South Western France
Douce France.
Day 1
50 shades of blue
Day 1 – Your today’s highlights
Let’s start our day in Toulouse where your driver-guide will pick you up and drive you to the Château des Plantes, where our host, Gilles, an internationally recognized expert for his work in essential oils and natural dyes, will introduce us to the secrets of Woad paste. Gilles will show the process from the plant sources to the extraction of the dyes. We’ll also learn about the ancient dyeing techniques used to obtain the typical blue color called “pastel”, and the production of oil and cosmetics based on the woad paste of the “Pays de Cocagne”.
FEATURED THEME :
The medieval village of Puycelsi will welcome us for a lovely lunch at “L’Ancienne Auberge”, one of the most impressive noble houses in the village.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
After lunch, we will continue our day by heading to our vinification and wine-pairing workshop at the Chateau de Terride, a castle full of charm and authenticity in a classified AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) domain.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
The day ends in Albi, a magnificent pinkbricked town on the banks of the Tarn. We will stroll into the old city through its winding streets and half-timbered houses.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
We will stop on the main square for ice cream or a “café au lait” just before settling into our hotel, the incredible 5-star Relais Château Hôtel La Reserve. The gastronomic restaurant of the hotel will host us for a wonderful dinner next to the pool.
Hotel
Relais et chateaux la reserve
Day 1
Bohemian Rhapsody
Day 2 – Your today’s highlights
This morning, after a generous breakfast, we will pay our respects to Albi’s most celebrated son, the world-famous bohemian painter: Toulouse Lautrec. Situated in the Palais de la Berbie, the museum dedicated to the artist has on display more than 1000 original works by Toulouse-Lautrec – the largest collection in France after the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
FEATURED THEME : Curating your stay
Cordes-sur-Ciel awaits us now. Considered to be the most beautiful medieval village in France, and located on a hilltop with fortified gates, ramparts, sculpted gothic façades and little hidden corners, this town will conquer your hearts for sure. There we will enjoy our lunch at the Auberge de la Halle.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
On our way to the Dordogne region, we will stop at Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, a stunning village at the crest of a sheer cliff high above the Lot river, overlooking the beautiful ”Vallée du Lot”. A magical setting where our friend Pat will be waiting for us. She’s by far one of the most renowned bread bakers in Europe, and she will teach us how to produce and bake the perfect bread with the local flour. In her wood-fired oven, our hostess will expose all the secrets of this timeless craft.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
After this masterclass, we will head to Sarlat where our 4-star hotel Plaza Madeleine lies right in the center. After a well-deserved rest, we will stroll through the spectacular streets of Sarlat, one of the most important European cities in terms of cultural architectural heritage. Our steps will take us to Le Bistrot de l’Octroi for dinner.
Hotel
Plaza Madeleine
Day 1
...Early birds
Day 3 – Your today’s highlights
Today an experience well-worth the early call is waiting for us. After a quick drive to the beautiful village of Beynac-et-Cazenac, we will meet Lionel. He will be our Hot air Balloon captain this morning!!! Flying over the Dordogne river with the first sunlight is a magical experience we couldn’t miss. After having recovered from the experience with a glass of white Dordogne wine.
FEATURED THEME : Moving makes things happen
We will have the pleasure of meeting Edouard and Farah, a lovely couple and producers of black truffles. They will explain to us their passion for this very special mushroom and all the nuances of its flavour, and of course we will have a truffle hunt with their lovely dogs. We will enjoy our lunch at their estate and discover the many ways to cook this star ingredient in the local cuisine.
FEATURED THEME : Into the wild
We will then take leave of our hosts and head to the world-famous caves of Lascaux, where in the 1940s some children playing in the area accidentally discovered the most wonderous prehistoric cave paintings. The building that houses the museum is one of the best interpretation centers for Paleolithic archeology.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
Back to Sarlat and to our hotel where we will get ready for our Michelin star dinner at Le Grand Bleu where Maxime Lebrun, the starred chef, will tell us about Dordogne’s local products and how he uses them in his gastronomic art. 22.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotel
Plaza Madeleine
Day 1
Legendary wines
Day 4 – Your today’s highlights
Following the Dordogne river towards Bordeaux. This morning we’re entering the most renowned vineyards in the world in Saint Émilion: UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, this mind-blowing village enjoys the reputation of its oenological and gastronomic heritage worldwide. This morning, the 18th century Château Ferrand is opening its doors for us to experience the art of blending and crafting our own vintage with Adrien Baudry, the estate’s sommelier. He will educate our palate and help us understand the different grape varieties and the best way to combine them into the perfect blend.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
There’s no better way to end this morning than to enjoy a buffet lunch of local specialties at the same Chateau Ferrand.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
This will be our opportunity to visit this amazing Chateau which has recently been restored by the architects and designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku in the most exquisite contemporary lines respecting the original raw materials.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
After lunch, we’ll stroll into the town of Saint-Émilion and take in its main monuments: cloisters, city gate, fortifications and underground monuments.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
It is time now to discover our last hotel, the 5-star Hôtel Château Grand Barrail, a unique property next to Saint Emilion surrounded by a 3-hectare park. A unique stay where you will enjoy the best lodging and Spa in France. Tonight we will enjoy a wonderful dinner at the gourmet restaurant of our hotel.
Hotel
Château Grand Barrail
Day 1
Let's cook in the chateau
Day 5 – Your today’s highlights
After a lazy morning enjoying our hotel, we will head to Château Ambe Tour Pourret, one of the Grand Cru vineyards in the area and close to Libourne, one of the richest wine regions in France.
There, the Lannoye family will host us for a local food cooking class in Château’s kitchen. This will be the occasion for us to understand local habits and the traditional way of life in this part of France. Meanwhile, after cooking the seasonal ingredients we will, of course, taste the estate’s blends and best wines.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
In order to stretch our legs a bit after lunch, we will have a gentle bicycle ride through the vineyards and get to know the “châteaux”, family-run estates where we might have to taste some more of those superb local wines.
FEATURED THEME :
Back to our hotel for a deserved rest where we will get ready for our final night dinner at the best restaurant in the area, the 2-star Michelin restaurant La Table de Pavie where the chef Yannick Alléno, sublimates local products with passion. He will, later on, join our table for a chat with us and the last toast of the trip.
FEATURED THEME : Carpe Diem, the quintessential gourmet
Hotel
Château Grand Barrail
Day 1
Farewell & last toast in the wine capital
Day 6 – Your today’s highlights
After a generous breakfast at your hotel, we will transfer to Bordeaux; and enjoy a panoramic walking tour to discover the secrets of this elegant metropolis, renowned worldwide for its wines. From the vestiges of the Middle Ages to the elegance of 18th-century architecture, you will discover the different golden ages of Bordeaux’s history, dominated by the wine trade and various colonial influences.
FEATURED THEME : Folklore and heritage
You will explore La Cité du Vin and immerse yourself in a sensory adventure to discover how wine evolved through cultures and civilizations. A unique experience exploring the many and varied facets of wine across time and space. You will access La Cité du Vin’s Belvedere, where you will discover a 360° view of Bordeaux whilst tasting with a glass of world-class wine.
FEATURED THEME : Wine is a bottled poem
Hotels
Relais et Chateaux La Réserve : Albi
Ideally located in a 7-hectare park, at the gates of Albi and its architectural wonders at the bend of the meanders of the Tarn river. This Relais et Chateaux is a digest of French elegance and savoir vivre. Staying here is a unique experience that will make you live the tranquility and charms of a largely underrated region.
Plaza Madeleine Hôtel & Spa : Sarlat la Caneda
This place has always been considered a true hotel institution in Sarlat-la-Caneda. This is an authentic and historical establishment located in the center of the old town, who could magically blend heritage and modern sophistication. There’s no better place to stay in the Dordogne and the Périgord Noir area.
Hôtel Château Grand Barrail : Saint Émilion
Surrounded by a tree-acre park, the Château Grand Barrail Hôtel is a one-of-a-kind-property. Located just outside of Saint-Émilion this impressive castle faces an ocean of vineyards of some of the best grapes in the world. Come to relax in their unique Spa and offer yourself a special treatment enjoying a raisin massage.
