fleur de garance

The owners of the fine dining Le Vivier establishment were happily inspired when they opened this bistro, blessed with a double terrace, in the heart of the Carré des Arts du Luberon. From his open-plan kitchen, the chef rustles up a forthright, modern take on traditional bistro recipes, in addition to nibbles with pre-dinner drinks and choice ingredients grilled on a binchotan barbecue (aged rib of beef, squid, presa iberica, etc.). A concise selection of regional (but not only) wines adds the finishing touch to an excellent, sun-drenched meal…

Clinging to the ramparts of a historical village, this Maison is the quintessence of Provençal art de vivre. The chef crafts vibrant, flavoursome dishes, such as a supreme of free-range poultry, sweet corn and different textures of parsnip, together with a lineup of wickedly addictive, decadent desserts. Superlative sweeping view over Mont Ventoux and the Luberon mountain range from the terrace.

The restaurant's name hints at a love of nature, as fostered by Frédérique, who grows flowers and aromatic herbs for her husband Frédéric, a chef who puts them to good use in his dishes. Their restaurant showcases well-constructed and fragrant modern cuisine with Mediterranean influences. The menu-carte is the product of local, often organic, ingredients, with vegetables taking pride of place. We enjoyed tucking into a starter starring delicately smoked fresh goat's cheese ravioli, courgettes and verbena broth for its crystal-clear freshness, then the meagre accompanied by a briny beurre blanc

A pleasant young couple – Benjamin and Sophie Fabre – run this spruce and stylish restaurant, which boasts a terrace running alongside the picturesque River Sorgue. The dishes manage to encapsulate and convey both the character and the sweetness of Provence.

The restaurant of the Grand Hôtel Henri is in the extension just off the main hotel building. It has a beautiful decor with a fireplace dating back a century and sparkling chandeliers. There is a terrace shaded by mulberry plane trees with a fountain, as well as lovely seasonal cuisine with a focus on regional flavours. Very good value for money at lunch

In a pedestrian area, just opposite the old church, which has been turned into a cultural centre, this former grocery store is now a charming little restaurant. Sustainable agriculture is favoured, with well - packed dishes: for example, the beef carpaccio, slipper lobster jus, marinated seaweed and oyster fritters.

Chef Charlène Estevão's discreet little restaurant is just a stone's throw from the covered market and Porte Notre-Dame. Having learnt the ropes under Christian Sinicropi, Lionel Lévy and Coline Faulquier, she devises a market-based set menu at lunchtime and a single multi-course set menu in the evening. Her modern cuisine, inspired by her travels, reveals Mediterranean notes and makes subtle use of spices. Her take on pissaladière deserves a special mention: a warm tartlet of caramelised onions, anchovy cream, airy onion espuma, black olive powder, pickles and onion gel. It has all the hallma