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La Colombe d'Or in St. Paul de Vence
We have a reservation for lunch there on the day we drive from Nice to Aix-en-Provence. It is a Friday. I know we can park at the hotel/restaurant when we arrive, probably around 10, but just how much of a walk (climb?) is it up to the village itself. It's been years since I've been there and I keep thinking it's pretty removed from the village, yet, it seems it would be more convenient to arrive there and leave the car while visiting the village galleries.
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It's a walk of no more than 100 meters on relatively level or gently slopped ground.
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It's not removed from the village, it's just at the entrance. We park at the car park just outside St Paul de Vence (didn't know you could park at the Colombe d'Or when you have lunch reservations - are you sure?), it's a very short walk from the public car park to the Colombe d'Or.
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If you are arriving around 10am for lunch, you may end up walking around the hills just to kill time. While the Maeght Foundation is not far, it is definitely a hike uphill, and private galleries in the village of tiny St Paul itself, including a pre-lunch tour of the restaurant's art collection, are not going to fill several hours of your time.
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Someone mentioned parking there, so when I emailed to make a reservation I confirmed that we could park there around 9:30 or 10:00 while we "explored" the village. In the lunch confirmation they confirmed "your parking request is also confirmed".
Glad to hear it's close and level. I was thinking it sat quite far down the hill. Gee, sandralist, I recall a number of years ago spending most of the day in the town, although I think much of it was spent trying to find parking as the garage we had been told about was "complet" -- I can't imagine we couldn't spend 2 hours or so -- we do like taking time in various studios and galleries and doing some picture taking. |
I was thinking the same as Sandralist. An hour would be plenty for me in the village, unless you include the Fondation Maeght - in which case go there first and park at the Colombe d'Or afterwards.
Good to know they offer parking, I will try that next time. Hope you have good weather, the terrace is lovely. |
NeoPatrick: Sharing with you part of a description I wrote in 2006 ( I recall the parking garage. I know it was very close to the restaurant/hotel. Bon apetit!
tower on May 25, 06 at 2:30pm <i>Our last day in Cote d'azur area...and we have 1:00 reservations for lunch at L'Colombe d'Or in nearby St. Paul. One of the few reservations that we made in advance...having been disappointed by trying too late during past visits. We decide to get into St. Paul earlier so we can visit "The graeght Maeght Foundation". You don't want to miss this if anywhere in the vicinty...superb! Thoroughly enjoy our few hours at Maeght, encompassed by Miros, Chagalls, Matisses, etc. Marvelous galleries, inside and outside. L'Colombe d'Or, world renowned (made our reservation three months in advance just to be sure), has a prime setting in this charming town. The hostess immediately recognized our name without looking at her list...my, oh my.. and everything goes off with precision...the day is sunny and comfortably warm, ambience and the service impeccable and the food tastefully presented and flavored. What more can one ask? The featured appetizer was white asparagus, best we've ever tasted anywhere. Roz ordered the fricassee of chicken and I had a delicious sole so artfully stripped at tableside (no, not me, the sole). Dessert began with a sampler cheese dish and ended with a crispy-lidded creme brulee and chocolate sticks... a carafe of chardonnay. (Total: $110)</i> |
Very nice. Thanks, tower. I've been unable to find any online menus for the restaurant. I go to their site, but clicking on breakfast, lunch, or dinner gets me nothing, but more pictures. But I'm certainly not worried about the food, despite a surprising number of negative Tripadvisor reviews fairly recently.
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They await you, NeoPatrick! (Best I could do is their menu in French)
La Colombe d’Or La Carte Le petit pot de Caviar Osciètre 50g 200 € Le Foie Gras de canard et ses toasts 32 € Les Hors d’Œuvre Colombe d’Or avec la Charcuterie 31 € Le Panier de Crudités et sa Terrine 23 € Le Potage aux Légumes de saison (le soir) 12 € Le Melon au Jambon de Parme 20 € * Le Bouquet de Crevettes 24 € Le Saumon Fumé sauvage de Suède 31 € La Cassolette d’Escargots de Bourgogne 21 € Le Loup de Mer poché sauce Mousseline 41 € La Daurade Royale sur le gril 41 € La Sole grillée Dijonnaise 44 € Le Turbot Maraîchère 44€ Les Rougets Meunière 30 € L’Aïoli tout simple à la Morue fraîche et ses cinq Légumes 27 € Les Quenelles de Saumon frais 20 € L’Aïoli de Légumes 20 € La Pièce de Bœuf au four (par pers/min 2 pers) 37 € Le Pavé de Bœuf à la façon du Berger des Causses 37 € Le Carré d’Agneau (par pers/min 2 pers) avec sa garniture de Légumes 36 € Le Civet de Lapin du Facteur 23 € Les Rognons de Veau à la Provençale 29 € (Origine française ou de l’Union Européenne) L’Onglet aux Echalotes …. 24 € * Le Poussin à la Chipolata 24 € La Fricassée de Volaille à la Crème et aux Morilles 31 € Haricots Verts sautés au Beurre 10 € La Salade de Saison 9,50 € Plat du Jour………………………………………………………. 25 € Le Plateau des Fromages Fermiers 13 € Le Soufflé flambé au Grand-Marnier 22 € Le Vacherin 13,50 € La Crème Caramel 10,50 € Le Gâteau au Chocolat 13,50 € Les Fruits de Saison 13,50 € La Tarte de la Mère Roux 10,50 € La Tarte Amandine aux Pignons 16 € Glaces – Sorbets 11,50€ En saison Les Fraises……………………………………………………….…… 12 € Les Framboises……………………………………………… .…………..13 € Les Fraises des Bois…………………………………………...…….… 22 € Nos viandes de Bœuf sont d’origine Française ou de l’Union Européenne Les informations concernant les allergènes sont disponibles au niveau du bureau de la réception ou auprès du Maître d’hôtel La Suggestion de 5 vins Réserve Colombe d’Or AOC, Côtes de Provence 26 € Réserve Colombe d’Or AOC, Bordeaux St-Emilion 35 € Côtes de Provence Clos St-Joseph AOC, Villars/Var ……………… … . 38 € Vin des Moines des iles de Lérins, vin de pays des AM cuvée St-Honorat…………………………………… …….………….…………50 € Champagne brut blanc de blanc Réserve Colombe d’Or…… ……...……. 65 € Le Prix des Chambres La Chambre 335 € L’Appartement 470 /510 € Le Petit-déjeuner 18 € La Demi-pension pour 2 personnes 447 € Prix nets service compris La Salle intérieure du Restaurant est non fumeur |
Thanks, tower, although I think that is dinner? I believe they have several lunch prix fixe menus available.
But I do see "Prix nets service compris" so I'll be sure no matter how wonderful our service is not to leave a tip to humiliate our servers! LOL |
NP...I wrote them a note and specifically asked for lunch..the return email again restated "Lunch"...you'll find out.(I will send the poper email address for L'C d'or. Regardless, enjoy! Here are some applicable photos and you can scroll down to #127 or check them all out. I think you'll find them enjoyable, but rank amateur. What the hell, they tell a story! (I live in Ojai, Ca.)
Stu (***on this particular trip, we spent nearly a month in Cote d'azur and Western Provence...then picked up a delightful barge trip from Strasbourg to Nancy for another week)I have scanned and digital shots of all Continental Europe, a good part of Asia, South America, and as far east as the former Soviet Union's Uzbek SSR. I share with anyone who asks about a specific region. http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...enceBarge2006# |
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Regarding the food, I don't think that is the real thrill on offer (and the thrill is a real thrill). However, if you order simple dishes, like a shoulder of lamb, or a poached salmon (or kidneys!), you are likely to be happier than quenelles or such. (I speak from experience!)
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We very much enjoyed our visit to the Maeght Foundation
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2011/...oundation.html |
Unless you go back down to the coast and take the autoroute it's going to be a long drive from St. Paul to Aix.
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Sure, Michael, I think an hour and a half total going back to the autoroute.
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I think it will take you a bit more than that, depending on time of year. The road to the motorway entrance at Villeneuve Loubet can be quite busy, and a bit confusing, even with GPS.
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Well the point was we have all day to travel from Nice to Aix with a stop for lunch in St. Paul. I honestly think that's easily "doable" even if it takes us as much as (GASP!) two or three hours. We have all afternoon to get to Aix from St. Paul. LOL
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NP....I've driven the autotoute Nice to Aix in early spring and mid-fall...quick, easy, minimal traffic. Summer could be a bummer! Enjoy your trip!!
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