Day 1 Arrival in Gascony (Wednesday, June 3rd)

Welcome to Gascony, France!

Our culinary adventure begins with your arrival at Toulouse Airport. From there, it’s about a one-hour journey through the scenic countryside to reach the 10 room chateau near the village of Monfort, that will be our charming home for the week.

Nestled among the rolling hills of the Gers countryside, the château is a well-kept secret — a dreamy, half-timbered manor adorned with sage-green shutters, blooming roses, and fragrant lavender. The interiors combine rustic charm with contemporary flair: creamy exposed stone walls, pastel touches, and natural materials like oatmeal linen and crisp white cotton, accented by bold, colorful artwork. Every detail has been lovingly curated to feel both elegant and completely welcoming. We'll settle in around 10:30 a.m., with time to unpack, explore the grounds, or simply exhale and take in the calm, peaceful surroundings. A light lunch will be served at noon to ease us into the rhythms of French country living.

The afternoon is yours to wind down: relax by the pool, stroll the grounds, or perhaps indulge in a well-deserved rest.

This evening, we'll officially kick off our week together with a welcome dinner at the château, lovingly prepared by local chef James Gordon, who specializes in highlighting the rich flavors and ingredients of the Gascon terroir. We will be treated to a talk on the local gastronomy by an expert who will join us for drinks.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Tomorrow, we’ll dive into the heart of Gascony’s culinary traditions, with hands-on experiences and authentic tastes that will set the tone for the delicious days ahead…

Day 3: Lectoure Market, Hidden Treasures, and a Taste of Gers Gastronomy (Friday, June 5th)

After breakfast at the château, we'll set off on a short, scenic drive to the charming hilltop town of Lectoure. Known as a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire, Lectoure’s rich past — from a Gallo-Roman city to a flourishing medieval capital — reveals itself through its stunning architecture, winding streets, and vibrant cultural life. Today, it’s famous for its traditional woad (pastel) blue dye, antique shops, and as a beloved stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

We’ll spend the morning wandering Lectoure’s lively open-air market, a feast for the senses brimming with local produce, antiques, artisan crafts, and flea market treasures. You'll have free time to shop, sip coffee at a local café, or simply soak up the atmosphere.

We will return to the château for a light lunch and free afternoon by the pool.

We’ll reconvene late afternoon and travel to Auch for a short walk in the historical center to see the cathedral with time for a pre-dinner drink. From there we will go to a nearby domaine for a fine dining experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cultural Experiences: Market visit, Historical center of Auch

Day 4: Château d’Arton, Relaxation, and Dinner in a private home (Saturday, June 6th)

After breakfast at the château, we’ll venture out to visit the extraordinary Château d’Arton, a family-owned vineyard set in the heart of Gascony’s rolling hills.

Awarded the prestigious Prix d’Excellence for their Armagnac, the Montal-Montesquiou family — descendants of the legendary musketeer d’Artagnan — have lovingly cultivated this 88-hectare estate since 1991. Today, Château d’Arton holds a leading role in reviving the little-known Haut-Armagnac appellation. The vineyard, newly certified organic and moving toward biodynamic practices, is a testament to Gascony’s deep agricultural traditions and innovative spirit.

During our private visit, the owners will personally guide us through their historic estate explaining their family history (descendants of the famous musketeer, D’Artagnan) and their entrepreneurial adventure. We will learn about the vineyards, the wines and the Armagnacs. Their head chef will treat us to a demonstration of a local Armagnac-based dessert before we sit down for a relaxed lunch in the beautiful château grounds, savoring the estate’s wines and the flavors of the season.

After lunch, we’ll visit a black garlic farm for a production overview and tasting, then return home for a couple of hours.

In the evening, we will head out again for a surprise dinner at a private home.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cultural Experience: Private tour and tasting at Château d’Arton and black garlic tasting

Day 6: Special Visit to a private Chateau, picnic lunch; Choux Puff Workshop (Monday June 8th)

Today, we will enjoy a visit to the 19th century private Chateau de Monbrun, with the owners the Marquis and Marquise de Pins as our guides. They can trace their family history in the village back 900 years. Our tour will end in a picnic that we have brought with us on the grounds of the chateau.

We will return to our home for an afternoon cooking class with Louisa, focusing on Choux puff pastry. We will make a delicious Paris-Brest which we will enjoy at our evening meal, following our previously made Duck Confit.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cooking Experience: 3-6pm Choux pastry workshop
Cultural Experience: Chateau de Monbrun of the Marquis and Marquise de Pins

After a rich day of cooking and discovery, tomorrow we’ll return to the simple pleasures of the local market, gathering fresh ingredients for a relaxed, seasonal feast back at the château.

Day 7: Fleurance Market and a Seasonal Buffet Cooking workshop—Entertaining with Shelley (Tuesday, June 9th)

This morning we’ll make our way to the nearby town of Fleurance to explore its vibrant open-air market, one of the largest in the area.

Held in the heart of the town square, Fleurance’s market is famed for its abundance of local produce, artisanal goods, and regional specialties. We’ll wander the stalls and choose fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and whatever else inspires us — all ingredients that will later become part of our evening get together with some of the people we have met on our trip.  We will have a casual lunch in town at the Cafe du Centre, then return to the chateau.

In the afternoon, Shelley will guide us through cooking preparations for our evening’s gathering, where we are all hosts for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cooking Experience: Preparations for an evening with invited guests

Tomorrow, we'll head to the beautiful city of Toulouse, the capital of the Midi-Pyrenées region for a day of discovery, fine dining, and the perfect grand finale to our adventure.

Day 8: A Day in Toulouse — La Ville Rose (Wednesday, June 10th)

After breakfast we’ll say goodbye to our château and the Gers and drive to the vibrant and historic city of Toulouse - often called La Ville Rose (The Pink City) for the warm, rosy hue of its terracotta brick architecture.

Toulouse offers the best of French charm without the crowds of Paris. Nestled along the banks of the Garonne River and crisscrossed by the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi, the city is a graceful blend of historic grandeur, art, and everyday delights. From the soaring Basilica of Saint-Sernin to its inviting cafés, stylish boutiques, and riverside walks, Toulouse is a place to savor at a relaxed, joyful pace.

We’ll visit the amazing covered market before lunch on your own, (with suggestions) above the market or in the surrounding streets. After lunch we will check in to The Grand Hotel de l’Opera and you have time on your own to explore before an optional early evening guided walking tour, showcasing the highlights of Toulouse’s rich past and lively present. 

In the evening, we’ll celebrate the final night of our journey with an elegant farewell dinner at one of Toulouse’s top restaurants, savoring fine food and raising a glass to the incredible memories we’ve created together.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Cultural Experience: Market visit, Private walking tour, free exploration of Toulouse

Day 9: Departure from Toulouse (Thursday June 11th)

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we’ll bid farewell to Toulouse and make our way to the airport by taxi for morning departures. 

As we part ways, we’ll carry with us the rich memories of shared meals, scenic villages, warm conversations, and the authentic spirit of this beautiful region — until our next adventure together!