Michelin-Starred Restaurant Raymond Blanc Closes for 18 Months: What’s Happening.

Closure of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

According to The Sun: Chef Raymond Blanc has announced the closure of his Michelin-starred restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons for 18 months for renovations.

Approximately 150 workers may lose their jobs due to the temporary closure of the establishment, located in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, which will close in January.

The restaurant, which received two Michelin stars just a few months after opening in 1984, will close along with the hotel. The venue plans to resume operations in the summer of 2027 following extensive renovations.

Blanc, who founded the restaurant in 1984, will change his status from chef-patron to lifelong honorary ambassador.

The company also announced that there will be layoffs during the renovations, and according to information from Oxford Mail, 150 employees will suffer from this cutback.

The closure plans were confirmed during a mandatory meeting with employees.

“Le Manoir has been the canvas of my life's work, a sanctuary where passion, perfection, and beauty have thrived for four decades,” said Blanc. “The renovation will allow Le Manoir to evolve for the future, meeting the needs of the modern guest while staying true to its spirit and values.”

It is known that Blanc worked up to 18 hours a day when he opened the establishment located in a 15th-century house. The restaurant earned two Michelin stars less than six months after its opening and has maintained them for the last 41 years.

The venue is popular among celebrities like Kate Moss and Lady Gaga due to its classic French dishes.

In 2014, then-Welsh Prince Charles visited the grounds and planted a tree.

That same year, the hotel and restaurant were acquired by Belmond, and four years later by LVMH.

Tripadvisor named the hotel second in its list of the best hotels this year.

The Michelin guide states: “You cannot help but fall in love with this iconic restaurant.”

This closure comes just days after a family restaurant in Timperley, Altrincham, announced its closure due to rising costs.

The restaurant “Little Italy,” a favorite among locals, announced that it would have to close at the end of the month due to rising costs and rental fees.

The closure of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is a significant event for the gastronomic community of Great Britain. The restaurant has become not only a symbol of haute cuisine but also a place where culinary traditions intertwine with modern innovations. Its renovation could either open new opportunities for growth or pose challenges for former employees who will need to find new jobs during the renovations.