Gourmet-Experience: France 2004

Provence-Rhône Wine & Culinary Experience
(optional Côte d'Azur extension)

This tour took place in 2004, was fully booked and will be updated upon request.

"Thank you Peter for such a memorable trip in Provence and Rhone Valley. It was an education in superb wine and gastronomic delights. Not only were we able to taste the best wine and finest food of the region but, best of all, also to be able to meet such wine and food luminaries as Philippe Guigal and Paul Bocuse, to name but a few. It was an experience no other tour group could offer. The tours were well organized and we were so well taken care of that it was like traveling with family."
Clara Lau, Provence-Rhone 2004

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Hosted by Peter Blattmann
"Commandeur d'Honneur L'Eschansonnerie des Papes"

Led by Stéphane Soret,
Sommelier, Wine Expert Guide, French Wine Explorers

Provence is a magical place, filled with all the brilliant colors and delicious flavors of the Mediterranean.

Côte d'Azur Extension : it is possible to extend your tour by continuing to experience the wines and food unique to the Côte d'Azur region. Details are included below.

Your Sommelier Guide : Stéphane was formerly Sommelier at 2-star Le Cinq restaurant and the Hotel Meurice restaurant in Paris, as well as at The Pierre Hotel in New York, among others, and spent 9 years in the U.S. as a sommelier and wine merchant. He is a native of Avignon, and his insider knowledge of this region and its wines will enrich your experience of Provence and its gastronomy.

Day 1
Transfer will be arranged for Avignon TGV station, followed by check in to our Avignon hotel, the historic, 4-star luxury Hotel d’Europe. We’ll begin at 6pm at the Hotel, as your sommelier guide offers an Introduction to Wine Tasting, followed by a discussion of the Rhone and Provence wine regions with a tasting of several regional wines. Then on to your welcome dinner of Provençal specialties at highly-rated and innovative Brunel restaurant nearby.

Day 2
Le Marmiton at La Mirande Hotel is Avignon’s best cooking school, with classes taught by the region’s most prominent chefs. You’ll enjoy a hands-on cooking class, with a special tasting of regional honeys, in their 19th century kitchen this morning or this afternoon (1/2 the group at a time) – the other half of the group will have a half day to enjoy the historic city of Avignon – visit the Pope’s Palace, the famous Pont d’Avignon, or shop in Avignon’s many lovely galleries and upscale boutiques. That evening, you’ll return to La Mirande for dinner, featuring the dishes you prepared during your class.

Day 3
Today we’ll explore the beautiful region of the Alpilles and Les Baux de Provence, the medieval village and fortress perched high above one of the best terroir for olive oil and wine production in Provence. We’ll begin with a visit to the elegant, 18th century Chateau d’Estoublon. The Chateau, owned by the Schneider family (owners of Breitling watches), is one of the region’s best producers of wine and olive oil. A member of the Schneider family will show us the estate, do an olive oil and wine tasting for us, and then accompany us for lunch at the Chateau. Then on to Les Baux, where you’ll visit the fortress and have time for shopping in the lovely village shops. Return to Avignon in the late afternoon, and take a few hours to relax or shop before dinner at 1-star La Vieille Fontaine restaurant in our Hotel d’Europe.

Day 4
We’ll leave Avignon this morning and drive to the world-famous appellation of Chateauneuf du Pape. Our tastings begin with visits to two of its top producers (we usually visit Domaine de Pegau, Chateau de la Nerthe, Domaine de Beaucastel, Domaine de Beaurenard or Domaine de la Janasse). Lunch will be at Le Verger des Papes high above the village with a commanding view of the valley, where we’ll have a special cheese lunch featuring a tasting of 10 cheeses with Mr. Auguste Vigier, an award-winning maitre affineur (master in the art of aging cheese). Afterward, we’ll visit the Pont du Gard, the largest Roman aqueduct still in existence and a true feat of engineering genius. Dinner will be on your own with our suggestions for fine dining near your hotel.

Day 5
We travel to the Northern Rhône Valley today, stopping in Tain l’Hermitage at Maison Chapoutier, one of this area’s highest-rated négociants. We’ll begin with croissants and coffee, followed by a visit to the winery and lunch with Michel Chapoutier combined with an extensive tasting of their fine wines. After lunch, we continue north to Côte Rôtie and Condrieu, where we’ll visit the famous négociant Marcel Guigal as well as another highly-rated estate (Domaine François Villard, Domaine George Vernay, or Domaine Jean-Michel Gérin). Arrive 6:30pm in Lyon. Check in to your hotel, the 4-star luxury La Cour des Loges, conveniently located in the Old City of Lyon, near shops and galleries. Tonight, we’ll dine at a bouchon, the typical bistrot-style restaurant of Lyon, starting with an aperitif in their wine cellar. Our choice, the Café des Fédérations, dates from the early 1900’s, and has kept much of its original décor and charm.

Day 6
Lyon is the undisputed gastronomic capital of France, and where better to learn to cook Lyonnais-style than at the famous Paul Bocuse Institute, housed in a lovely 19th-century chateau near Lyon. Your lesson will include a mustard tasting. After lunch at the Institute, an optional guided tour will bring to life the centuries-old silk industry of Lyon and the silk worker's district with its famous hidden passageways (traboules) in the Croix-Rousse. Otherwise, you’re on your own to explore Lyon’s sophisticated boutiques and galleries. Meet at 7:00pm at the hotel, then on to our farewell dinner at one of France’s most renowned restaurants, 3-star Paul Bocuse, accompanied by great wines from Burgundy as a preview for our next tour to France. Chef Bocuse, the most recognized chef in recent French history, will prepare a fabulous dinner designed exclusively for us. To cap off this extraordinary gastronomic experience, Chef Bocuse will greet us and give us a private tour of his kitchen.

Day 7
No trip to France is complete without visiting Paris, the City of Light, so we’ve arranged for you to have a free afternoon and evening in Paris today, after our return from Lyon in your deluxe motor coach and lunch along the way. Your 4-star hotel, the elegant Hotel Bedford, is ideally located in the very heart of the city, close to the major department stores, the famous gourmet emporiums Fauchon and Hédiard, and luxury shopping street on Le Faubourg St. Honoré. It’s also close to many fabulous restaurants, including 3-star Lucas Carton – we’ll give you lots of suggestions for your dining tonight, and we’ll be happy to reserve for you in advance if you like.

Day 8
Your program ends after breakfast today with a transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

Services and conditions are based on information available at this time. Every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as it appears here; however the final itinerary may vary due to wine producer availability and factors beyond our control. Rates quoted are based on current tariffs and exchange rates at the time of printing and are subject to change without advance notice.

Prices do not include : Optional visits, pass port fees, international travel and transfer from Paris to Avignon/Nice, excessive luggage, items of a personal nature and any other items not specifically stated in the itinerary.

Day 1
Arrival in Nice, transfer from Nice airport or TGV station to the legendary 4-star Hotel Negresco, located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Take some time to relax on their private beach or stroll in this most chic area of Nice before our welcome dinner at the fishing port of Villefranche, at La Mère Germaine restaurant, overlooking the port.

Day 2
This morning we go to nearby Mougins to the cooking school of Moulin de Mougins, one of the Riviera’s most famous 2-star restaurants. Chef Chollet, assistant to Chef Verger, will teach a program designed by himself and Chef Verger based on fresh arrivals from the local market. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the Moulin de Mougins. The afternoon holds an excursion to Grasse, where we’ll discover how perfume is made at the International Museum of Perfume, followed by a visit to the Fragonard flagship store. Return to the hotel for dinner at the excellent restaurant Boccaccio nearby, with its unique décor that makes you feel like you’re in the interior of a ship!

Day 3
Morning free in Nice to stroll through the Old City and enjoy sophisticated shopping in its many boutiques, with lunch on your own. Afternoon guided tour of the beautiful, medieval village of Eze, with its exotic gardens. Dinner tonight will be at one of the region’s best restaurants, the hotel’s own 2-star Chantecleer restaurant.

Day 4
Leave Nice for the two and a half hour drive to Aix-en-Provence, with lunch near the famous Cours Mirabeau at La Vieille Auberge. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the historic sights of Aix, then on to Avignon to begin your Provence on Your Plate tour.

Not included: Optional visits, pass port fees, international travel and transfer from Paris to Avignon/Nice, excessive luggage, items of a personal nature and any other items not specifically stated in the itinerary.

Hotel d’Europe, Avignon
Voted one of the 50 best hotels in Europe by Travel & Leisure Magazine in 2002, the 4-star luxury Hotel d’Europe is centrally located in the historic heart of Avignon. The hotel is the epitome of old-world charm, with spacious, air conditioned, antiques-appointed rooms, a sophisticated bar, and seating in their lovely inner courtyard or their elegant dining room for breakfast and dinner. The rooms have tile or marble bathrooms with deluxe toiletries and thick towels.

Fodor’s : “This splendid 16th-century home, built by the Marquis of Graveson, and once host to celebrated guests like Napoléon, Picasso and Emperor Maximilian, is regally discreet and classic and has a seasoned staff. The four-story, vine-covered structure sits in a walled court, shaded by trees; inside, the beauty continues with Aubusson tapestries, porcelains, and Provençal antiques on show. Guest rooms are mostly emperor size, with two suites overlooking the Papal Palace. The restaurant, La Vieille Fontaine, is one of Avignon's finest.”

La Cour des Loges, Lyon
Travel & Leisure Magazine has said of La Cour des Loges “The city of Lyon finally has a hotel to rival its gastronomic greatness.” This 4-star luxury hotel is a sumptuous combination of the rich charm of the Renaissance and modern elegance. It is conveniently located in the historic Old City of Lyon, near galleries and boutiques.

Condé Nast Traveler : “The old-quarter charm of the surrounding neighbourhood pales as you step into the grandiose, Italian-Renaissance-style courtyard of La Cour des Loges, newly revamped by design-savy hoteliers Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet. The hotel is a labyrinth of four buildings dating from the 14th to the 17th century, connected by winding stone stairways, multi-level arcades and galleries, and peaceful inner patios. Formerly housing spice merchants, silk-weavers and printers, the 62-room palazzo created now sports an elegant mix of sleek, contemporary furnishings, rich fabrics in mauve, brown and burgundy, Tuscan antiques and Murano-glass chandeliers. With a small indoor pool, a sauna and steam room, terraced gardens, and the region's top concierge, the Cour des Loges is instantly the best hotel in town.”

Architectural Digest : “With Lyon born artist Hervé Thibault , Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet decorated Cour des Loges and gave it back its Renaissance Palais-like touch. Murals were painted with historic vignettes, the rooms were made Venetian red and blue with mostly solid color velvets and antique Lyon silk. The rooms are furnished with antiques : carved Renaissance credenzas, cupboards and tables, headboards crafted out of old mirror frames and scenes painted on the footboards. The luxury bath fixtures are designed by Philipp Starck. The hotel has spiral stone staircases, tall beam ceilings and fine carved stone work. Each suite, duplex and apartment of different configurations and sizes has its own style. It has a rooftop garden terrace, a Roman-style pool and a vaulted wine cellar.”

Hotel Bedford, Paris
Ideally located in the heart of Paris’ chic 8th district, the Bedford is a haven of calm and elegance. Rooms are particularly spacious, and some have balconies with views of the Eiffel Tower. All have beautiful marble bathrooms and all the amenities one expects of a 4-star hotel. The breakfast room is a registered historic monument, with its splendid Belle Epoque décor. The hotel has a restaurant serving light, well-prepared fare, and a sophisticated bar.

Travel & Leisure : “The Hotel Bedford is ideal for anyone who appreciates a uniformed staff, soundproof rooms, and an elegant restaurant. The formal dining room is still topped by its original 19th-century stained-glass dome. There's also a modern bar with a lounge. Owner Gérard Berrut collects modern art and has turned the hotel into his gallery.”

Hotel Negresco, Nice
Voted one of the Best Hotels in the World 2002 by Travel & Leisure Magazine, the Hotel Negresco is a palace in the true sense of the world. With its lavish décor and magnificent rooms, the Negresco is the epitome of luxury. The hotel has 2 restaurants, a lovely bar, fitness center, a private beach, and all the amenities of a world-class luxury hotel.

Frommer’s : “This Victorian wedding-cake hotel is named after its founder, Henry Négresco. It was built on the seafront, in the French château style, with a mansard roof and domed tower; its interior decorators scoured Europe to gather antiques, tapestries, paintings, and art. Some of the guest rooms are outfitted in homage to the personalities who stayed at the hotel during its long and illustrious history: the Coco Chanel Room, for example. Each was renovated sometime during the mid-to-late 1990s, and in 1998, the bathrooms were upgraded into well-engineered, state-of-the art affairs, usually with pink or white marble, all with shower/tub combinations. The staff wears 18th-century costumes. Reasonably priced meals are served in La Rotonde, but the featured restaurant--one of the Riviera's greatest--is Chantecleer.”