Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drivers can enjoy a wealth of country-Provençal hotel and dining opportunities in rustic
settingswithin15minutesofVaisonlaRomaine.Allaccommodationsandmostoftheeat-
ing suggestions listed are along the self-guided driving tour route described above. They
offer a great opportunity for drivers who want to experience rural France and get better
values.Allrestaurantslistedhavesomeoutdoorseatingandshouldbeconsideredforlunch
or dinner.
South of Vaison la Romaine, toward Gigondas
Sleeping
$$$ Domaine de Cabasse***
isalovelyspreadflankedbyvineyardsatthefootofSéguret
(with a walking path to the village). Winemaking is their primary business—free tastings
are offered every evening at 18:30 April-September (off-season weekends only, for non-
guests too). Most of the 21 rooms have been renovated with modern decor, some with bal-
conies. The four original rooms retain an Old World charm and come with terraces over-
looking the vines (Db-€125-140, Wi-Fi, elevator, big pool, on D-23 between Sablet and
Séguret, entry gate opens automatically...and slowly, tel. 04 90 46 91 12,
www.cabasse.fr
,
hotel@cabasse.fr
)
. The restaurant offers a fine, though limited, €34 dinner
menu
.
$$$ Hôtel les Florets**,
with tastefully designed rooms, is a half-mile above Gi-
gondas, buried in the foothills of the Dentelles de Montmirail. It comes with an excellent
restaurant, a vast terrace with views, and hiking trails into the mountains (standard Db-
€115-135, superior Db-€145-175, annex rooms have front patios but I prefer rooms in
main building, Wi-Fi, tel. 04 90 65 85 01,
www.hotel-lesflorets.com
,
accueil@hotel-les-
florets.com
).
Eating
The restaurant at
Hôtel les Florets
is a traditional, family-run place that's well worth the
drive—particularly if you dine on the magnificent terrace. Dinners are a sumptuous blend
ofclassicFrenchcuisineandProvençalaccents,servedwithclassbyEnglish-speakingTh-
ierry. The weighty wine list is literally encyclopedic (€34-53
menus
, closed Wed, service
can be slow). See listing under “Sleeping,” above.
In Gigondas, the shaded red tables of
Du Verre à l'Assiette
(“From Glass to Plate”)
enticelunchtimeeaters(alsogoodinteriorambience,€11salads,€14-20
plats,
closedWed
year-round, off-season open for lunch daily and Fri-Sat nights only, located diagonally
across from TI, Place du Village, tel. 04 90 12 36 64).
