Le Prieuré

The story

Le Prieuré – Michelin-Starred Dining in Avignon, France | Chef Christophe Chiavola

The Chef and His Philosophy

At Le Prieuré-Baumanière in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, Chef Christophe Chiavola leads a kitchen driven by instinct and respect for the seasons. His cooking is "au service de la nature" — at the service of nature. He describes his cuisine as a spectacle, theatrical, with marked acidity, crunch, and surprising land-and-sea combinations. "I want to propose a cuisine that looks like me: daring, personal, very pure," he says. The Michelin star that shines here is a testament to that vision, recognising high-quality cooking that balances Mediterranean and floral notes with a clean, modern edge.

Chiavola’s plates are built around the product and the terroir, with an emphasis on balance, precision in cooking, and intense, well-defined jus. He draws on the DNA of Baumanière — Provence — while pushing toward renewal.

Two Dining Experiences

The restaurant offers two distinct moods. For lunch, La petite table du Prieuré serves a lighter, seasonal menu in a relaxed, sunlit setting. In the evening, the gastronomic dinner takes over, a multi-course affair served in an intimate atmosphere — often under the wisteria in the garden when the weather allows. The dining room has limited seats, and the team notes that modifications to the dishes are not possible, as each creation reflects a carefully balanced harmony.

The team, led by directors Sylvie & Alexandre and including sommelier Laurent with his unexpected wine finds, ensures a discreet, attentive service that matches the quality of the food.

The Setting

Le Prieuré is a five-star Relais & Châteaux property set in a former priory in the heart of Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, just across the river from Avignon. The historic buildings, shaded garden, and swimming pool create a serene backdrop. The restaurant is open for dinner from 19h30 to 21h00, with seasonal closures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (and extended hours in summer). For a taste of Chiavola’s Provençal cuisine in a more casual format, the bistro lunch is available from 12h00 to 13h30.

Whether you come for the gastronomic dinner or the bistro lunch, the experience is rooted in the same philosophy: food that respects the product, the season, and the place.