Greetings and thanks for all your help on finding places to stay. Via provenceweb.com we found the Chateau de Barbegal near Arles. Had wanted to stay in town, but this place looks unbelievable....

NOW: we want to have a truly special birthday celebration dinner. If you could chose just one restaurant to eat at in Provence, knowing you would never set foot in the south of France again, which one would it be......

La Chassagnette in the Camargue - about a 30- to 40-minute drive from Arles.

Le Feu Follet, in old Mougins. But if you mean the area where you'll be staying, I'd opt for the Bistrot du Paradou. We had a memorable lunch there, including delectable leg of lamb, and we enjoyed watching the people in a large local birthday group having a wonderful time.

Of course, I also remember with longing the meal at L'Oustau de Beaumanière.

http://www.barbegal.com/
In case anyone else is curious about this property.... It does look lovely, Jenny!

Auberge de Cassagne in Le Pontet, just outside Avignon. Fantastique.

We splurged for a birthday at the Auberge de Feniere in Lourmarin. The chef, Reine Sammut is possibly the only female chef in France with a Michelin star since Ghislaine Arabian is no longer around.

Another vote for La Feniere. If you go on a Saturday summer evening, you'll likely be treated to some superb jazz to go with an awesome meal. One big plus for me - atmosphere is completely unpretentious.

When we're in Provence in September we'll be celebrating our 30th anniversary and we'll be on the Cotes D'Azur on my birthday! I've seen the favorable comment about the L'Oustau de Beaumanière. Are there any other "fabulous" meals and settings on the Cotes D'Azur that you'd recommend? Is Chateaux Eza worth it for lunch or dinner. The setting looks amazing. Also, are there other choices that are great, but fall a little below the $$$ investment of these choices?
Thanks

I have to agree with the recommendation of the Bistro du Paradou. We also had a memorable lunch. The food, waitstaff and ambiance were just what one dreams about in Provence.

seagulls -

In Eze I prefer Chevre d'Or (also outstanding view) immediately across the way from the Chateau Eza. But we did lunch here, so can't say about dinner - check out both to decide.

And another vote here for L'Oustau de Beaumanière in Les Baux.

As an alternative to L'Oustau de Beaumanière, consider its sister restaurant, Le Cabro d'Or, just a bit down the road in the valley. The food isn't quite as rarefied, but then neither are the prices.

Another good restaurant in the region is La Régalido, in Fontvielle, which has one Michelin rosette.

another vote for Oustau, Le Petite Maison in Cucuron, Chez Fon Fon in Marseille. I don't include the Paradou only because I go there every year and it's affordable compared to these three special meals for a one time visit.

I second Oustau de Baumaniere and Chevre d'Or. We had lunch in both places and they still remain to be some of our most memorable meal.

We loved the leg of lamb in Oustau. And dining amidst the smell of olives from the olive groves is such a special experience.

View from formal dining of Chevre d'Or is breathtaking. Enjoy it with a pre-meal champagne (preferable Taittanger Comtes de Champagne Rose 1986...just like we did) to set you in the mood.

In July 2001 we had the best meal ever, anywhere, in La Maison, in the Mas de Bournissac, just outside of St. Remy, near Noves. We dined outdoors, began with a tangy chilled cup of eggplant soup, flavored with thyme and other herbs, that was sensational. We spent over two hours enjoying this feast that included thin filets of duck, delicious chicken, marvelous vegetables, a salad made with bulgar grain and preserved lemons. Superbe!

We did not stay at the hotel but it looked like a very nice place.

It would probably take 30/45 minutes to get there from Arles--well worth it, particularly if you can get an outdoors reservation.

Good luck!!

Anthony

Powell, I'm so excited to hear that!
We're staying at the hotel there in July! (La Maison de Bournissac) and you have me salivating already!

I second the recommendation for Le Cabro D'Or at Les Baux-- excellent food in a more relaxed atmosphere than L'oustau de Baumaniere.

We also had a wonderful meal at Chateau Eza, but I think the view was more memorable than the food.

La Maison is lovely inside. One room has dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, beautiful towels, Fragonard soap. Beautiful bowls with a cigale . I bought a matching pitcher somewhere else.

If we can include the Drôme as the northern part of Provence, the one place to which we've returned more than any other is the hotel/restaurant Les Hospitaliers in the medieval village of Le Poët-Laval, near Dieulefit. Dining outside on the raised terrace on a warm evening is magical, and the food is absolutely marvelous. It would be a great place for a celebratory dinner and overnight stay.

Now that is what I call a list!

Thanks for all the ideas. Good thing we have two BDays to celebrate - come to think of it, maybe we'll have to celebrate our Anniversary as well while we are there.

Flights booked. B&Bs booked. Restaurants list prepared. Shame it is not May already...

Thanks again and I'll be sure to report back on return.

-Jenny