Excellence on a Plate – Mosaic at Château des Tesnières

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: South Africans are doing amazing things all over the world.

One place where Saffas feature strongly is France. From the Creuse to Champagne, Bordeaux to Brittany – wherever you go, you’ll find us putting in the work, applying creativity and grit, and showing the world what we’re made of. It makes me proud. And sometimes hungry. Especially when those South Africans are bringing their magic to a 19th-century French château – and delivering one of the finest dining experiences I’ve ever had.

Welcome to Mosaic at Château des Tesnières.

Not far from Rennes, Château des Tesnières has been transformed into something extraordinary by two South African entrepreneurs, Cobus and Mari, working alongside the genius that is Chef Chantel Dartnall. The château itself is a masterclass in refinement. Think hand-painted ceilings, intricate cornices, and elegant wallpapers – all brought together with South African craftsmanship and a bold dash of Oriental flair from properties Cobus, Mari and Chantel have previously been involved in. Pulling that aesthetic off in a grand, very French château? No small feat. And yet, here it’s executed with brilliance.

There are only a few rooms at the château – each one pure luxury – and the experience of staying there is as memorable as the meal itself. If you’re planning to visit, book early. It’s intimate, elegant, and completely worth the detour.

Mosaic Reimagined – South African Soul, French Finesse

If you knew Mosaic in South Africa, you’ll already be smiling. For years it was a firm favourite – not just mine, but for many lovers of exceptional food and fine dining. Chantel was voted Best Female Chef in the World, and to my mind, she deserves the highest praise full stop – female, male, French, South African or otherwise.

What she’s built in France is not just a continuation of Mosaic, it’s a reinvention – rooted in deep respect for tradition while confidently creating the future. Her food is clever. It’s emotional. It’s designed to be savoured with all your senses. One dish came with a broth poured into a bowl filled with flowers and lemongrass, which began to gently boil and infuse the air – before being reintroduced into the dish. Visual theatre. Fragrance. Texture. Taste. A memory in the making.

And then there’s the sunflower dish. Served in glassware reminding one of the flower itself, it features the humble carrot in a starring role – a dish that somehow reflects Chantel’s spirit. Beautiful, radiant, unpretentious, and quietly powerful. We’d brought sunflowers from the Creuse district for our Sunday lunch – a small tribute and gift for Mosaic. They were a match for Chantel’s smile and the warm glow that infuses every plate.

 

Wines at Mosaic are serious – but accessible. There’s a massive list (no surprise they keep winning wine list awards) that ranges from local gems to global icons, priced from affordable right through to thousands of euros. We were lucky to be guided by Rene, the exceptional sommelier who trained in Stellenbosch and whose cousin, in a wonderfully small-world twist, once worked with me at Etana. We tasted local French Chenins and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape red, compared notes, and added some Great Domaines knowledge to the mix – thanks to my mates Derek and team, who’ve taught me a thing or two. With Rikus, Nini and Michael by my side – all fellow wine lovers and best travel companions one can wish for – it was a full sensory celebration.

The staff, a blend of South Africans (many already fluent in French) and local hires, have been trained to world-class standards. There’s elegance. Precision. But also ease. Mosaic doesn’t intimidate – it invites you in. And that tone comes straight from Chantel. Her warmth, generosity, and total attention to detail ripple throughout the entire experience. Her team mirrors her: skilled, kind, focused, present.

At CN&CO, we believe in partnerships with passionate people. People who create. Who inspire. Who lead with heart and purpose. Chantel, Cobus, Mari and their team are exactly that. Whether through food, business, hospitality or community – they bring excellence to everything they touch.

That’s why we’re also proud of our work with French partners – government and private sector alike – both here in France and back home in South Africa. From PR and storytelling to travel experiences and entrepreneur support, we’re helping build bridges, boost business and uncover brilliance.

Mosaic at Château des Tesnières is the kind of place you carry with you long after the last bite. It’s a love letter to food, to creativity, to connection. It honours the past and boldly imagines the future. And it does so with a distinctly South African heart and a global soul.

Do yourself a favour – if you’re ever lucky enough to be able to – book. Go. Taste.

As I work on the many exciting EasyEquities projects I’m privileged to be a part of, it’s always important for me to look up, to smell the roses, and to celebrate how many other projects are driven by brilliant South Africans – like our EasyEquities founder Charles. Let’s make sure the best of Mzansi wins the day.