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BORDEAUX OENOPHILE TOUR BY CHEF DIDIER:
Friday APRIL 26 to Sunday MAY 5, 2024
The PERIGORD region and Sarlat, in the Southwest of France, has the greatest concentration of prehistoric art sites in the world. Limestone caves, rocky shelters, spectacular and lush countrysides, immerse yourself in being transported back in time amongst magnificent landscapes.
Bordeaux & Bergerac displays countless chateaux and wineries, some classified since 1855 to present the most delicious wines, some for us to discover,
all always memorable.
Let me guide you through this enchanting Dordogne and Bordeaux areas, for an unforgettable adventure with lasting memories!
Friday, April 26th
Meet Chef Didier in Bordeaux, at La “Tavern du Midi Restaurant” across from the train station, Gare Saint Jean, by 2:30 pm. La Taverne du Midi - Restaurant in Bordeaux
· Chef Didier’s cell: 773-620-3986
· Email: chefdidierdurand@yahoo.com
(If you arrive early, have a bowl of fresh mussels with a Stella Artois or an espresso, I probably will be there myself Emoji.pngEmoji.png, if you are late, the bus and I will wait for you.)
Friday, April 26th: The Tour begins: (D)
Transfer from Bordeaux to Bergerac, where we will explore the Dordogne area. Start with a visit and degustation at Chateau THENAC, followed by a dinner at a restaurant along the Dordogne River then check into a 3-star Hotel, for two nights.
Saturday, April 27th: (B, L)
Start your day with a lecture on Cyrano in the old town of Bergerac, followed by a visit to two markets and the cathedral. Lunch is at “La Grappe d’Or” where chef trained, in Monbazillac. Wine tasting Pecharmant wines at Chateau Tiregand. Learn about and taste local wines at IVBD (Interprofession of Bergerac & Duras Wines ). Return to Bergerac and our hotel. Dinner on your own.
Sunday, April 28th: (B, L, D)
Going to the region of Sarlat-La-Caneda for 2 days. Discover "Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac", called "The Cristal Cathedral", near the town of Rocamadour, the most famous cave in Europe and the most interesting geological site, with stalagmites & stalactites. After lunch at “Le Toune-Pique” along the river, we will visit the Chateau Des Milandes, its gardens, and the life of Josephine Baker. Watch the Falcons and Birds of Prey SHOW! An exceptional outside show. Going to a 3-star hotel in Sarlat-La-Caneda, followed by dinner across from the hotel.
Monday, April 29th: (B, L, D)
Hop on a boat to cruise up and down the Dordogne River then have lunch at La Laugerie Basse with Guinea Hen as a main course, picture in front of the restaurant. Discover the Lascaux IV Caves, world known and unique opportunity to explore primitive painting from 20,000 years ago. Explore Eyrignac and its unique gardens of 300 sculptures followed by dinner in Sarlat, before returning to the hotel.
Tuesday, April 30th: (B, L, D)
This morning we leave Sarlat for Perigueux. Start your day with a cooking class in the old town of Perigueux, learning about the famous “Pate Truffe de Perigueux”. Lunch in the old town with Chef Francis Delpey, Chef’s Didier best friend, followed by a tour of the Cathedral Saint Front in Perigueux, from its roof to the underground. Going to a 4-star hotel in Perigueux, where we will stay for 2 nights. Before dinner, we will stop to look at porcelains, flower seeds, and Beluga caviar lentils, which we can bring back to the US.
Wednesday, May 1st: (B, L)
The cultural heart of Perigueux are the 3 local different farmer markets, held in this old medieval town square. Enjoy lunch at Chef Francis Delpey, Sixieme Sens Restaurant where Chef Didier will open bottles of wine from his French cellar. Then visit some authentic Perigord Homes from the XVeme to XIXeme Century, led by Mrs. Martine BALOUT, local expert & and conferenciere, followed by a short class on Foie Gras cooking.
Dinner and evening at your leisure
Thursday, May 2nd: (B, L)
Visit, degustation, and lunch at the exceptional wines of Chateau de Fayolle, an authentic medieval castle, from 1480, transformed into an opulent winery. Oenologist Daniel Hecquet from Chateau Haut Sarthes minds the production of the wines here. On our way to our 4-star hotel in Bordeaux, we will stop at Chateau de Ferrand, for a degustation. Dinner on your own.
Friday, May 3rd: (B, L, D)
Be prepared to be pampered with Mademoiselle Margaux Chocolate Boutique & Degustation of Chocolates, then a big welcome, visit, degustation, and lunch at Chateau Giscours. https://giscours.com/en/ A Fabulous Experience to say the least: Hors D’oeuvres served with Champagne, degustation Michelin-quality 4 courses lunch, a culinary experience by Chef Benjamin LAURENT, a protégé of world-wide acclaimed 3 Stars Michelin Guide Michel GUERARD.
(Chef Didier worked at the Guerard’s Kitchen in 1985 & 1986, before moving to the US.)
Visit and Degustation at Chateau Desmirail followed by our return to our Hotel in Bordeaux.
Dinner at a Brasserie, well known for its Alsatian Specialties where memoirs of the trip will be exchanged.
Saturday, May 4th: (B, Snack, D)
Visit of Bordeaux to “La Cite du Vin”, on the banks of the Garonne River. This is a world-class museum about wines around the world. You will love the interactive exhibits and thoroughly enjoy a glass of wine from its top floor with a 360-degree view of the beautiful port city of Bordeaux. Enjoy lunch on your own, probably at “Le Bacalan” across from “La Cite du Vin” before we embark for St. Emilion and a visit and degustation at Clos Fourtet, a “Premiers Grand Crus Classes” of Saint Emilion. Tour of underground Saint Emilion, its collegiate church, and its cloister. Light snacks at “Les Cordeliers” a shop where we have bread, bubbly, wine, fromages, salamis, and rillettes.
Finally, the jewel of this TOUR is a Winemaker’s Dinner in Saint Emilion, where 80 Grand Crus winegrowers will offer their wines, along with a wonderful 4-course menu, followed by our return to the hotel in Bordeaux.
Sunday, May 5th: (B)
Enjoy an early or late breakfast at the hotel before getting on the TGV Back to Paris or another destination you may have chosen. The hotel is 6 minutes away from Bordeaux’s Train Station, Gare Saint-Jean. It takes three hours to go back to Paris, directly to Charles De Gaulle Airport. Be at the airport at least a couple of hours before departure.
INCLUDED FEATURES:
-10 days and 9 nights of hotel accommodations
-Pick up at Gare Saint Jean on April 26, 2024, around 2:30 pm
-Daily travels in a 44-seat heated/AC Deluxe Motor Coach Bus
-Tickets to daily activities
-Transfer of luggage from bus to hotels if needed
-Hospitality desk at all hotels
-Experienced English-speaking local guides for daily attractions
-Complimentary bottled water in your room and on excursions
-Complimentary use of audio headset during guided excursions when needed
-Meals included as noted on the itinerary (B, L, D) which is 9 Breakfasts, 7 luncheons (1 lunch on your own), 1 Snack & 6 Dinners (3 dinners on your own)
-24/7 help to prepare your trip by Chef Didier at: chefdidierdurand@yahoo.com
or 773-620-3986
-Your Reservation Form is at: chefdidierdurand.com or inquire to Chef.
NOT INCLUDED:
-Your airline flight from and to any US City
-Your TGV Train ticket from Paris to Bordeaux and return. Check SNCFCONNECT for great fare prices.
Revised. 1-31-2024
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