FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 469

Le Caveau du Théâtre is a welcoming place where Richard invites diners to have a
glassofwineordinneratasidewalktable,orinsideinoneoftwocarefreerooms(€15 plats ,
€20-24 menus , fun ambience for free, closed for lunch Sat and all day Sun, 16 Rue des Trois
Faucons, tel. [phone]).
Le Fou de Fafa sits across from Le Caveau du Théâtre. Its friendly British owners are
making a splash with locals, serving top-notch crêpes and inexpensive dishes in a warm set-
ting (closed Mon, 17 Rue des Trois Faucons, tel. [phone]).
Hôtel La Mirande is the ultimate Avignon splurge. Reserve ahead here for understated
elegance and Avignon's finest cuisine (€35 lunch menu, €105 dinner tasting menu ; closed
Tue-Wed—but for a price break, dine in the kitchen with the chef on these “closed” days for
€92 including wine; behind Palace of the Popes, 4 Place de la Mirande, tel. [phone],
www.la-mirande.fr ).
At L'EpiceandLove (thenameisafunFrench-Englishplayonwords,pronounced“lay
peaceandlove”),English-speakingownerMariecreatesaplayfulatmosphereinherinviting
restaurant, where the few colorfully decorated tables (inside only) greet the hungry traveler.
The limited selection changes daily, and Marie cooks it all: tasty meat, fish, and vegetarian
dishes, some with a North African touch, all served at good prices (€16 menus , closed Sun,
30 Rue des Lices, tel. [phone]).
Across the River
(See “Avignon Hotels & Restaurants” map, here . )
Le Bercail offers a fun opportunity to get out of town (barely) and take in le fresh air with
a terrific riverfront view of Avignon, all while enjoying fun Provençal cooking served in big
portions ( menus from €26, serves late, daily April-Oct, tel. [phone]). Take the free
shuttleboat(locatednearSt.BénezetBridge)totheIledelaBarthelasse,turnright,andwalk
five minutes. As the boat usually stops running at about 18:00 (except in July-Aug, when it
runs until 21:00), you can either taxi home or walk 25 minutes along the pleasant riverside
path and over Daladier Bridge.
Avignon Connections
By Train
Remember, there are two train stations in Avignon: the suburban TGV Station and the
Centre-VilleStationinthecitycenter(€1.20shuttlebusesconnecttobothstations,buyticket
from driver, 3/hour, 15 minutes). TGV trains usually serve the TGV Station only, though
a few depart from Centre-Ville Station (check your ticket). Only Centre-Ville has baggage
storage (see “Arrival in Avignon,” here ) . Car rental is available only at the TGV Station.