July 11, 2017

A test that will reinvent your holidays in France

Here’s another address for the gourmet connoisseur to add to his or her diary for Narbonne. Le Petit Comptoir is one of the favourite restaurants for local foodies. But there’s nothing flamboyant about the place: it has a relaxed bistro atmosphere from the 1960s — just like the boss, Camille Pastoret. And the same goes for the food: no frills but real gourmet stuff using the cream of the region’s products. Choice dishes include: truffle risotto, roasted blonde de Galice with thyme, whole wild turbot, duck fillet in a foie gras sauce, followed by the chef’s signature dessert, crêpe soufflé with mandarin caramel. The wine at Le Petit Comptoir doesn’t hide its light under a bushel, either. The restaurant’s wine bar, under the direction of Camille, offers a broad and well-chosen spectrum of regional wines. And don’t forget that, like the restaurant, the balance between quality and price is just right. In short, we are confident about this place. During the summer, Camille also takes over the reins at Souquet’s, an upscale barbecue restaurant in the Massif de la Clape. Two fine establishments indeed…

Info and reservations

At the entrance to the Abbaye de Fontfroide, 15 km from Narbonne. A cosy vaulted room with modern Mediterranean cuisine that is both elegant and fresh. The extensive wine list leans towards Corbières, especially wines produced at the abbey. There is a very nice terrace for the fine weather.

In Paraza, 20 km northwest of Narbonne, this superb gîte has seven or eight rooms for up to 20 people. It is a special setting in a vineyard from the 18th century alongside the Canal du Midi with a wonderful panoramic view. The amenities are excellent, with wide shaded terraces, a barbecue, a large table under a pergola, and a private, protected pool with beach and fountain.

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