3 of the best places to eat after a day in the mountains of the southern French Alps

Everybody knows you dont need 3 Michelin stars to produce delicious unforgettable food. One of the joys of a trip off the beaten track is the discovery of these hidden jewels of gastronomy in unexpected places. After spending a day exploring the valleys and summits of the mountainsona sun-soaked summer activity trip, or after an invigorating day cross country skiing on a winter activity holiday,your appetite for alocalcuisine full of mountain flavours, herbs and fresh local products will be well and truly established!

Afterseveral years testing out the restaurants of the Southern French Alps, we have chosen our three favourite eateries to perfectly finish off an active day in the mountains.

Auberge de laMoissire

Way off the top of the list has to be the Auberge de la Moissire near the remote village of Rabou deep in the Southern French Alps. For those who love walking and good food, this is a small corner of paradise. A 20 minute walk along a mountain track, looking out for chamois on the way, and you find yourself in a magical place, a clearing in the woods and a stone farmhouse where you are warmly welcomed to a gourmet meal worthy of the best restaurants in Paris. Open all year round, they will even lend you crampons if the path is too icy. Gourmet walkers heaven.

Hotel Val des Sources

After a days white water raftingdown one of the regions glacier-fed rivers, like the Sveraisse in the stunning Valguaudemar valley near Gap, there is nothing better than a delicious meal made with local, organic ingredients lovingly prepared. The Hotel du Val des Sources in the village of St Maurice, whose owners are members of SlowFood, is the perfect place to end a long day out in the fresh alpine air. Their own homegrown trout, or some local lamb, mountain cheeses and regional specialities, all prepared with care and a love of good things. A passion for great wine, a well-stocked cellar and a desire to share it provide all you need to round off a perfect day.

The Pasturier

Otherwise, for an evening in town, a wonderful place to eat is Le Pasturier restaurant in Gap. Cosy and understatedly elegant, the food is unfailingly brilliant. One of those fantastic French restaurants we all dream of when we get back from a holiday there.

Using the delicate flavours of classic French cuisine like trufflesandmorilles, andgoodquality local products, the chef has theability to turn a standard dish into an exquisite delicacy to pamper your taste buds.

After a meal in the Pasturier, a stroll around the Provencal style town of Gap with it’s tall, coloured buildings, narrow streets lined with boutiques, and open squares with fountains, is the perfect finish to a day in the Southern French Alps!