Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 5:12 p.m. – Updated at 5:12 p.m.
1 – The Castellet table, the next generation Fabien Ferré
At La Table du Castellet, Fabien Ferré offers two menus, with four stopovers for lunch and six stopovers for dinner: “Marine expression” and “Vegetable expression”. Photos Stéphane RISSET
Second in Le Castellet, for ten years, to Christophe Bacquié (left for the Luberon to open a table d’hôtes in Bonnieux), chef Fabien Ferré brilliantly takes up an exceptional challenge: to maintain the gastronomic prestige of a table which was until then triple starred while affirming its identity.
His signature ? The development of the Provençal terroir, with exceptional products and a technical mastery that allows all daring.
Hotel du Castellet, 3001 route des Hauts du Camp, Le Castellet; 04 94 98 37 77 hotelducastellet.net.
2 – Fonscolombe, the Provençal elegance of Marc Fontanne
Former of the Château Saint-Martin (Vence), the Reserve (Beaulieu) and the Priory (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon), Marc Fontanne has joined the Château de Fonscolombe.Photo DR
Built in 1730, this jewel of the Italian style of the Quattrocento entrusted its two restaurants to Marc Fontanne (replacing Quentin Durand who returned to Brittany).
Chef with the most beautiful promises, passed by great houses, he draws the best from the French tradition and incredible products while developing a real signature (we emphasize in particular his use of aromatics). On arrival, a great happiness which justifies a hundred times a getaway in the Aix hinterland, in the middle of the vineyards and not far from the Durance.
Road to Saint-Canadet, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade; 04 42 21 13 13 fonscolombe.com.
3 – Coquillade Provence, the unique journey of Pierre Marty
Pierre Marty, recruit of choice for the three restaurants of Coquillade Provence (Gargas). Photo DR
Disciple of Alain Ducasse and Pascal Bardet, the new chef of Relais et Châteaux nestled in the heart of the Luberon arrived in Gargas at the start of the season.
Pierre Marty imagines delicate dishes inspired by his experiences across the planet: he has notably worked in Doha and Macao, as well as on the Côte d’Azur and in Paris. Here he is at the head of three restaurants where Provence brings a new color to its cuisine, rich in spices and unexpected combinations.
Hamlet Le Perrotet, 84400 Gargas; 04 90 74 71 71 coquillade.fr.
4 – Couvent des Minimes, the Louis Gachet challenge
Arrived this winter at the Couvent des Minimes (Mane) with his wife Pauline, Louis Gachet has just been named Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Photo DR
The end of an incredible project that will have lasted more than two years… Closed in 2020, the Couvent des Minimes has just been reborn, just next to Forcalquier. Superbly renovated, the building built in 1613 by Marquis Melchior Forbin de Jason now houses 49 rooms and suites.
Among the services, a L’Occitane spa expected for this fall. And above all, two restaurants at the rendezvous of the summer: Le Feuillée (gastronomic) and Pamparigouste (bistro). At the helm in the kitchen, Louis Gachet, a 31-year-old chef who has just been named Meilleur Ouvrier de France: this enthusiastic Burgundian has worked for six years at the Chèvre d’Or (Èze).
His wife Pauline is in charge of the room. Another fine recruit, pastry chef Laure Desmorieux, who arrived from Oustau de Baumanière.
Convent of the Minimes, chemin des Jeux de Mai, Mane; 04 92 74 77 77 couventdesminimes-hotelspa.com.
5 – Le Prieuré, the Christophe Chiavola brand
Already twice starred, Christophe Chiavola is back in service at the Prieuré (Villeneuve-lès-Avignon) after a year as a consultant. DR
Starred at the Hameau des Baux then at the Château de Massillan (Uchaux), the chef from Savoie returns to the kitchen after a year as a consultant.
From the outset, his style, which is both intuitive and controlled, seduces both for his gastronomic dinners and for his “chic bistro” lunches.
With him, Le Prieuré Baumanière is well on its way to rediscovering a lost star with the departure of Marc Fontanne from Fonscolombe: his vivacious cuisine astonishes and seduces, goes off the beaten track, is both light and deep.
7 Place du Chapitre, Villeneuve-lès-Avignon; 04 90 15 90 15 leprieure.com.
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