Those are beautiful regions. We rent houses, and have recently spent 16 weeks in Provence (2 near Uzes), and 2 weeks in a house in the Auvergne near Pontgibaud - west of Clermond-Ferrand.

My favorite restaurant near Uzes is l'Olivier in Servier. They have a great web site where their current menu is posted - but I can't find the site in my bookmarks right now. Google it.

My favorite restaurent near Pontgibaud (an area not noted for it's food) is L'Ours des Roches in La Courteix. Both of the above restaurants are in the Red Michelin Guide.

Do you have my 20+ page itinerary for Provence? If not, e-mail me at [email protected] & I'll send you one. I did not do a similar write-up for the Auvergne.

Stu Dudley

Thank you all so much for everything. Anselm, Your beautifully scripted journal will be so much of enspired trips we will take! You are all so generous with your advise and time..I can't thank you all enough. Thanks as well Stu, for the offer of the 20 page report. I'll email you...The restraunts sound great and I will google.. Did you ever try Zanelli's...great Italian and a beautiful back patio with a beautiful view of the Dutchy.
All the best to all who helped me and I will let you know how the trip is shaping up.Take care
Cathy Toner

I really enjoyed the Hotel La Residence in Lyon, as I believe several other Fodorites have. I think I booked there on the recommendation of several on this board.

Hi StCirq,
Thanks, I actually tried to book there, after reading this forum recommends as well!! They say though, they won't be able to take bookings until next January....doesn't that seem odd?
Cathy

Cathy, I googled Chateau-de-Maulmont in Randan; it's an interesting looking place.

We didn't get as far north as Randan (or Vichy), but only because there was so much to see where we were, just south of Clermont-Ferrand. I hope you have the opportunity to look at the countryside south and west of Clermont-Ferrand. It's very beautiful.

Anselm

Hi msm4...thanks to you for the suggestion of the smaller town...We will keep all our options open and check that out as well!! Sorry for the delay in thanking you...
Cathy

We didn't dine at the Zanelli. When we're in France we eat French food - which I prefer to Italian anyway. We also enjoyed dining at the Chateau d'Arpaillargues (beautiful garden dining), and Table de l’Horloge in St Quentin du Poterie - but I notice that the latter is not in the current Michelin Red Guide so it may have closed (it was a 1 star).

Stu Dudley

Yes, that seems really odd, unless they're closed for renovations or something. Did you email or call them? If you emailed, I'd pick up the phone and call them.

Sometime we get the hankering for Italian wherever we are. It's just a change and nice atmosphere. Table de Horloge was amazing when I was there in 02' and LOVED it!! I tried to email, but it kept getting bounced back. I have the phone # somewhere in the pile, but my bro-in-law did hear that they were closed. I'll check further and check out the other place you mention Stu. Is it in Uzes?

Do you have Horloge's number StCirq?
thanks
Cathy Toner

l’Oliver 04 66 22 56 01
Table de l’Horloge 04 66 22 07 01

l'Oliver is just north of Uzes in the village of Serviers

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the ph# Stu...I will call him and hopefully he is still there. The meal we had there was a memorable occasion!
Cathy Toner

For dining in Uzes (last week of Sept 2007) we enjoyed the food and decor at Les 80 Jours - though we had some difficulty getting our bill.

Bistro de Grezac seems to have changed owners and staff and now, alas, is just an ordinary bistro.

A couple of years ago, we dined at the (Ostellerie?) Provencale and were most impressed with its formal, stylish service and food.

Zanelli has a fine setting but for a casual meal we also liked Pizza du Duche -- NOT just pizzas, those those are excellent. We found that a large salade composee was almost enough for us at dinner, though we did force ourselves to split a pizza thereafter.

Au Fil de l'Eau gets positive reviews though we have not eaten there.

Anselm: If you are reading this, the place we rented in Uzes was EVEN MORE incredible than the photos. Think luxury Manhattan loft in an equally luxurious 17th century shell. And I have sent you a new Burgundy B&B gem.........

tedgale, sounds wonderful.

Too bad about Bistro de Grezac; we've dined there happily in the past.

AA

I would leave heartbroken if I only had a few hours in Lyon! What an amazing, interesting, gorgeous French city! I strongly recommend the TVG and La Machonnerie restaurant (local friends took us there; great place!; http://www.lamachonnerie.com/)