Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In summer, you'll never believe it's high season in these remote mountains, and in
winter, cosying up by the fire in such surroundings is a joy. The
table d'hôte
(€22 for a
three-course meal, including drinks) is another highlight.
L'Hostellerie du Château €€€
( 04 93 42 41 10;
www.lhostellerieduchateau.com
; 6-8 place Francis Paulet, Le Bar-
sur-Loup; d from €180; Feb-Oct; )
It's hard to imagine that Bar-sur-Loup's majestic
15th-century castle lay in ruins for more than two centuries. Renovated between 2003 and
2005, it now hosts six huge, regal rooms with château-like, rustic furniture. There are
great views of the surrounding valleys. Rates include breakfast.
HISTORIC HOTEL
Auberge de Courmes €€
MODERN FRENCH
( 04 93 77 64 70;
www.aubergedecourmes.com
; 3 rue des Platanes,
Courmes; mains €13.50, 3-course menu €23; )
Sitting in the middle of the hamlet of
Courmes, at the foot of the mountains, the terrace of this charming village inn is an atmo-
spheric place for a long lunch. Run by a young family, it offers a daily choice of two
starters, two mains and two desserts. It's very popular with walkers at the weekend, so
book.
There are also five small, simple rooms (double with half-board €110); there are no
TVs in the rooms but who needs one when the deer roam the village at night and the fire-
flies put on a show (in June)?
L'École des Filles €€
( 04 93 09 40 20;
www.restaurantecoledesfilles.fr
;
380 av Amiral de Grasse, Le Bar-
sur-Loup; mains €25, 2-/3-/4-course menu €35/39/45; lunch Tue-Sun, dinner Tue-Sat)
As the name suggests, this is the village's former girls' school and what makes it so spe-
cial is that it has retained the charm of an old village school: in winter, meals are served in
the 'classrooms', with their stone walls and patchwork of colourful cushions and crock-
ery; while in summer, the old playground becomes a lively terrace. The creative menu
changes weekly.
MODERN FRENCH
Le Bigaradier €€€
( 04 93 42 41 10;
www.lhostellerieduchateau.com
; 6-8 place Francis Paulet, Le Bar-
sur-Loup; lunch/dinner menu €29/62; lunch & dinner Wed-Sat, lunch Sun Feb-Nov)
Lunch on the village square or dine on the spectacular terrace of Le Bigaradier,
L'Hostellerie du Château's superb restaurant. The menu is a great combination of high-
GASTRONOMIC
