Chef Michel Bouit & the World of MBI - A Taste of France with Chef ...

with Chef Michel Bouit & the World of MBI
Food & Wine Tour ~ May 11-20
Toulouse ~ Albi ~ Roquefort ~ Millau ~ Rodez ~ Yssingeaux ~ Lyon
Foie Gras Pôelé, Ebly aux Morilles Lotte Rôtie, Jardinière de Légumes Crumble & Sorbet Rhubarbe
Céleri & Jus Corsé
Friday, May 11 ~ Departure for France.
May 12 th ~ Arrival in Toulouse. Transfer to Albi by deluxe motor coach with our favorite chauffeur Andre. Check-in
for 2 nights at the Hotel Ibis Albi Centre. Late afternoon guided visit of the Vieux Albi to include the cathedral and
cloister, followed by a boat ride “Gabarre” on the River Tarn. Cooking demonstration and welcome dinner at Restaurant
L’Epicurean; a unique, modern establishment run by a Swedish chef.
Albi is a medieval city located 50 miles northeast of Toulouse, known for its Toulouse Lautrec Museum and spectacular Cathedral Sainte-
Cecile. The Gothic cathedral, built in the 13 th century in the heart of Cathar country, is the largest brick building in the world. Perched high
on a hill above the River Tarn, it looks more like a fortress than a cathedral.
May 13 th ~ After breakfast departure for Saint Jean d’Alcas with lunch at Restaurant La Pourtanelle. Afternoon visit of
Societe Roquefort cellars in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon followed by a visit of the famous viaduct, Pont de Millau. Located 5
km from Millau in the Aveyron region the bridge allows the A75 highway to fly over the Tarn Valley at a height of 270
meters. Free evening with dinner on own in Albi.
May 14 th ~ After breakfast departure for Marssac-sur-Tarn. En route visits of Chocolaterie Yves Thuries and La Cave
de Tecou with a wine tasting, followed by a casual lunch at Restaurant l’Ispien Port in Les Brisses Gaillac.
Chef/Proprietor Revallier is a former professional rugby player - a very popular regional sport. Then on to Rodez to
check-in for 2 nights at the Hotel Le Midi, Logis de France. Dinner in the hotel.
Rodez, a beautiful medieval town located in the Midi-Pyerenees Aveyron region of Southwestern France, has two main squares; Place de la
Cite and Place du Bourg linked by a network of medieval streets lined with stoned buildings, historical alleyways and masterpieces of Gothic
wall art dating from the 12 th to 16 th centuries.
May 15 th ~ After breakfast departure for the charming mountain village of Laguiole, perched at an altitude of 1,000
meters. Visits of Fromagerie Jeune Montagne, producers of the famous Fromage de Laguiole AOC and l’Aligot de
l’Aubrac with tasting and La Coutellerie de Laguiole, the first artisan manufacturer of Laguiole knives to see the
production and have the opportunity to purchase a personally engraved knife. The visits are followed by a regional lunch
at Bar Hotel Restaurant l’Aubrac. Return to Rodez for a guided visit of the Vieux Rodez and its cathedral. Free evening
and dinner on own.
May 16 th ~ After breakfast departure for Le Puy en Velay and visit of the distillery Pages-Verveine to discover the
secrets of making Pages Verveine du Velay, Green and Yellow Verveine liquors and Verveine du Velay Extra. Lunch at
Restaurant Vidal in Saint-Julien-Chapteuil with Master Chef/Proprietor Jean-Pierre Vidal to enjoy authentic regional
cuisine with his light and creative touches. After lunch visit of a trout farm in Fay sur Lignon. Return to Le Puy en Velay
for overnight stay at the Hotel Ibis. Free evening at leisure and dinner on own.

May 17 th
~ After breakfast departure for Yssingeaux with visits of a local market and Ferme Fontbonne, a family-owned pork
producer to also share a table of their products and sausages made according to family traditions. After lunch departure
for Lyon, France’s gastronomic mecca with an en route visit of La Maison de l’Escargot in Grazac to learn the art of
snail farming. Upon arrival in Lyon enjoy a guided visit of the Vieux Lyon, the old quarter; Traboules, ancient passage
ways; Painted Walls, kingdom of trompe l’oeil; 17 th century Basilica of Fourviere situated on a hill overlooking the city
and La Maison des Canuts, silk museum that retraces Lyon’s rich silk producing history. Check-in for 3 nights at the Ibis
Lyon Centre Perrache. Dinner of Lyonnaise cuisine at the famous Brasserie Georges, established in 1836.
Lyon is one of the great cities of Europe. Founded by the Romans it has a visible history spanning 2,000 years, a Renaissance Old Quarter
rivaled only by Venice, outstanding museums, two deeply seductive rivers, the Rhone & the Saone, a lively arts scene and an abiding
appreciation for great food that covers every possible gustatory indulgence from the simple perfection of hand-dipped chocolates to the summits of
haute cuisine. This is a city where even a sandwich bought from a street vendor is a small work of art!
May 18 th ~ After breakfast visit of l’Atelier de Cuisine Gastronomique for a hands-on cooking and pastry class and
preparation of lunch with Chef/Owner Jean-Marc Villard and cheese presentation by Etienne Boissy - MOF, Fromager-
Affineur. Free afternoon to discover Lyon. A unique experience awaits for dinner at l’Ostellerie du Vieux Perouges in
the medieval fortified village of Perouges outside of Lyon housing some of the best preserved medieval architecture in
all of France.
May 20 th ~ Morning visit of the indoor market La Halle de Lyon Paul Bocuse to savor the incredible array of meat,
poultry, fish, cheese, fruit, vegetables and so much more. Breakfast in the market at Resto Halle with our friend Chef
Yannis. Late morning visit of family-owned Chocolatier Bernachon where they roast the cocoa beans and blend with the
finest ingredients to create an exquisite array of chocolates, confections and pastries. Lunch on own and a free afternoon
for additional sightseeing or shopping. Farewell dinner at Restaurant Atelier d’Yvonne, a very popular Lyonnaise
Bouchon.
May 21 th ~ After breakfast departure for airport for return flights to U.S.
Program includes: 8 nights hotel accommodations with daily breakfast, point to point ground transportation by deluxe
motor coach & airport transfers, unique gastronomic dining experiences, professional & cultural visits as per the
itinerary, all taxes & tips, demos & ½ day hands-on education at l’Atelier de Cuisine Gastronomique, recipes, certificate
of participation & a commemorative chef coat.
$2,995.00 per person, double occupancy
$400.00 single occupancy
~ Reservations ~
A deposit of $1,000.00 per person is due with your registration. Final trip balance is due March 13, 60 days prior to
departure. A confirmation will be mailed upon receipt of your reservation. Itinerary may be subject to change. The trip
cost may be subject to change due to the fluctuation in the exchange rate with the Euro. Extended stays in Lyon, Paris
or other cities in France or Europe are also available upon request.
A Passenger Travel Protection is recommended and is available through our office. Our Food & Wine Tours are
approved by the American Culinary Federation for Continuing Education Units.
Make Your Reservation Today!
Mise en Bouche Apéritive Déclinaison autour de la Caille Filet de Truite du Lignon Cuit au Grill
Pâté en Croute, Bouchon de Caille aux Choux Crème Légère d’Aligot