Welcome to Le Chat Gourmet’s 2023 Vacation in Provence!
Oh to be in the south of France in June, that’s exactly what three week’s
of guests enjoyed as they joined Le Chat Gourmet in Provence this summer.
Join us on our adventures via the photo diary below…enjoy!
Our home away from home, 1812 stone mill farmhouse in the heart of Provence!
The Le Chat Gourmet 2023 ‘Welcome to Provence’ celebration begins with Aperó Time!
Let’s get Cooking!
Shallot Tarte Tatin with Feta
This dish was a group fave each week, Herb de Provence Roasted Pork
with Caramelized Pears and a Camembert Cheese Sauce
What to do when you break the citron tart?, rename it OOPS I BROKE THE LEMON TART,
make a couple dessert sauces and create an artsy modern plating!
Another weekly group fave, Duck Breast with Blueberry Gastrique
and Herb de Provence Carrots
The Pont de Gard!
There is more to Provence than lavender – Poppies!
Our picnic in a Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyard amoungst the vines
Private Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine tastings in a vaulted 13th century cellar
Vintage bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine
The Pope’s Castle, now a ruin built by Pope John XXII when in exile from Rome,
which offers spectacular views across the Rhone river to Avignon
and surrounding vineyards
Magnificient views of Gordes
Market Day in Gordes! We wandered the ancient cobblestone streets exploring the market
filled with local artisans selling foie gras, jams, lavender products, honey, salamis, olives,
cheese, herbs, spices, scarves, pottery, Provencal table linens to original artwork
Truffle hunting in Provence!
If you’ve read Peter Mayle’s book ‘A Year in Provence’ you know the location of truffles
are a well guarded secret, for you to accompany a truffle hunter & his dog into the
Luberon is a truly amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Roussillon ranked one of ‘The Most Beautiful Villages of France’ a lovely village
filled with art, quaint shops and famous magnificent ochre cliffs
streaked with colors from bright yellows to the deep reds
There’s always time for lavender ice cream while visiting Provence!
The trails to the old ochre mines, how spectacular is this view and colors!
Dining with a view of the ochre cliffs
And yes, we found the fields of lavenders, even in early June
the colors and smell were spectacular!
Vincent and Vincent – Chef Vincent on the Van Gogh trail
that winds through the village of through St. Remy
Did someone say Chocolate, it’s not everyday you enjoy a
chocolate tasting with a reknown French Master Chocolatier!!
Saint Paul de Mausole Monastery where Van Gogh took refuge in 1889, inspired
by the quality of light and beauty of the landscapes he produced 143 paintings within
53 weeks, creating many of his most famous works, ‘The Irises’ and ‘Starry Night’
Carrières de Lumières, tucked inside a former quarry mine is this magical art-based
multimedia show that envelopes you with images of famous paintings from ground to
ceiling at heights of 45 feet all set to music, this years program was Dutch Master’s
featuring the works of Van Gogh, Vermeer, Rembrant and Mondrian
We love Provence!
Cheers from Provence, Sante!
Merci Beaucoup from Le Chat Gourmet in Provence!