"Tastefully restored and decorated to a very high specification... Wouldn't hesitate to recommend" S.S, Dorset, England

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Gourmet Heaven

Whether you're eating out or eating in, your holiday at La Bomba will be a trip to savour. There are sensational Michelin-starred restaurants within a five minute drive and the local food markets are an absolute must - if only to soak up the atmosphere of a country that puts its food before everything else.
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Chateau de la Pomarede
Auberge du Poids Public
Chef, Gerald Garcia, took over in 1998, won his first Michelin star in 2002, and has since established La Pomerade as the premier restaurant of the region. Its a spicy mix of the modern and the traditional where cassoulet and tripe share the bill with baby pigeon tagine and prawns in wasabi.
The Auberge du Poids Public is a veritable Lauragais institution. It enjoys stunning views out over the rolling countryside and a dinner on the summer terrace will be one of the highlights of your holiday. The food is Michelin-starred "rustic gourmet" and you'll do well to find a better cassoulet anywhere else in the region.
Even closer to home is Le Cassignol at Les Casses which offers great value regional cooking and there's even a cheap and cheerful bar a 20 minute short stroll down the Rigole.
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Local Markets
A stay at La Bomba wouldn't be complete without visiting at least one of the fabulous local food markets. They start early and finish soon after midday but they're well worth the effort. Revel is a destination market for miles around and is said by many to be among the best in France.
Local Market Days:

Revel - Saturdays
Castelnaudary - Mondays
Villefranche - Fridays
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French Food Market Tips


1. It's best to visit the markets in the mornings (most have packed up by lunchtime. Revel closes at twelve) and get as much fresh seasonal and regional produce as you can carry.

2. Practically everything is cheaper than in the UK, so it's easy to get carried away. Most of what's on sale is seasonal. Look out for:

Garlic - You'll find fat, juicy, pink-tinged fresh bulbs everywhere. It's excellent for roasting or barbecuing and spreading on hunks of bread or served with meats.

Breads - These are a great buy whatever the season. Stock up on brioche, croissants, baguettes and flavoured breads.

Patisserie - It's best eaten fresh so only take what you think you can eat in the next couple of days, no matter how enticing it all looks!

Jars - Other good buys are regionally prepared dishes such as confit de canard and coq au vin which are sold in big screwtop jars for about £3 to £4. The words "4 partes" on the label means it serves four. The jars store well and make easy meals.

3. Bring your own bags! You'll end up buying a lot and soon running out of finger space. The best thing to carry it all in is a large wicker basket - easily bought in one of the local shops. Some cool bags for carrying chilled things in such as cheeses and pâtés could prove useful too.

4. Although credit cards are accepted widely in all supermarkets, cash is king in the local open air markets.

5. Speak the language. Even if you can only manage some very simple phrases, the vendors will appreciate the effort and warm to you immediately.

6. No shopping lists! "Shopping lists pinch the imagination and close the eyes to what is on display." Sage advice from Glynn Christian, the author of Edible France. Leave the list at home and let your senses take hold.
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