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Bagatelle, Charroux Auvergne, France
Autumn and Chestnut Tour - 15 to 21 September 2009
You arrive at Vichy station with the 12h00 train from Paris. To be taken on a week-long food and French country life experience in a tiny medieval village in'La France Profonde'... think country markets, brocantes, superb Auvergne cheese, baskets of endive, blood red baby tomatoes, freshly plucked leeks, Charolais beef... and a massive Rosieres pot steaming away in a 15th century kitchen.
Charroux, France: September 2009
The logical thing for me to do after giving cooking classes and food demonstrations at Chateau La Creuzette for 3 years, and after we bought our own 15th century home, ‘Bagatelle’, in the heart of the beautiful medieval village of Charroux, was to move the entire ‘food-department’ to my own kitchen.
So now the huge old Rosieres pot is steaming away in front of the window facing Mme Simone Meanner’s ancient mustard shop in Rue de la Poulaillerie. With the odd Frenchman calling out a friendly ‘bon appettit’ as he passes by. All of this, as well as long walks in the countryside, bicycle rides, a ‘how to make mustard’ dem, picnics under a huge tree at the Belvedere*, shopping at both the food markets and the brocantes* and lovely lunches around the huge hardpear table in Bagatelle’s kitchen, I want to share with food friendly travellers who can find their way to the station in Vichy.
We’ll meet you at Vichy station. Charroux is about 25 minutes away on top of a deceptively ‘little’ hill. The drive to Bagatelle takes you through the middle of rural France... think Charolais cattle and castles, tiny villages and huge rivers and fabulous fresh produce with world famous cheeses. We’ll do our best during your 5 day stay to visit some of these places and certainly to eat most of what is available! ... notably St Pourcain de Sioule on the Sioule river, which is known for sporting the oldest vinyard in France! ... And Ann-Sophie’s totally devine antique shop...
Some serious cooking is normally being done. We try to cook and taste at least 24 recipes allowing for Mme Marie Chantelle Bardet and her friend, Sylvianne to spoil us one evening with a real French Cassoullet served in great style at the formers delightful home. On Sunday we visit an antique market or two, after which we have lunch with Lynn Chaulieu at Aux Jardin Aux Thevenets, a beautiful guest farm close to Vichy. Lynn is an organic cook and delightful hostess.
At Bagatelle we can accommodate 7 guests in a pretty barn with it’s own shower and wc (2), a guest room with bath and wc (2) and a loft with a shower and wc (3). The house and barn is built around a small courtyard and garden, off an ancient cobbled street. We sleep under white linen, use huge white and taupe towels, eat from white or lovely old Gien crockery with antique silver on white tablecloths using embroidered linen napkins. Our goblets are ancient brocante treasures and glamorous Bohemian flutes...
I would love for all of you to arrive in Vichy at the station on Tuesday ... preferbly on the train that leaves Paris from Gare de Lyon at 08h47. We will be waiting for you on Voie 1 in Vichy at 11h53. You will depart from the same station on Monday morning*.
The cost of the 5 days/6 nights in Charroux which includes bed & continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, all liquid refreshments ( the tapwater is bottled for Volvic!), wine, all road transport, cooking classes and demonstrations, is €2000.
I would appreciate a 50% deposit to confirm your booking.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
021 439 6610
083 658 5249
marlenevdw@mweb.co.za
Marlene van der Westhuizen
* Beautiful viewpoint from where one can see the Auvergne volcanos
* Antique markets
* The specific dates to be confirmed asap
Here are some grreat articles on Marlene and her trips to Charroux.
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