In the mood for a wine-tasting, winery tour, museum visit, delectable meal, fun shopping, or stroll through a botanical garden? La Domaine de la Citadelle has you covered!
This charming winery complex, set in the verdant Luberon Valley, is located just outside Ménerbes, the hilltop village of Peter Mayle fame, and designated one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. The wine domain not only produces luscious organic wines, but boasts Le Musée du Tire-Bouchon (Corkscrew Museum), a botanical garden covering five terraced hectares, an artful gift shop, a stunning event space, a contemporary tasting area, plus two restaurants, Le Bistrot de la Citadelle and La Table Agricole Tayac.
The domaine’s event space.
On a recent visit, my husband, Ralph, and I joined some friends for an inventive and flavorful meal at Tayac, run by the talented husband and wife team, Nicolas and Margaux Tayac. After five years at their first Tayac restaurant in nearby Coustellet, the couple relocated to Domaine de la La Citadelle in late January 2025.
Nicolas and Margaux Tayac, the corkscrew museum, and tempting wine boutique.
In the enchanting new setting, the restaurant enjoys considerable acclaim and a devoted following. It’s easy to see why considering Margaux’s warm welcome and attentive service and Nicolas’ fresh and vibrant seasonal cuisine, plus the stylish decor and incredible Luberon Valley view from the terrace.
Pathway to the extensive botanic gardens.
The Tayac menu, which changes regularly, offers two choices for each of three courses, plus a cheese plate option. Our meal began with a scrumptious combination of baked egg over tomatoes, potatoes, melon, roasted pumpkin and cucumber, sprinkled with garden herbs. The main course featured filet of eglefin (haddock), zucchini, crunchy celery root, and Blue Meat radish over polenta. And for dessert, a creamy dark chocolate mousse with fresh pears, cardamom cookie crumbles, crowned with delicate sesame tuiles, and brightened with a banana-mint herb. Of course, the delicious Domaine de la Citadelle wines are at the ready for pouring and enjoying.
After this delightful experience, it’s easy to recommend making tracks to Tayac.
Bon appétit!
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Details:
Tayac is open for lunch Monday through Friday. Seating is limited (around 18 covers), making reservations essential.
Pricing: starter-main-dessert, 28 euros; starter-main or main-dessert, 24 euros; starter-main-cheese-dessert, 33 euros. Vegetarians welcome.
For more information:
La Table Agricole de Tayac: https://restaurant-tayac.en
La Domaine de la Citadelle: https://www.domaine-citadelle.com
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Gayle Smith Padgett is the author of Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie and The Birdwatcher’s Wife: A Quest across France for Birds and La Belle Vie. Her third memoir, Pleasures of Provence, is coming soon. Learn more on Gayle’s author page.
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