Today's challenge: another big, delicious lunch outdoors.

DATELINE: Monday, Oct. 16. Vaison to Gigondas and back.

Monday used to be when you paid the price for the good times you had over the weekend.  But Roz and I just charged ahead with the challenge we’d set ourselves: Can we eat a large, rich lunch every day and live to tell the tale?

Somebody has to do it, so we girded our tummies for today’s challenge — Les Florets, a lovely hotel/restaurant near the village of Gigondas. If that town name is familiar to you, you’ve probably seen it on the labels of good Rhone-style wines. 

One of few artworks
in lower Gigondas

On previous visits to Gigondas, we’d enjoyed the lovely village before settling in to a restaurant. Both of those visits had shown off the town’s art scene. In 2014, large sculptures spread throughout the town. Last year, crochet was the art on display, with trees wearing colorful sweaters and iron railings wrapped in sock-like weavings. But this year, according to the (unusually un-helpful) lady at the Tourist Information office, most of the new artwork was in the upper reaches of the village. But, although we still think it’s one of the area’s prettiest towns, we weren’t motivated for much climbing. We had other work to do.

A steep road winds its way up to Les Florets, which sits on a terraced slope surrounded by hills of dense forest. On our last meal there, we had walked in across the lovely stone-floored patio, where outdoor tables looked inviting. But no outdoor seating was being offered then. Happily, this year the terrace was open and tables were set and waiting for lunch guests. The autumn colors made it one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever eaten.

Which we did with gusto and satisfaction. The service was almost Sunday-slow, but we finished in about 2 1/2 hours. Except for the pain-in-the-bottom metal chairs, it was relaxing and comfortable. The well-spaced tables had filled and a mix of French, English, and German was audible but not unpleasant.

Roz’s photos will show and tell you more about our lunch than a long essay by me. Just click on the blue link “Roz’s Photos” to the  left of this column, then scroll down to Day 13. Another tip: when you're looking at Roz's photos on that site, click on the little white circle containing an ”i” at upper right of the picture. This will open the descriptive comment she adds to almost every picture.

Fig tart, custard on top, plus other goodies.

The meal service was fine, though not quite as friendly or as smooth as at yesterday’s Sunday feast. The price was the highest so far for a meal with wine, but not out of line. We left comfortably full as we headed our car back toward Gigondas and the road homeward.

Back in Vaison, it was around 4:00PM and comfortably warm. Roz wanted some exercise, so I grumblingly assented to driving out to the Théos park again, where we found the sun grew warmer during our 2-mile walk.

HEALTH NOTE: One major meal per day for us. Evening consumption is limited to aperitifs, some fine cheese from a famous Vaison shop, and maybe a little red wine.