Food and Wine

Vaison is surrounded by many charming towns and vineyards in the Côtes du Rhône area. Robert Parker recently said that these southern Rhône wines are "still the world's greatest red wine values!" Châteauneuf-du-Pape is just ½ hour away; Gigondas, Vacqueryas, Cairanne and Rasteau and Beaumes-de-Venise are even closer, just 10-15 minutes. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas, and Vacqueryas all have tasting rooms in the center of town; there are also numerous wineries where you can visit.

The area is justly famous for its wonderful restaurants and bistros (including several Michelin noted establishments,) most still reasonably priced even with the current weak dollar. We will provide a detailed list of restaurants, many off the beaten track, others well-known, when you book your stay.

Patricia Wells' famous and highly popular Provencal cooking classes are held in Vaison.

The town has a cheese shop whose owner was named "Meilleur Ouvrier de France" by the former French President Jacques Chirac. There are several butcher shops, a fish market, epiceries (selling high end gourmet food,) wine shops, organic bakeries, chocolatiers, and many stores selling kitchen equipment and tableware. Of course on Tuesday the choice of foodstuffs explodes with the market!