The story
La Récré brings a refreshingly direct approach to bistro dining in Les Vans, shaping its daily menu around local markets and personal travels.
Founded by Sergio in 2012 and later guided by Loïs Lacoste alongside Olivier, the venue found its current direction under chefs Margaux Laborde and Julia Dubois since 2019. Margaux approaches cooking through instinct and vintage cookbooks, while Julia applies the methodical training she gained at La Boria in Privas. Le Fooding recently highlighted their straightforward yet inventive style, calling the space a necessary antidote to modern fatigue. Loïs manages the front of house, pairing each meal with bottles from his curated selection of natural wines.
The menu presents ten to twelve options designed strictly for sharing across the table. Dishes highlight regional suppliers without forcing rigid formats. A recent lunch featured a pork liver terrine packed with pickled vegetables, followed by slow roasted eggplant resting on fresh pita with herbed yogurt. Green beans paired with aged goat cheese and an umeboshi preserved egg yolk show how the team balances familiar ingredients with unexpected techniques. Even the dessert course leans into texture, combining buttery shortbread with ripe peach slices and crushed Kampot pepper.
Guests settle into a cool room lined with traditional tomette tile floors and simple bistro chairs. Photographs by Baptiste Diet hang above polished counters while climbing ivy softens the edges of the outdoor seating area. The layout encourages conversation rather than formal bistro service rituals. Visitors often describe the relaxed rhythm here as a quiet escape from busy schedules.
Recognition
Ambience
Location
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