The inspectors of the Michelin Guide must have had a trouble visiting all the restaurants they wanted to this year. Due to Covid-19, restaurants here in France have been closed for some time. I even heard that a local three star Michelin has resorted to offering take-out. Well, why not?

Despite these difficulties, restaurants were open during the summer months here in France, and as a result, the 2021 updated Michelin Guide was published yesterday. This is always the source of a little gossip here in food-obsessed France. Which local restaurants received a star? Which had one taken away?

A Memorable Experience

Robin and I have only eaten in about a handful of Michelin star restaurants. They’re a special occasion. A memory to make. Clients often ask me about the Michelin restaurant options here in Provence, and there are many. If you’ve never eaten in one of these restaurants, unless you’re Gérard Depardieu, don’t book two in a day! Believe it or not, I had a client, with a heavily pregnant wife, do just that. I think they went to two of the seven that they had booked.

Eating in these restaurants, depending especially on the number of stars, are longer even than the usual French dining affair. Eating in a Michelin star restaurant is an experience, not just a meal. The food is often rich. It isn’t, at least for me, for the every day.

I personally love good quality bistro food, with a little creativity thrown in. Bistronomie. You can experience something like this in Michelin star restaurants through their lunch menus which are often surprisingly affordable. A little luxury doesn’t always have to break the bank.

In case you’re a little confused about the different classification of restaurants, here’s a guide to The Guide. Scroll to the bottom for a list of Michelin Restaurants in Provence (2021).

The Michelin Guide

Michelin Guide poster

Back in 1900, the Michelin tire company, in order to increase demand for cars (aka tires) started publishing a guide for French motorists that included useful information to instigate wanderlust and aid with the technicalities of motoring. Guides included maps, tire repair and replacement instructions, car mechanics listings, worthy hotels, petrol stations an eventually, of course, restaurants. Édouard and André Michelin were French after all!

In 1926, the Michelin Guide began to award stars to fine dining establishments. Initially, it was only one star, then in 1931 the hierarchy of 3 stars was implemented.

The Guide has since expanded it’s awarded distinctions to include “Assiette Michelin” (Michelin plate), “Étoile verte” (green star), Bib Gourmand, then 1, 2 and the most distinguished, 3 Michelin Stars.

Michelin Distinctions

Assiette Michelin

This indicates a cuisine of quality. This can include all kinds of establishments. There are 265 Assiette MICHELIN restaurants in Provence.
Étoile Verte

This is a green star awarded to restaurants that are aiming to support biodiversity, and respect for the environment through their choosing of sustainable products. These stars are often awarded to Michelin star restaurants in addition to their star distinctions. You’ll notice that many of these restaurants have their own kitchen gardens which is an absolute delight. The gardens are an evident respect for ingredients as well as an experience for you as the diner to see where the produce comes from. L’Oustau de Baumanière and La Chassagnette here in Provence come to mind.

Bib Gourmand

If you want Michelin quality for excellent value for money, look for this distinction awarded by the Michelin Guide. There are 49 Bib Gourmand restaurants in Provence. See the Michelin website and click the distinction “Bib Gourmand” in your desired area to find a list.

1, 2, 3 Star Michelin Distinctions

Michelin Stars

The Michelin “Stars” actually look like flowers.

The Guide is somewhat secretive about the exact criteria that they’re looking for in an excellent restaurant. You often won’t notice a massive distinction between 1 and 2 star restaurants. The service is generally excellent as is the food. The difference between the stars is the experience as a whole and the creativity of the cuisine. The difference between two and three stars is that the restaurant has a unique style and signature. The three stars aim to provide an emotional experience that you remember for many years to come. I can’t help but feel that the goal is to touch you in a way that a piece of art might.

Many Michelin restaurants are connected to luxury hotels. This is very useful if you have too much absolutely delicious food and wine.

1-Star Michelin : “A very good restaurant in its category” (Une très bonne table dans sa catégorie)

2-Star Michelin : “Excellent cooking, worth a detour” (Table excellente, mérite un détour)

3-Star Michelin : “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” (Une des meilleurs tables, vaut le voyage).

New Michelin Stars Awarded in 2021

Despite the fact that these restaurants are currently closed (some are offering takeout), they’ll certainly be popping some champagne today! See the Michelin Instagram stories to see teary-eyed chefs receiving the news. Félicitations !

AM par Alexandre Mazzia, Marseille -3rd star

Mickaël Féval, Aix en Provence, 1 star

Pollen, Avignon – 1 star

La Mère Germaine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape – 1 star

Signature, Marseille – 1 star

Villa Salone, Salon de Provence – 1 star

Les Agitateurs, Nice – 1 star

Colette, St Tropez – 1 star

3-Star Michelin Restaurants in Provence

L’Oustau de Baumanière, Les Baux de Provence (Modern Cuisine)

This is the restaurant responsible for Heston Blumenthal’s (one of the best chefs in the world- owner of the Fat Duck in London) Eureka moment when he ate here as a young man on a family vacation. Heston lives close-by now. I was actually behind him recently in a grocery store checkout. He was buying candy? Well, I guess Covid is getting to all of us…ha!

Oustau de Baumaniere was re-rewarded the coveted 3rd star in 2020. Quite the local news. They have an organic kitchen garden.

Le Petit Nice, Marseille (Excellent Seafood)

AM par Alexandre Mazzia, Marseille (Creative)

There is an emphasis on vegetables, fine fish and seafood ingredients, a smattering of African influences

Christophe Bacquié, Le Castellet (Modern)

La Vague d’Or , Cheval Blanc St-Tropez (Creative)

Mirazur, Menton (Creative)

2 Star Michelin Restaurants in Provence

Curious Provence at Villa Madie

A cloudy day at Villa Madie

La Villa Madie, Cassis (Modern, seafood)

La Villa Archange, Le Cannet (Modern)

La Palme d’Or, Cannes (Creative)

Flaveur, Nice (Creative)

La Chèvre d’Or, Èze (Creative)

La Voile, Ramatuelle (Modern)

Hostellerie Jérôme, La Turbie (Mediterranean Cuisine)

1 Star Michelin Restaurants in Provence

There are 71 1-star Michelin restaurants here in Provence. I won’t list them all here because I’ve got to get back to painting but here are some in the Alpilles, Luberon, Aix-Marseille areas of Provence.

Maison Hache, Eygalières (Provençal)

L’Auberge de St Remy de Provence Fanny Rey & Jonathan Wahid, Saint Remy de Provence (Modern)

Restaurant de Tourrel, Saint Remy de Provence (Modern)

L’Aupiho, Les Baux de Provence (Modern)

Le Vivier, Isle sur la Sorgue (Modern)

Pollen, Avignon (Creative)

La Mirande, Avignon (Modern)

Villa Salone, Salon de Provence (Modern)

Les Bories, Gordes (Modern)

La Table de Xavier Mathieu, Joucas (Creative)

Le Champ des Lunes, Lauris- Domaine de Fontenille (Modern)

La Mère Germaine, Châteauneuf-du-Pape du Pape (Modern)

Auberge Le Fenière, Cadenet (Creative)

La Chassagnette, Le Sambuc (Camargue) (Creative)

La Petite Maison du Cucuron, Cucuron (Classic)

Le Mas Bottero, Saint Cannat (Modern)

L’Épuisette, Marseille (Seafood-Bouillabaisse!)

Voilà ! Bon appétit ! Have you been to any of these restaurants? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.