top of page
Search

A Place Dear To our Hearts: France




France


Our France Culinary Adventure most certainly holds a special place into our hearts. This is where everything begun. I was yearning to share what I get to experience when visiting Anthony’s family. The authenticity, the immersion, the little “je ne sais quoi”… I had been juggling with the idea to bring people to my in-laws (I seriously considered it, they would gladly host anyone as if they were family, but really I could not seriouly ask such a thing!) But when I stumbled across Chateau de Pitray, my crazy idea started taking shape: A magical location where we can have Anthony’s family hosting WITH us!


I have held back on telling you all about our fall 2023 France Culinary Adventures as we are already sold out for 2024! However, we are already planning for Spring 2025 and even considering adding an other trip in Fall 2024! So keep reading, and if Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 entices you, send us an email. Your response will help us with our planning, and we’ll ensure you are among the first to have the opportunity to sign up!


Truly, there are no words that can fully describe the magnificence of this Culinary Adventure. The connection with Anthony’s family makes it truly unique, immersive, and extraordinary! As thrilled as they were to join us as hosts, I don’t think they fully grasped my vision until they experienced it for themselves. Our Culinary Adventures have become just as thrilling for Anthony’s family as they are for our clients. The word has spread, and every year we welcome more cousins, aunts, and uncles, more winemakers, and more locals who long to join our table! It’s an opportunity for them to connect with a different culture and see their own country, through our awe-filled eyes. And for us, it’s a chance to wholeheartedly immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of French culture.



Chateau de Pitray


First and foremost, let me tell you about Chateau de Pitray. It revives the inner child into anyone to explore all the secret corners of the Chateau! Getting down the grand spiral staircase makes you feel like a real prince/princess. Who has not dreamed to live in a Chateau! Chateau de Pitray is a 14th century castle. It has been in the same family for over 26 generations! It is a real castle with family memorabilia displayed everywhere. Jean, the current owner, is generously sharing his family home and history with us.  Each room has its own charm. The view from the castle tower is especially spectacular not to mention the journey up the narrow staircase leading up the tower!  But the best part is all the different locations to have our long table dinners. The front yard with grand view of the castle, the formal dinning room, the upper balcony overlooking the forest, the vineyard for a harvest picnic, by the pool for a BBQ with view of the castle… Our long table dinners are unequalled and we are privileged to have wonderful local guests joining us!



An Immersion into Wine Country


The Chateau de Pitray is situated just outside the renowned St-Emilion wine appellation in Bordeaux. This area is a true paradise for wine lovers, boasting some of the most exceptional wines in the world. On our France Culinary Adventure, we fully immerse ourselves the captivating world of wines, offering hands-on experiences that go beyond mere tasting.

To begin with, we have the incredible privilege of living on a winery itself! Chateau de Pitray is not only a majestic castle but also a thriving winery. Imagine starting your day with a tranquil morning stroll through the vine rows, taking in the sights, scents, and serenity of the wine estate. We also actively participate in the wine harvest, experiencing the labor and tradition that go into crafting exceptional wines. Additionally, we visit a tonnellerie, where skilled artisans craft the oak barrels that lend a distinct character to the wines.

Indulgence is the key theme on our Culinary Adventure, and what better way to indulge than with a delectable lunch in the picturesque vine rows? Surrounded by nature and the vineyard’s beauty, we savor unforgettable moments filled with flavors and new friendships.

Throughout our journey, we have the privilege of dining with passionate winemakers, engaging in memorable conversations about their craft and the art of wine creation. We also have the opportunity to visit several wineries, each with its own story and terroir, deepening our understanding and appreciation of the Bordeaux wine region.

 I also take great pleasure in conducting a few wine workshops during our aperos.

Our France Culinary Adventure offers an unforgettable wine experience, designed to be both accessible and captivating for wine enthusiasts of all levels.



French Delicaies


In addition to our immersive wine experiences, we also indulge a culinary journey through French gastronomic delights. From foie gras, homemade liquors and aged beef  lovingly prepared by Anthony’s family to local specialities such as an oyster fest in Bay Archachon and a delightful 5 courses truffles meal it is a feast for the senses! Through these gastronomic experiences, we immerse ourselves in the true essence of French cuisine. Each bite is a discovery, revealing the passion and dedication of the artisans and chefs who create these masterpieces. There is no better way to discover the heart and soul of France than through its sublime cuisine.




Our Joy of Hosting




When we had the Market Bistro, it was a true pleasure to host all our clients. Sharing our passion for good food and beverages and hosting others is something dear to Anthony and I. Somehow, it is part of who we are. It is no surprise, that what we cherish most about our Culinary Adventures is having the opportunity to host our clients/new friends. For one entire week we welcome everyone to our family, creating a genuine bond with the local culture. We carefully curate itineraries that unveil the hidden gems of the region providing immersive experiences. But the true magic happens when we invite our guests to our long tables for memorable meals. It’s during these shared moments that connections are forged, stories are shared, and a sense of belonging emerges.


We genuinely would be honoured to host you as well. Let us know if you are interested in joining us for either a possible second Fall 2024 Bordeaux Culinary Adventure or the soon-to-be-available Spring 2025 Bordeaux Culinary Adventure. Be part of our extended family and experience beauty of France, creating memories that will last a lifetime.


And if you can’t join us, stay connected! We will gladly take you along with us on our travels through pictures and stories;)



 
 
 

Opmerkingen


Thanks for Subscribing! You will here from us once a month;)

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • What types of culinary adventures does Epicureans Co. offer?
    Epicureans Co. offers a variety of culinary adventures, including private chef services, cooking classes or demos, gourmet food tours, workshops, farm and winery visits, wine tastings, day cruises, and cultural immersions. Each experience is curated to make your week traveling with us unique and unforgettable, all in the comfort of a luxury villa or quaint castle. We emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients and authentic experiences.
  • How can I book a culinary adventure with Epicureans Co.?
    Booking a culinary adventure with Epicureans Co. is easy! Simply visit our website and navigate to the 'Book Online' section. Choose your desired destination, fill out the booking form, or contact us directly via email at info@epicureans.ca or phone 403-431-0015. We recommend booking early to secure your desired dates as spots can fill up quickly.
  • Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
    Yes! We take dietary restrictions seriously and can accommodate various needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose free and more. Please inform us of any specific requirements when booking.
  • What should I expect during a culinary adventure with Epicureans Co.?
    During a culinary adventure with Epicureans Co., you can expect an engaging and interactive experience. Learn from local chefs, farmers, and artists, discover hidden gems, enjoy long table dinners, meet new friends, and create unforgettable memories.
  • How far in advance should I book my culinary adventure with Epicureans Co.?
    The earlier, the better, as spots can get booked out quickly. We recommend booking your culinary adventure with Epicureans Co. as soon as possible to secure your desired dates.
  • How do I provide feedback after my culinary adventure with Epicureans Co.?
    We value your feedback! After your experience with Epicureans Co., you'll receive a follow-up email with a link to submit your thoughts. Your insights help us improve and provide the best possible service.
  • Who are your Culinary Adventures for?
    Our clients range from 35 - 90 years old but our average participants are pre-retirees to recently retiree professionals.To us, it is not about age but about enjoying a good time in great company. Our fellow travellers tends to be respectful, open minded and fun loving with a keen interest for learning and experiencing new things. Our tours are rather active, we use our private bus to get to our destination, but there is walking involved while visiting towns, vineyards, farms and attractions. While, we can always adapt to personal needs, our tours are better enjoyed by those with good mobility. ​ Most of our clients have travelling experience and are accustom to travel on their own. We provide full support for an entire week but our participants must be comfortable to get to and from our meeting point at each destination. Our tours will not check everything out of one's bucket list but rather offer a unique perspective and meaningful connections to the particular area we are visiting.
  • How big are your groups?
    Our groups are generally around 20 people. Big enough to give the opportunity to meet and discuss with a variety of people during our long table dinners and activities but intimate enough to get to know everyone personally and have your own personal time and space. Occasionally, we split the group in half to accomodate more intimate activities.
  • How long are your Culinary Adventures?
    All our culinary adventures are 8 days and 7 nights. We start around 10 AM on the first day and finish in the late afternoon on the last day. Each day is filled with unique experiences and activities.
  • Where do we meet?
    We will provide a convenient meeting point where our tour bus can pick us up and drop us off. Our meeting point will be in a city (travel hub) where there is an airport/ train station/ harbour. We will enjoy a day visiting our landing city together before our bus will take us to our private villa in a near by town. From the villa, we will enjoy daily excursions. On our last day, the bus will take us back to the near by city and drop us off at our meeting point and/or near the train station. We will provide detailed instructions for each destinations.
  • When will I receive our itinerary?
    Upon request, we can provide you with previous Culinary Adventures itinerary as a reference. We make slight changes to itineraries every year according to our vendors availability, our clients feedback and our exciting new discoveries. Our final itinerary will be sent to you a few weeks prior to departure, once all our reservations are confirmed. We do businesses with several small family run businesses - The personal experiences they provide is absolutely worth the wait for their availability;)
  • What are the Payment Terms?
    We require a $1,000 deposit per person upon signing the contract. The remaining balance is divided into two payments: one due 5 months prior to departure and the final payment due 2 months before departure. All payments are in CAD.
  • What are the cancellations policy?
    When we design our tours, we sign several contracts with our partners, and we must respect their cancellation policies. Therefore, we have our own cancellation policies. Please purchase trip cancellation insurance. 1. If you withdraw from the tour, you will lose your deposit if you withdraw up to 5 months before departure. 2. You will lose your deposit and second payment if you withdraw up to 2 months before departure. 3. You will lose your deposit, second payment, and third payment if you withdraw up to the day of departure. 4. If we cancel the tour before the departure date for any reason except force majeure, we will reimburse all amounts paid. 5. In the event of force majeure, we will issue a credit note allowing you to postpone to a later tour.
bottom of page