I'm looking for a nice place to have lunch with a small group (7 or 8 people) in Maussane or Eygalières on a Wednesday. I've eaten at Chez Bru and enjoyed it very much, but it's too expensive for this lunch. I'm thinking potentially 20-35 euro for lunch, in a beautiful and relaxing spot where we can enjoy village life in the Alpilles.

Any suggestions? (I'm hoping Mimi will see this!)

Kathy

Have you considered Bistro du Paradou in the tiny village of Paradou, adjoining Maussane? Their usual Wed. lunch is lamb - delicious! It's Kirk's (my husband) all-time favorite restaurant and we have been known to drive quite a ways to enjoy lunch there!
Anne

Hi Kaydee, I don't remember prices but less expensive than chez Bru, I like La Place very much, very charming and small it sits on a corner and they also serve at tables across the street by the fountain and owned by chariel(sp?) who owns the L'Oustau de B. in Les Baux.

True Provençal food at Au Ravi but not sure if they serve lunch.

La Vallee also small run by the daughter of Jean-Louis of Le Paradou.

Eygalieres, we liked to sit outside at Sous Les Micocouliers.

OOPS! just checked the website-Closed on Wednesday

Eygalières oui !

Kaydee

Mimi and Anne, thanks so much for responding to my question so quickly and with such great suggestions. I'm sorry for not posting back sooner to say thank you and to tell you where we ate.

We ended up doing something a little simpler but with great ambiance. We ate at the Cafe de la Fontaine in Maussane, right there on the large and very appealing square by the fountain. It was a lovely afternoon to eat outside. We had attentive service and the food was quite good. We had a reservation, but this would be an easy place for a smaller group to stop in.

I liked Maussane and definitely want to spend more time there. (I've only driven through before.) I would enjoy eating at any of the places recommended above, especially Bistrot de Paradou, which I have read so much about. I also liked the menu posted at a nearby restaurant called L'Outstaloun, there on the same square.

Right now it's a rainy afternoon in Provence...

Kathy

Kaydee, in the delightful book, YO-YO in Provence, there are two photos of the inside of the Café de Fontaine.

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1558219625/ref=dp_...TF8&showViewpoints=1

I have made notes of all these fantastic suggestions...we leave in three weeks time and am so excited.

If anyone has any suggestions for us of reasonably priced quaint traditional places to visit near St Cannat - where we are based - I would be delighted. (we are a big family so budget has to be watched!)

I love the idea of the Wednesday for lamb at Bistro Paradou and I think we will plan this for one of the Wednesdays.

An inexpensive and fun place is the ferme-auberge Barbegal in Barbegal just outside Arles.
The food - fresh ingredients from the farm - is great. You eat in a converted old barn by a two-floor high fireplace.
You can also combine the lunch with a visit to the nearby (1 km away) awesome old Roman mills of Barbegal, one of my fave sites in Provence.

We have been to both La Vallee & Bistrot du Paradou - plus we even stopped for an apero at a table in the square beside the fountain. So of course I'm an expert on Mausanne!

Here is my review of La Vallee. In addition to the comments in my review, I remember a conversation with a couple from the UK who use Mausanne as a base for their time in Provence because of all the good restaurants in the immediate area - several within easy walking distance of their rental apartment in the village.

I didn't submit a review of Bistrot du Paradou. Peter Mayle's description of a November lunch in A Year in Provence pretty well ensures a full house most of the year. What I do remember was that the price is inclusive of everything, including wine. Also, we had a lengthy conversation with three people at the next table who were so inspired by the restaurant that they borrowed part of the name & tried to re-create the atmosphere in this restaurant in New York. Anybody been there?

Before my husband's death, we had been dining every year at Paradou. jean-Louis has given me a pitcher that has the name and sketch of the bistro. Also an autographed poster. He treats most like a celebrity. His wife is the chef. above one corner of the bar is a framed drawing of him, his buddies, the mayor of les Baux and Jean Reno. Friday is Grand Aioli day.

quote:

Kaydee, in the delightful book, YO-YO in Provence, there are two photos of the inside of the Café de Fontaine.

Cigalechanta, thank you for your great suggestions. I have just ordered this book from Amazon. Love reading your fond memories of Paradou. Barb Cabot