Wondering Where to have Lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

If you are looking for an excellent place to lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, go to Le Comptoir de la Mere Germaine. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a small medieval village about 30 km from our home in Sablet (available for holiday rental). The town spreads out on the hillside at the foot of the ruins of an ancient chateau. From the castle hill, you have an impressive view in all directions, mostly of vineyards and the Rhone River, 1.9 miles to the east. The village is best known for the wine produced from the vineyards surrounding the town.

There are several cafes with outdoor terraces and a gastronomic restaurant with one Michelin star in the center of the village. Although this is a tourist town, there are few tourist shops besides those selling wine, as the business of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is wine. Please continue reading Michel’s original article and photos of their delicious lunch.

Lunch in Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Le Comptoir de la Mere Germaine
4 Rue des Consuls
84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Telephone: +33 (0)4 28 69 00 60
If the weather is suitable, ask for a table on the terrace, as there is a beautiful view of the vineyards.
Reservations are recommended.
Open daily for lunch and dinner on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

La Mère Germaine
Michelin *star gastronomic restaurant
Reservations required.
Tasting menus.
Open for dinner Wednesday – Saturday and for Sunday lunch.

Le Restaurant du Verger des Papes
2 Rue du Château
84230 Châteauneuf du Pape

This excellent restaurant is at the top of the Chateauneuf du Pape village, with a superb view of the Rhône valley, Avignon, and the Palais des Papes. It also has a wine cave where you can taste wines before or after your meal. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. In addition, the wine-tasting cave is open on the same days from 10:30 to 18:30. Reservations are recommended for both.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape the Village

As its name suggests, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is closely linked to several Popes. As early as 1157, faithful to Roman customs, Bishop Geoffroy of Avignon planted and cultivated a vineyard in his Châteauneuf territory. In 1308, Clement V also planted vines, becoming one of the first winemakers in Châteauneuf. Not much of the original Pope’s castle stands today due to the passage of time, the ravages of the French Revolution, and the German army’s retreating blow at the end of WWII. However, the relatively small village is surrounded by famous vineyards.

Don’t leave the village without visiting the Musée du Vin – Maison Brotte on Avenue Pierre de Luxembourg. Here, you can see all the tools used in the trade and learn about the world of winemaking.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Wine

During the Middle Ages, the Provencal wine trade declined into the hands of a few, mostly monks, who had access to land and financial resources. Pope John XXII, the second of the seven popes to reside in Avignon, ordered the construction of a summer residence in 1317 called Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This new settlement sparked the emergence of grape growing in the sandy, well-drained soil and land covered in red rocks or galets roulés that blanket a more stable clay mix. The Pope’s 14th-century construction project was fortuitous as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many surrounding Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) vineyards are now globally renowned for excellent wine production.

If you are in teh region in early April and want to taste some of the world’s greatest wines for just a few euros? Then come to the annual Salon des Vins in Châteauneuf-du-Pape weekend.

Vineyards to Visit

Here are just a few of the vineyards that we recommend visiting:

The Château La Nerthe vineyard is located in the heart of the Châteauneuf du Pape appellation. Arriving at this property, it’s impossible to ignore the history. An 18th-century château overlooks the grapevines and sits atop 16th-century cellars. Arrange a visit to the cellars to appreciate this property’s five centuries of winemaking. The Tulle Villefranche family purchased the land and established grapevines and its existing buildings in 1560. The family members would continue to develop grape cultivation and wine production over the next three centuries. The property changed hands in 1870 and again in 1985 when the family behind les Domaines Richard acquired the vineyard.

Château La Nerthe
4213 Route de Sorgues
84230 Châteauneuf du Pape
Telephone: +33 (0)4 90 83 59 04

One of Michel and Shirley’s favourite vineyards is Domaine de la Charbonnière, an organic vineyard run by the Maret family:

Domaine de la Charbonnière
26 Route de Courthézon
84230 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Jill Barth of L’Occasion recommends Domaine Duseigneur, a 30-hectare estate that spans Châteauneuf du Pape, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Laudun and Lirac.

Domaine Duseigneur
14, Chemin des Garrigues B.P.11
84230 Châteauneuf du Pape

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