Cuisine and Culture

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

Your Unique Vacation in the Heart of Brittany

This is the perfect vacation package 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.

Spend some time at La Prévenchère this September, October or November for a "French" Thanksgiving -- or begin to plan your trip for April Adventures or Marvelous, Marvel-Us May 2009.

The "September to Remember" and "October Full of Splendor" packages are described below.

A September to Remember

Day 1: Wednesday, September 17

  • Arrival at CDG or travel from la Gare Montparnasse in Paris
  • Take the train to Rennes directly from CDG airport. We can pick you up in Rennes or you can rent your own car for your stay.
  • If you have arrived earlier in Paris, then take a train from la Gare Montparnasse to Saint-Brieuc where we can meet you or you can 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, September 18

  • Visit to La Ferme du Ruisseau (organic dairy and poultry products) and Le Chaucix goat farm
  • Visit to Dinan market and lunch in Dinan
  • Culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 3: Friday, September 19

  • Trip to the sea to harvest mussels and oysters
  • Visits to Cap Fréhel, Paimpol, and the Abbaye de Beauport
  • Preparation of Moules Marinières and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 4: Saturday, September 20

  • Breadmaking at Guette ès Lièvres during the day
  • Foulerie de Pièces and traditional Breton music and dancing in the evening

Day 5: Sunday, September 21 – Free day

  • 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, September 22

  • In the morning, visit the Pontivy market and have lunch in Pontivy
  • In the afternoon, visit artists’ studios at LaRécré, L’Atelier Graal and La Table Ronde. For a preview visit http://www.atelierlarecre.com.
  • Culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 7: Tuesday, September 23 – Free day

Suggestions for day trips include

  • Le Mont Saint Michel
  • Saint Malo
  • La Côte Sauvage

Day 8: Wednesday, September 24

Departure from La Prévenchère with the option of taking a three-day “Insider’s Tour” of Paris with Christiana Adams-Caille, who lived in Paris for nearly ten years and returns to her beloved "soul home" regularly. And Christian will make arrangements for a visit to the kitchens of Chez Maxim's and much, much more!

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

Day 1: Wednesday, October 22

  • 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, October 23

  • Visit to La Ferme du Ruisseau (organic dairy and poultry products) and Le Chaucix goat farm
  • Visit to Dinan market and lunch in Dinan
  • Culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 3: Friday, October 24

  • Trip to the sea to harvest mussels and oysters
  • Visits to Cap Fréhel, Paimpol, and the Abbaye de Beauport
  • Preparation of a plateau de fruits de mer, Moules Marinières and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 4: Saturday, October 25

  • Breadmaking at Guette ès Lièvres during the day
  • Then gather ye chestnuts for roasting and cooking and mushrooms (subject to rain!) and return home for a delightful dinner that will be determined according to market.

Day 5: Sunday, October 26 – Free day

  • 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, October 27

  • In the morning, visit the Pontivy market and have lunch in Pontivy
  • In the afternoon, visit artists’ studios at LaRécré, L’Atelier Graal and La Table Ronde. For a preview visit http://www.atelierlarecre.com.
  • Culinary instruction and dinner at La Prévenchère

Day 7: Tuesday, October 28 – Free day

Suggestions for day trips include

  • Le Mont Saint Michel
  • Saint Malo
  • La Côte Sauvage

Day 8: Wednesday, October 29

Departure from La Prévenchère with the option of taking a three-day “Insider’s Tour” of Paris!