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June 7-14, 14-21 - July
19-26, 28-4 - August
5-12, 13-20, 22-29
- September 3-9, 10-16
Cost: $3200 – 3400 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement $600
*Exclusive of airfare
Includes transfers and ground transportation
7 Night Private Ensuite Lodging
All Transfers
Wine with Lunches & Dinners
Chateau Beynac Tour
Canoeing on the Dordogne
Lunch at Chateau Les Merles
Cahors Wine Tours & Tastings
Cooking Lesson Lunch at Le Bruceliere
Walking Tours of Medieval Villages
Market Day Visits
Dinner at L’Esplanade
Daily Transport as per Itinerary
Entrance Fees, Tastings & Tips
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
A legend pretends that when God distributed his castles, he started by the Loire Valley. Going far away from there, his bag burst over the Dordogne River and the Perigord region dotting the countryside with countless castles. Well over a hundred to be exact many still lived in.
The Dordogne is ancient France and remains a preserved area, removed from the bustle of any big cites. Its fairy tale scenery with ancient fortresses and timeless villages make this a land of happily-ever-after for those who now call it home. Food lovers will know the Dordogne as the land of loosen-your-belt buckle. The Dordogne is famous for its foie gras, duck, cheese, wine, wild mushrooms, game and nuts. It is also a region steeped in history and rich in traditions that are celebrated year round in the tiny streets of this unique corner of fairytale France.
Food lovers will know that the Dordogne is one of the most celebrated gastronomic regions in France. Much has been written about great food and wine in France and specifically from the Dordogne. Walnuts appeared in the Cro Magnon man’s diet and were traded like gold until the thirteenth century. From gateau aux noix, vin de noix, to the toasty walnut oil drizzled on salads, the walnut remains a key ingredient to many superb dishes. Along with the old-world traditions, inventive new cuisine is arriving with more emphasis on seafood from the coast and the river's fresh water fish. The celebrated duck and truffle still reign supreme, however many contemporary twists have arrived. Our menus highlight both.
Transport from Bordeaux Merignac Airport to Biron.
Set on a hill at
the foot of the majestic
Chateau de Biron
Le Prieuré offers you a truly memorable stay. Built by the owner of the Chateau between 1499-1512 to house six priests, it was believed this grand gesture would ensure his place in Heaven. Who knows if it worked, but we can assure you this corner of Dordogne is heaven on earth. The warm hospitality of Le Prieuré owner
Sally Ann Evans is
another reason we
love Dordogne. Her
appreciation of wine
and excellent foods
means she always
has a recent discovery
to share with us
The Prieurie is meticulously restored to its ancient glory and the estate features wrought iron gates, original stone walls, a spiral staircase and wood fireplaces. Period antiques, tapestries and works of art complete the medieval ambiance, while deluxe linens, goose feather comforters and pillows ensure guests the ultimate in modern comforts. The ensuite rooms also afford spectacular views of the countryside, with its sweeping vineyards, farmlands and forests.
Enjoy aperitifs and meet your fellow travelers before a 3-course dinner with the local wines of the region will be hosted by Sally Ann and her Chef in Prieure dining room.
What better way to
start this culinary
extravaganza than
to taste the best
Dordogne’s regional products and bounties that thrive in the Dordogne. After breakfast, we head to the market at Issigeac. We’ll depart the Prieuré early to make sure we get to meet and greet, taste and touch. We’ll
be looking for chanterelles,
foie gras, truffles,
vegetables, fruits,
rare cheeses, farm-cured
meats and artisan
treasures of all
types.
Lunch we’ll prepare
together back at
Le Prieure with all
the delicious finds
from the market.
Afterwards we step
back in time and
wander the magnificent
Chateau de Biron
.This awe-inspiring
Chateau has been
beautifully restored,
with its mysterious
dungeons, huge kitchens
(you can almost smell
the cooking), the
opulent bedrooms,
towers banqueting
hall and secret pass
ways.
Dinner Bistro2
The evening is a
real treat. We will
head to nearby Monpazier,
the queen of all
bastides. Here, you
are free to roam
the streets and shop
for a bit before
we join Mirije and
Arjan Cappelle at
their beautiful hotel
and restaurant for
a welcome aperitif.
Mirije is the chef
here and at their
newly opened Bistro
2 Restaurant in the
shadow of Monpazier’s
medieval gate and
our destination for
dinner this evening
The wines of St. Emilion have long been sought after, yet neighboring Bergerac produces the excellent Pecharmant also worthy of royalty. A good place to start your knowledge of the full bodied wines is Chateau de Tiregand who spares nothing in the pursuit of excellence.
In the small town
of Creysse, among
rolling vineyards,
along a dusty path,
you will meet Francois
de Saint-Exupéry. A prince of a host, Francois will delight you in perfect English with the history of the vineyards, the art of wine tasting and a trip up his family tree...the Saint-Exupéry family... that has been making wines at Château
de Tiregand for well
over 300 years.
Next is lunch, an eight course tasting menu under a canopy of umbrellas at the exquisite Chateau les Merles. Each course is presented with panache and innovative style, the best of the New Perigordine cuisine.
On the way back to
Le Prieuré we drive though the walnut groves and tiny hamlets of Molières and St Avit Sénieur
both pretty as a
postcard and off
the beaten path.
After breakfast we’re off to the idyllic village of Beynac perched high above the Dordogne River and to walk in the footsteps of Kings. As one muse is quoted “if fairytales could dream” this
would be it.”
The massive Chateau
Beynac rises from
the peak of the cliff,
looming over the
river as it has for
centuries dating
back to 1115. One
cannot help but imagine
the smells in the
massive kitchen where
swords were neatly
sheathed at the table’s
edge and the gigantic
cauldrons simmered
and bubbled.
Options:
Further down the
river is a splendid spot for our tasty picnic and then a lazy
afternoon canoeing on the river. Viewing the villages, caves
and castles waterside offers unspoiled views while gentle current
of the rivers
The Dordogne is famous for many things, one of which is the bastide villages, or fortified towns. These monuments of medieval strife bear witness to a more tumultuous time in the region’s past. Today, they are charming hamlets full of cafes, market and great memory making moments.
One of the most beautiful is the picture-perfect little jewel of a village Domme. The honey colored stone houses and flower filled windows are fine shops offering, antiques, art, wine, walnut products, jars of confit, pate, and countless other regional goods.
Domme may be best known for the beguiling vista of the Belvedere de la Barre perched high above the staggering cliff. And also home to the Hotel L’ Esplanade. This beloved family restaurant and hotel has been serving exceptional food – and breathtaking views of Dordogne for nearly thirty years.
Our dinner table overlooks the setting sun and views of the Dordogne valley
Not far to the south is the Lot valley with its winding river, limestone gorges and vineyards of Cahors. The black wines are reputedly the darkest in the world and legend says their richness makes them the greatest "undiscovered" French wine. It’s been said that men would pour a bit on their shirts to review the stain and determine if the wine had been watered down.
To learn about the most noble and ancient red wine we meet some of the producers who shed some light on this hidden gem among French wines. Older than Bordeaux with a reputation for darkness and strength it is the only French red wine to harness the power of the Malbec grape.
Lunch is at the lovely home of a friend near Cahors, in the heart of famous wine producing region.
Return to Le Prieure to relax before another dinner in the garden
After breakfast we return to Issigeac and meet a talented chef whose reputation will certainly earn him a Michelin star. Local restaurateur Nicolas De Visch is causing a sensation with is out of the box and alchemizing creations. His terrace is always packed and reservations are a hot commodity. We have the chance to join Nicolas in his kitchen for a demonstration of his magical skills, followed by a delightful lunch and wine.
Our good bye dinner is hosted by Sally, who will invite a local Biron cook to come and share her special regional recipes with you. We will enjoy a nice meal at home while toasting to the new friends and memories we just made.
We hope you enjoyed your magical journey to the Dordogne with Vagabond
Gourmet. Enjoy a complimentary copy of our book Tales
From The Table, Dordogne Stories with pictures and recipes from some of the people you have met on this journey!
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