Le Gîte du Moulin

This cleverly named restaurant (a pun on côteaux meaning hills and couteaux meaning knives) is housed in an old wine cellar. The region is well represented both by the delicious cuisine and by the excellent choice of local wines. Pleasant, contemporary decor and a terrace overlooking the vineyards.

Near Avignon, this remote Provençal farmhouse set between cliffs and vineyards does not compromise on authenticity. The scents of the garrigue fill the tastefully renovated interior, which sports a harmonious blend of period details and modern fittings. In the kitchen, Maxime is assisted by his father, Serge Chenet, Meilleur Ouvrier de France. The pair share a love of all things natural and the seasonal ingredients bursting with the flavours of this sun-drenched region. These Bretons, who haven't turned their backs on the staples of butter and cream, work together to concoct a tasty Provençal-

In this restaurant located in a town that is a mecca for antiques dealers, diners are in good hands! Talented chef Romain Gandolphe brings delicacy and subtlety to his carefully crafted dishes, with a focus on both flavours and textures. Sit in the contemporary dining space with an inviting decor, or on the terrace overlooking the River Sorgue and its lush green banks – a real feast for the eyes. Attentive service and an interesting selection of regional wines.

On the other side of the Rhône, opposite Avignon and the Palais des Papes, the small town of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon also boasts its fair share of monuments, of which Le Prieuré is one such. This old cloister, oozing in charm, provides the perfect foil to enjoy creative cuisine made with first-rate ingredients. The surf and turf combinations are sometimes bold but hit the spot every time (langoustine with rhubarb and Bigorre black pork) thanks to big-boned flavours.

As you explore the winding lanes of Avignon, you may come upon this attractive restaurant with a large open-plan kitchen. The chefs deliver the food to the table themselves, while you drink up the savvy tips of an enthusiastic sommelier, who is something of a connoisseur of biodynamic wines. Mathieu Desmarest crafts a surprise menu depicted by legible, pared-down, balanced dishes, courtesy of seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers, enabling him to make the most of this cornucopia of impeccable ingredients (octopus, bluefin tuna, pigeon). The subtle and creative recipes and marriages of

In the heart of the village, a spacious terrace shaded by a plane tree welcomes diners in fine weather. The interior boasts a confident neo-retro aesthetic, featuring zellige tiles, classic bistro tables, moleskin bench seating and antique trinkets. The brainchild of Mathieu Desmarest (Pollen, Avignon) and his partner, it proposes a short, seasonal and locally sourced menu, expertly delivered by the chef. Green pea gazpacho verde, brousse cheese and pickles; tuna steak, virgin olive oil, fennel and smoked paprika-infused yoghurt.

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.