Deep in the heart of the Var, off autoroute A57 (way off), lies the colorful village of Collobrieres. Known in the summer for its growing Fête Taurine (bull festival), Collobrieres real claim-to-fame is its annual Fête de le Chataigne (chestnut festival) – 29 years and counting.
While we set out on Saturday to take advantage of one fall favorite, le chataigne, I had a last-minute memory of chestnut-festivals past. Namely, a very rainy afternoon we spent in front of the cozy fireplace at Le Clos du Père Louis restaurant.
Now Le Clos serves up some real Provençal delights – including Soupe au Pistou & Daube de Boeuf, but the fall comfort-food “gold star” has to go to the Daube de Sanglier et Polenta aux Marrons (wild-boar stew with polenta & chestnuts). Oh yum.
And let’s just put all our cartes sur la table … I ordered both the Soupe au Pistou & the Daube. Which left just a bit less room for chestnuts, but we did leave, as they say, fat & happy. Or at least that’s what we said.
If you find yourself near the village of Collobrieres, chestnuts or no chestnuts, have a look to Le Clos du Père Louis. Serving fine Provençal fall-favorites…& then some.
To Learn More:
Find Le Clos du Pere Louis restaurant here.
Village of Collobrieres site.
David Lebovitz’s Soupe au Pistou recipe here.
Beef Daube Provençal recipe here.
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