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Places to eat and stay

Places to eat

There are many more options in the area than there were a few years ago, and while we like nothing better than heading to a pic-nic area to grill some local Saucisse Catalanes on vine embers, we do like to go out for a bite to eat from time to time

1. The Maison du Terroir in Maury

Places to Eat and Stay

Avenue Jean Jaurès
66460 Maury
Tel: 04 68 86 28 28
www.maison-du-terroir.com

When it opened with chef Pascal Borrel, the Masion du Terroir quickly gained a deserved Michelin star. But the service was patchy, the prices high, and the atmosphere a little intimidating for anything other than a special occasion. Now it has changed hands, is more affordable and easy-going, though sadly not quite as good as it was. The wine list has many fine reds, but does leave you lamenting that there aren’t many great white wines in the valley.

2. Le Pichenouille, Maury

Places to Eat and Stay

33, avenue Jean Jaurès
66 460 MAURY
Tel. 04 68 59 02 18
Fax 04 68 59 03 46
lepichenouille@restocave.com
www.restocave.com

Laurent Vidal’s wine shop has a long table down the middle, and serves simple tapas-style food for lunch and supper. The food is tasty, but the great joy is that you can pluck any bottle you like off the shelves with no extra charge for corkage. A great option for a bunch of winos wanting to have a comparative tasting in a convivial setting.

3. The Cafe, Maury

Places to Eat and Stay

The presence of the main road through Maury just yards away from the outside seating detracts a little from the ambiance, but this is a great place for a steak-frites, or a goats cheese salad, while various villages characters wander in and out, or watch ‘le rugby’ on the TV screen.

4. l’Auberge du Cellier

Places to Eat and Stay

1, rue de Sainte Eugénie. Montner, France – 04 68 29 09 78
www.aubergeducellier.com

A small, intimate restaurant with a great wine list, and a very talented chef – Pierre-Luis Marin, who has just picked up his first Michelin star. They now have a lovely terrace at the back, but even so, you may need to book, especially at weekends.

5. Auberge du Vieux Puits

Places to Eat and Stay

5, Avenue Saint-Victor, 11360 Fontjoncouse, France‎
Tel: 04 68 44 07 37
wwww.aubergeduvieuxpuits.fr

OK – so it is over an hour’s drive, but this is one of the best restaurants in France, and although it is in a hilltop village in the middle of nowhere, you won’t find better food in the area.

6. Domaine Riberach

Places to Eat and Stay

2 Route de Caladroy, 66720 Belesta‎
Tel: 04 68 50 30 10
www.riberach.com/

An amazing new hotel and restaurant that has been created inside an old co-operative winery. The old concrete tanks are now bedrooms (they now have windows….!). The restaurant is really fantastic, and deserves more customers, but then if you will build a fine restaurant in the middle of nowhere….

Places to stay

There are very few hotels within striking distance of Maury – though there have been rumours for some time that one might be about to be built.

A new gite that we have discovered recently is the stunningly located Borde d’en Lin, perched on the escarpment between Maury and Lesquerde, with a view to die for. Gets a bit windy though!
Email Elsa at elsa.lejeune@cuveslejeune.fr for availability

Places to Eat and Stay

Places to Eat and Stay

Before we bought our house, if we stayed for a week or more, we usually rented a gite. Our favourite is Mas d’en Simon, run by English couple Jeremy and Lisa Ancock.
www.vineyardvillavacances.com

Places to Eat and Stay