{"id":31931,"date":"2025-06-19T07:00:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T05:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/?p=31931"},"modified":"2026-03-08T16:46:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T15:46:34","slug":"le-clair-de-la-plume-the-secret-address-in-drome-provencale-where-gastronomy-and-literature-come-together-in-perfect-harmony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/le-clair-de-la-plume-the-secret-address-in-drome-provencale-where-gastronomy-and-literature-come-together-in-perfect-harmony\/","title":{"rendered":"Le Clair de La Plume: the secret address in Dr\u00f4me Proven\u00e7ale where gastronomy and literature come together in perfect harmony"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the heart of the famous village of Grignan, the H\u00f4tel Le Clair de la Plume enchants lovers of unique experiences. Its Michelin-starred restaurant, with a menu co-created by three-star chef Glenn Viel, is well worth a detour on your travels through Provence.<\/p>\n

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The Renaissance castle of Grignan and its lavender fields below. DR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The Renaissance castle of Grignan<\/a>, with its lavender fields in bloom in mid-June<\/b>, is a picture-postcard image<\/b> that instantly captivates visitors… far from the hustle and bustle of the world. In the village of Grignan<\/a>, located in the Dr\u00f4me Proven\u00e7ale<\/b>, literature<\/b> plays an important role with the 29th edition of the <\/b>Festival de la Correspondance<\/b><\/a>, which will once again be presided over by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt from June 30 to July 5, 2025.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Why a cultural event to celebrate the art of letter writing? Madame de S\u00e9vign\u00e9 is being honored because she frequently stayed at the Ch\u00e2teau de Grignan with Fran\u00e7oise-Marguerite, her beloved daughter, who was married to Count Fran\u00e7ois Adh\u00e9mar de Monteil de Grignan. When the Marquise was painfully separated from her, she wrote her beautiful letters that have survived the centuries.<\/p>\n

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In the streets of this pretty village, you may come across writers Sylvain Tesson and Pierre Assouline this summer in a relaxed atmosphere. Nothing like the Cannes Film Festival!<\/p>\n

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The Main House facing one of the most beautiful neoclassical wash houses<\/h3>\n

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At the foot of Grignan Castle<\/b>, built on a rocky outcrop, nestles the four-star hotel Le <\/b>Clair de la Plume<\/b><\/a>, housed in a17th-century bourgeois mansion<\/b>. Before entering, you can admire one of the most beautiful neoclassical wash houses in Provence<\/b>, built in 1840<\/b>. It is an impressive centerpiece in this small village of 1,800 inhabitants<\/b>.<\/p>\n

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The glass roof of the Main House, which overlooks the garden decorated with wisteria and rose bushes<\/b>, houses the Michelin 1-star gourmet restaurant<\/b>. It is a poetic place imbued with gentleness. It heralds a way of life where time stands still. In the Main House, formerly the residence of the Canons, as it is said, you will find the reception area, eight bedrooms and a suite furnished in the style of yesteryear, with luxury and finesse. At any moment, you could imagine your grandparents appearing in the glow of one of the rooms of this residence. A nostalgic charm.<\/p>\n

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Jean-Luc Valadeau, owner and talented scriptwriter of Clair de la Plume \u00a9Corine Moriou<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Jean-Luc Valadeau, originally from Bordeaux, fell in love with this house and bought it 25 years ago from Lord Southam, Canadian Ambassador.<\/p>\n

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He is now the owner and talented \u201cscriptwriter\u201d of Clair de la Plume, which has been awarded the Teritoria<\/b><\/a> label, formerly Ch\u00e2teaux & H\u00f4tels Collection, grouped under the leadership of Alain Ducasse.<\/b><\/p>\n

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Le Clair de la Plume is proud to have been awarded a Michelin Key, placing it among the establishments in France that offer a \u201cunique stay,\u201d in contrast to the standardization of luxury accommodations.<\/p>\n

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And yes, Le Clair de la Plume is a very special place, one of a kind!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This boutique hotel with 29 rooms and suites<\/b> is unique in that it is spread over six different locations within the village: three restaurants, two swimming pools, a Mediterranean garden, a boutique, and more.<\/b><\/p>\n

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\u201cIt is thanks to the support of a dozen friends that I was able to create and develop Le Clair de la Plume,\u201d explains our host. Every day, my heart beats because what I do has meaning and brings color to my life.\u201c<\/p>\n

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Bruno Durieux<\/b>, another enthusiast, mayor of Grignan and former minister<\/b>, is an ally of the entrepreneur-hotelier<\/b>. The two men have contributed greatly to beautifying one of the \u201dMost Beautiful Villages in France.” It is worth noting that Grignan has been selected to compete for the title of \u201cFrance’s favorite village\u201d on St\u00e9phane Bern’s TV show in 2024.<\/p>\n

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Meet the locals<\/h3>\n

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The concept behind Le Clair de la Plume is innovative, to say the least. Here, guests do not live in a gilded cage, but can step outside the door or gate and blend into village life. Why not join the locals for a game of p\u00e9tanque (or boules, if you’re part of another clan)? You’re welcome to join in!<\/p>\n

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It’s a great way to enjoy an extended vacation at Clair de la Plume, beyond the usual two-night weekend in a luxury hotel.<\/p>\n

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You’ll be happy to leave your car in the parking lot. Let’s go on a tour of the village with the owner of Clair de la Plume!<\/p>\n

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The natural water pool in the Mediterranean Garden \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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300 meters from the Main House, the Mediterranean Garden<\/b> is a haven of peace with an exceptional view of the heights of Grignan<\/b>. It’s a great place to relax on a deckchair before taking a dip in the natural water pool (no chemical treatment). You might bump into Chef Benjamin Reilhes picking rosemary, as this is where Le Clair de la Plume has created its vegetable garden. The Pavillon des Amoureux, with its charming little garden, is a refuge for those who want to get away from it all.<\/p>\n

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But that’s not where we’ll be sleeping. We need to drop off our luggage at La Maison Priv\u00e9e, known as Le Grand Faubourg. It has six rooms and suites, accessed via a monumental staircase.<\/p>\n

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The Wilfried suite in the private house \u201cLe Grand Faubourg\u201d \u00a9Corine Moriou<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Here we are in the Wilfried suite<\/b>, which is very comfortable and charmingly decorated in 19th-century style<\/b>. Heavy curtains hang at the windows, sky-blue carpets cover the red terracotta floor, and there are period armchairs and an antique mirror. An old trunk on wheels serves as a coffee table in the living room. The bedroom is cozy and charmingly decorated with Apache-style tapestry. Mont\u00e9limar nougats (a regional specialty!) are placed on the king-size bed. In the evening, guests have the pleasure of closing real shutters.<\/p>\n

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Le Caf\u00e9 des Vignerons, in the heart of the historic village of Grignan, pays tribute to the region’s producers \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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In the heart of the historic village, Le Caf\u00e9 des Vignerons<\/b>, a former salt warehouse<\/b>, is the place to go for wine tasting in a friendly atmosphere. It offers around 100 wines from the Grignan-Les-Adh\u00e9mar AOC. \u201cGiven the success of the tastings, we have also directed customers to our shop, Le Caveau des Vignerons, which sells wines at producer prices,\u201d says Jean-Luc Valadeau. Indeed, the shop is always busy… A fitting tribute to the region’s winegrowers!<\/p>\n

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It’s worth noting that Le Caf\u00e9 des Vignerons is a clever alternative for satisfying your appetite after trying the gourmet restaurants of Clair de la Plume. \u00c0 la carte: Caesar salad, beef carpaccio, Ard\u00e8che charcuterie platter, and cheese…<\/b><\/p>\n

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Musical and cosmopolitan atmosphere at La Ferme Chapouton \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Jazz music on the terrace of La Ferme Chapouton<\/b>, an 18th-century building converted by Jean-Luc Valadeau into a 13-room hotel and restaurant with a swimming pool<\/b>. That evening, we watched the moon rise over the Ch\u00e2teau de Grignan. Magical! The song \u201cAu clair de la lune\u201d (In the moonlight), which inspired the name of the entire estate, tickles our ears.<\/p>\n

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History is everywhere. As an anecdote, the painter Nicolas de Sta\u00ebl married Fran\u00e7oise, a Chapouton girl, in his second marriage. He used to spend his vacations at this farm.<\/p>\n

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The atmosphere is cosmopolitan. La Ferme de Chapouton is a meeting place for foodies from the region and beyond. Our table neighbors are a group of cheerful Germans who arrived in vintage Porsches. \u201cAbout half of our customers are foreigners,\u201d says the owner, who is delighted to have one of the first restaurants to be awarded a green Michelin star for sustainable cuisine.<\/p>\n

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Chef Jeremy prepares infusions at La Ferme Chapouton \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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In the Bistro kitchen, the precocious chef Jeremy <\/b>is surrounded by a team of experienced and trainee young people. They are participating in the \u201cPeace and Work\u201d program set up by Teritoria, the world’s first voluntary chain for monitoring quality at work.<\/p>\n

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Collet champagne<\/b> (also served at will at breakfast!) has been selected by the Maison. It is served well chilled with black olives from Nyons<\/b>. The cold pea soup with fresh goat’s cheese cream is a delight. And how can you resist the fillet of beef with truffles and pur\u00e9e, reduced to a creamy consistency<\/b>? In Grignan, black truffles are the iconic local product<\/b>. The country bread is perfectly crispy. The lamb shoulder, confit for twelve hours<\/b>, melts in the mouth. Simple, effective, succulent. As for the desserts… but we’ll save those for the gourmet restaurant.<\/p>\n

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Glenn Viel, Benjamin Reilhes, C\u00e9dric Perret and the Clair de la Plume team \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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With the arrival of Glenn Viel, three-star chef at Baumani\u00e8re<\/b><\/a>, Le Clair de la Plume has been given a new lease of life with a revamped menu. Jean-Luc Valadeau has risen to the challenge: the Michelin star has been retained following the departure of Julien Allano, who has opened his own restaurant, Ju, in Bonnieux, in the Luberon.<\/p>\n

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Since 2023, chef Benjamin Reilhes has been working in the kitchen<\/b> with pastry chef C\u00e9dric Perret<\/b>, who is a pillar of the establishment and oversees all the kitchens. Glenn Viel and his two accomplices have devised and co-signed the menu at Clair de la Plume.<\/p>\n

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Mimicry? Like Glenn Viel, the \u201crock star\u201d of Top Chef, Benjamin Reilhes sports a beard and ponytail<\/b>. He responds with amusement: “With Glenn, I’m growing both culinarily and spiritually. We show that we take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.” Aged 31, he trained at Gordon Ramsay’s Pressoir d’Argent in Bordeaux and at La Table du Lausanne Palace with Franck Pelux.<\/b> The future looks bright for him.<\/p>\n

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The dining room at Clair de la Plume, a Michelin 1-star restaurant \u00a9 Alain Maigre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The dining room, with its magnificent veranda overlooking the garden, has tables set with white tablecloths. We love the timeless, traditional decor, which is understated and elegant. Handbags are placed in charming wicker baskets, a reminder of the bucolic atmosphere of the place.<\/p>\n

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The art of the table enhances the dining experience<\/b>. We notice the coat of arms stamped \u201cC’est mon plaisir\u201d (It is my pleasure) on the plates and cutlery. They have been generously provided by the family of a friend of the restaurant, Thierry Simon de Kergunic, who sadly passed away.<\/p>\n

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We opt for the \u201creasonable\u201d three-course lunch menu, but gourmets can enjoy four, six, or eight courses in the evening. Sandrine offers to surprise us. We decide not to read the menu. Everything here exudes courtesy and kindness.<\/p>\n

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Served in cups, the detox drink before the aperitif is a clever idea. The amuse-bouches<\/b> are a nod to the region: tartlets with Comt\u00e9 cheese and truffles, pissaladi\u00e8re made with brioche bread, black Nyons olive pulp, smoked anchovies, and caramelized onions.<\/b><\/p>\n

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The starter, \u201cL’Asperge blanche \u00e9pure\u201d (pure white asparagus), is presented simply on the plate. Its iced broth enlivened with horseradish sets it apart from all the other asparagus dishes tasted this season.<\/b> The chef’s goal of \u201cfavoring taste and balance of flavors over spectacular visuals\u201d has been achieved.<\/p>\n

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The \u201cslightly fatty red mullet\u201d (that’s the exact name!) plays in the big leagues, while the \u201cbeef salad\u201d has an almost bistro-style flavor.<\/p>\n

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C\u00e9dric Perret transforms himself into \u201cPerrette\u201d with his pot au lait<\/b> and surprises with an iced Saint Marcelin<\/b>. \u201cLa Matriochka\u201d amazes the palate with its citrus fruits and black olives. Meanwhile, \u201cLe chocolat herbac\u00e9\u201d keeps the pleasure on a leash. A real treat!<\/p>\n

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This lunch confirms the restaurant’s stylish cuisine with a solid focus that doesn’t waver to catch the latest trend.<\/p>\n

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The art of making \u201cgood, beautiful, and kind\u201d is here at Clair de la Plume.<\/p>\n

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Shall we go?<\/p>\n

Le Clair de la Plume<\/p>\n

Place du Mail<\/p>\n

26 230 Grignan<\/p>\n

Rooms from $115<\/p>\n

Suites from $495<\/p>\n

Tel: + 33 4 75 00 01 01<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.clairplume.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Read also > INTERVIEW \u2013 Jean-Andr\u00e9 Charial, entrepreneur, chef, and winemaker, is the soul of Baumani\u00e8re<\/a><\/p>\n

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Featured photo: The Main House at Clair de la Plume, a four-star hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant \u00a9Alain Maigre<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the heart of the famous village of Grignan, the H\u00f4tel Le Clair de la Plume enchants lovers of unique experiences. Its Michelin-starred restaurant, with a menu co-created by three-star chef Glenn Viel, is well worth a detour on your travels through Provence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":379,"featured_media":31986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"%%post_title%% %%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"Our reporter Corine Moriou takes you on a tour of Le Clair de la Plume, a hidden gem that combines Proven\u00e7al charm and literature in the Dr\u00f4me region.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[560,410],"class_list":["post-31931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-address-book","tag-france-en","tag-hotels-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31931","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/379"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31931\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31986"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.luxus-plus.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}