Peggy and company, July 2022
The enchantment begins when the Provencal blue gates open to the stunning, crisp atrium, which adjoins the 17th and 18th century stone farmhouses. Stylish wrought iron gates separate the atrium from the kitchen with its great farmhouse table and entrance to an inviting courtyard. Step into the courtyard and find endless gardens, complete with fig and olive trees and so much more. From the courtyard, walk the garden path to the Mediterranean blue pool with pool house. Relax inside the medieval walls to singing birds and church bells. Here you can enjoy a crisp wine you picked up in the charming town of Paradou or on one of your travels.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Villa Sonia. From our morning café trips around the corner from Chemin des Tontons to the endless Markets, tastings, lovely shops, stunning scenery and warm country people, Villa Sonia is within an arm’s reach of endless day trips. The town of Paradou is charming and quiet with excitement not far away if that is what you seek.
There are 2 superb French restaurants a short walk from Villa Sonia, one traditional and one inventive. A well-stocked local Spar grocery store carries almost everything one needs for their stay.
It was sad to leave.
I would return in a minute.
Russ and Debbi, October 2016
Tonight we ate at La Petite France. No reservation was necessary. Fish
soup is amazing, and the boulliabaise is made from the same stock.
Food is great. A French family of five, who clearly
were regulars had a reservation, showed up, and the chef came out from
the kitchen with a large platter of seven uncooked fish. Then about 35
minutes later, a huge terrine of soup appeared at their table,
followed by a huge silver platter of the cooked fish along with about
two dozen mussels. The owner's wife proceeded to filet the fish at tableside, while putting a little flag into each mound to identify the type
of fish that each represented. It was an awesome sight, and fun to
watch. Prices are pretty good at this spot as well. [EDITOR'S NOTE: La Petite France closed, but the owners opened Cote Mer in nearby Fontvieille with the same menu.]
Le Patio in Fontvieille. Lovely small outdoor gastronomic restaurant.
Lunch was so beautifully presented and a very unique and varied menu.
Not a quick eatery, but the owner serves you, and the rest of the
staff were friendly and helpful. Reservations would be recommended,
and they do have a small indoor seating area. Pricey, but great
experience.
Cafe de la Fontaine, Mausanne. Lovely eatery in the heart of downtown
Mausanne. Great lunch spot, salads are to die for, especially the
jambon/goat cheese salad. This is not fine dining, but reasonably
priced. Wine selection is not great, but waiters were friendly, and
eating in the town square is fun. Can be smokey since its outdoor
dining.
Le Bistrot du Paradou, fun place, and it was virtually empty when we
were visiting. Menu has minimal variety, but the food is
well prepared and delicious. We loved their cheese board after the
meal, the best we've come across yet for variety and they leave it as
long as you need/want it. Oh, their deserts were also fantastic
(chocolate cake with raspberry filling tasted a lot like a Sacher
Torte). A little pricey, but fun, and their local wine by the bottle
was better than most other restaurants in Provence.
Chez Pilou, Mausanne. Small eatery in a alley off the main square in
Mausanne. Casual with pizza, and some other fare on the menu. Pizzas
were very good, and the ingredients were varied. I asked to have mine
made as a white pizza without tomato sauce, and and they accommodated it
very well using olive oil, pesto and some light Boursin cheese. Yummy and not expensive.