If you are tired of listening to English in the 51st State of Saint Germain, and no longer wish to stand behind the velvet rope to enter Shakespeare’s Bookstore, come to Trish’s compact and lovely 14th Century Pyrenees chateau for the Laurins Cheese Festival. There you will find a good kilometre of cheese, wine and food tasting stalls, along with the typical goods for sale at rural French markets. Men wear berets without irony and the only English you will hear is from your fellow guests at the Chateau de Gere. Terrence’s good friend Trish is an excellent cook and a knowledgeable guide. She will even show you a Second Empire ghost town of abandoned thermal baths, casinos and hotels. Let Trish and Terrance take you to a relatively unknown part of France that is definitely worth the journey. Dan Cummings, Chicago
Sunday, May 3
- 15h00: Arrival and pick up in Pau
- 16h00: Welcome and settling in
- 19h30: Dinner at the château
Monday, May 4
- 8h30: Local cheese producer visit (optional)
- 11h00: Village tour: Eaux-Bonnes
- 12h30: Lunch at château
- 14h00: Miellerie visit & honey tasting
- 17h30: Wine tasting followed by dinner at château
Tuesday, May 5
- 9h30: Outdoor market visit - Nay
- 12h00: Lunch in Nay - Le Saint Pierre
- 16h00: Beret museum tour
- 19h30: Dinner at château
Wednesday, May 6
- 9h30: Train d’Artouste (half day excursion)
- 15h00: Return to château
- 20h00: Dinner at L’Étable d’Ossau
Thursday, May 7
- 10h00: Boutiques d’Ossau visit (optional)
- 12h00: Lunch at château
- 13h30: Vineyard tour and tasting
- 16h30: Drop off in Pau
Pricing (per person)
- Mezzanine level
- Single occupancy room with 1 bed and shared bathroom - €1290 (2 rooms)
- Upper level
- Double occupancy room with 2 beds and private bathroom - €1175 per person
- Master suite with 1 bed and en-suite bathroom - €2050 for 2 people
- Deposit 400 euros payable to Terrance
- Balance billed by Trish