The Obamas are living their best lives in France on day three of their family vacation with some sightseeing in historic Avignon just before a Father’s Day dinner celebration for the former president.
Barack, Michelle and their two daughters, Malia and Sasha went to the Michelin-starred restaurant La Mirande in Avignon Sunday evening for dinner. The restaurant was awarded one Michelin star this year.
Michelle was seen wearing a black sun dress as Malia sported a white backless jumpsuit and Sasha donned a yellow snake-skin dress with white sneakers.
Barack was also casually dressed with a blue shirt, jeans and a pair of sunglasses.
As the family left the restaurant, the former president was seen waving to bystanders.
The family was also joined by friends at the restaurant where a private guest table rate is $106 (€95) per person which includes wine.
Sasha (left) and Malia (in black, right) spent the day with their parents celebrating Father’s Day in France with a tour of the Palais des Papes and a dinner celebration for Barack at the Michelin-starred restaurant La Mirande in Avignon (seen leaving the restaurant)
Michelle was seen wearing a black sun dress (left) and Barack was also casually dressed with a blue shirt, jeans and a pair of sunglasses (right, waving)
As the family left the restaurant, the former president was seen waving to bystanders (pictured)
The family was also joined by friends at the restaurant where a private guest table (file image) rate is $106 (€95) per person which includes wine
Florent Pietravalle is the restaurant’s chef who worked four years for famed chef Pierre Gagnaire.
According to the establishment’s website, La Mirande ‘delivers all the richness of its secular heritage’.
‘This timeless hideaway offers an experience of daydreaming, strolling and authenticity, in a tasteful décor, evocative of 18th century atmospheres and the relaxed lifestyle of the houses of the past.’
Earlier on Sunday, the family toured the Palais des Papes, the biggest gothic palace in the world that was built by popes in the 1300s.
There are more than 25 rooms that are open to the public such as the Grande Audience Hall and the Consistory where hearings were held, ceremonial rooms such as the Great Clementine Chapel which held official events and liturgical services, and banquet rooms such as the Grand Tinel.
According to the website, the palace visit also takes tourists into the private apartments where the pope lived, including the Papal Chamber and the Stag Room, ‘decorated with frescoes on a naturalistic, secular theme’.
It includes the Saint Martial and Saint John chapels, painted with frescoes by the Italian artist Matteo Giovannetti.
Earlier on Sunday, the family toured the Palais des Papes, the biggest gothic palace in the world. Barack and Michelle were seen taking in the views during their outing
The former president was seen taking photos of the views while atop the Palais des Papes on Sunday
Malia was seen taking in the beautiful views from the turrets of the Palais des Papes on Sunday. From the top of the monument one can see the city of Avignon and the Rhone River
Sasha (left) and Malia (right) were seen arriving to the Palais des Papes earlier on Sunday with their parents
The sisters have been enjoying their family vacation since Friday, just days after they celebrated Sasha’s graduation from high school
The Palais des Papes was built by popes in the 1300s. There are more than 25 rooms that are open to the public such as the Grande Audience Hall and the Consistory where hearings were held; ceremonial rooms such as the Great Clementine Chapel which held official events and liturgical services, and banquet rooms such as the Grand Tinel
Just a day before, Sasha and Malia appeared to ditch their parents for their friends as they spent a perfect summer Saturday touring the famous L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market, which is famous for its wide array of antiques.
The market is one of the top tourist attractions in the idyllic Provençal town known as the ‘Venice of Provence’ thanks to the scenic Sorgue river.
The former first family arrived in Avignon in the south of France for a week’s holiday that began on Friday, just days after they were pictured celebrating daughter Sasha’s graduation from high school.
They are reportedly staying at a luxurious 18th century farmhouse on Bathelasse island, near the Provencal city.
The family will relax at the palatial Le Mas des Poiriers, rented at $61,800 (€55,000) for the week, according to a report by Le Parisien.
Former first daughters Malia (center) and Sasha Obama spent a perfect summer Saturday touring the L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Market in Provence while on a weeklong holiday with their parents
The trip comes days after Sasha (above) graduated from high school in front of her proud parents in Washington, DC
Sasha (left), 18, and 20-year-old Malia (right) donned their best tourist wares to take in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Malia is seen scoping out the wide array of antiques on display at the market, one of the town’s most popular attractions
The girls were accompanied by members of the US Secret Service during their outing without mom and dad
Both daughters dressed comfortably for their day of sightseeing at the bustling market.
Malia wore a black button-down shirt with white detailing on the color and a pair of black shorts under an oversize black denim jacket.
Sasha opted for a more daring look, donning a white crop-crop top, classic blue jeans and a green military jacket topped off with a cheetah-print bucket hat.
The girls were accompanied by two pals, as well as a couple of members of the secret service.
Malia was seen sampling fresh strawberries before purchasing some to bring home to her parents.
Malia sampled fresh strawberries before purchasing a bundle to bring back to the family’s stunning vacation home
Sasha and Malia each brought a friend on their market tour as parents Barack and Michelle opted for a couple’s day
Both girls appeared to keep their purchases to a minimum despite the wide variety of items for sale at the market
Security detail from the Gard regional police as well as the US Secret Service will surround the residence as the former first family visit the area.
The property sits on 65 acres – providing seclusion and privacy for the Obamas during their stay.
The main house features seven double bedrooms, a family room with large windows that allow for natural light illuminate the lavishly decorated space.
It also has a big farmhouse style kitchen with a large family dining table in the center.
The family will no doubt also continue birthday celebrations for Sasha who turned 18 last Monday.
She was pictured in her Class of 2019 photo wearing a white dress after graduating from Sidwell, Washington DC’s most elite private high school, which costs $40,000 per year, on Sunday.
Barack, Michelle and Malia were photographed sitting down in the stands and later mingling among the other families in attendance.
Malia (left) and Sasha (right) were seen out and about Saturday after jetting into Provence on Friday
The Obamas are said to be staying at Le Mas des Poiriers, a luxurious 18th century farmhouse on Bathelasse island
The breathtaking property near the Provencal city of Avignon reportedly costs $61,800 (€55,000) to rent for the week
Sasha is reportedly set to start at the University of Michigan in the fall.
The teen opted not to follow in Malia’s footsteps by attending an Ivy League school by allegedly turning down a place at Yale. Her 20-year-old sibling is currently enrolled at Harvard.
She was last month pictured attending her high school prom in a classic black dress. Standing arm-in-arm with her date, Chris Milton, the pair left admirers gushing on social media saying what a ‘cute couple’ the teenagers make.
And if the Obamas want to host a special meal to continue to celebrate Sasha’s graduation while they are away, their holiday home boasts a large formal dining room that seats up to 18 guests.
The house comes professionally staffed with two chefs and two waiters, as well as full-time housekeeping.
Outdoors the property boasts a pear orchard that produces six tons of fruit annually.
The former first family could also enjoy a game of tennis or swim laps in the pool, or strolls out on the gardens.
For the past week rumors had been circulating the Obamas might be staying at the magnificent home of former French Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi, high above Villeneuve, AFP reported.
Avignon was the papal seat of the Catholic Church from 1309 to 1377 and can be seen at the medieval Palais des Papes (Pope’s Palace) in the center of Avignon.
The entire Obama family was seen cheering on Sasha as she graduated from Sidwell last Sunday. Obama beamed with pride while sitting next to Malia, Michelle and Michelle’s mother Marian Shields Robinson
Sasha is pictured last month before attending her high school prom in a classic black dress. Standing arm-in-arm with her date, Chris Milton, the pair left admirers gushing on social media saying what a ‘cute couple’ the teenagers make