A visit to Moulin de Calanquet and Cassoulet Lunch at Le Bistro de Paradou

In November 2024, La Table des Amis de Provence offered “A visit to Moulin de Calanquet and Cassoulet Lunch at Le Bistro de Paradou” to members and friends.

The olive harvest has started and we have scheduled a visit to see the process and tasting at a family owned mill just to the west of Saint Rémy. The mill has a well stocked boutique so you can take this precious oil home at reasonable prices Le Bistrot du Paradou is not just a place to go to for lunch. It has achieved near legendary status over the years as the place for informal, bistrostyle cooking in the Alpilles area. Celebrities, locals, affluent second home owners and holiday makers all flock here. Though we love to go any time of the year, we especially like the winter season when cassoulet is the main dish every Wednesday. Cassoulets are made with white beans, duck or goose confit and sausages, a delicious winter stew. It is the signature dish of Toulouse but honest opinion: no one does it better than le Bistrot du Paradou. The cassoulet is served family style accompanied by a fresh green salad. When plates are cleared, their famous cheese platter arrives, almost a meal by itself. The dessert menu is another story in itself with most of the usual suspects and maybe a surprise or two. The lunch includes wine, water and coffee. Bottled water and aperitif’s are not included.

Historical account reconstructed from La Table’s archived event materials.