Le Moulin de Varrians

This 18C château is set in listed grounds with many species of trees, including an Atlas cedar planted by the late Queen Mother. The restaurant has taken up abode in plush sitting rooms on the first floor, while in summer, meals are served on the monumental terrace. The son of farmers from the Loire region, Marc Fontanne (formerly Le Prieuré at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) started learning the ropes from his brother, a butcher and charcutier, at a young age. He serves three tasting menus, one of which is entirely vegetarian. Tempura and roasted dwarf broccoli with a red onion and basil jus; flame-l

Venture into the business park and make your way to this handsome contemporary establishment – you won’t regret it! In a spacious, comfortable conservatory-cum-dining room, chef Pierre Grein curates a modern score of Provençal leaning, steeped in delicacy and high-flying technique: gnocchis with girolles, cream of mushroom soup; local squab roasted whole with fluffy dauphinoise potatoes; a trompe l’œil strawberry and pistachio tart… The sauces and jus deserve a special mention, as does the slick, friendly service.

Non-conformist chef Loïc Pétri cut his teeth in leading Parisian establishments (Jean-François Piège, Joël Robuchon) before going back to his roots in the south of France. In the heart of the historical part of Aix, in his intimate, contemporary-style restaurant with just 12 covers, he lets his inspiration run riot with a single set menu guided by the seasons. With bold associations and a savvy use of oils, spices and chillies, his free-spirited cooking elevates the finest ingredients, such as bass, lobster and sweetbreads, which are treated with care and dexterity. You can sense the commitmen

At the boundary of the village, this establishment is nestled in a fine Provençal house complete with a terrace beneath an arbour. On one side is a table d'hôte set up to face the glass-paned kitchens, on the other is a cosy dining area decorated in pastel and olive-green tones. Chef Nicolas Seibold (previously at La Mutinerie in Lyon, featured on French TV's Top Chef, Le Negresco, La Dame de Pic and Ledoyen) is supported by his partner Clémence Bellemin, who provides smiling service. After carefully selecting his suppliers (fishermen from Le Grau-du-Roi, local market gardeners), this creative

Olives, which are central to Pierre Reboul’s work, inspired both the low-key, natural interior of his restaurant and his cuisine steeped in creativity. In the stylish, intimate setting of the Renaissance Hotel, exclusive materials and olive-green shades set the scene. A terrace framed by two olive trees and a counter overlooking the open-plan kitchen add the final touches to the portrait. The Chef celebrates regional produce in dishes that look as good as they taste: trompe-l’oeil olives explode in the mouth, a delicate, inventive trilogy on a Mediterranean shrimp theme or a subtle, crunchy co

This "petite maison" imbued with a genteel Provençal charm and recognisable by its yellow façade is the stomping ground of chef Éric Sapet. He elevates market ingredients like no other: mushrooms, including truffles, to which he dedicates a set menu in season, vegetables from local market gardeners, Provençal cheeses, game and also shellfish. A devoted gourmet and wine-lover, Sapet already has a solid career to his name and delivers classic Provençal cuisine rife with flavours. Be aware that the restaurant often gets fully booked.

This well-known luxury resort is a haven of Provençal art de vivre from the grounds overlooking the Var hinterland and the sea on the horizon to the ponds, lavender beds and superb cuisine rich in the scents and flavours of the South of France. Former sous-chef to Christophe Bacquié, Fabien Ferré signs a masterpiece and his artistic sensitivity for Mediterranean produce may even bring to mind that of artists like Matisse, who were captivated by the light of Provence. Ferré crafts a high-flying veggie- and seafood-centric score, starring dishes such as turbot, shellfish, cazette and caviar; mul