France's Michelin Guide 2015 Awards Highest Honors To Two New Restaurants, Downgrades Alain Ducasse

On Monday, February 2, Michelin revealed the new star ratings for the Michelin Guide to France 2015, and although not much has changed from last year, a few ranking changes are worth noting.

For starters, two new restaurants have been awarded the guide's highest ranking of three stars: La Bouitte in Saint Martin de Belleville, and Le Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris. Yannick Alléno, the new chef of Le Pavillon Ledoyen, previously earned three stars in 2007 for his cuisine at the Hotel Le Meurice.

The guide's highest honors also went to father and son duo Rene and Maxime Meilleur of La Bouitte, who are self-taught.

Seven restaurants earned a two-star rating, including one in the form of a demotion of Alain Ducasse's Plaza Athénée, which previously held three stars.

Overall, France lost one three-star restaurant from last year, putting the total number of restaurants with the highest Michelin rating at 26 restaurants, and has 80 two-starred restaurants and 503 one-starred restaurants, including 37 new additions.  

"As with last year, the younger generation continues to be the future of French cuisine," announced the Michelin Guide in closing.