We are excited about our newest Foodie destination. We will meet in Bordeaux / BOD Airport. Our home for the week is a 17th century Chateau, nestled in a 184 acre estate in the heart of the Dordogne Region / SW France (nestled between the Loire Valley and Pyreneese mountains).
The property has been beautifully restored to its former glory and will provide us 10 luxurious guest rooms w/ private baths, 2 kitchens to utilize for cooking classes, an outdoor cooking area, fire pit for relaxing in the evening, Indoor & Outdoor dining area, heated pool, extensive gardens (flower / vegetable) and a private lake stocked w/ Trout for fishing. Available Games: Table Tennis, Boules, Badminton, croquet and board games. An assortment of living rooms and lounge/ bar will provide our guests with many secluded areas to relax.
Day 1: Meet at BOD Airport – 11am – Sight seeing / lunch in St. Emilion, wine tasting Chateau Bernateau. Arrival Villa late afternoon.
Day 2: Morning visit to the historical town of Sarlat / market day and walking tour around the old town. Afternoon farm visit to learn about the regions specialty… Foie gras.
Day 3. The Wonderful Dordogne River and Valley:
Morning visit to the village and Medieval Fortress of Beynac, then on to the Bastide village of Domme, pause for lunch, afternoon walking tour of the historic the village.
Day 4: A Prehistory Day in the Vezere Valley
Depart ll am. (Yes… a day to sleep in). Explore the village of Les Eyzies, visit to the PIP (Pole International de la Prehistoire), presentation of prehistory in South West France, particularly in the Vezere Valley, drive up the Valley with commentary on remarkable sites en route. Lunch in Montignac, followed by afternoon visit to the Lacaux IV Cave replica. Dinner off property: Restaurant de la Poste.
Day 5: Roman Perigord, Perigueux shopping day.
Perigueux is the capital of the Dordogne region. In the morning visit we will visit the Roman city of Vezunna (villa and temple) and return to the medieval sector of the town, lunch break and free time for shopping.
Day 6: Morning Market with Chef Michael for mystery basket menu. St Cyprien Sunday market day and on to the village of La Roque Gageac via le Chateau de Campagne, lunch break and walking tour around the village. Afternoon excursion on the Dordogne River on a flat-bottomed boat known as “a Gabarre”, a replica of the boats used for transporting goods on the Drive to Castelnaud.
Day 7: Truffles and Josephine
We’ll end the week learning all about the regions truffles and the afternoon visiting the estate and gardens of Josephine Baker. Ms. Baker (an American Born French Dancer) received the Resistance Medal for her heroism during the German occupation of France and recently received the Paris burial honor. Her Chateau des Milandes was the recipient of the “Madison des Illustres” in 2012.
Day 8 Depart Villa 8am – to Bordeaux BOD – book return flights after 11:30am
Weekly Menu
Day 1 –
Welcome Dinner
Day 2 –
Filet of Beef – black truffles, Bergerac wine reduction, buttered crouton
Local Greens – shallot-walnut dressing, goat cheese, homemade thyme crackers
Honey Seared Duck Breast – Pommes Sarladaise, sauce Monbazillac
Walnut Tart
Day 3 – (Sous Vide Day)
Sous Vide Chicken “Coq-au-vin”
Garlic Soup
Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin – sauce Perigueux (truffles, Madeira, foie gras)
Walnut Parfait
Day 4 –
Dinner Off Property
Day 5 –
Beet Purée – goat cheese ice cream, asparagus and seasonal vegetables
Vichyssoise
Duck Leg Confit – Monbazillac poached fruit, Anna potato crisps
Chocolate-Hazelnut Dacquoise
Day 6 –
Mystery Basket Dinner – ingredients from a trip to the local farmers market
Day 7 –
Cassoulet
Salade Perigourdine – smoked duck breast, foie gras, potatoes, baby greens, vinaigrette
Walnut Crusted Cod – beurre blanc
Strawberry Charlotte – lady fingers, custard, whipped cream