Past Events – 2006
Trip to Toulouse and Aveyron
26-29 September
"I think it's the best food and wine trip I've ever been on..."
Our first evening was spent in the old medieval town of Gaillac, bridging the River Tarn. We ventured out into the vineyards to enjoy the cooking of Michelin-starred Pascal Augur at the Chateau des Salettes.
Bright sunshine greeted us as we made our way the next morning to the best winery in Gaillac - Jean-Marc Balaran's Domaine d'Escausses - for a discussion on the terroir and grape varietals, followed by a degustation of all his wines.
Then on to the fortified bastide of Sauveterre de Rouerque, a medieval village classed as one of the prettiest in France. Here we enjoyed a superb and leisurely lunch at Michel Truchon's Michelin-starred Auberge du Senechal.
A short journey to Belcastel on the Aveyron River, where this medieval village dominated by a castle nestles at the bottom of a secluded valley, described as a precious stone set in one of France¹s most romantic landscapes. Here we stayed overnight at another Michelin-starred establishment, the famous Le Vieux Pont, run by Nicole and Michele Fagegaltier. Another very memorable dinner and, by now, tightening waistlines!
Next morning saw us at the largest, but still the prettiest, of Marcillac's wineries Philippe Teulier's, Domaine de Cros. Early for a degustation, but faculties are supposed to be at their most critical at this time of day! The journey then took us to the Abbey of Conques, one of the stopping points on the Route de St Jacques for pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostella.
A lazy afternoon's drive along the Lot river and Villefranche took us finally back into the Aveyron gorges and to Najac, a village perched high above the Gorges and dominated by a thirteenth century castle. The hospitality of Corinne at l'Oustal de Barry, a wonderful old timbered building with great views across the valley of the Aveyron, was matched by another great dinner.
The last day found us visiting Cordes sur Ciel literally an amazing village in the sky. After a leisurely walk around the town we returned to Gaillac. Here lunch in a typical market-side cafe with the stallholders was our final taste of the Aveyron before returning to Toulouse and our flight home.
Great company, superb scenery and outstanding food a winning combination!
For more information about this or upcoming Bailliage de Wessex events, please contact us.
|
