Le Relais des Baronnies

This imposing Provençal farmstead is steeped in the unmistakable balmy scent of the South of France: think thyme, savory, lavender… A family business for generations, chef Jany Gleize and his daughter Jane embody a vision of Provençal cuisine that is tasty and indulgent, by way of several set menus. Stay over in one of the spacious guestrooms decorated with period furnishings.

Laurent Azoulay cooks up Provençal cuisine channelling the spirit of a local bistro: beautiful stuffed tomatoes, Camargue rice with Nyons olives; Provençal-style pieds et paquets (mutton tripe and feet), mashed potatoes with olive oil. The fragrant, carefully prepared dishes are full of character, and some are cooked in the wood-burning oven of the open kitchen. The space has a contemporary bistro-style aesthetic; on sunny days, nab a table on the shaded terrace in the village square. Guestrooms are available for overnight stays.

This chef, originally from Vietnam, meticulously prepares inventive and instinctive cuisine that is constantly evolving. The single multi-course set menu allies local produce and exotic touches in dishes that are colourful and fragrant. With its exposed beams and hardwood floors, the traditional interior opens onto a veranda that leads onto a pleasant terrace overlooking an imposing metal statue of a rearing horse.

You can't miss this 18C coaching inn with its blue cart on the roof, in a nod to René Barjavel's eponymous book in which he recounts his childhood in this part of the world. The spirit of the region is everywhere, from the terrace shaded by a reed canopy to the generous regional cuisine, examples of which are a terrine of marbled ham, warm potato salad with a spicy ravigote sauce and a decadent île flottante (egg whites in custard) in a culinary lineup as patriotic as the Marseillaise!

After a career at Christian Têtedoie’s restaurant (Lyon), Fei - Hsin and Jérôme Lamy decided to take over this place. He still works as a sommelier, offering appetising food and wine pairings that showcase his wife’s lovely cooking, which is inspired by her Taiwanese origins. A wonderful marriage of French and Asian.

In the deliciously homely dining room decked in miscellaneous paraphernalia, you will be treated to tasty regional fare presented in one season-driven menu. Examples include homemade rennet with foie gras or lacquered pork belly from Dieulefit with regional veggies. In fine weather, take a seat on the shaded terrace and savour the knockout view.

At the foot of Mont Ventoux surrounded by vineyards, this gourmet dove coos a delicious tune. Chef Christophe Schuffenecker serves modern, spot-on, legible dishes, founded on local produce, such as Sarrians pigeon with geranium-perfumed mashed carrots. When the weather is fine, make a beeline for the terrace shaded by awnings overlooking the vineyards. The traditional interior sports bare beams and a large Provençal fireplace.