sense of place and invites guests to see familiar elements of nature in an entirely different way.
Mosaic therefore feels intrinsically connected to its surroundings: to the gardens, the château, the landscape and the history of the region.
The recognition by La Liste is particularly meaningful because it acknowledges Mosaic so early in its journey. Since opening in May 2025, the restaurant has been building its identity in a new country while remaining unmistakably true to the chef behind it.
A recognition for Mosaic — and a beginning
Being included in The 2026–2027 La Liste is a significant milestone, but for Chantel it is perhaps best viewed as the beginning of something rather than the destination.
Mosaic is still writing its story.
It is a story that began in South Africa, travelled across continents and ultimately found a new home at Château des Tesnières in the French countryside. It is a story of culinary artistry, botanical inspiration, heritage and an enduring belief in the beauty of creating something meaningful.
As Mosaic takes its place among the restaurants recognised by La Liste, Chantel’s vision continues to evolve — bringing together two worlds, two cultures and generations of inspiration around one table.
And perhaps that is what makes Mosaic so special: it is not simply a restaurant in France.
It is a homecoming, expressed through food.