Monique

Head to the Vaunage region, 15 minutes from the heart of Nîmes. Julien Caligo loves this region; he grew up here. He could have stayed comfortably in a dream job, at the helm of a Michelin-starred restaurant (Maison Albar – L'Imperator), under the guidance of a universally respected mentor (Pierre Gagnaire), but he preferred to strike out on his own, with nothing but his determination, his desire, and a bank loan to set up shop in the tiny village of Calvisson. He found a (very) old barn, renovated it (with the help of a cousin who is an architect), gave it soul, and named it after the grandmother (Monique, of course) who raised him, assembled a small but tightly knit team, designed a very local but open-minded wine list, and created a menu featuring local produce that is both technical and playful, appealing without being overly flattering. A menu that knows how to convince and enthrall. The proof, if proof were needed, is that not only did it enthrall us, but the Michelin Guide also awarded it a star in its 2025 edition.