Cuisine and Culture

cours culinaires & culturels:
a september to remember, an october full of splendor, a november to treasure!

Your Unique Vacation in the Heart of Brittany

This is the perfect vacation for anyone who loves exploring markets and cooking with the freshest ingredients. It’s also the perfect opportunity to discover the beauty and treasures of the Breton countryside.

You are welcome to visit in the summer or fall for your Breton holiday and culinary experience. Chef Christian Caille, former Twin Cities restaurateur and owner of Quail Catering and Senior Instructor at the Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Minneapolis, will tailor your experience to your wishes. And as former students will tell you, every meal prepared is accompanied by stories of the origins of the dish and more!

You will be delighted with the featured

Moules et Mer

excursion and demonstration! Chef Caille prepares a picnic and according to the tides, you journey to the seaside to collect your own mussels and oysters and spend the afternoon "by the sea, by the sea" ... Back at La Prévenchère, you assist Chef Caille in the preparation of "Moules Marinières" and enjoy a bubbly apéritif -- complete with the sabering of the champagne -- and a five-course meal that ends with a demonstration and "dégustation" of Crêpes Suzette.

Or create your own package! Chef Caille also tailors culinary demonstrations and instruction especially for you. Some favorite meals include: Gratinée (French Onion Soup), Artichauts Vinaigrette, Galettes (savory crêpes), Boeuf Bourgignon, Coq au Vin, Cailles aux Raisins, Tarte Tatin... There are nearly endless possibilites depending upon your interests.

Spend some time at La Prévenchère this July, August, September, or October. And why not November for a "French" Thanksgiving?

Our suggestions for the "Autumn Leaves 2012" packages are described below. Similar courses and packages are also available from June to August.

A September to Remember

An October Full of Splendor: Pommes et Cidre, Châtaignes et Champignons – Les Produits de l'Automne!

A November to Treasure: "The moon of the falling leaves" with Beaujolais Nouveau and fresh turkey from Saint-Caradec, "Gibier" in honor of Saint Hubert, the Hunter (whose feast day is November 3), and More Châtaignes--roasting on an open fire!

Day 1: Wednesday

  • Arrival at CDG or travel from la Gare Montparnasse in Paris
  • Take the train to Rennes directly from CDG airport. You can rent your own car for your stay in Rennes.
  • If you have arrived earlier in Paris, then take a train from la Gare Montparnasse to Saint-Brieuc where you can also rent a car.
  • Journey to La Prévenchère through the Breton countryside and the lovely village of Le Quillio
  • Reception at La Prévenchère
  • Dinner of “Omelette Napoléon”

Day 2: Thursday

  • Visits to nearby villages and towns such as Le Quillio, Saint Thélo and Moncontour and/or the market in Dinan with lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Les Trois Lunes.
  • Possibility of culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 3: Friday

  • Trip to the sea near Saint-Brieuc to harvest mussels and oysters with picnic lunch
  • Preparation of Moules Marinières and five-course dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 4: Saturday -- Fall breadmaking only on September 8, 15, and October 20 2012

  • Breadmaking at Guette ès Lièvres during the day
  • Return home with possibility of culinary instruction

Day 5: Sunday

  • Explore the Morbihan or the Finistère and the wild coasts of Brittany with a trip to the menhirs in Carnac, Trinité sur Mer, Vannes…. Or travel north to the Emerald and Rose Granite coasts.
  • Or visit Loudéac, St. Thélo with its Maison des Toiles linen museum and shop, and/or Moncontour, walk or bike along the Nantes-Brest canal or simply relax in Saint – Caradec with a visit to the local church and “La Mise au Tombeau” and to the pond.
  • Dinner at the local crêperie, La Tentation, in Saint – Caradec

Day 6: Monday

  • In the morning, visit the Pontivy market and have lunch in Pontivy
  • Culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 7: Tuesday

Suggestions for day trips include

  • Le Mont Saint Michel
  • Saint Malo
  • La Côte Sauvage
  • Guérande salt marshes, Muscadet vineyards and the coast near La Baule

Day 8: Wednesday

Departure from La Prévenchère. Kenavo!