Visit to Faucon and a lovely lunch at Le Laurier Restaurant

I have been away from the blog for a variety of reasons but I'm back and I have lots of stuff to share with you. We returned to Sablet in early October with our friends Steve and Mary from Michigan. The day after we got there, Sunday, we went shopping for basic provisions at Intermarché in Vaison-la-Romaine.

By the time we finished shopping, it was nearly time for lunch. Since we were on the north side of Vaison-la-Romaine, we decided to drive to Faucon and have lunch at Le Laurier Restaurant, a restaurant where Shirley and I have dined several times but would be a new one for Steve and Mary.

Faucon is a small village (population 411) 7 km northeast of Vaison-la-Romaine on a hill on the border of the Vaucluse with a magnificent view of Mont Ventoux. A fortified village, houses were built of stones from the surrounding countryside.

Life in Faucon revolves essentially around wine and the vineyards that surround the village. Wine produced in the village is classified Côtes du Rhône and comes from two private wineries and the rest comes from the wine cooperative.

Faucon is the original village where apricots known as "Orangé de Provence" were produced. It was an agricultural engineer from Faucon by the name of Charles Cornu who brought the first plants from the Balkans which are now grown throughout Provence.

The bell and clock tower of Faucon's Saint Germain Church

A Provencal market is held in Faucon every Wednesday afternoon.

This year Faucon celebrated the 450th anniversary of independence.

Part of the defensive walls

Medieval arch

Saint Germain Church seen below was first mentioned in 1120. The church was enlarged in 1668 and again in 1764.

The clock tower of Saint Germain Church

Faucon iron cross

Memorial to the combatants of the resistance of 1941 - 1945

Street is paved with river stones

Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Church seen below was built in 1644.

Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs Chapel

Faucon Mairie

Le Laurier Restaurant is at the top of the village near the Mairie at Place de la Chappelle. You can either drive up to the restaurant and park nearby or leave your car at the bottom of the village and walk up.

Water fountain in front of Le Laurier Restaurant

Le Laurier Restaurant is owned by the chef and has been in business for 6 years.

Le Laurier Restaurant

Le Laurier Restaurant has a small pretty dining room and a large terrace for al fresco dining in nice weather. Although it was somewhat cool, we opted to dine on the terrace to celebrate the fact we were back in Provence.

Shirley with friends Steve and Mary

That day the chef was offering a three course menu of starter, main course and dessert for 27 Euros, a bargain if the food was good.

We thought it would be appropriate to have a rosé with our lunch. We chose a bottling from Clos Bellane, a winery acquired in 2010 by Stéphane Vedeau. Clos Bellane is located on the plateau of Vinsobres, southeast of Valréas.

The wine is made of 100% Grenache. It was a light color and low in alcohol (12 degrees).

Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Altitude 2014

We had a wonderful lunch, I think the pictures which follow speak for themselves.

Salmon Ceviche with Arugula

Seared foie gras with chestnuts and spice bread

Butternut squash soup

Fillet of Lieu with basil pesto with zucchini fondue and curried carrots

Lamb from Sisterone in puff pastry with eggplant and puree of chick peas

Coconut flan with mango sorbet and sauce

Chocolate financier, almond cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce

The food was delicious and I highly recommend Le Laurier Restaurant in Faucon. I would suggest you reserve before going to assure you get a table when you arrive.

Le Laurier Restaurant
Place de la Chapelle
84110 Faucon
France
Tel:+33 4 90 46 55 54

Have a good weekend. À bientôt.