The Michelin Guide has handed out new stars to 68 restaurants in France in a celebration of emerging young talents, including a third star for Christopher Coutanceau at La Rochelle, propelling the establishment back into the coveted three-star category in Michelin's 2025 France guide. France has the highest number of Michelin-endorsed restaurants of the 50 destinations covered by the guide around world, with 31 three stars, 81 two stars and 542 with one star. A three-star restaurant, the highest award, denotes kitchens where cooking is "elevated to an art form" and chefs are "at the peak of their profession." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES