Looking for great food-centric/other activities in much of southern France this fall
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Looking for great food-centric/other activities in much of southern France this fall
Hello all,
I’m leaving mid September for a three month location scouting trip for a possible move to France and will be in nine different areas for roughly ten days at a time. In this post I am looking for great food oriented and other activity recommendations in the following areas, specifically within 1.5 - 2 hours of the towns/villages indicated. They are listed in chronological order.
Averyon. Estaing
Dordogne. Val de Louyre et Caudeau
Tarn et Garonne. Septfonds
Pays Basque. Sare
Northern Aude. Caunes Minervois
Pyrenees Orientales. Prades
Gard. Donnat
Provence. Apt
Provence. Cotignac
As an ex Paris trained chef and editorial photographer I am greatly interested in all things food oriented. Markets, artisan food producers (bakers, organic gardeners,cheese producers,wineries,chefs,charcuterie producers)
I would appreciate any personal contacts people have for any of these artisans as I will be working on a “potential” personal photo project of these types of individuals. Restaurants on the more casual, regional, rustic, authentic side of the scale. I enjoy exploring villages, hiking a bit, scenic drives, vide greniers, festivals, photographing landscapes and local architecture. I may try to do a bit of canoeing,biking and fly fishing. Not into museums in a big way and will be spending most of my time outside of cities proper.
Looking forward to any potential responses and thanks so much for reading my post.
I’m leaving mid September for a three month location scouting trip for a possible move to France and will be in nine different areas for roughly ten days at a time. In this post I am looking for great food oriented and other activity recommendations in the following areas, specifically within 1.5 - 2 hours of the towns/villages indicated. They are listed in chronological order.
Averyon. Estaing
Dordogne. Val de Louyre et Caudeau
Tarn et Garonne. Septfonds
Pays Basque. Sare
Northern Aude. Caunes Minervois
Pyrenees Orientales. Prades
Gard. Donnat
Provence. Apt
Provence. Cotignac
As an ex Paris trained chef and editorial photographer I am greatly interested in all things food oriented. Markets, artisan food producers (bakers, organic gardeners,cheese producers,wineries,chefs,charcuterie producers)
I would appreciate any personal contacts people have for any of these artisans as I will be working on a “potential” personal photo project of these types of individuals. Restaurants on the more casual, regional, rustic, authentic side of the scale. I enjoy exploring villages, hiking a bit, scenic drives, vide greniers, festivals, photographing landscapes and local architecture. I may try to do a bit of canoeing,biking and fly fishing. Not into museums in a big way and will be spending most of my time outside of cities proper.
Looking forward to any potential responses and thanks so much for reading my post.
Last edited by Moderator1; Aug 16th, 2022 at 07:58 PM. Reason: removed excess white space
#2
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Within an hour’s drive of Apt, Domaine la Camarette just outside Pernes-les-Fontaines, is operated by Nancy Gontier and Hugues Marrec. Does it mean something to you that their wines have in the past been bought by the rather choosy Liquor Control Board of Ontario? Anyway, they are good honest organic wines and the same can be said of their olive oil.
The restaurant has changed its operating hours since COVID times, but it attracted customers from far for its fairly priced table d’hôte making creative use of seasonal local ingredients.
I’ve only dined there twice but it was a special trip each time. Their web site suggests it will be serving individual tables from October, only booked groups till then.
The restaurant has changed its operating hours since COVID times, but it attracted customers from far for its fairly priced table d’hôte making creative use of seasonal local ingredients.
I’ve only dined there twice but it was a special trip each time. Their web site suggests it will be serving individual tables from October, only booked groups till then.
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Here is a list of gastronomic festivals in France....
https://www.france-voyage.com/events...astronomie.htm
https://www.france-voyage.com/events...astronomie.htm
#5
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Here is a list of gastronomic festivals in France....
https://www.france-voyage.com/events...astronomie.htm
https://www.france-voyage.com/events...astronomie.htm
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When we stayed in Sare we drove across to the Aldudes valley and stopped at Pierre Orteiza's shop and farm. He worked to develop the Kintoa pig breed. You can walk around the farm and he also has a shop and small cafe where we had charcuterie plates and crisp Basque cider. Very nice. This is my report on our stay Scroll through to the relevant section.
Country Roads in Autumn. Ten weeks in country France.
Country Roads in Autumn. Ten weeks in country France.
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WVD, I forget how far Estaing is from Figeac, but the latter has a great market, plus a superb deli-greengrocer combo in the main square. And also not sure about the distance to Belcastel, but its famed restaurant is worth any amount of time to get there.
Dunno whether it'd be your cup of tea, but nearby Villefranche de R. has a worthy restaurant d'application.
Good luck.
I am done. the south of France
Dunno whether it'd be your cup of tea, but nearby Villefranche de R. has a worthy restaurant d'application.
Good luck.
I am done. the south of France
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When we stayed in Sare we drove across to the Aldudes valley and stopped at Pierre Orteiza's shop and farm. He worked to develop the Kintoa pig breed. You can walk around the farm and he also has a shop and small cafe where we had charcuterie plates and crisp Basque cider. Very nice. This is my report on our stay Scroll through to the relevant section.
Country Roads in Autumn. Ten weeks in country France.
Country Roads in Autumn. Ten weeks in country France.
#9
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WVD, I forget how far Estaing is from Figeac, but the latter has a great market, plus a superb deli-greengrocer combo in the main square. And also not sure about the distance to Belcastel, but its famed restaurant is worth any amount of time to get there.
Dunno whether it'd be your cup of tea, but nearby Villefranche de R. has a worthy restaurant d'application.
Good luck.
I am done. the south of France
Dunno whether it'd be your cup of tea, but nearby Villefranche de R. has a worthy restaurant d'application.
Good luck.
I am done. the south of France
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It sounds as though you are fairly organised already. You have some not so well known places in your plans. You may be interested to read this blog which has a couple of posts about Septfonds. She lives in Caylus and also posts interesting little vignettes about places in the area.
https://vanessafrance.wordpress.com/...-in-septfonds/
https://vanessafrance.wordpress.com/...-in-septfonds/
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Yo Rhon,
Caylus market days are TU and FRI. Some favor the nearby Caussade market instead.
Yo yo WVD (I responded to your PM) btw): Villefranche various & sundry below.
The St. Joseph lycee at the top of town offers a Restaurant d'application experience. Check for days/hours. Tends to be on their exam days apparently.
The fromage store 'Chez Ludo' is worth every effort. Comte, Cantal, and much more.
The popular restaurant 'Cote de Saveurs' has a new location in Pl. Fontagne.
Charcuteirie Lavergne, Boucherie Nicolas Trinquier & Boulangerie Mirault are popular with locals. We preferred the former.
The Thursday market in pl. Notre Dame is a good one. Vendors come from Falgayroles, St Antonin, Lioujas and elsewhere. Maybe look for 'Les Grecs', the couple Jean-Marc et Sophi Velati, for their stand.
*in Albi, je propose Le Clos Sainte-Cecile restaurant.
Good Luck!
I am done. the south of
Caylus market days are TU and FRI. Some favor the nearby Caussade market instead.
Yo yo WVD (I responded to your PM) btw): Villefranche various & sundry below.
The St. Joseph lycee at the top of town offers a Restaurant d'application experience. Check for days/hours. Tends to be on their exam days apparently.
The fromage store 'Chez Ludo' is worth every effort. Comte, Cantal, and much more.
The popular restaurant 'Cote de Saveurs' has a new location in Pl. Fontagne.
Charcuteirie Lavergne, Boucherie Nicolas Trinquier & Boulangerie Mirault are popular with locals. We preferred the former.
The Thursday market in pl. Notre Dame is a good one. Vendors come from Falgayroles, St Antonin, Lioujas and elsewhere. Maybe look for 'Les Grecs', the couple Jean-Marc et Sophi Velati, for their stand.
*in Albi, je propose Le Clos Sainte-Cecile restaurant.
Good Luck!
I am done. the south of
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