Pétrarque et Laure, Riverside restaurant in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, France
Pétrarque et Laure is a restaurant set along the Sorgue River, with indoor dining areas and an outdoor terrace shaded by large plane trees. The space consists of several rooms of different sizes, allowing the establishment to accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger groups comfortably.
The building began as a horse relay station in 1480 and later became an inn before transforming into a hotel-restaurant in 1889. It was named after the poet Petrarch, whose works and life were intimately connected to this region's valleys and waters.
The name honors the poet Petrarch and his muse Laura, two figures deeply tied to this valley's history. The cooking reflects local traditions, featuring game preparations and fresh trout sourced directly from the nearby Sorgue River.
The restaurant typically operates on weekday afternoons and evenings, with later hours on weekends. Visitors should plan ahead since the shaded outdoor terrace overlooking the river becomes popular during pleasant weather, particularly at midday.
The Valentin family has managed the establishment for several generations, with two brothers dividing roles between kitchen and dining room since the 1980s. This continuity in family operation has given the restaurant a stable identity reflected in consistent quality and deep local knowledge.
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