itineraries - picnics in provence
Our itineraries are flexible, nothing is set in stone and you are welcome to join in as many or as few of the planned acitivities as you like.
They are designed to maximise your holiday enjoyment and provide great fun, relaxation, diversity and wonderful memories.
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 Our seriously decadent tours in the bucolic Tarn et Garonne region of France are based at the beautiful private home of renowned interior designer Kathryn Ireland Experience the incredible artisanal fare, wonderful markets, cooking and art classes, museums, cycle routes, hidden vineyards and stunning landscapes. Tarn et Garonne tour dates 2012 Other dates available on application if you would like us to customise a tour for you, minimum of 8 people. Prices are FROM $6495 Australian dollars per week Please see our currency converter for the conversion cost in your own currency. |
Tarn et Garonne Tour Dates, based at Kathryn Ireland's House
Sample Itinerary for our luxurious tour to the South Western region of France, the undiscovered Tarn et Garonne Region
This itinerary is based in one of the most beautiful homes you can imagine. The house has been lovingly restored by international interior designer and author Kathryn Ireland and has been the subject of myriad press articles. She is publishing a book in 2011 based on her 20 "Summers in France" all set in and around this utterly charming house.
DAY 1
Transfers from Toulouse or Montauban from 2pm onwards and arrive at La Castellane early afternoon. Join us on the terrace for drinks and canapés followed by a welcome dinner in the Dutch barn of locally sourced seasonal produce prepared by chef Daniel de la Falaise (Harry’s bar, London, trained)
DAY 2
After a leisurely breakfast served on the terrace, our co-host for the day is delightful Frenchman Laurent Cazotte. We start at a renowned 200 year old Gaillac vineyard and will have private tastings of some superb wines with a 6th generation winemaker.
Lunch will be at Laurent’s restaurant in Gaillac where we’ll sample his excellent Poire William liqueur, one of the best in France. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit Cordes Sur Ciel, widely considered the finest medieval fortified town in all of France and Laurent’s speciality gourmet store in the village. If the fancy takes you we can arrange for a walking tour of this beautiful spot perched on a cliff.
Dinner will be served on the terrace at La Castellane.
DAY 3
We will head out early to meet our chef Daniel de la Falaise for a guided tour of one of the excellent local markets.
We will select some wonderful produce to take back to the house and have a private hands-on cooking class in the kitchen with Daniel. We will then enjoy the fruits of our labours during a long lazy lunch in the garden.
Supper in the evening will be served on the terrace.
DAY 4
We head off to flourishing Montauban on the banks of the Tarn river for the day. The history of this fortified town dates back 900 years. Spend the morning wandering around the beautiful arcades of the Place National, enjoying the famed Ingres museum or indulging in a spot of retail therapy in some of the excellent shops.
We will stop for lunch at a lovely outdoor bistro in the old part of town.
Later in the afternoon we head back to La Castellane to relax, ride bikes, or lounge by the pool. Alternatively come and visit a few of the local hilltop medieval towns with glorious views of the countryside.
Dinner will be at the house in the beautiful Dutch barn, with some invited local guests.
DAY 5
A visit to Albi and its cathedral, formerly the Bishop's Palace and one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in France. This truly imposing building in the centre of town, the largest brick building in the world houses the excellent Toulouse Lautrec museum.
We will have lunch in town in the garden courtyard of a charming local restaurant and head back to La Castellane in the early afternoon for some relaxation time and chilling by the pool.
DAY 6
Enjoy a relaxing morning a the house followed by an optional bike ride. In the late afternoon we’ll head to the home of chef Daniel de la Falaise where we will have an extensive tour of his excellent kitchen garden followed by a lake side canapé picnic in the early evening light. One of the highlights of the trip.
DAY 7
Get your creative juices flowing with an art and sculpture class by the lovely Madame Claude Palmier. We will head to her beautiful home after breakfast and spend the morning in her private garden studio learning the art of sculpting, most guests end up in fits of giggles at one stage during the morning! Claude and her charming husband Jean will host lunch in their beautiful garden courtyard.
Our farewell dinner, cooked by Daniel will be in the Dutch barn, this outdoor dining room has been voted by Vogue magazine as “one of the 100 most beautiful outdoor rooms in the world”.
DAY 8
A hearty breakfast will be served in the garden, guests are free to relax until transfers back to Toulouse or Montauban beckon.
All hosted meals in this itinerary will be included in the tour price.
Those wishing to stay and relax at the house are welcome to help themselves to light meal provisions from the pantry.
