Welcome to an Armagnac experience at A Gaillut
The purpose of this break is to give guests just a flavour of what Gascony has to offer. It aims to reveal the depth of the Armagnac, wine and culinary culture as well as allowing visitors to experience the fresh air, sheer space and beauty of this undiscovered part of rural France. The local culture is understandably steeped in Armagnac and guests can enjoy the views of a variety of Armagnac producers, experts and local enthusiasts.
Your hosts Rob and Kate will ensure you enjoy fantastic food cooked with fresh, locally grown ingredients and delicious wines. There is also time to just relax, unwind and enjoy a little taste of the food, drink and lifestyle of Gascony and south west France.
An example itinerary is set out on the next page - this gives an example of the tours that are organised throught the year but often during the flamme d'Armagnac - the period between the begining of November and the end of January when the young wines are distilled. This gives the opportunity to see the traditonal copper stills in action and enjoy tasting the newly distilled white or blanche Armagnac.
Armagnac tours can be arranged for groups of 4 or more at any time of year just send us an email with some details of what you would like at info@gasconyexperience.com or call on 0161 430 4499 to discuss the options.
An Armagnac experience at A Gaillut
The itinerary illustrated here will vary by season and availability of individual producers, but it provides an idea of what the experience break would offer. If this does not suit your personal requirements then please get in touch so that your preferences can be discussed.
Day 1 Friday
Arrive at accommodation in the afternoon to be greeted by your hosts with refreshments.
Early evening introductory session- meeting and greeting, a look at the programme and an introduction to the aperitifs of Gascony.
Dinner with a selection of seafood and oysters from Archachon, ham from Bayonne, local seasonal fruit and vegetables, cheeses of the Pyrénées and the best of the local wines. Followed by coffee and local Armagnac drunk in the traditional way from a warm coffee cup.
Day 2 Saturday
Following breakfast, a morning trip to a bustling local market with foie gras, pates, local cheeses, wines, Armagnac and Floc plus local fruit, vegetables, meats and fish and local café visit.
Traditional workers lunch perhaps in Valence sur Baise or Ferme Auberge - trestle tables, seasonal 4 course set menu where there is little or no choice, for example; soup, charcuterie, cassoulet or pork hock and desert with pitchers of wines.
Afternoon siesta - free time to read a good book in front of the wood burning stove or to explore the countryside.
In the early evening - a visit to Chai Gimet, where Jean Pierre Gimet will reveal the secrets of the alambic distillation process. Alambics are large and decorative copper stills traditionally heated using a wood burning fire of old vine wood.
This is followed by a companionable and celebratory dinner in the barn. Created from local seasonal produce selected and bought fresh from the market in the morning it will probably including some duck specialities, cheeses of the region and prunes or mirabelles preserved in Armagnac. In the middle of this feast everyone is invited to taste the newly distilled Armagnac Blanche to celebrate the successful distillation and the end of the season.
Day 3 Sunday
Following breakfast, a morning trip to the 16th century Chateau de Cassaigne which was once the residence for the bishops of Condom. Steeped in history you can explore its old-fashioned kitchens and cavernous Armagnac cellars. There will also be the opportunity to taste local wines and experience the range of tastes and colours of the vintage Armagnacs.
For lunch guests might like to help the hosts prepare a light picnic and together create the menu, and maybe help to make a Gascon salad or just relax and enjoy when its ready.
Afternoon siesta - free time for guests to enjoy at their leisure.
Buzet and Cote de Duras wine tasting with your sommelier for the evening
The Final dinner will be at a local restaurant, chosen for its good food and for its true Gascon ambiance and spirit. With a final vintage Armagnac served traditionally in your warm coffee cup.
Day 4 Monday
Breakfast and fond farewells and departure
Accommodation at A Gaillut
A Gaillut, built in 1908, has been recently lovingly restored, using traditional materials and the blood, sweat and tears of the current owners. This has in part been made possible by the tireless efforts of Kate's parents Sue and Jim who between them have the skills to be cabinet-maker, joiner, fine artist, seamstress, upholsterer and even butcher for the kitchens.
Guest Lounge
A light and airy living room with wood burning stove, library and DVD collection is available to guests. Afternoon tea and pastries from the local patisserie can be served here also if chosen.
Dining room
Breakfast is served in the dining room at individual tables.
Hearty evening meals are served here also around a large dining table full of guests for sociable evenings.
Café area
The café bar has a terrace for warm evenings and a wood burning stove for cooler nights in the snug where traditional games can be played.
Bedrooms
There are four large, comfortable en-suite bedrooms with either twin or double beds. They have traditional French shutters for the hot summer days and ample heating for those autumnal and winter evenings.
Pool
A glorious 12 x 8m naturally heated infinity pool with views over the surrounding countryside provides opportunities for exercise and fun and there are plenty of loungers for the more leisurely guests.
Swallow Cottage
A three bedroomed self-contained traditional wooden framed cottage has recently been restored. It has its own private garden and covered terrace but guests can also enjoy all the additional amenities on-site.
Alternatively, if you have a family gathering or celebration you can book the four rooms in the house and the cottage providing a total of 7 double/twin rooms.
Studio
A large south facing studio leads out onto a shaded terrace and looks out towards the distant Pyrenees. It is fully equipped with all facilities including drawing boards and easels and an art shop for any materials you require. Feel free to sketch or if you would like some tuition try one of the ‘painting breaks'
Things to do and see around A Gaillut
The local market town is Nogaro which is 5 km south east of A Gaillut and has all amenities, a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, supermarkets, pharmacies, bars, cafés, restaurants, pizzerias and tabacs.
Also in Nogaro is the internationally renowned motor circuit, which has car, bike and truck racing throughout the year. Here it can be arranged for guests to drive sports cars on the Paul Armagnac circuit, or for pilot training in small aircraft or trips in gliders at the nearby airfield. See our ‘house parties breaks' for more details.
| |
DirectionsQuatre Cheminées is in the village of Caupenne d'Armagnac and lies on the left of the D143 5km north of Nogaro. You will recognise the prominent 4 chimney stacks. From Toulouse take the N124 towards Auch. At Auch continue on the N124 towards Mont -de Marsan. At Nogaro go through the town until you find the church on your left. Take the fork turn right, cross the cross roads and at the top of the hill before the water tower turn right towards Laujuzan you are now the D143 heading north. From Pau, Biarritz or Bordeaux you come into Nogaro from the opposite direction. Take a left turn a the Nogaro Cooperative Cave just before you get into Nogaro. Follow the road round and just after the water tower turn left onto the D143. | View Larger Map |
A Gaillut is in the village of Caupenne d'Armagnac in Bas-Armagnac at the heart of the wine growing area, an unspoilt rural region of Gascony. The local cooperative and Armagnac producers are usually happy to show visitors around and to reveal the secrets of their trade. The picture to the left is of Kate standing in front of one of their huge oak barrels. 
Availability, prices and booking Armagnac experience at A Gaillut
The Armagnac experience which includes the distillation process as described in the itinerary is only available from the first weekend of November until the end of January. At other times it is not possible to include this in the break as it is outside of the distillation period. Please call Gascony Experience at the address and number given below and we will do our best to organise a break that will meet your every need.
To book this break please email Gascony Experience at info@gasconyexperience.com or telephone us on 0161 430 4499
You will be able to book on line within the next 2 weeks.
| PRICES | |||||||
| Armagnac Experience Break | 02/02 → 31/10 2009 | 31/10 → 01/02 2010 | |||||
| Price per person for 2 sharing full board | £354 | £354 | |||||
| CONDITIONS | |||||||
| Three night four days starting Friday | 4pm arrival | 4pm arrival | |||||
| AVAILABILITY double or twin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Booking request form
Please complete the secure on-line booking form and your payment details to make your booking request
Arrival and departure
Arrival is usually from 4pm and departure by 10am.
What’s included
Full board includes breakfast, lunch and table d'hote dinner with local wines at all the venues listed
What’s not included
Flights and airport transfers. Airport transfers can be arranged on request
Whilst local wine is included in the price of your meals you will have the opportunity to select fine wines from our small cellar at reasonable prices.
Drinks not taken with meals are not included and an honesty bar is provided for thirsty guests.
Booking conditions
Making your booking
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total booking is required payable by debit or credit card. We make a charge of 2% of the booking for accepting credit card payments to cover our charges from the bank, for all other methods of payment there is no charge. Acceptance of the booking is subject to these terms and conditions and the booking will be confirmed by email within 24 hours. No payment will be taken from your card until the booking is confirmed by the owner.
Warning: do not book your travel until you have received confirmation of your booking
The full balance is required 8 weeks prior to departure and is payable by debit or credit card or BACS Internet payments. If a booking is made within 8 weeks of the departure date, full payment will be taken with your booking.
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of our terms and conditions that our clients take out comprehensive insurance at the time of booking. This can save you much heartache and money if, for example, you should need to cancel the holiday at a later date.
Pets
We have two dogs on the property so please consider this when deciding to bring your own pets. If you would like to bring you pet please discuss it with us in advance and we can agree their accommodation requirements.
| What's On in the Area | search what's on | result count: 447 |
| Page: <= < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... > => | results per page: |
| Château de Lavardens | Historical places |
Lavardens is an imposing hilltop fortified village. The castle attached to it was a stronghold of the counts of Armagnac. For a while the château belonged to the Marquis of Mirabeau, father of the famous revolutionary. Afterwards it fell into decay but has since been completely renovated by a private society 'amis du château'. Open daily June-Sept 10.30-7pm; April, May, Oct 10.30-12.30 and 2-6pm. Closed mid Jan-mid Feb. |
|
|
Lavardens 32360 |
|
0033(0)562581062
| Pizza Apollinaire | Pizzeria |
Pizza Appollinaire produces wonderfully crispy thin crust pizza from their brick built oven. But they are more than a pizza restaurant. The classic is taglietteli with cepes and foie gras in a creamy sauce. There is nearly always a fish of the day and it produces on of the best salad gascon with a sliver of pan fried fois gras to top it off. |
|
|
11, Boulevard du Général de Gaulle Eauze 32800 |
|
0033(0)562099333
| Thermal Centre Lectoure | Massage and Beauty therapists |
Lectoure thermal spa provides an environment of care and pampering where you can improve your wellbeing in peace and tranquillity while luxuriating in the warm natural mineral waters of the spa and its surrounds. Facilities include; Indoor relaxation pool, sauna, hydrotherapy, mud applications, getting back into shape sessions, treatments for rheumatism. |
|
|
Centre Thermal de Lectoure - 125 Rte National Lectoure 32700 |
|
0033(0)562680000
| Musée européen d'Art Campanaire | Museums |
This museum covers the art of bell ringing and the art of bells their creation, traditions and practises and their history. It over a thousand rare an unusual objects from 5 continents over 5 centuries. International exhibitions and concerts are held here. |
|
|
Place de l'Hotel de Ville L'Isle Jourdain 32600 |
|
0033(0)562073001
| St Mont Wine Festival - 27 March 2011 to 29 March 2011 | Festivals |
This is the 12th anniversary of the St Mont wine festival. It celebrates the wines of the Plaimont wine makers and takes place in the villages of Saint Mont, Riscle, Termes d'Armagnac' Bouzon-Gellenave, Sabazan, Aignan, Lupiac, Marciac, Plaisance du Gers and Bassoues. There are wine tastings in the villages and at the chateaux, traditonal local meals, a medieval carnival bringing the vintage to the people, markets with local cheeses, hams, confit and foie gras and music and dance into the night in many places. For more information on full details. |
|
|
St Mont 32400 |
|
0562 69 62 87
| Golf d'Auch-Embats | Golf |
Commercial golf course, 18 holes 4635m (5071yd) Par 67, Slope 120, Open 7 days a week. This golf course embraces the undulations of 5 small valleys, even if not too taxing, some strokes require thought and dexterity. A place where you will be in communion with the charm of the Gascony. The elevated Club house offers a unique view on the golf course and in the background, the blue line of the Pyrenees. Services : Practice, buggy and trolley rental. Restaurant: on premises, traditional cooking, special golfing menu. Accommodation locally: Chateau Le Haget |
|
|
Route de Montesquiou Auch 32000 |
|
05 62 61 10 11
| Page: <= < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... > => | results per page: |
This challenging 18-hole course is located in the lovely rolling countryside of Gascony with the Pyrenees as a backdrop just 22km from Marciac. The course winds around the charming 18th century Chateau de Pallanne which has luxurious, spacious double ensuite rooms available.
Facilities: 18-hole course, driving range, putting green, pro shop, clubhouse, bar, cloakrooms, lunches in the summer season, luxury rooms available at the Chateau.
This is an exciting new development to build ten high quality wooden chalets on the upper terraces of the campsite, Camping du Lac, which is very close to the pretty bastide town of Marciac. Each chalet will have a generous sized plot of about 200 square metres and great care will be taken with each installation to ensure that a sense of privacy and tranquility is maintained. The chalets will have vehicle access separate from the main campsite and will be available for use all year round (but not as a permanent residence).
Commercial golf course, 18 holes 4635m (5071yd) Par 67, Slope 120, Open 7 days a week. This golf course embraces the undulations of 5 small valleys, even if not too taxing, some strokes require thought and dexterity. A place where you will be in communion with the charm of the Gascony. The elevated Club house offers a unique view on the golf course and in the background, the blue line of the Pyrenees.
Services : Practice, buggy and trolley rental. Restaurant: on premises, traditional cooking, special golfing menu. Accommodation locally: Chateau Le Haget