Pleasures of the PERIGORD/ 2024 Departures

Join me for 7 days and 6 nights in the heart of Le Périgord. We will be welcomed by Diane & Eric Anthonissen at their Chateau Ladausse for gastronomic meals, elegantly prepared and presented, elegant accommodations, swimming, and, of course, local wines.

April 8-14

We will assemble at the market in Le Bugue (Saint-Denis in the books) where we will meet many of the characters who supply the victuals that figure so prominently in the Bruno books, by a tasting at Julien de Sauvignac, producer of Cuvée Bruno, followed by lunch Chez Martin-a feast to be experienced to be believed.

Indeed, while the characters in the Bruno novels have access to all the great wines of the world, they often choose to drink their local bottles, like one of Bruno’s favorites, Château de Tiregand in Pécharmant, which also happens to be one of Mr. Walker’s favorites. The proprietor, François-Xavier de Saint-Exupéry (a distant cousin of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry), served several older bottles. I was most struck by the 2005 Pécharmant. These reds are made from the same grapes as Bordeaux, the powerful neighbor on the coast, grown in similarly gravelly soils. It was earthy and lovely, intense and refreshing. At 12 years of age, the youthful fruitiness was just beginning to give way to complex minerality.“We like to hunt, we like mushrooms, we like a glass of wine,” Mr. Saint-Exupéry said, speaking to traditions that have sustained Pécharmant for centuries.Eric Asimov NY TImes

Itinerary

All Meals included, Cost of Train travel not included

 DAY 1 Arrival in Agen Train Station, TGV 8505, depart 11h11 Paris, arrival 14h23 Agen, direct train, 1 stop in Bordeaux. Pick up by Eric, go to Château LADAUSSE via Pujol, one of the “Most Beautiful Village of France”. Visit Toy Museum (if opened). Arrive at Château Ladausse. Dinner.

DAY 2: Market Day in Le Bugue with Martin Walker, including wine tasting at Julien de Savignac and lunch Chez Martin with a special appearance  by Martin's neighbor Raymond, Jacques Chirac's bodyguard.

Day 3: Tour, tasting and lunch at Chateau de Fayolle. American owners Rikki and Frank Campbell have done a superb job of modernising the facility without sacrificing charm, producing excellent good value wines at surprisingly reasonable prices. Although new to the wine industry, having purchased the property in 2019 ,his knowledge and presentation is superb and of course the program will start with a round of  their bubbly. Return via Château Belingard and/or Château de Monbazillac, depending on time available. Dinner at Ladausse.

Next up we will taste a range of reds and whites including a terrific sweet wine that is a knockout with the roquefort that appeared on our generous luncheon platters.

DAY 4: Depart to Monflanquin at 9h30. Visit of the market with Diane Anthonissen. Return to Ladausse, cooking class at 11am followed by Lunch at 1pm. Afternoon, relax on the property. Massages starting at 3:30pm.  Mini wine atelier at 18h for 1 hour. With EA.  Evening dinner at Ladausse 

DAY 5 : Depart at 9h00 to Les Eyzies – Grottes de Lascaux (Lascaux IV). Lunch at a local restaurant followed by the visit of the troglodyte site La Roque Saint Christophe. Return to Ladausse, Dinner.

DAY 6: Depart at 10h30 to Ferme Souleilles  Musée du foie gras, visit with owner,Yves, a one man organization bent on saving the Occitane language and traditions while making a range of duckish products that we will savor after a tour of the onsite museum he and his wife have created. lunch (duck based!) Return to Ladausse via Penne d’Agenais. Evening dinner at Ladausse 

DAY 7: After the Brunch, depart to Agen train station around 11:30.

Morning Terrance, wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the 6 nights Perigord tour, that was the best experience for us,
Eric and Diane’s hospitality beyond and above, they make you feel home away from home in their beautiful comfortable chateauDiane’s cooking that she served every day is out of this world, not only delicious, the textures, quality and quantity are on top on the beautiful presentation
Well! I personally think you undersold the Perigord tour in past, we didn’t think it was that great until we took that tour myself, will definitely share with others the joyful amazing experiences
By the way, forgot to add, our group including Diane and Erick and Skippy , we became like a family very quick, everyone seems to relax have a great time joking, chatting, laughing and etc.
I will sure miss that all and more…..

Minche Myers

A trip to heaven…oops the Périgord. 

Once off the train in Agen, the relaxation begins—the toughest decisions are white or red wine; chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.    Even with those decisions, Eric is there with expert guidance.   Soon the discussion will be about shy vs. expressive wines.Camaraderie becomes the feature event…whether teasing Terrance, swapping tales about adventures or marveling about Diane’s dinners.    Louise and I connected with the rest of the group almost immediately and the laughter flowed freely.

The beauty of the countryside, the food, the conversation blend together to make the trip a little bit of heaven.    The most captivating time is with Martin Walker, author, historian, and storyteller beyond all.   As Martin recreated the places and times of the area,  his stories became history.

Charly Rupp & Louise Walsh, DC

The trip to the Perigord with Terrance was like a dream come true. Eric,the owner of Chateau Ladusse met us at Agen station and we were off. The scenery took my breath away, all shades of green and Lilacs in bloom everywhere. I felt as if my 'Fairy Godmother ' had waved her magic wand and put me into one of the most beautiful rooms. my view of the grounds was spectacular. The wine and food presented by Eric and Diane was beyond Michelin stars. Then came the next highlight -- meeting the celebrated author Martin Walker. We were invited to his home for a grand lunch prepared by his wife. Martin's Bruno,chief of Police series has been most successful. Even the wine he produces carries the Bruno label. Needless to say,the wining and dining with exclusive company was over the top. By all means,this is an adventure not to be missed!Angela Bellante, Petaluma, CA

Our recent trip into the Perigord was fantastic.  To begin with, Chateau Ladausse was a great place to stay: the rooms were everything one could hope for, Diane’s meals were over the top, and Eric was a great guide.  Lunch with Martin Walker after his tour around Le Buge was the hi light—he was a gracious host, and the lunch itself in his dining room was truly memorable, full of lively conversation, with food reflected all the wonderful things one hopes for in the region.  Martin’s wife Julia was equally interesting and charming, and a tremendous cook to boot.  It was a treat to meet her, and Martin’s friend Raymond as well—a real character.  Our tour of Cahors, the lunch at Chateau Mercues, and the walk around Chateau Biron added even more interest to an altogether wonderful experience in Perigoridian history and gastronomy.  Thanks for putting together a sojourn we won’t soon forget.'Gil and Patsy Diekmann, Tiburon, CA

'This was our second trip and it was a delight. Chateau Ladausse is a wonderful place and Diane and Eric make the experience very special. Martin Walker and his wife Julia were also superb hosts. They welcomed us with delicious food, conversation, wine and hospitality! Altogether , a terrific time in Le Périgord.'Berry Stafford & Pat Holt