Hi, I will go to provence alone next week. Can anyone suggest some good restaurants in Arles,Aix & Les Baux? any small and sepecial restaurants? (better roughly provide the price) Thanks a lot

In Aix, Les Tournesols, uphill from the Musee Granet (is this the Rue Cardinale?)

A nice young couple was trying to make a go of this late in 1995 when this was a massive construction zone. I hope they made it. Delicious prix fixe meals of regional cuisine at very modest prices. They cooked a special meal for us at our request and put it on the menu that night so we didn't have to bear the whole cost.

Never saw another tourist, though now that the Musee is up and running again, it may be packed. I hope so, for their sake.

Oustau de Baumaniere, on the outskirts of Les Beaux was our very favorite restaurant. It's just a fabulously beautiful setting, either inside or out. The service is perfect. And, the food is just wonderful. It's rather expensive, but worth every penny. annieladd

Yikes, Les Baux, of course...

Clos de la Violette in Aix is wonderful.

Throw in L'Atelier in Arles and you are all set !

Bon Appetit !

-Kevin

We had a great meal in Arles at L'Escaladou. It's very near the Hotel Calendal (where we stayed) and which I also highly recommend.

I was just in Arles a few weeks ago, and I loved loved loved a place called Le Jardin des Arts on the Rue de la Republique, two minutes walk from the Place de la Republique opposite the Museon Arlaten. Lovely setting: a 14th (or 15th?) century stone-vaulted building but with fabulous modern paintings on the walls, an outdoor courtyard terrace with beautiful flowers. And the food was spectacular. I went crazy for the Farfalle Ortolana (how's that for specific?). I think my pasta, glass of wine, and post-meal herbal tea (try the infusion Cezanne) came to 17 Euro or so (??). A real bargain. The proprietors couldn't be friendlier, either.

I would definitely qualify Le Jardin des Arts as small and special. Whatever you do, do not not not eat at the famous "Cafe van Gogh" on Place du Forum. Wretched service, mediocre food. If you must sit under the yellow awning, have a drink only!

Oh, and since you said you'd be alone, I'll throw in I was a woman traveling alone too. The folks at Le Jardin were nice as could be to me. Sometimes you get indifferent service if you're by yourself (eg at Cafe van Gogh, which favors the tour groups), but not there.

Here's one near Les Baux, down in the valley and owned by the same family that operates the famous Oustau de Beaumaniére: la Cabro d'Or. Less pricey than the parent restaurant and still very, very good food.

Emily and I were here for only one day. We had a great lunch where the old Roman forum was situated, the restuarant was one that Van Gogh is susposed to have frequented. It has a yellow front. We ate lunch outside in the courtyard... Emilyandjim.info

Dear all,

Thanks for all your inputs. I will try to book L'Aterlier thoght it's quite expensive for me. Does anyone know is casual wear o.k. for that restaurant? coz I won't bring formal dress with me for travelling.

Hi, Giovanna, since I'm also stay in Hotel Calendal, do you know around how much will L'Escaladou cost for lunch/dinner? I'm also intersted in Le Jardin des Arts in Arles. So do I need to book all these restaurant in advance?

L'Atelier is WELL worth the $$$. Don't eat breakfast, don't eat dinner - go there for lunch. It won't break the bank, and it will truly expand your culinary horizons.

I don't think you'd be turned away for showing up in casual dress (we were having lunch at his place in the Camargue one day when a Frenchman and his son came in looking like they just woke up after sleeping off a major hangover in a field), but it's a NICE place and you should look NICE. Don't know what "casual" means to you, but I'd cringe if I were eating there and someone walked in wearing shorts and sneakers.

Irene: I think you will fall in love with the Calendal. We sure did. We usually didn't need lunch, as the included breakfast was quite extensive.

I honestly don't remember what we paid for dinner at L'Escaladou, but it wasn't expensive. I remember it as a very comfortable, casual restaurant. We didn't make reservations, just walked in. It was busy, however, and since so many more people seem to be traveling in Europe these days, maybe a reservation wouldn't be a bad idea.

No reservations needed for Jardin des Arts. Although they might get quite busy later in the evening, I was going around 7-7:30 and they weren't crowded. I also was there on a weekday, so it may be a different story on a weekend night.

Irene, I stayed at Le Calendal on my first solo trip to France a few years ago. I was shut out of Cilantro because they wouldn't seat a single diner (don't know if it was just that evening or always), so the lady at the desk at Calendal sent me to a delicious, low-key restaurant near the river, mid-range in price, 40E or so and I had an aperitif, wine and perhaps a digestif too. Of course I can't remember the name, but I wanted to let you know that if you're specific with what you want to eat, you could get a good rec from the staff there. I asked for something a little untraditional and that's what I got. This was before L'Atelier; I certainly would have reserved there had it been around back then.

Have a great trip! Please post a report and photos when you return.

In Arles, Atelier. Has anyone tried the his x-resto ithe Camargue?
The Affenage where the locals eat at the special buffet.
Th Calendal for that lunch on the patio,
In Aix, Le Closerie de Violette,
Not a great eating town but the Clos. is special but tres cher.
Les Baux, the LÓustau, it's lesser priced sister, Cabro D'Or and my favorite
La Riboto de Taven

Just returned from Provence. In Arles L'atelier is a real treat. The presentation alone is worth it. We had lunch there and it was wonderful! It was the highlight of Arles. Les Baux - La Riboto de Taven is great. You may need reservations at both so check online. Aix - La Brocherie is very good but not what I consider gourmet. Their fish was excellent. Happy travels.

Hi friends, I've been confirmed a seat at L'Atelier. I'm so excited now! I would like to ask where's La Riboto de Taven and the LÓustau in Les Baux? Arounnd how much is the cost for lunch?

Roboto de taven has a website. www.riboto-de-taven.fr They seem to not be open for lunch. I had dinner there. You can email Christine and ask her about all this. Her email address is [email protected]
Since I traveled with my son and husband I seldom saw the bill but I do not think it is real expensive and it is very good. I am sure she would be happy to tell you a price range. They have a limited menu. Located at the base of Les Baux.