Eating

A vast selection of restaurants are on offer! Every type of cuisine is available. Our advice is to try some of the small restaurants offering typical provencal dishes. Vietnamese food is good too. Fantastic value. Expect to pay about £10 -15 a head for a very good all inclusive meal.

If you have kids try some of the larger pizza places. These do not offer pizzas like in England, they are the true pizzerias and kids will love them. Price around £5 for a large pizza, and other dishes are always on offer.

All restaurants have to provide their menu outside. Part of the fun in the evening is to stroll around and examine each menu (the French do this in great detail).

Tipping. You do not have to tip; all French staff get paid a minimum wage so the tip is not their salary. We generally tip £1 - £2 if, and only if, the service was good. Bad service or sloppy presentation equals no tip. Anything else that's wrong such as the wrong dish or poor quality food (very unlikely) complain.

Unlike in England, a complaint in France is rarely taken personally. Most restaurateurs want to please the customer and are quite happy to be criticised when things are not up to scratch.

If your kids get desperate, there is a McDonalds!

Takeaway

"Michel & Marco" Our fave! (5 min away) Takeaway mostly (I sit and have a beer while I wait) will deliver if your French is up to explaining where the house is. Also sell very nice wine and bags of pizza herbs (odd, but great to take a packet home). These are real pizzas and the Roquefort one is to die for. Price? £6 for a pizza 1 foot in diameter! I wish I was there now.

Pizzas

The Pizza place is up by the castle. We usually use "Pizzasimo". Set three course menu for around £10. Individual pizzas about £5. Arrive early for a table (it is popular) or book in advance, don't worry pigeon French will suffice! If you have kids, this is the place to come.

French

The Jazz restaurant "La Boulangerie". This is a great little place. Stuffed with photos of all the jazz stars that have visited Salon for the festival. The food is absolutely spot on, faultless. If they are full when you call, reserve a table for another night. Once you book a table it is yours for the duration, so make the most of it and spend the whole night. It is a superb place for a romantic dinner! Le Clos de Aromes. Just up from Pizzasimo. This is truly magnificent and my treat once a year.

Vietnamise

'Indochine'. Situated just by the old church (13th Century) in the walled part of the town. Next to the fountain this is a great spot for lunch, (our fave for lunch). Starters are "nem" spring rolls served with fresh mint and lettuce. A three course meal here will set you back about £10 per head. Much nicer than Chinese, give it a try.

Italian

Best place is the pizza restaurant as they do pasta dishes.

Chinese

Try north African instead, it is better in my opinion.

Cafes

Look for the "Fontaine Moussue" in the centre of Salon (It resembles a large mushroom and you won't miss it). There are quite a few cafes here so lie back and watch the world pass by. Most cafes are happy to let you order a coffee and eat breakfast that you buy elsewhere. Saturday morning is a good time to watch all the wedding processions pass by, (a bizarre experience). Alternatively, at the base of the castle you will find a plaza with a few good cafes.

Bars

Any in town are fine, but the best one is on my terrace watching the sun set.

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