SCI DU MOULIN DE LA CAMANDOULE

Review – Reopening of Moulin de Camandoule (11 April 2026) The Moulin de Camandoule remains a truly beautiful location — and unfortunately, that is where the positives end. Following last year’s disappointing “Italian episode”, a reopening under new management was announced for Saturday 11 April 2026. Given the excellent memories we had prior to 2022, we decided to give it another chance and booked a table for four on opening night. From the outset, expectations were not met. There was nothing marking the reopening — no welcome, no amuse-bouche, not even a small gesture or drink. A missed opportunity to set the tone. The maître d’hôtel set an unfortunate standard: more focused on giving orders than welcoming guests, lacking warmth, and bringing little added value to the experience. We opted for the €50 menu. Even basic elements failed: • An apéritif as simple as mint water was “not available”. • Three out of four guests ordered the braised beef chuck, only to be told 10 minutes later that it was no longer available — on the very first evening of the new menu. The explanation (“too many orders at lunch”) was unconvincing, and no proper alternative was suggested. • No amuse-bouche was served, despite it being a long-standing tradition of the house. The starters lacked refinement. The oysters and prawns were served with roughly cut bread of supermarket quality, without even the basics such as lemon or pepper. Presentation was clumsy, with an overly deep dish and a sauce lacking finesse. Main courses were equally underwhelming. The frog legs were acceptable, but entirely unremarkable. Dessert (a cheese selection) was particularly disappointing: three large, uninspired pieces served with some salad. No explanation, no refinement, and again a clear impression of low-quality sourcing. To make matters worse, as we were leaving, we noticed the owners’ table being served the very braised beef that had supposedly run out. The overall impression is one of poor organi

The service was fantastic, everybody was very nice and helpful. We got help carrying the heavy bags, booking taxi etc. The house was very old and carefully refurbished, and the garden full of roses.

If you want to leave the world of politics, tension and anxiety and live for a moment as if the world were perfect and we all were friends, you should make the journey to Moulin de Camandoule. Here is an ancient and very beautiful olive oil mill, originally fed by a Roman aqueduct, and a family with the kind of hospitality that makes you immediately optimistic about the future of the world. Not only is the environment enchanting and largely unchanged for hundreds of years, but the hotel itself is perfectly integrated while losing nothing in amenity. (Not to mention a large swimming pool). Beautiful linen on a very good bed; the best pillow in two weeks’ travel round France. And a really distinctive cuisine. It felt to me like a lost period of French cooking though in fact it is influenced by Italian talent too (weren’t we all?). The family and their staff truly understand what it takes to remove the burden of life in 2025 and replace it with warmth and amazing good humour. It’s also very good value: as a wine lover I have been shocked how expensive it is to drink a good bottle in many restaurants. The list is well chosen - with some 50cl options - and on two nights we had two very good wines (a red Sancerre and a Beaujolais Cru - both excellent). If you haven’t visited the real Provence - the bucolic, unpretentious place beloved of so many artists, the place with light that mesmerised Van Gogh- give yourself a treat and come for some rest and recuperation at Le Moulin. (And while there, walk around nearby Seillans and see doors on buildings that have stood the test of time.)

A truly beautiful place with a huge pool and a lovely terrace to have an apero and dinner. Couples / family friendly. The staff is particularly friendly too! Tasty cuisine with local products, a great choice of cocktails. An unforgettable experience only 1hr drive away from Nice!

Restaurant only: Great scenery and location. Very kind service. Concept is simple: The restaurant serves you a variety of (mostly green) starters, then fish and meats off the grill with accompanying ratatouille etc , and then desert and fruits. All for 50 euros. It is simple and it is plenty and it is good. It is not haute cuisine nor does it try to be. Go there for a family outing, drink some wine and have fun while eating well. Recommended!

I’m afraid a very disappointing experience at the restaurant; the service was great and of course the location but the food is stodgy (potatoes cake, set menu , (basket of vegetables to start, lamb shank with potatoes, plate of cut fruits with tiramisu for desert) lacking any form of refinement a lot of dishes served from a dish to all the guests making it feel like you’re at home but unfortunately food very uninspiring, and too simple. The frozen strawberry margarita as a cocktail sounded great until it came in a huge tumbler with a straw not frozen at all ! A far cry from what it used to be; not special at all for €80 - such a shame

Update 2025 The good old mill is back. When I heard that it is now an Italian restaurant, my initial reaction was one of **Allarme Rosso** But the outstanding hospitality quickly changed my mind. We were treated to a proper intalian style meal: Antipasti, Primi, Secondi, Dolce for the very fair price of 50 Euros. Very generous serving of great antipasti, good pasta, the main was a bit on the French side and very large at this stage of the meal (I would have preferred something a bit more true to Italian style, but it was still good). Dessert was a double serving that was very tasty. I will gladly return. Wine was French but paired well and was very tasty. Past Experience: Great food, awesome service at very reasonable prices. I like to eat here every time I’m in the area, at least twice a year 😋

A brief stay - one night only - but leaving me wanting to return. I arrived late to a warm welcome. Friendly and efficient service and a warm and comfortable room in picturesque surroundings at a reasonable price. Highly recommend this hotel.