Join Marissa Mullen and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard in France this summer. Limited spots available for August 26–31, 2024.
Join cheese expert and author Marissa Mullen and TASTE editor in chief Matt Rodbard on an epic culinary journey to Normandy, France, where every day promises a new dairy-based adventure—and a rich serving of European culinary culture, too. The trip begins in Deauville, where travelers will explore the city’s famed produce market and uncover the secrets behind making Normandy’s famous four: Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l’Évêque, and Neufchâtel.
As the group journeys deeper into the heart of Normandy, travelers will experience a day in the life of a dairy farmer at Naturellement Normande, discover the timeless beauty of Mont-Saint-Michel—one of Europe’s most stunning sights—and learn the best ways to arrange a French tabletop during a workshop at Château de Chantore. Along the way, guests will sample the best of Norman cuisine and explore the world of French cheese with Marissa and Matt.
Price
Double Occupancy: $5,995 pp
Single Occupancy: $6,775 pp
ITINERARY
Day 1: August 26, 2024
Arrive in Deauville
- Arrive in Deauville under individual arrangements
- Cheese and cider tasting at the hotel’s restaurant with a local cheese specialist
- Welcome dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Les Jardins de Deauville
Included meals: Tastings, Dinner
Day 2: August 27. 2024
Deauville
- Walking tour of Deauville, including a stop at the produce market
- Afternoon visit to an artisanal local cheese producer near Pont l’Évêque to learn about the cheesemaking process
- Calvados tasting on the grounds of a Norman castle and gardens
Accommodations: Hotel Les Jardins de Deauville
Included meals: Breakfast, Tastings
Day 3: August 28, 2024
Noues de Sienne
- Visit to La Ferme de Billy, a cider-making farm and estate operating since 1651, where you’ll stroll the orchards and cellars, culminating in a calvados tasting and brunch
- Transfer to L’Etape en Forêt, the most exciting accommodations in Normandy. Check in to your treehouse, bubble spa, or forest lodge, with some time to enjoy activities like the Nordic spa, zip-lining, or pétanque
Accommodations: L’Etape en Forêt
Included meals: Breakfast, Tastings, Brunch, Dinner
Day 4: August 29, 2024
Naturellement Normande
- Experience the ultimate Norman cheese farm immersion by spending half a day living the life of a farmer. You’ll take part in milking cows as well as preparing, salting, and unmolding authentic Norman cheese. At the end of the morning, you’ll be invited to share a convivial lunch with the owners over farm produce
- Transfer back to L’Etape for relaxation and then dinner as a group
Accommodations: L’Etape en Forêt
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: August 30, 2024
Mont-Saint-Michel
- Guided visit to the breathtaking Mont-Saint-Michel
- Visit to the Château de Chantore, an 18th-century castle with views of Mont-Saint-Michel, culminating in a private French traditional tabletop-arranging workshop
- Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
Accommodations: L’Etape en Forêt
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: August 31. 2024
Transfer to Paris/Departure
- Check out and departure toward Paris
- Stop en route for lunch
- Arrive at airport for departures after 5:00 p.m. or continue to Paris for additional nights.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel Les Jardins de Deauville
Hotel Les Jardins de Deauville is a charming coastal retreat nestled in the picturesque town of Deauville, France. This boutique hotel offers a tranquil escape with lush gardens, stylish rooms, a serene atmosphere, and amenities like a pool, cosmic sauna, gym, and cinema.
This tranquil retreat provides unconventional accommodations in the heart of Normandy. The most famous and unusual lodgings on the site are the treehouses perched 9 meters high, the majority of which are equipped with a private Nordic spa. Equally appreciated are the transparent bubbles with spa, which were created in 2021 and offer a very original experience between immersion in nature and modern comfort, with a lovely breathtaking view of the stars; the lodges on stilts, which are perched like cocoons between the large trees of the site; and the terrace chalets, some of which are also equipped with private spas and which are suitable for those who prefer to sleep on reassuring ground at the foot of large trees. L’Etape en Forêt boasts a range of outdoor activities that facilitate group or individual pursuits.
*Though each “room” can accommodate 3–6 guests, we will only be using them for single or double occupancy. Guests are welcome to use their large indoor and outdoor spaces to host new friends as they wish.