The birthplace of the Michelin star, and home to a wealth of delicious fresh produce and world-class wine production, France is the ideal holiday destination for foodies. Why not make the most of its culinary delights by booking one of our villas in the south of France – the gastro-scene is ever-changing here, though the following five hotspots can always be relied upon for superb food.
The French sovereign state of Monaco is famed for its glamorous Grand Prix and is one of the best places to experience fine dining. Le Louis XV is run by renowned culinary master Alain Ducasse. Expect beautifully presented dishes and ingredients such as Alba white truffle, served in opulent neo-Baroque surroundings.
Price Range: Starting from €180 per person
Location: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino, MC 98000 Monaco
Bookings: Call (377) 98 06 88 64
Le Louis XV Restaurant – Monaco
A twice Michelin-starred restaurant a little off the beaten path, this gem can be found nestled in a tiny village in the Corbières Hills. Renowned head chef Gilles Goujon promises creative and inventive dishes: try one of several set menu options to sample the full gamut of Auberge du Vieux Puit.
Price Range: Set tasting menu starting from €185 per person
Location: 5, Avenue St Victor, 11360 Fontjoncouse
Bookings: Call +33 (0)4 68 44 07 37
Often described as one of the best restaurants on the French Riviera (it’s certainly got some of the best views of any eatery in the area, which stretch down over the bay) Mirazur’s two Michelin stars have been earned thanks to Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco’s chic take on contemporary Italian cuisine.
Price Range: Discovery Menu from €70 per person
Location: 30 Avenue Aristide Briand, 06500 Menton
Bookings: Call +33 4 92 41 86 86 or email reservation@mirazur.fr
Mirazur Restaurant
Fresh, vibrant flavours are all the rage at this top Arles restaurant. There’s no a la a carte menu either – try the tapas style prix fixe menu for a gastronomic odyssey that won’t be soon forgotten by your taste buds (or, if we’re honest, your wallet).
Price Range: Menu Discovery starts from €95 per person
Location: 7 Rue des Carmes, 13200 Arles
Bookings: Call +33 4 90 91 07 69
Another of Alain Ducasse’s success stories, Bastide de Moustiers is a hotel hideaway whose restaurant commands a greater reputation than its rooms! Make sure you book in advance, and don’t worry too much about planning what you want to eat in advance – the menu is dictated by what’s fresh and seasonal, and changes all the time.
Price Range: Menu of la Bastide for €79 per person
Location: Chemin de Quinson, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, 04360
Bookings: Call +33 (0)4 92 70 47 47 or just complete their booking form here.
A large international student population gives Aix-en-Provence a cosmopolitan feel, and at Le Passage you can sample delicious fare from around the world. The restaurant has three different kitchens – one traditionally French, one World/Fusion and one Thai – meaning everyone’s tastes are catered for.
Price Range: €21- €40
Location: 10 Rue Villars, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Bookings: Call +33 6 64 03 88 17
L’Envers du Décor is known principally as a wine bar, and a visit here wouldn’t be complete without sampling something from the extensive cellars. Indeed, the menu is designed as much around wine pairings as it is around simple but expertly-prepared dishes.
Price Range: 15-30€
Location: 11 Rue du Clocher, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France
Bookings: Call +33 5 57 74 48 31 or email reservation@envers-dudecor.com
Concentrating on classic French dishes done exquisitely well over more experimental cooking techniques, the (surprisingly reasonable) menu at L’Entrée Jardin is a great way to discover why French cookery enjoys its worldwide reputation for quality.
Price Range: Menu starting from €26
Location: 27 Avenue du Pont, Cadillac, 33410
Bookings: Call +33 5 56 76 96 96
The “Red Terrace” (nor prizes for guessing how it got that name) is situated amongst the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, arguably the world’s most famous wine town. It goes without saying that you’ll get some spectacular wine here, but the food’s just as good – try the Foie Gras with grape juice for the perfect taste of the countryside!
Price Range: 15-30€
Location: 1 La Dominique, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Bookings: Call +33 5 57 24 47 05 or email contact@laterrasserouge.com
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