Christian Bœuf has transformed a former silkworm farm into a guest-house of undeniable charm. Built of golden stone, La Bastide des Magnans is a model of hospitality... The five guest-rooms, tastefully and audaciously decorated by Marie-Ange Bœuf, offer distinctive worlds that encourage the mind to wander. The restaurant, clad in sophisticated tones of beige, is the favourite rendez-vous of Epicureans, and during the summer, the inner courtyard, delicately shaded, is an invitation to indolent lunches. The local cuisine prepared by Ludovic Cosnier gives pride of place to ingredients, enhanced by a technique that is not revealed (hallelujah !). Taken at random from the menu : piccatas of duck “foie gras” with violet artichokes, slab of turbot with morel mushrooms, roast rack of lamb with Provençal herbs... all harmonizing perfectly with amazing local wines. Here, the quality of today’s art of living has not lost an ounce of its traditional savour. 20 avenue de la Résistance, Vidauban (04 94 99 43 91 and www.bastidedesmagnans.com).
