I saw this castle before the owners, Anne and Rudy W. Baur, awoke it from hibernation. All the more reason for my admiration for what they have achieved with their hospitable visions. Here, it’s not a museum ambiance that reigns, instead pure Provençal joie de vivre. “The name Moncaud is derived from mont chaud”, explains Rudy W. Baur – and the microclimate of the extraordinary location permits Mediterranean flora to flourish in its enormous park. Ancient ponds and trees - of which a number of rare sorts - bear witness of the early arts of landscape gardeners. Moreover, the Baurs understand how this incomparable piece of nature is best combined with other aspects that arouse the senses. For example, from mid May until the end of August, a Jazz-Lunch with original recipes from New Orleans takes place sous les marronniers.
In contrast, Mediterranean to Provençal is the bio-market-fresh menu of the chef de cuisine Malik Méghézi and his team. Time is well forgotten in the restaurant on the patio or on the terrace - in favour of seasonal and masterly culinary interpretations. Incidentally, you don’t have to be a hotel guest in order to enjoy an inside view of the establishment. The solid iron doors by the gate-keepers abode are open to all who revel in a touch of “savoir vivre. “
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