La Terrasse des Cigales

The story

La Terrasse des Cigales: Wood-Fired Provencal Cuisine in Mérindol, Luberon

Wood-Fired Provencal Cuisine in the Heart of the Luberon

In the old Vaudois village of Mérindol, south of the Luberon, Mathieu and Sébastien run La Terrasse des Cigales, a restaurant recognized by the Michelin guide for its uncompromising Provencal cuisine. The pair focus on wood-fired cooking, using fresh, local produce to create dishes that change with the season. Their menu features classics like aïoli, monkfish bourride, and lamb shoulder slow-cooked over the fire.

The sourcing is distinctly local: lamb from the Alpilles, oil from the village mill, and beers and apple juices from nearby fields and orchards. The restaurant accommodates all diets, offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options. A set menu is served in the evenings and on weekends, with dishes such as Mediterranean sea bass grilled over an open fire, grilled veal tenderloin, and a 12-hour confit lamb shoulder cocotte.

In summer, the intimate terrace, bordered by traditional dry stone walls, is the place to be. In winter, the dining room warms by the same wood fire that cooks the food. Open all year round, La Terrasse des Cigales is a warm and authentic spot for sharing Provencal dishes in the heart of the Luberon.