Once upon a time, Abbaye de La Celle was a 12th century Benedictine Abbey. Today, it’s a wonderful restaurant and four star hotel, conveniently located to two destination golf courses. I don’t play golf much because the game takes so much time, however our four-hour lunch was one worth repeating any day.

While there are several al la carte selections available, the menu at Abbaye de La Celle, like many restaurants in France, is presented as a choice of prix fixe selections. on our visit, there were four options: Abbaye’s Grand Menu, Suggested Menu, Gourmet Menu and the Tourist Menu. Dishes vary between the selections and the courses range from six to three. Our group chose one of each of the prix fixe choices. We found that regardless of your selection, the kitchen serves up an additional course or two to stimulate the palette. In our case, the meal started with a trio of spreads including a spectacular shredded rabbit. After that, some in our party were treated to a small tasting of exquisite gazpacho, others tasted a chilled avocado soup. The highlight of our meal was a roasted half rabbit. Everything, from the presentation to the taste, was a joy for both the eye and the palette. We choose to have our dessert and coffee in the Abbaye’s serene garden. The kitchen again out did itself by offering a collection of imaginative dessert dishes.

After lunch we toured the grounds which include an acre-sized vegetable garden, olive trees, grapevines and a little shop selling food and kitchen supplies. Ask to see the Chapter House, a wonderful ancient retreat which is available for private parties.
Best Dish: Roasted rabbit
Notable Staff: Beno

Place du Général de Gaulle La Celle, Provence  83170 France

Near the town of Brignoles, about 62 Km from Aix-en-Provence or 97 Km from Canne.

04.98.05.14.14