Restaurants: Vaison la Romaine, Carpentras & Environs
Gigondas
Les Florets There are many beautiful places in the Côtes du Rhône region to have a meal and Les Florets is certainly one of them. Flower filled terrace with the rugged Dentelles of Montmirail as a backdrop. Welcome is warm, the service is attentive and the food delicious. Good wine list which includes wines from their own vineyard, Domaine de la Garrigue. After lunch walk up the hill, approx. 2km, to the Belvedere above Gigondas; you have one of the best views over the Rhône valley. Driving up from D7 to Gigondas turn left before the village entrance and follow the signs. Prices: €23-30. Rte. des Dentelles, 84190 Gigondas, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 65 85 01
L'oustalet A wonderful setting in a historic house right in the village center. A place to enjoy lunch or dinner outside and watch the village life. The restaurant was sold in 2010 by Gabriel Meffre (Domaine de Longue Toque, Gigondas) to the Perrin family, another local wine dynasty. The new chef is Aurélien Laget who was previously sous-chef at Michelin-star Maison Bru in Eygalières. Prices: €28-55, Place de la Mairie, 84190 Gigondas, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 65 85 30
Du Verre à l'Assiette In the village center opposite l'Oustalet, this restaurant named "From Glass to Plate" is perfect for a simple fare. Charcuteries, goat cheese salads and tartines (open faced grilled sandwiches). Good wine selection by the glass. A consolation if you cannot get a place across the street. Prices: €22-28. Place de la Mairie, 84190 Gigondas Tel: +33 (0)4 90 65 85 30
Malaucène
Le Pont de l'Orme Restaurant in a countryhouse just outside of Malaucène. Great outdoors dining, well prepared Provençal dishes. The weekday lunch at €15 is good value. Peaceful setting with great views towards Mont Ventoux. A place to relax and enjoy one of the nicest parts of the Provence. Prices: €15-35. Route Suzette, 84340 Malaucène. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 17 50
Mazan
l"Oulo When Chef Bagnol says garden fresh, he really means it. Savory Provençal cuisine prepared with the gatherings of his organic garden with all the simplicity and goodness you can imagine. Price/quality ratio is excellent. Easy going place, good food, good service. Prices: €14-30. 500 La Venue de Mormoiron, 84380 Mazan . Tel: +33 (0)4 90 69 87 64
Monteaux
Le Saule Pleureur Driving on the 4-lane highway from Avignon to Carpentras you find this Michelin 1 star restaurant on a right side road, shortly before the Monteaux roundabout. Chef Laurent Azoulay prepares elegant French dishes using seasonal products from the region. His faithful followers don't mind the short drive from Avignon. Food, wine list and service are perfect! Prices: €26-45. 145 Chemin Beauregard, 84170 Monteux. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 62 01 35
Orange
Le Forum Never mind the 'Provençal Baroque' decor inside, Le Forum offers very agreeable cooking at reasonable prices. The new owners, Stéphanie et Sylvain Boulesteix have revived this oldtimer in Orange, located a view steps from the Théâtre Antique. Prices: €16-25. 3 Rue du Mazeau, 84100 Orange. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 34 01 09
La Rom'Antique An excellent place to explore the cuisine of the Vaucluse. After stints at La Mirande in Avignon and Le Prieure in Villenneuve-lez-Avignon, Chef Cédric Bremond now runs his own place next to the Théâtre Antique. We like the price/quality and the friendly service. Prices: €13-28. 5 place Sylvain, 84100 Orange. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 51 67 06
Le Parvis Two steps from the fabulous Théâtre Antique in Orange, Chef Jean-Michel Bérenguier offers classical Provençal cuisine. The menu changes according to the season. For dinner on the Chorégies Opera nights (June/July), you need to reserve well in advance. Prices: €30-55. 55 Cours Pourtoules, 84100 Orange, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 34 82 00
Rasteau
Bellerive The Petrier family from Savoy has owned and run this hotel/restaurant, built in contemporary Provençal style, for close to 30 years. Dining room and shaded terrace with fabulous views over the vineyards and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Traditional menu, dishes are well prepared, good choice of local wines. Attentive service, a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. This is one of the place where local vintners go to meet their wine buyers for lunch. Prices: €29-53. 84110 Rasteau, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 10 20
Roaix
Le Grand Pré Almost unperceptible on the right side of the road from Roaix to Vaison la Romaine you pass a stone cottage, where Raoul and Flora Reichrath run one of the best restaurants in this region with a 1 Michelin star rating since many years. Meticulous preparation of the meals and superb, efficient service will assure you a memorable dining experience. A small but intelligent wine list - enjoy Flora's recommendations, she is a trained sommelier. The whole package is perfect here, a heart warming place! Prices: €35-59. Rte. de Vaison, 84110 Roiax, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 18 12.
Séguret
Le Mesclun Chef Cristoph Bonzi's exquisite dishes and eye-catching presentation have earned him recognition in this wine country neigborhood. A romantic place, perfect to wind down. Fair prices are part of the package. Relaxed mood on the terrace outside - très enjoyable! Prices: €19-27. Rue des Poternes, 84110 Séguret. Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 93 43
Domaine de Cabasse Spacious indoor and outdoor dining at the foothills of Séguret in a wine estate with a small hotel/restaurant owned and run by the Swiss Haeni family. Great country setting on the scenic road from Séguret to Sablet (don't be deterred by the closed iron gate – it opens after a while automatically). They offer a no-choice menu, changing daily, written on a blackboard. Local produce in season is used for a refined country cuisine. Extensive wine list. Prices: €29 (dinner menu, no lunch). Route de Sablet, 84110 Séguret, Tel: +33 (0)4 90 46 91 12
