LaPont French Immersion in Burgundy Program

Language, Culture, Gastronomy

Exclusive small group  (10 guests)

Day 1 - EN ROUTE TO BURGUNDY

• Meet the group in Paris or Lyon, then travel by private transfer to the Château.  (TBC)
• Your host and our French team will welcome you upon arrival and assist you with your luggage
• Welcome Lunch at the Château with your hosts
• Orientation and guided tour of the Château-Domaine and facilities
• Introduction to the LaPont French Immersion Program
• Welcome soirée around a fondue Savagnarde,  prepared by our expert chef from Haute-Savoie.

Day 2 - LA ROUTE DES CHATEAUX EN BOURGOGNE/WINE DINNER/CORMATIN

• Breakfast at the Château is served daily in a convivial rustic dining-area.
• Today is set aside to explore the Burgundy countryside by private transfer
• Enjoy a private visit of the Château de Cormatin, a treasure trove of art and history
• Free time and artisans shopping in a picturesque remote village, near Chardonnay
• Sunday Lunch with the locals is hosted at a traditional Gourmet Restaurant, near Tournus
• Dinner “Chez le Vigneron” Wine Dinner hosted at our friend’s Vineyard Estate in Chardonnay, you will have the chance to taste Burgundy wines, paired with regional cuisine.

Day 3 - LOUHANS / ARTISANS SHOPPING/ FRENCH LANGUAGE/ORIENTATION

• We start the day with a visit to the famous 13th Century market Marche de Louhans which is traditionally held every Monday under the longest Roman arcades in France.
• You can taste some regional gastronomy, join the group for a private tour of a historical Museum,  its ancient apothecary and exquisite porcelain
• Déjeuner at the Château
• Orientation Day – Start your French Language Course
  Meet your teachers
• Enjoy a traditional Burgundy Buffet taste regional dishes like Escargots a La Bourguignonne…and delicacies prepared by our in-house chef paired with hand-picked wine

Day 4 - CULINARY ATELIER AT THE CHATEAU

• French Language Sessions
• Déjeuner at the Château
• Cooking Class – learn to cook regional delicacies  Boeuf Bourguignon.. .tarte aux pralines roses… (red sugared almond tart) and more…with our in-house chef
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner at the Château with tasty dishes and pâtisserie prepared by the participants;
• A social gathering with French Speakers at a local Auberge

Day 5 - FRANCHE COMTE/ BEAUME LES MESSIEURS/ CHATEAU CHALON

• French Language session
• Today we will explore the exceptional environment of la Vallee Beaume-les-Messieurs surrounded by the Jura Mountains in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
• Discover the impressive cascade and ancient grottes des Moidons…la Reculée de Beaume
• Enjoy a Picnic at Château-Chalon with wine tasting
• Walk through the cobblestones streets of the quaint village of Château-Chalon, perched on a cliff overlooking the famous Jura vineyards and rocky Mountains.
• This picturesque village is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, (plus beaux villages de France) where most residents are local winemakers
• Dinner at the Château
• French cinéma, music and entertainment

Day 6 - COMTE FROMAGE-BALADE BRESSANE-VINS DU JURA

• Morning French Language Sessions
• Déjeuner at the Château
• Join your hosts for a guided walk through the peaceful mountains of the Revermont…discover the intriguing Roman history and hidden paths of this beautiful sight.
• Learn about the traditions behind Bresse-Comté cheese, which has been crafted for more than 10 centuries in the villages on the Jura Massif and have the chance to take part in a cheese and wine-pairing workshop with local experts.
• Taste fine cool climate wines: Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille, Poulsard and Savagnin… sparkling Crémant du Jura made from slightly unripe Chardonnay grapes and “Vin de liqueur” known as Macvin du Jura.
• Dress up for the evening!  You will be driven to a very chic Michelin Starred Restaurant
• Experience a memorable Dégustation Dinner with local gastronomy paired with regional wines.

Day 7 - CULTURE/ HISTORY/ ART/ ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

• French Language Sessions
• Déjeuner at the Château
• Today’s cultural activities include a private guided tour of the Royal Monastery of Brou: the magnifique “Burgundian Taj Mahal and unique flamboyant Gothic masterpiece, was build by Margaret of Austria, in the 16th Century.
• Free time is set-aside to walk through the charming and artistic town of Bourg-en-Bresse…meet a famous local chocolatier or simply absorb the unique culture of La France Profonde..
• Dinner this evening is at the Château
  Enjoy a typical Bresse Dinner and local specialties such as: La Poularde de Bresse (AOC since 1957)

Day 8 - FREE-DAY IN SAINT-AMOUR

• Today you have a number of options
• After breakfast, you can take part in a fun cooking and baking Atelier 2
• It’s time to immerse yourself with the local community and practise your French.
• You can choose to relax at the Château Domaine or enjoy an easy bike ride to the nearby remote villages, it will give you a real understanding of the French Way of life…
• Visit the Saturday rural market in Saint-Amour…play Pétanque with the locals
• plan a walk to the cascade with a picnic hamper prepared in our kitchen
• This evening’s farewell buffet dinner will be served outdoors in the Château lavish Gardens and all our friends are invited!

Day 9 - DEPARTURE FROM THE CHATEAU/ EN ROUTE TO VIEUX LYON

• Today we are heading to Lyon by private transfer.
• The time has come to say au revoir to the Equipe…It is always a sad moment for our guests to leave the warm French hospitality and the new friends they have made during this intensive French Immersion adventure
• A complimentary night  at a Boutique Hotel in the heart of Lyon has been added to the Itinerary; to allow guests to experience a private visit of  Vieux Lyon (with no harried schedule)
• Free time is set aside to explore Vieux Lyon at your own pace
• There are many activities you can do in Lyon visit Notre-Dame de Fourvière in the Croix-Rousse district, explore the Roman ruins on Fourvière Hill; join a Beaujelais wine-tasting or a promenade through the Lyon International Rose Gardens.
• You will be met at your Hotel in Lyon by an expert local guide who will reveal some intriguing stories about the beautiful Gallic capital..and show you the best of the City’s patrimony, aboard an electric car.
• Discover “Le Mur des Canuts” and some of the most amazing trompe l’oeil (optical illusion) wall paintings in the world.
• The tour ends at our Friend’s silk Atelier, one of the oldest “Soierie” in Vieux Lyon… who will explain the rich history of the 19th Century hidden silk passages during a walk through the famous traboules…
• Dinner tonight is at a legendary Michelin star Restaurant in Lyon, you will really enjoy!

Day 10 - END OF TOUR /DEPARTURE AU REVOIR AVEC REGRETS !

• After breakfast at your hotel, you can leave your luggage with the concierge at the reception if you have a late departure.
  Our private drivers will be on hand to ensure that you arrive on time for your connection.

if you are taking part in the Paris extension-  * please request itinerary.

Bon voyage et bonne continuation!