A Superb Provencale Meal Usually Only Locals Taste

I know I haven’t even written about what I’ve done in Provence for the past week and a half. That’s coming. I have to tell you about this meal I had. Hence the additional post this week.

The owner of the gite I am staying at told me about a restaurant nearby that I should really visit. It is called L’Auberge Paysanne and it is located off the Route de Cavaillon, between Coustellet and Robion, before you get to the river Le Coulon. I THINK it was on the D2 road, but not sure. I can’t even believe I found it but it was worth the journey.

 

L'Auberge Paysanne Robion Provence France
L’Auberge Paysanne Robion France


An auberge means it is an inn or tavern. When you arrive at your destination, you see white clothes on a clothesline. I was told this is part of the decor. OK. When you enter, the dining room is beautiful overlooking a well-kept garden where more people can eat. There are classic white linens, tables to seat perhaps 25 people and decor that is “country” in a fun way.

 

L'Auberge Paysanne Robion Provence France
L’Auberge Paysanne Robion France

 

L'Auberge Paysanne Robion Provence France
L’Auberge Paysanne Robion France

  The owner and chef is Joelle and she has run this establishment for 7 years.  The food is described as traditional Provencal, using local, seasonal ingredients. They only serve lunch and dinner on Fridays and Saturdays and on Sunday, just lunch. I was also advised to make reservations. Although the place was not rustic like the farmhouse Laurie and I ate in years ago in the Languedoc-Roussillon area where the menu is set and you eat what they are making that day, this place is similar. There is a set menu (prix fixe menu) with a few choices for the plat (main course). I also had the choice of an aperatif and wine (rose, red or white).   This was my meal and I was so full at the end I thought I would burst. Yet, it was one of the BEST meals I’ve had in France.

 

L'Auberge Paysanne Robion Provence France
L’Auberge Paysane Robion France


I would have never seen nor visited this auberge had it not been on the advice of my gite owner. I can’t see the average tourist going. The owner and the woman serving me only spoke French and there was kind of a menu where the owner showed me the three main course choices (cod, pork, or tete de veau–calf’s head). They’d never find it and from the outside they’d never consider going in. That’s why I feel only locals were dining there….and me, a Chinese-Canadian.

My Meal:

House Aperatif: Vin de Coing(Quince fruit wine)

Amuse Bouche: Puff pastry filled with cheese or sausage or tapenade? (not sure what was inside)

Wine: 250 ml pichet of rose wine
Entree (Starter):

  • Salad with tomatoes in a vinegrette
  • Country bread

Plat (Main course): 

  • Morue  a la Provencale (cod in a Provencal tomato sauce with green olives)
  • Stuffed tomato (not sure what it was stuffed with—sausage?)
  • Mashed potato in the potato skin

Dessert:

  • Strawberries in creme anglaise
  • Espresso
  • Battered, deep-fried flower (?) I know it was a plant. It had really tiny petals. I think it was a flower. Sugar was sprinkled ontop. It was like a donut.

The cost? Sit down.
It was only 18 Euros (roughly $25) not including a tip.

If you’re in the area, here’s the  contact information:

Restaurant L’Auberge Paysanne

Chemin du Moulin d’Oise

84440 Robion

Tel: 04 90 76 81 96

L'Auberge Paysanne Robion Provence France
L’Auberge Paysanne Robion France

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5 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! Does this bring back memories! What a lovely surprise when you find … or, better yet, are directed to … the local’s secret in France (or, anywhere, for that matter)! I love the photos!

  2. Absolutely lost for words. The food, the decor and everything looks great. I chuckled when I read that you thought you were going to burst after eating the lovely meal. Great post and pictures!

    1. Sadly I always eat too much…which is why I run 🙂

  3. My wife and I will be staying at Les Beaux, not too far from this farm, for a week late June. We surely will ring them up to go for a lunch. This is the kind of gem of information you can rarely find in books. Merci Jan.

    1. You’re quite welcome. Have a lovely time!