DINE WITH FRIENDS, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER

A fine view on a warm sunny day, a glass of wine, new tastes with old friends, there are few better things in life. There are so many great restaurants in great locations they warrant a whole web site, but we'll do our best to give you a flavour of what you could experience just a short drive away from Le Foulon. These are places we know and have enjoyed, except for some of the new Michelin star restaurants that are worth mentioning even if we haven't had a chance to eat there yet.

A few tips to help you enjoy eating out in Provence: it's not traditional here to get a drink before all your party have arrived, so it's not poor service when they leave you unattended as you wait for the last of your group to arrive, it's just cultural! The lunchtime drink of choice is Rosé - and the cheapest Cote de Provence is just perfect, no need to spend more in our opinion. Evenings start for a Provençal with a glass or two of Pastis, the aniseed flavoured aperitif. If you think you've made your mind up about this strong flavoured drink please try it again. In the new context of whetting the appetite at the end of a sunny day in the South of France, you might just get hooked.

TAVERNE PROVENCALE - GOURDON

Just 10 minute's drive from Le Foulon and you have the beautiful Chateau village of Gourdon with one of the best views of the Cote d'Azur from anywhere in Provence. And the Taverne Provencale is one of the best places to soak it in over a long lazy lunch. For more information on Gourdon click here. The Taverne has been run by the same family for 3 generations now and provides a very warm welcome and attentive service, even on the busiest sunny day in August when it's advisable to book - mention you're staying at Le Foulon and they'll ensure you get a good table.

This is one of our favourite places - it simply combines great food, a good value set menu and a great ambience. But it could be terrible and you'd still return just to sip a glass or two of Rosé and take in that panorama!

LE CHEIRON - GREOLIERES - MICHAEL WINNER'S FAVOURITE

If you are an avid reader of Winner's Dinners in the British paper the Sunday Times then you'll already know that Michael gave the Cheiron a big thumbs up and they've been receiving a lot more British custom ever since. Indulge in some frog's legs whilst the children busy themselves with a pizza or some home-made pasta. Marguerite and her husband chef Patric couldn't be friendlier and clearly love what they do - you can taste it. And it's only 5 minutes up the road in our village of Gréolières - click here for more info.

BARRICADE - GREOLIERES

Philippe and his mother Jo run this great little restaurant and pizzeria. In the evenings the wood fired oven is ready around 7.30 and Philippe himself makes superb thin crust pizzas that literally flop over the side of his large plates. If you are a fan of pizza these are as good as they get - Philippe is Corsican, and culturally they're as close to Italy as they are France. For afters there are lots of indulgent ice cream desserts and squirty cream. A small outside terrace is open in the spring and summer and is a great place to catch your breath and take a spot of lunch after the walk up from Le Foulon. Free Wi-fi.

VIEUX AUBERGE - GREOLIERES

New management in 2011 turned the Vieux Auberge into another great little restaurant in our tiny little village of Gréolières. They offer 3 courses at a reduced rate and unlike most 'menus' it allows you to choose what you like from the a la carte. It has a homely atmosphere inside, but for most of the year you'll want to sit outside and watch the village life pass by. The foie gras starter is great and the breast of duck in a honey sauce is a favourite main course. And by the way, the main courses are pretty big, so pack an appetite. Free Wi-fi.

LE RELAIS - GREOLIERES

The Relais is more of a snack bar that does some main courses, but its greatest asset is the sunny terrace with a view up the South face of the Cheiron mountain. It's the best outside spot in the village. And if you try a pizza at the Barricade you might recognise the chef and owner - this is Philippe's day job as in the evenings it's only open for a drink or two. The menu includes some tasty salads, omelettes like only the French seem to know how, a full range of toasted bruschettas and a plat du jour that is usually a daube in the Winter months and duck or steak in the summer. Friendly, good value, and a great view - what more do you need? Free Wi-fi.

L'AUBERGE DE COURMES

Courmes is a tiny village on the Eastern side of the Gorges des Loup, reached by a windy road. It is yet another stunning setting, with a far reaching panorama, some great walks and this one little restaurant with a sunny terrace and a warm welcome. Limited menu choice keeps their food fresh and delicious and the cuisine reflects the seasons and is very traditional Provence and all the better for it.

AUBERGES DES GORGES DU LOUP - PONT DU LOUP

At the mouth of the gorge this large restaurant and auberge has been operating since the boom years of Pont du Loup and is the only surviving hotel from the era. For more about the history of this village click here. An old fashioned French restaurant (and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that) it has several set menus offering delicious fare and very good value. They do a superb guinea fowl, their salmon is top-notch whether as a starter or a main, and the service is irreproachable. The owner is very friendly and very hands on - he seems to work all hours God sends him. His wife, who runs the kitchen, is from Tahiti and his son is continuing the tradition of welcoming guests and keeping them happy. A summer terrace beneath ancient palm trees is a great high summer shady spot and you can really feel the history of the place. Highly recommended.

L'HOSTELLERIE DU CHATEAU - BAR SUR LOUP

Bar sur Loup is only 15 minutes drive and in February 2012 the Hostellerie du Chateau was awarded its first Michelin Star. It is a beautiful old building in the heart of this characterful village with a lovely terrace overlooking the verdant valley beyond. We have not eaten here for some time, and not since the new chef brought in the highest of accolades. So for now you'll just have to take the word of the Michelin guide that it's a great place to eat - we'll report back as soon as we have more!

LE JARRERIE - BAR SUR LOUP

Unassuming from the outside this restaurant's character completely changes once you are through the door. Part of an old monastery the dining room has seen use in the perfume industry, an olive press and finally as a place where preserves were jarred (hence the name). Like a medieval banqueting hall there is a sense of occasion every time you eat here. The food is very rich, very French, and very good. Run by the charming owners and their friendly daughter it can offer surprisingly good value. One of the highlights is the cheese trolley, were you can choose from a huge selection of quality cheeses.

MICHELANGELOS - BAR SUR LOUP

This is a small and simple restaurant that is great for a lunch stop. The terrace is a beautiful spot, shaded with grape vines and with a far reaching view across the verdant valley that's fed by the river loup. It does a good pizza, some tasty salads and a selection of pasta. Unassuming and good value.

LE CLOVIS - TOURRETTES SUR LOUP

The new owners of Le Clovis have obviously put passion, quality and imagination into their restaurant and have been richly rewarded with a Michelin star in February 2012. The Trip Advisor reviews are almost equally praising and if it's good enough for a Michelin judge it's good enough for us. We'll be eating here soon and will give you an insight into the cuisine and service.

LA COLOMBE D'OR - ST PAUL DE VENCE

One of the most famous restaurants on the Cote d'Azur this is also one of our favourites. Unpretentious in both atmosphere and cuisine you'll have a taste of real Provence. Made famous by the artists that once frequented the restaurant the sympathetic owner often took payment for their extensive tabs with the odd canvas or two. The walls are now adorned by Matisse, Braque, Picasso and many, many others. So it pays to be kind to penniless artists! Great people watching spot. Bit pricey.

LES GRANDS HOMMES - GOURDON

Best value spot in the village of Gourdon, but you're certainly not short changed by the chef. Grab a table in the pedestrian main street and people-watch whilst the ever helpful owner brings you tasty treats like salt-fed lamb with dauphinoise potatoes - our favourite. Not a particularly big menu, but it makes it easier to choose and it's all very good. There's a small roof terrace which is only better than outside the restaurant if you get the table next to the large round opening - from here you are on top of the World with an uninterrupted view from Nice all the way down to the bay of Cannes.

AU FIL DU TEMPS - MAGAGNOSC

Yet another new restaurant awarded a Michelin star. And yet another we've not tried. We've eaten in the same location with the two previous owners, once! The building itself wasn't very inspiring, and neither is the location, so we'd like to think they've done a very good renovation and that the food is simply stunning! We shall see.

BASTIDE DE ST ANTOINE - GRASSE

The bastide is the epitome of the Michelin star system before they relaxed the rules a little. A touch pretentious, but with the cuisine to back it up, you'll pay proper Michelin prices, but have a meal to remember. Top tip is to go there for a sunny lunch - the atmosphere and setting in the immaculate gardens is so much nicer than the slightly stuffy interior, it's better value for exactly the same refined quality of cuisine and the clientele seem to be having a better time, which all adds to the ambience.

ALAIN LLORCA - LA COLLE-SUR-LOUP

Alain Llorca is the ex-chef of the renowned restaurant the Moulin de Mougins about 35 minutes drive from Le Foulon. He has now set-up his own restaurant in La Colle Sur Loup and accolades have been pouring in. Ironically the Moulin lost 1 of its 2 stars this year, whilst he gained his first with the new restaurant. He even won over Michael Winner, who gave the place a rave review in the British Sunday Times. We'll visit soon and give you our impressions - it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!