Please note: We might adjust this itinerary due to the usual reasons - weather, group direction, or unplanned opportunities!
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Itinerary
1
Thursday 1 August
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Arrival at Château de Saint-Germain-des-Pres.
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Champagne toast to start off the weekend, meet and greet your hosts, Chefs, and fellow gourmands.
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Free time to unpack, unwind, and get ready for your first supper prepared by Sel Hospitalité, a multi-course meal that will introduce you to the flavours and ingredients of the Périgord and give you a taste of what's to come during your gourmet retreat.
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Wrap up the evening with a final digestif and chance to mix and mingle with your hosts and fellow guests.
2
Friday Game Day
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Enjoy freshly baked croissants, chocolatines (the name of pain au chocolat in the Southwest of France), artisanal breads and more.
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Visits to local ingredient purveyors: Ferme Laitière de Bosloubet (cheesemaker & dairy farm), duck farm or walnut grove.
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Picturesque picnic lunch with a chef-packed spread.
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Afternoon butter-making workshop, using the fresh cream from the morning's visit to the dairy farm.
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Butter tasting with traditional French bread and other accoutrements.
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Light dinner followed by a viewing party of the men's quarter final football (soccer) match in Bordeaux on the lawn with large projector screen and chef-made game refreshments.
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Saturday Market Day
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Enjoy traditional French breakfast of fresh pastries from the local boulangerie with a spread of fresh fruits & other traditional breakfast items.
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Visit and stroll through the market at Thiviers, voted the best in the region! See the finest of the terroir, meet local purveyors and pick up a spread of fresh ingredients to prepare lunch and dinner.
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Back at the Château, guests have an option to participate in dedicated atelier hours for lunch and dinner preparations with Megan & Val to learn some classic French techniques based on the day's finds.
4
Sunday at the Château
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​Enjoy a relaxing day at the Château, exploring the grounds, local trails and nearby village.
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Opt to participate in some lawn games, or catch more Olympic matches on the projector screen.
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The Art of Apéro: experience the art of the French pre-dinner apéro and prepare your palate for your last gourmet dinner, with a local wine & cheese pairing led by Megan & Val.
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Enjoy a last supper: a tasting-style menu celebrating the ingredients of the Périgord in each course.
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Salut with a last glass of wine under the stars, chatting ingredients and lessons with your fellow guests and Chefs.
5
Monday 5 August
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Farewell breakfast spread - whether you're heading home or onto Lyon or Marseille for more Olympic action, leave feeling refreshed and satiated after enjoying the delicacies of the region!
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Guests are welcome to check out at a time suitable to their travel plans and transfers - there is no set check out time.
What Else to Expect
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Catch all the Olympic action at your leisure on the projector screen - in the Château's grand entry, underneath the stars etc.
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Feeling like a movie night? The big screen can be for more than just the Olympics - popcorn at the ready!
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Optional lawn (& other) games - play with other guests + hosts at your leisure
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Champagne service, reading on the lawn or terrace, touring the Château, evening glasses of wine chatting with the Chefs about local ingredients and more!
Meet Your Hosts
Meet Valérie and Megan!
Welcome to Sel Hospitalité!
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Let’s face it: French haute cuisine isn’t often associated with fun.
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We started Sel Hospitalité - a boutique hospitality group specializing in one-of-a-kind culinary experiences - because we wanted to bring the two together in a refreshing experience that reflects who we are. So, who are we?
We’re Megan & Val. We’re two Le Cordon Bleu trained chefs hailing from Canada and Haiti, respectively. We met at the prestigious institute in Paris after both of us had left our respective corporate careers in the restaurant industry to pursue our culinary aspirations in France - between us, we hold diplomas in Cuisine, Pastry & Boulangerie. Over glasses of wine during our studies - we were in Paris, after all - we traded stories, realizing we shared the same views on food & hospitality and the joy that comes from sharing our love of food with others though cooking and education. So, we decided to create Sel with the simple mission of bringing people together through the art of cooking and the pleasure of savouring exceptional food.
Indulge, savour and learn with us during your stay through thoughtfully prepared meals, optional ateliers and our open kitchen policy. Bonne dégustation!
Meet Sara & Stephen
We are Sara & Stephen Cole, Canadians who dreamt of moving to France. We're excited to share our dream, our home, the Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
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The tower of the château is from the 16th century, and features a broad spiral stone staircase. Built by a noble family nearly 500 years ago, the 'blazon' or crest of the family still shows on the tower.
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We will be available on-site all weekend to ensure you have a comfortable stay.
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With four hosts to a maximum ten guests, this is a bespoke experience like no other.
Start Your Games & Gourmet Weekend Today!
Personalized Apron
Receive a personalized apron commemorating this experience to use during your ateliers, and take home with you!
Draw for
Olympic Tickets!
We'll randomly select one attendee to receive 2 tickets to the Men's Football QF on Aug 2nd.
See FAQ below.
€1695 pp for 5 days, 4 nights.
Single Supplement €500.00 (total €2195).
What's Included
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Five days & four nights accommodation at our private Château with only fellow foodies!
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All meals on-site at the Château, prepared by the Chefs
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Instruction time with two Chefs from Le Cordon Bleu
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Personalized apron you can take home!
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Ingredients & tools needed for instruction time
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All house wines served with meals (locally sourced, selected by our wine expert)
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All non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc)
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Access to the common areas of the Château and 15ha of grounds
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Transportation from local train stations (Thiviers, Angouleme, Limoges) to and from the Château
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Transportation to and from the local markets
What's Not Included
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Tickets & transport to the Olympic event(s) - we'll provide transport to & from local train stations
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Transportation from your hometown to the pickup point, including airfare, train connections, or car rental
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Baggage, accident, cancellation, nor travel insurance
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Passport and visa expenses
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Personal expenses, such as store purchases, telephone calls
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Meals and beverages not served at the Château
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Other premium locally-sourced wines available for purchase from our cave
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Alcoholic beverages in excess of 18% vol
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Any extra tours or excursions off the property
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and any other items not specifically noted as included
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located & how do I get there?
We are in the town of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Dordogne, Nouvelle Aquitaine postal code 24160 (there are a couple of more places of that name in France!). Here's our guide on how to get to us. We offer pickups & drop offs from Thiviers Gare, 15 min away, which has a direct connection to Bordeaux. The Olympic venues for football matches are marked on the map below.
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I don't have a lot of experience cooking. Is this weekend for me?
​Yes! If you can boil water, break an egg, and love learning new skills, this weekend is for you! Our Chefs will guide you through the meal preparation. Join in and create something delicious!
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Do I need to speak French?
No, your hosts can help you with all local needs. It's always nice to be able to say 'hello' (Bonjour!) and 'thank you' (Merci!) though, isn't it?​
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How can I get those sweet, sweet Men's QF Football tickets?
Indicate on your deposit sign up that you are interested (select the "Enter my name in the draw" option). We will do a drawing from the interested parties on May 31 2024 and inform the recipient by email. The recipient will receive 2 tickets to the Men's Football Quarterfinal in Bordeaux (Aug 2nd, 21h00). Transportation not included.
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Can I come alone?
This is more of a friends and couples experience. Prices and meal planning are based on double occupancy, so you may be assigned a compatible roommate.
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May I arrive earlier or stay later than the given dates?
Much as we love having guests, we aren't open as a B&B, so accommodation is only available on the listed dates. There is lots to explore in our area, if you wish to make your own plans to extend your holiday.
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Can you accommodate my food sensitivity?
France is famous for its fine cuisine, fresh produce markets, delicious pastries and cheeses! Enjoy Chef-prepared suppers all week; the taste of France is part of your immersive experience. Due to hospitality laws, we cannot offer restaurant style selections or service; unfortunately, severely restrictive diets and other food sensitivities can not be accommodated.
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What happens if the minimum number of signups isn't reached for the retreat?
Do not fear! Even if we don't reach the minimum number of signups, the Chateau doors remain open for you. If you're hesitant about reserving, rest assured – you still have a place to stay! We know the Olymic Games will make short notice stays difficult to come by. Should the retreat not move forward, your deposit is safe. Instead of losing it, your deposit will be applied towards the reduced cost of staying with us in our private Chateau, bed and breakfast style. So, come join us for a long weekend of relaxation in the beautiful French countryside!
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What if I get sick and can't come? (Cancellation Policy)
We strongly recommend 'cancel for any reason' travel insurance. We do not offer last-minute refunds for any reason, due to advance planning costs. Check out the terms & conditions for other timing. Travel insurance protects your investment, and helps alleviate disappointment if your plans have to change.
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What will the weather be like?
Day time temperatures in August are around 28C (82F) with night time lows around 20C (68F). You can expect mostly sunny days, with average monthly precipitation less than 5mm (0.2 in). Of course, these are averages, so temperatures could be warmer or cooler, rainier or sunnier during your stay. ​The Château does not have air conditioning, but does stay cool due to thick stone walls. We will provide fans for extra comfort if needed.
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What should I bring?
If you are heading out the Games, you'll need your own transportation. You are welcome to bring your knives (but not required & travel rules permitting!). We'll supply the ingredients & aprons. Bring an open attitude to try new things & new flavours. Pack a good pair of walking shoes if you want to try the local trails.
Still Have Questions?
Drop us a line. We'll do our best to get back to you in 48 hours.