Harvest Season - Southwest France
September 15 - 22, 2024 (SOLD OUT)
$7800 Per Person (Based on Double Occupancy)
In September we take The Olive Road from Montpellier to Toulouse, with lots of beautiful and delicious stops along the way. It will be harvest season, a time of year steeped in tradition throughout the region. Fall will have just begun and those rich flavors will be woven into every step we take along this Olive Road.
Our journey arcs from the Mediterranean seaside, to the heart of wine country, through Carcassonne, an immaculately preserved medieval citadel, to Southern France’s culinary capital, Toulouse. Along the way we’ll harvest oysters, walk the streets of an entire village filled with vendors on market day, relax at a wine country chateau, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime local meal at a winery, and visit the world’s best wine bar. And that’s just a sampling. Allons-y!
Day 1: Sète
Our journey begins in Sète, the “Singular Island” nestled between the Étang de Thau (famous for oyster cultivation) and the Mediterranean sea, Known as the “Venice of Languedoc,” Sète is an enchanting city of canals, awash with the effortless beauty of the famed Mediterranean coast. The colorful boats, the sandy beaches & palm trees.
In your free time you can enjoy the city’s charming shops and streets, relax at one of Sète’s many pristine beaches, or rejuvenate at the natural thermal spas of neighboring Balaruc-les-Bains. We will all come together for a light welcome dinner at one of Sète’s iconic wine bars.
Day 2: Sète
Our second day is all about savoring the flavors that define Sète. For those who desire to jump right in, we’ll hike at sunrise to the top of Mt. Saint Clair for a breathtaking view of the coastline and the Étang de Thau.
The morning and early afternoon are yours to rest and explore, with the option of joining us in full immersion in the food culture of Sète’s first-class covered market, Les Halles de Sète.
Later, we’ll explore the Étang from Bouzigues. The Étang de Thau, technically France’s second largest lake, is a lagoon with an incredibly high salt and mineral content, making it a particularly rich area for oyster cultivation. We will journey together to the Étang’s “oyster village,” Bouzigues, to meet with a 3rd generation family producer and get an in-depth look at oyster cultivation on the water. After our boat trip, we will enjoy a seaside feast of freshly caught shellfish.
Day 3: Côtes de Thongue
Saying goodbye to the coast, we’ll travel towards the heart of Languedoc’s wine production, stopping first to learn about Picpoul de Pinet wine at La Croix Gratiot. Leaving the winery, we’ll enjoy a monastery-to-table lunch at the stunning Valmagne Abbey, which dates back to the 10th century and is home to some of the oldest vineyards in France.
The heart of our journey (3 nights) will take place in the Languedoc countryside at Chateau St. Pierre de Serjac, an immaculately restored chateau nestled within an historic wine estate. There, you will have the opportunity to relax and immerse yourself in the beautiful vineyard lands of the Languedoc. In between our excursions, enjoy leisure time at the pool, biking through the vineyard trails, or enjoying the full-service spa. You may never want to leave. You will have the rest of the day to relax at the chateau or explore local medieval villages at your pleasure.
Day 4: Clermont-Herault - Roquefort
Every Wednesday morning the streets of Clermont-Herault’s historic center close to car traffic as artisans and vendors of every variety set up shop. We will stroll the streets, taking in the Languedoc’s market culture as we shop for provisions for our evening’s feast. And afterwards…
Cheese-lovers beware: you may die of joy as we journey up into the mountains to the tiny village of Roquefort-Sur-Soulzon, the home of the “King of Cheese,” Roquefort. There, we will descend into the limestone caves where Roquefort is made, and its precious penicillium is naturally found. Strolling along the village’s singular thoroughfare, it will be hard to believe that this town and its 7 producers account for the entirety of the world’s Roquefort production.
Back at the Chateau, we will join Kevin in the kitchen to prepare our feast and vote on which of the 7 producers is the “King” of Roquefort.
Day 5: Faugères
Françoise Ollier is the embodiment of “joie de vivre.” She’s also an incredibly badass farmer and winemaker at the helm of Domaine Ollier-Tailler and President of the female wine-grower association, Vinifilles. We will spend the day with her, visiting first her vineyards to learn about the land and traditions of Faugères. And then we will end the day at her winery for an exclusive wild boar roast accompanied by traditional foods prepared by a renowned local chef and, of course, her spectacular wine.
Day 6: Carcassonne - Toulouse
En route to Toulouse, we will take some time to marvel and learn about one of France’s richest treasures: the Cité of Carcassonne. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates as far back as the 5th century BCE. It is the largest medieval fortress in France, and has been perfectly restored. There we will walk the inner wall with a private guide, learning the city’s complicated and violent history. Afterwards, you can let your inner D’Artagnan be your guide as you explore the castle, alleyways, and cafes of the historic inner city. With its double-walled border, 53 towers, and imposing hill-top positioning, Carcassonne is not easy to forget.
We then journey onwards to Toulouse, our final destination. The city’s stunning gardens, museums, and pristine riverside promenade will invite you into the seductive charm of “The Pink City.”
After enjoying some time to rest and settle into your hotel, we will venture into the magic of the city’s evening streets for an unforgettable fine dining experience - une expérience gastronomique - in the culinary heart of Southern France.
Day 7: Toulouse
From its rose-tinted architecture, to the unbelievably impressive restaurant scene, to its charming streets, to its art and churches, to its abundance of pastries, delicacies, and market finds, Toulouse holds something special for everyone. And today, we will take it head-on, starting with a leisurely bike tour of the historic center. After some time to relax or shop, we’ll wrap up our time together with a bang: tapas and drinks at the wine bar voted best in the world three years in a row.
Day 8: Departures
Hotel checkouts and departure from Toulouse. Transfers are available to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and Toulouse’s SNCF Train station (direct high-speed train service to Paris).