chez cathie

A vineyard (515ha, no less!), a five-star hotel and spa, a MICHELIN-starred restaurant and an organic vegetable garden. It's in this idyllic setting, where Provence meets Tuscany, that chef Louis Rameau and pastry chef Éric Raynal work in tandem. They celebrate the local produce of the Haut-Varois terroir with vegetables, herbs and flowers from the kitchen garden, as well as olive oil and wine from the estate. The cheeses and other ingredients, delicately and skilfully prepared, are also organic and sourced from the best producers in the region: heirloom tomato French toast, roasted tomato and

A restaurant owes so much to its proprietors… and in this rustic, quintessentially provençal house, which was their family home in the 1920s, the Bruno family continues to uphold a tradition that revolves around truffles. After taking over the helm from their dad Clément, the two brothers – Benjamin in the kitchen and Samuel in the dining room, blend tradition with modernity: green asparagus with truffle-laced caviar or suckling lamb from the Pyrenees. Their truffle-themed set menu (the type of truffles changes with the season) remains a pivotal element of their culinary score. Forthright, ind

An establishment run by charming people: Emilie takes care of the customer's every need, while the chef rustles up seasonal cuisine, full of freshness and flavour, making the most of short food supply chains and local producers. A gourmet hideaway that fills up every day and offers excellent value and maximum dining pleasure.

The simple, sun-drenched menu is packed with ingredients that call to mind the surrounding landscape. Crunchy local asparagus; rack of Duroc de Bataillé pork with an Asian twist; apple pastry, almond cream and caramel. These fresh, unfussy dishes are accompanied by wines from the estate. The prices are reasonable, and efficient service is provided by a team who are able to converse with the substantial English-speaking clientele.

What luck to have a terrace next to the listed Fontaine de la Noix, with the bonus of a bird’s eye view of the show on market days. Inside, the decor is a blend of exposed ceiling beams, hardwood flooring, bare stonework and wood panelling. The chef concocts delicious dishes, often with a notable vegetable component, such as catch of the day with Béarnaise sauce and seasonal vegetables.

The restaurant has an elegant, contemporary decor and a terrace beneath the plane trees. The setting is enticing, and the food even more so. Flowers, spices, herbs and the chef's personal touches bring together tradition and generosity.