Lunch with a View in Provence: La Table du Ventoux in Crillon-le-Brave

Michel and Shirley appreciate good food, seasonal ingredients, and service to match. It’s not always the case that a delicious lunch in Provence includes a view, but when it does…book a table. In Michel’s article, he shares the highlights of their lunch at La Table du Ventoux in Crillon-le-Brave. For many, lunch with a view of the “giant” mountain is a much better idea than attempting to scale it on a bike. Enjoy Michel’s article below.

Lunch with a View

Lunch at La Table du Ventoux is one of those meals that perfectly captures the magic of Provence. Perched high above the valley floor, with sweeping views towards Bedoin and majestic Mont Ventoux, lunch at La Table du Ventoux feels less like a simple lunch and more like a grand experience.

La Table du Ventoux is the signature restaurant of Hotel Crillon le Brave. The restaurant is known as much for its spectacular terrace views over the valley and toward Mont Ventoux as it is for its refined Provencal cuisine.

What did they have for lunch? They visited in spring when white asparagus was freshest, shared hummus made from chickpeas grown in the region, and enjoyed house-made gnocchi with mushroom sauce. Of note is the all-you-can-eat dessert buffet and extensive list of wines by the glass.

Click here for Michel’s photos of lunch and their table with a view.

Crillon-le-Brave

The hamlet of Crillon-le-Brave is nestled at the southern edge of Mont Ventoux. During Roman and Medieval times, the hilltop location made it defensible and allowed for more land in the valley to be used for farming. Crillon-le-Brave is named after the courageous general Louis des Balbes de Berton de Crillon (the Brave Crillon), who fought in the French religious wars in the late 1500s.

After the French Revolution, the village remained relatively prosperous. But during the 1900s, the population declined due to the two world wars and the failing water supply. However, in the early 1970s, new inhabitants revitalized the village. Although it is still a tiny town (population less than 500), it includes a café, bakery, hotel, restaurant, church, and school.

Because of its central location, use Crillon-le-Brave as a base to explore the area. In addition, its proximity to Mont Ventoux (the Beast of Provence) makes it attractive to cyclists and fans of the Tour de France.

Market day: Saturdays, 08:00-12:00 at Place de la Mairie. (Weather and season dependent).

Must-see: Hotel, spa, cycling

• The 5-star Hotel Crillon le Brave had only 11 rooms when it opened in 1989. Today, it occupies eight buildings in the village connected by pathways and passages. It has 16 rooms, 18 suites, and a gourmet restaurant, La Table de Ventoux.
• The Spa des Écuries is part of the Hotel Crillon le Brave. It is located inside the renovated 18th-century stone-vaulted stables. Whether you need an intense massage after cycling Mont Ventoux or a place to relax and refocus, the spa staff offer personalized service to rejuvenate your body and spirit.
• Crillon-le-Brave is an excellent base for those who want the challenge of cycling Mont Ventoux. However, there are options for those who enjoy more relaxed bike rides. These include scenic trips such as cycling to Bédoin and touring the local vineyards, wineries, and orchards.
• Discover wine and olive oil at Domaine de La Madelène. They cultivate 18 hectares of vines, olive and almond trees in Crillon-le-Brave. The owners’ respect for the craft, the land, and those who work it shapes a lasting devotion to Provençal tradition.

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Experience a full day of wine tasting and cultural exploration on this enchanting wine tour. Discover the rich history, stunning landscapes, and world-class wines of the Southern Rhone Valley as you visit the picturesque towns of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Séguret.

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Michel and Shirley

Michel and Shirley, live in wine country, in Windsor, California. They have a full family with two beautiful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Michel's day job is as CEO of Chancellor Health Care, a company which provides housing and services to older adults.

Previously a co-owner of a popular French bistro called Bistro des Copains located in Western Sonoma County California. The Bistro was closed in early 2015, after nine years!

In 2008, after searching for years and visiting many houses they bought a 17th century stone village house in the medieval village of Sablet which is in the Vaucluse region of Provence France.

Please read about the Sablet House (available for rent) and follow their blog Our House in Provence.