It is an imaginary and tasty path in the South between Luberon and Alpilles where the flavors dictate the path to climb. A path that helps us out of this storm that has turned the planet upside down, a path that shows us that nothing will be the same and that we will get used to developing other resources.
As soon as you get off the train at Avignon station, you escape to the small town of Saint-Cannat located in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. Known for its wines, Saint-Cannat also hosts a gourmet nugget, behind a humble roadside house, which will be a nice appetizer on the gourmet route to the Alpilles. D'Avignon en Arles, five addresses that are worth the trip alone.
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In Saint-Cannat, a gourmet walk at Mas Bottero
Here, the culinary signature of chef Nicolas Bottero takes on its full dimension. Personal, refined and generous cuisine that pays homage to the terroir and the know-how of the local producers with whom he works. Mas Bottero / Photo press
The road: a few minutes from Avignon and ten minutes from Aix-en-Provence, a small house including the dining room and its large shaded terrace which overlooks the huge garden.
The chef: Nicolas Bottero. The cook who received a Michelin star at the start of the year made his debut at the Negresco in Nice, at Michel Bras in Laguiole and again at the Bastide de Moustiers. Humble and discreet, he offers us a gourmet stroll through local specialties.
The plate: lots of vegetables, fish, langoustines and red mullet turbot, but also a back of lamb or sweetbread. The sweet touch gives pride of place to fruit from the garden and chocolate.
Prices: the lunch menu at 29 €, the plant menu 45 €, from Provence 65 €, and inspirations at 90 €.
The address: Mas Bottero, 2340 route d'Aix - RN7, 13760 Saint-Cannat. Phone. : 04 42 67 19 18.
In Édouard Loubet, the flavors of the earth in Bonnieux
Here, local products. Édouard Loubet makes it a point of honor to source from local producers whom they meet on the markets and who supply him with the best products in the region. Domaine de Capelongue / Photo press
The road: on the Claparèdes plateau, the Capelongue Farm in Bonnieux, Relais & Châteaux in the Luberon houses a charming restaurant open all year, "La Bergerie", in a three hectare park of gardens and vegetable gardens, surrounded lavender fields and cedar forests. The terrace offers a bucolic view of the Petit Luberon and its plain and the old church at the top of the village.
The chef: under the guidance of double-starred chef Édouard Loubet, for his gourmet restaurant which keeps a watchful eye on the rotisserie of his sheepfold.
The plate: pissaladière, pizza with truffle, cold meats and homemade terrine for starters. All dishes are cooked on a spit in the room's fireplace. Leg of lamb with string, Picanha of Black Angus beef, rack of Ventoux pork or grilled sea bream. We love roasted vegetables and childhood desserts. Sweet beaks will have to choose between Mamie Loubet's snow egg, pink pralines and shepherd's melba.
Prices: the apprentice shepherd menu 18 €, the 3-course menu 38 €.
The address: La Bergerie, Domaine de Capelongue, Chemin des Cabanes - Les Claparèdes, 84480 Bonnieux. Phone. : 04 90 75 89 78.
At Baux de Provence, a journey of the senses at La Cabro d'Or…
Son of a fisherman, chef Michel Hulin admits his preference for fish, which he deliciously combines with the flavors of the land. A Millet / Photo press
The road: halfway between the lands of Cézanne and Van Gogh, the Baumanière estate, just renovated in a contemporary version, is nestled between mineral nature and the sweetness of the past, with its 17th century farmhouses and its many pools.
The chef: Michel Hulin is inspired by products from the estate's organic garden to cook.
The plate: a creative and as often as possible vegetable plate. The terroir is also honored with variations of dishes where olive oil from the Baux valley is essential. Bull tartare, langoustines, lacquered foie gras, red mullet, wolf loin, rack of lamb and a profusion of organic vegetables from the estate. In vacherin, chocolate desserts, and a sublime and brand new aubergine millefeuille and fennel confit mousseline.
Prices: lunch menu € 60 and delicacies menu € 87.
The address: La Cabro d'Or Baumanière, Mas de Baumanière, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence. Phone. : 04 90 54 33 07.
… Or a gastronomic stroll at L'Oustau de Baumanière
The Oustau de Baumanière restaurant shines three stars in the Michelin guide and offers gourmets fine and authentic gastronomy. G de Laubier / Photo press
The road: property of Jean-André Charial, heir to the place who for years has been constantly renovating day by day this old Provencal farmhouse bought by his grandfather in 1942. A true soul of the domain, this talented man and of heart federates around him teams of enthusiasts.
The chef: Glenn Viel has been awarded the third star this year at the helm of the Oustau kitchens. This long-awaited star was awarded in 1954 and lost in 1990… 30 years later, it's a new consecration! This extremely talented, precise and very caring chef takes the customer on a journey through his world of subtle tastes.
The plate: it highlights the product in its most authentic version. Organic vegetables from his vegetable gardens. “Tight” lettuce, condimented and cooked under pressure, basil fondue knives, langoustines and burnt lemon, garden herbs anchovies, bouillabaisse, chopped Saint-Pierre cooked on a spit, densified monkfish, red mullet, sweetbread with candied carrots, young pigeon, and for dessert, there is the millefeuille tradition Baumanière, light vanilla cream from Madagascar, pistachio florentine and vanilla ice cream.
Prices: the vegetable menu 150 €, La balade des Baux 240 €.
The address: L'Oustau de Baumanière, D27, 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence. Phone. : 04 90 54 33 07.
Read also: Where to go to Provence this summer? Our hidden addresses from Saintes Maries de la Mer to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
In Arles, the hidden good taste of Gaudina
It is in an old butcher's shop, certainly the oldest in Arles, that La Gaudina set up its tables. Gaudina / Photo press
The road: a small 100% Arles address with its tiny terrace. Located in the oldest butcher's shop in the city, in the heart of its historic center, today it is transformed into a contemporary bistro with the main theme of meat. Ten places on the facade, on the sidewalk, double inside with elements of the period that have been preserved.
The chef: in the kitchen, Jeanne Rutten, former palace hotel in Biarritz and former second to Régis Marcon for 4 years.
The plate: tabbouleh of lentils and quinoa, mussels with brasucade, pastilla of lamb confit, flank of Camargue bull and veal kidneys with port. As for desserts, a specialty, Paris-Brest style cabbage with praline cream.
Prices: soft price 28 €, 30 € and 40 €.
The address: La Gaudina, 13, rue de l'Hotel de Ville, 13200 Arles. Phone. : 04 88 65 29 48.
