A Visit to Entrechaux and Lunch out in the Countryside at Auberge d'Anaïs

We go to towns and villages like Avignon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vaison-la-Romaine, Gordes, Roussillon, Cassis, and Les Baux for the scenery, history, markets, and wine and learn about others because we went there to try a new restaurant or visit a winery we had heard or read about.

When we go to a "new" village to try a "resto," we generally wander around town and follow the path to the ruins of a castle or to a church at the highest point. There are usually great views over the village and surrounding countryside, not to mention photo opportunities for a blogger.

I had heard about Auberge d'Anaïs, a small hotel and restaurant out among the vineyards near Entrechaux, so off we went. We had been to Entrechaux previously to dine at Saint Hubert and L'Ancienne Poste, but that was at night so we couldn't see the village.

Entrechaux Castle

Entrechaux is located about 25 minutes northeast of Sablet and 7 km from Vaison-la-Romaine at the border of the Department of the Vaucluse and Drôme. The landscape around Entrechaux shows a transition from the plains to Mont Ventoux.

Mary Glasgow Library is in the former rectory next to the Entrechaux Church

Entrance to the library

Shirley in Entrechaux

No matter which route you take to Entrechaux, the ruins of the Entrechaux Castle can be seen from afar. Perched on a peak at 900 feet elevation, the origin of the Castle goes back to the 10th or 11th centuries. There is nothing recorded about the origin or first occupants of the Castle.

Entrechaux Castle and Saint Laurent Church

There is an Intercallis (means intersection) Monument in the middle of the main street, seen below, probably erected there as several pathways and rivers (Ouvèze, Toulourenc, Aigue Marce) intersect in Entrechaux.

The Intercallis Monument in the center of Entrechaux

Saint Laurent Church and Entrechaux Castle

It took some effort to find our way through the countryside and across an old bridge over the Ouvèze River before we came to the dirt road which leads to Auberge d'Anaïs.

A sign announcing we had arrived at Auberge d'Anaïs

As we pulled into the parking lot, Auberge d'Anaïs gave the impression of an old Provençal farmhouse set in the vineyards. Come to find out, Auberge d'Anaïs has 7 hotel rooms and offers guests the use of a swimming pool.

Auberge d'Anaïs

The restaurant at Auberge d'Anaïs has a lovely shaded terrace for dining on nice days and a pretty dining room with white-linen covered tablecloths for cold weather. I had been told that the chef offers well-prepared, simple Provençal dishes, for unbelievable prices and true enough, prices for menus start at 12,50 € for the three-course menu of the day which includes 1/4 liter of Domaine Talès wine.

The Terrace at Auberge d'Anaïs

Our rule is that when we eat lunch on a terrace, we choose a local rosé to accompany our meal. So we chose a bottle of rosé from Domaine Talès who own the vineyards next to Auberge d'Anaïs. The 2012 Ventoux rosé is a refreshing fruity blend of Cinsault (40%), Grenache (30%) and Syrah (30%).

Domaine Talès Rosé

The food served at Auberge d'Anaïs is simply prepared and plated, perfect for an al fresco country lunch. While it was very tasty, it is not refined cooking like some of the other restaurants I have told you about most recently. The pictures which follow show our choices. I should mention we did not choose the 12,50 € menu of the day.

Warm goat cheese salad

Eggplant Flan with Tomato Garlic Coulis

Trout with almonds

Rabbit Provençal

Chocolate Mousse

Driveway through vineyards

On the way back to Entrechaux, we stopped to check out Saint Michel Roman Bridge and the nearby area along the Ouvèze River. Even early in June, there were sunbathers and a few kids playing in the water. We will return to this spot with our grand kids when they are back in Provence.

Saint Michel Roman Bridge

View down the Ouveze River from Saint Michel Roman Bridge

Saint Michel Roman Bridge

Roundabout with Entrechaux Church in background

Back in town, we decided to follow the road up to the Entrechaux castle. The castle stands on a rocky peak above the village and is undergoing restoration. Mainly dating from the 10th or 11th centuries, the Entrechaux castle is actually two castles.

Arched doorway near the Entrechaux Castle

Begun around 900, the Petit Château (Little Castle), with its fortified chapel dedicated to St Quenin and a cistern dug into the rock, was built by the Bishops of Vaison.

Part of the defensive wall of the Entrechaux Castle

The village lord constructed the Grand Château (Big Castle), below the first, with a square keep more than 65 feet high, a chapel dedicated to St Laurent and several other buildings, surrounded by defensive walls. A gatehouse with a balcony served both castles.[

View from the Entrechaux Castle

A band of outlaws pillaged the castle on September 9, 1792. The sale of stones by the municipality and vandalism by inhabitants led to its ruin. The castle was treated as a quarry.

View from Entrechaux Castle

The Entrechaux castle is now privately owned, and each year the owner offers stone-cutting workshops as part of a restoration program. The pictures that follow show the views below the castle and sites we came across as we wandered around the grounds of the Entrechaux castle.

Lower village from Entrechaux Castle

View of the lower village from the Entrechaux Castle

Coquelicot

Coquelicots

Monument near Entrechaux Castle

Saint Laurent church was built up against the defensive wall in the twelfth century. The Church has a single nave and vaulted arch with a semicircular apse. It was restored in the seventeenth century.

Saint Laurent Church

House and defensive wall near the Entrechaux Castle

A fortified gateway through the defensive wall near the Entrechaux Castle

The Saint Michel Roman Bridge and Entrechaux Castle are worthwhile reasons to visit Entrechaux. There are several good dining options in the area including out in the country at Auberge d'Anaïs.

Have a great day. Chat soon!