Traditional Provencal Meal at Le Girocèdre in Puyméras

Puyméras is located just a few km northeast of Vaison-la-Romaine, so it is convenient for lunch after the Tuesday morning market and from our house in Sablet. Puyméras is a pretty, small village, at the northern tip of the Vaucluse near the border of the Department of the Drôme.

When you approach Puyméras coming from Vaison-la-Romaine, the village is visible on a rocky outcrop surrounded by beautiful countryside dotted with homes, vineyards and lavender fields. The appearance of a few olive trees and fruit trees among the vineyards is what remains of what used to be a diversified farming area which suffered a devastating frost in 1956 so mostly vineyards remain.

Puyméras

As I said, the village is small, the last census in 2017 showed there are 624 residents who live in the village. They are called Puymérassiennes (ladies of Puyméras) and Puymérassiens (men of Puyméras). The area has been settled since the end of the Upper Palaeolithic Era (Old Stone Age), more than 10,000 years ago.

The vineyards of the Puyméras appellation hop back and forth between Drôme and Vaucluse, the Puyméras wine-growing area extends over five different communes: Faucon, Puyméras itself, Saint Romain, Mérindol-les-Oliviers and Mollans-sur-Ouvèze.

There are 136 hectares (336 acres) planted with vines in the Côtes du Rhône Villages Puyméras AOC, they are 100% red. Granted Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC status in 1979, the vineyards were accorded full Côtes du Rhône Villages Puyméras appellation in 2005.

Saint-Michel et Saint-Barthélemy Church

There are quite a few very good restaurants near Sablet that we like a lot. We come to Puyméras to dine at Le Girocèdre, because they serve very traditional, in our opinion, Provençal food and there are always good vegetarian options for Shirley.

We usually find parking across the street from the village fountain and lavoir.

Shirley in the center of Puyméras

We walk a short distance up the hill as if we were heading up to Saint-Michel et Saint-Barthélemy Church, to reach the entrance to Le Girocèdre Restaurant.

Entrance to Le Girocèdre

Le Girocèdre restaurant is owned by the Trappo family. Father Roger, originally from Marseille, arrived in Puyméras in 1977. The name Girocèdre is a combination of 3 first names; his wife Gisèle, born about 9 kms away as the crow flies in Veaux, Roger and their son Cédric, who is a native of the area.

Le Girocèdre Terrace

A few weeks ago, we went to Le Girocèdre with friends Steve and Mary and Windsor neighbor Taylor. The restaurant is always busy, so reservations are recommended.

Tables on the terrace are situated under shady trees and umbrellas between bushes that break up the dining area.

Shirley and Taylor at Le Girocèdre

We were seated and took up the task of selecting a nice bottle of wine to accompany our lunch. Although, with the heat, rosé wine might have been a better choice, we are all lovers of red wine so we chose a bottle of 2016 Domaine Alary Cairanne, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan.

2016 Domaine Alary Cairanne

Le Girocèdre offers a 3-course menu for 29 Euros (currently $32.00). You can see our choices in the photographs that follow.

Salad with Bruschetta of Zucchini, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Perorino Pepato, Lonzo, and Pistou

Leg of Lamb with Ratatouille and Spelt topped with Chevre

Grilled Tuna with Ratatouille and Spelt

Apricot Crumble and Vanilla Ice Cream

Caramel Ice Cream with Biscotti

Molten Chocolate Cake with Pistachio Ice Cream

The restaurant is usually open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday through Sunday, from around the middle of March. As I said previously, reservations are recommended. I also recommend you call to check on whether they are open after the 1st of October, because we have found they close for several months during the off season.

Le Girocèdre
4 montée du Portalet
84110 Puyméras
Tél: +33 (0)4 90 46 50 67