French cafés/restaurants?

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Before I went to Sid's a couple of years ago there was a thread about local restaurants/cafés that offer menu du jour and are generally in smaller towns and villages slightly off the beaten track. They're independently owned and not a chain but there is a generic name for them. I used a couple of them on that trip and they were excellent. For the life of me I can't remember what they were called and can't search for them until I know. I think Arsey and some of our French residents mentioned them initially.
Can anybody jog this senile old memory of mine please?

N.B. not Logis, Routier or Auberge.

 

[Wapping]

Les Relais Routiers?

Less of them around than there used to be.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Les Relais Routiers?

Less of them around than there used to be.

Not those but TY.

 

[wessie]

Les Routiers
https://www.relais-routiers.com/#carte shows a map with many listed

We tend to look for the red lozenge that indicates bar/tabac, especially if just needing a drink and piss. Many will have a food counter with a lunch/snack menu.

 

[siddo]

Ville etapes?

 

[leadfarmer]

Yes, I would have thought you mean the Relais Routiers in the link above

The villages étapes that siddo mentions are also good as they are easily accessible just off motorways but you get real restaurants

Fédération Française des Villages Étapes | Village-etape.fr

Véritable alternative aux aires de services, un Village Étape vous propose de faire une halte en toute tranquillité avec tous les commerces et équipements nécessaires à votre pause.

village-etape.fr

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks everyone.
It's the Village Étapes I was after, thanks LeadFarmer and Siddo.
Apologies, I think my description lead to some confusion.

 

[leadfarmer]

Thanks everyone.
It's the Village Étapes I was after, thanks LeadFarmer and Siddo.
Apologies, I think my description lead to some confusion.

Glad you’re back by the way

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks.

 

[Redboots]

We tend to look for the red lozenge that indicates bar/tabac, especially if just needing a drink and piss. Many will have a food counter with a lunch/snack menu.

The ubiquitous PMU - betting shop.
Many have snacking and a bar, some do plat du jour.

There is a list with maps, here