Day One of Blake & Taylor French Adventure 2015 begins.....

Everyone has arrived and the sun is shining.

Some treasures in the foyer of Chateau Dumas.

Blake & Taylor is off to France

The Blake & Taylor French Adventure is fast approaching and we have only one place left.  If you would like to be the lucky last to join us please phone the store to secure your place.
We shall spend a week in the South of France in a 13th Century Chateau.  Go to the website and have a look at the glorious surroundings in which we will be staying for 7 divine days and nights.  

Chateau Dumas    www.chateaudumas.net

The Chateau at Dusk

The dates for our trip are 30 May 2015 to 6 June 2015.  Arrive on a Saturday in Toulouse where arranged transport will take you to Chateau Dumas and leave on the following Saturday and be transported back to Toulouse where everyone will continue on their separate journeys.  This will be a week to spoil yourself and indulge in all things French. 

This all inclusive week comprises of:- 

3 meals and wine each day prepared by the Chateau's French Chef, Charlotte.  

Transfers from Toulouse Airport

Luxury Accommodation

Excursions, Tours, Brocante Shopping, Markets, Restaurants, Inspiration ..................

Fun, laughter, excellent company and things you have never done or seen before.

This trip does not include any air fares or insurances or spending money.

Twin Share Cost - $4,999 (per person)
Single - SOLD OUT

Please phone or email Blake & Taylor if you need any further information to help you make up your mind to come with us!

Au Revoir

MONTPEZAT 

This is another village we will discover during our adventure.

Lunch in a Medieval Village

One of our many meals during our French Adventure will be to lunch at Lou Canton, a French Restaurant in the small medieval village of Cestayrols which is south of Cordes.  Bernard Gisquet, the chef/owner, is well regarded for his authentic French cuisine.  

The link for the restaurant's web site is below for you to have a look at.

http://restaurant.loucantoun.fr/

Meet 

Laurent Zimmermann

Laurent is an extremely experienced sommelier from Vins Sur 20 which is in the nearby township of Cassaude.

He will be sharing his knowledge of local wines, champagnes, cheeses and breads with us at Chateau Dumas one evening.

Laurent's easy and very charming French personality will ensure an entertaining evening where we can all sit back and relax some more and try the best of the local produce.

Chateau de Haute-Serre

We shall be visiting this vineyard which is near the town of Cahors.  We have organised a private tour, an education session and then a magnificent meal in the estate's restaurant.

Château de Haute-Serre is an estate belonging to the Vigouroux Family.  The vineyard is situated on the “Mountain of Cahors”, over the Lot River Valley, on the historical slopes where the vines were grown during the Middle Ages. When Georges Vigouroux bought this property in the early 1970's, he was one of the few pioneers who decided to re-plant the vineyards of Cahors which had totally disappeared after the phyloxera disease in the 19th Century.  The new vineyard of 65 Ha surrounds the beautiful 18th Century Château and the modern semi-underground cellar.

Here is a link so you can visit the web site for this amazing winery.

http://www.hauteserre.fr/index.php/en/wines/chateau-de-haute-serre.html                                        

St Antonin Noble Val

St Antonin Noble Val is where we will spend sometime visiting the great markets and exploring this medieval village.  Those of you who have seen the movie Hundred Foot Journey and drooled over the countryside and the market scenes in this film will love this because it was filmed in St Antonin Noble Val.  Another great movie that was filmed in this picture perfect village was Charlotte Gray.

It has its origins in a Benedictine Monastery built in the 8th century. Some of the buildings of the main square and the surrounding streets date from the first half of the 12th century - notably older than most 'medieval villages'.

There are numerous small alleys to explore, lined with attractive houses many of which feature fascinating historical features - a small bridge, a statue, or an ornate window - which make an exploration very rewarding.

Among the most notable medieval houses are the Kings House, the lower part in stone and with ornate windows, and the upper storey half-timbered, the Maison de l'Amour, and the Maison de l'Ave Maria although you will discover many others as you explore.

Four of the buildings in Saint-Antonin are classified Historic Monuments. These are: the town hall; the arcades of the 'Maison d'amour'; the 'Maison Fonsagrives-Muratet' and the Moulin à huile de noix (walnut-oil mill).