All about cheese

Visit a local Cheese Shop whose owner is an award winning cheese “affineur”. You can add a Market Tour and visit the cheese stands in the local market.  

Did you know that cheese can be seasonal? Some cheeses like Mont d’Or are produced only at given times of the year. Some are aged for months before being sold. What’s the strongest French cheese? Taste the vibrant flavors of French cheeses and make your selection. Once in the studio, you will be challenged with unusual pairings of cheese and wine. A salad will be served.

U$ 80/€50 per participant - for a three hour tour (€70 with Market Tour)

All prices of your stay at Chateau Lafitte, include accommodation, transfers from and to Bordeaux and in the area, train ticket from Bordeaux to Marmande, all meals, wine, and local tours.

U$ 2370/€1500 per person, room with private bath, double occupancy basis. Single room supplement, add U$ 400/€250.
U$ 1900/€1200 per person in bedroom sharing bathroom. Single room supplement, add U$ 300/€200.
Accompanying guests not participating in the classes but sharing meals and activities, get a reduction of U$ 300/€200.

Tentative Tour Schedule

Day one (Wednesday).  We’ll arrange for you to arrive in Bordeaux early in the afternoon. Then you’ll take the local train to Marmande. It will be quite a transition from the high speed train to this charming local train. We’ll be pick up at the railway station, and driven to the Chateau. Once you are settled, Baroness de Ricaud will make you visit the chateau, the 16C towers, the Halle (where produce and wood was stored), the park and pool. After a 25 minute walk in the area to introduce you to the local geography and allow you to stretch your legs, you’ll be able to relax with an aperitif with “gougeres” (cheese flavored puff pastry) and bread with dried tomatoes, and before a diner prepared by the Baroness especially for you is served. Diner may include,
Turin of Mammande tomatoes
Duck in confit
Tatin tart (upside down apple tart).

Day two (Thursday). After a tasty breakfast with our own home-made jams and preserves, the participants will prepare the day’s meal. Marie-Françoise de Ricaud’s cuisine is personal witrh typical South West touches, and the three course menu can icnlude:
Terrine of eggplant with coulis of red bell peppers
Light lamb stew with Marmande tomatoes
Vineyard peaches tart

Before lunch, you’ll have a chance to refresh up in the pool if you wish to. All guests enjoy lunch and are invited to comment on their morning class. After coffee, we’ll visit a local farm and will buy the fruit and vegetable we need for the stay. You’ll have an opportunity to stroll in the farm and have a close-up into a farmer’s life! Then we’ll go to Gontaud de Nogaret, where the property is located, to buy our assortment of meats at the local butcher (sells only medal awarded Limousine beef) and cold cuts over at the famous “charcutier”, winner of the gold medal of blood sausage! Back to Lafitte, a local cheeses platter and wine awaits you after the daily walk.

Day three (Friday). Enjoy again our jams with a choice of local breads and rolls. The participants will prepare the meal. Laura Neulat’s style is Wolrd Cuisine and she will share with you tips and recipes. The menu may include chicken curry or fish in saffron sauce, and a cumin flavored vegetable tart as a starter. Before lunch, you’ll have a chance to refresh up in the pool if you wish to. All guests enjoy lunch and are invited to comment on their morning class. In the afternoon, we’ll take to a cellar for a Bordeaux wine tasting experience with our host. Return to Lafitte where a local cold cuts sample bar or charcoal barbecue, depending on weather conditions, awaits you.

Day four (Saturday). After breakfast, the participants will go to visit Marmande, its narrow streets and historical places, its picturesque farmers market in the old city. You’ll have the rare opportunity to buy Piment d’Espelette, Foie Gras, Confits and many other delicacies. Back at Lafitte, a salad bar will be ready. In the afternoon, we will visit the Plaine aux Fleurs, a plain planted with more than 70 varieties of flowers. Make sure you have your cameras, as the views in the Plaine aux Fleurs are stunning! Back home, we’ll organize a feast of senses together to celebrate an important event – maybe just being together! Diner will be served with local wine in the chateau’s Halle.

Day five (Sunday). After breakfast, we head to famous French writer François Mauriac’s home, on a road that stretches between the Garonne river and the vineyards. On the way, we’ll have a picnic by the Garonne river before driving to Malagar. The house has been the property of the Mauraic family since 1843. Francois was born in Bordeaux in 1885 (he died in 1970), and this country house became his property in 1927. Then back to Bordeaux along the Francois Mauriac road, that goes though famous names such as Cadillac (a sweet wine, beautiful with foie gras), Barsac, and more. At the railway station we’ll say farewell to you all – and recommend a few local purchases such as the famous “canelés”!

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Early birds get 10% off!!

Vegetables tart saffron flavored
Salad and cheese
Apple clafoutis (baked custard tard)

Then go shopping in one of the favorite places of the Parisians, the rue de Passy. Buy beautiful clothes at Joseph's, Et Vous, Gerard Darel, Tara Jarmon, and know all about Frank & fils, the less known but trendy Parisian department store. Buy your favorite products at Sephora, and get personalized advice.
U$ 200/€130 per participant. Tour lasts 4 hours