Cucuron Market...Cafe de la Gare

Today was so much fun, almost fateful with everyone we met! We started at the local market about 5 km away in Cucuron. It was quaint and sweet. We stocked up on the delicious local chèvre cheese and tapenade as well as some fresh fruit for London.

Then it was on to lunch. I have been so excited about going to this restaurant since we got here. It is Cafe de la Gare and it was mentioned in Peter Mayle's book, 'A Year in Provence.' Although the original owners have probably changed considering they were in their 80's when he wrote the book, it is still family owned and still amazing. Supposedly it used to be the old train station of Bonnieux. You know a restaurant will be perfect when the clientele is all locals!

They offer a fixed menu for 15 euro that includes a plate of their salad buffet (which usually I'm not a buffet fan, but this was quite impressive with all the fresh salads and vegetables), the plat du jour (this changes everyday and is whatever they cook) and then your choice of dessert or frommage and of course wine. Today's special was Blanquette de Veau. It was like having dinner at your grandmother's house on a Sunday afternoon. The food was amazing. London even ate an adult portion of the plat du jour!

While at lunch we met an interesting English lady that has lived here for 8 years and her dog Charlie and also a group that stopped in for lunch while they were on a wine tour out of Avignon. We will probably be taking a wine tour with this company later in the trip, they were so nice.

After lunch, we started our way back home and decided to stop in Lourmarin and we are so happy that we did. We haven't really explored Lourmarin and it has so much to offer and so many great people. We first stopped at a wine coop/distributor that had a shop and we met a future member of our family in person!!!

This 'little guy' is a Dogue de Bordeaux and is in the French version of the Cane Corso that I've been looking at since our 'incident' at home. This puppy is 2 months old and weighs a mere 9 kilos (20 lbs). He loved London and I couldn't stop playing with him! We will definitely be stopping in here for more rose wine and to watch this little dude grow over our visit! J'adore!!!!!