Join Us for a Taste of Gascony
We offer a specialized and individually curated immersion into the culture and heritage that is unique to the Gers region in Gascony. The program explores authentic and traditional methods of artisan ways that have been passed down by multiple generations, and continue to thrive to this day. Itineraries may focus on: Armagnac Domaine Visits, Women Make Wine: Les Femmes des Vignerons and Medieval Abbey Hikes, History & Art.
Options are also available for Day Tours on E-bikes to historic sites, bastille villages, farms and wine domaines. For overnight visits, we offer accommodations including all meals with wine, transportation and a cultural context of the region with expert local guests. Activities can be arranged for: Cooking Classes, Pottery Demonstrations, French Language Sessions, Antique Shopping and Walks or E-biking on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, or Walk of Saint James.
Sample Itinerary
Below are activities that we can curate together based upon the desires and preferences of your group. For the true immersive experience we recommend three or four nights, however day trips can also be arranged.
Accommodations
For the very best in comfort and location we are partnering with the Domaine de Bilé to host our guests. Each room has a special charm and is designed with tasteful decor, comfortable furnishings, and modern conveniences.
Domaine de Bilé is located next to a beautiful lake in a wooded valley with hiking and biking trails. It is 4km from the medieval village of Bassoues. The Domaine has e-bikes available to explore the area for an additional charge. You are welcome to take part in outside excursions, but we highly recommend that you come back to home base for our group dinners.
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms at Domaine de Bilé were designed and constructed in the summer of 2024. They are beautifully crafted and brand new. There is also a private entrance, a small kitchen and dining room for private guest access.
A quiet private bedroom with a queen sized bed, full bath and sweeping views of the entire valley.
Chambre Madrian Vin has a private bathroom with towels attached.
A quiet private bedroom with a queen sized bed, full bath and sweeping views of the entire valley.
This is a corner room with a full bath and sweeping views of the entire valley in both directions.
Chambre Armagnac has a private bathroom with towels attached.
This is a corner room with a full bath and sweeping views of the entire valley in both directions.
This room is located across the hallway and has a queen sized bed, full bath and views of the winery.
Chambre Rose Pétillante Bath has a private bathroom with towels attached.
This room is located across the hallway and has a queen sized bed, full bath and views of the winery.
The journey Starts here
Let's plan your itinerary to Gascony together. You can contact me directly: Jenine.Lurie@gmail.com.
In France: 06 10 33 84 69 or from the United States: +1 917-916-2988.
Hosts
Jenine Lurie, (Chez Jay)
Founder
The best part of what I do is to take people on an edible adventure that offers a connection to the culture and history of a new place. I was the New York City Slow Food Convivium Leader and led Culinary Walking tours in all five boroughs of the city. My tours got the typical tourist out of Times Square to experience the real neighborhoods, supporting the small business owners whose food represented their culture and heritage.
My professional background is in digital strategy and management for large consulting firms. I learned from that experience to facilitate conversations between diverse groups as well as to create curated, unique experiences that foster communication and conviviality. My tours offers a contextual insight into this magical and undiscovered region that will enable you to experience it as a local, rather than a tourist.
Like the Gers, the tours are authentic and rustic yet warm, friendly and welcoming. I truly believe that due to the fertile surroundings, passionate producers and exceedingly short food supply chain, we have some of the very best food and wine in France that I am excited to share with you.
Claude Bellard
Tour Guide, Local Historian
Claude comes from Brittany and studied history and law at university. He has a military background and served as an officer in the Air Force specializing in logistics and finance to support operations in Africa, Bosnia, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. He has lived in France, Senegal and Djibouti and toward the end of his duty he was stationed with NATO in Belgium.
After his service, Claude moved to the Gers to be closer to the countryside and to the Pyrenees mountains. He is passionate about the medieval history and architecture of the region and is enthusiastic to share his knowledge of the gastronomy, wine and culture of Gascony. He loves hiking, French literature, poetry, classical music and has extensive experience in restoring old houses.
I am delighted to welcome him on board to accompany us in our discovery of the Gers.
Testimonials, 2024-2025
Joel B.
San francisco, CA
Thank you for a friendly and delicious introduction to the Gers region. The meals and wines were outstanding and the landscape of villages and countryside with views of the Pyrenees was splendid!
Paddy & Darlene
Washington, DC
Thank you very much for organising a very interesting and stimulating few days in the Gers. The Domaine and Lisa and Marie Claude were just delightful and a lovely place to stay. Rustic, peaceful and warmly welcoming. We were both struck by the richness of the agriculture, the rolling, soft hills and fields, the paucity of cars and people and the complexity and richness of the history and culture of the Gers. The visits to the chateau and the abbey were highlights for us. We learned a lot that we didn’t know already. The food was local, tasty and varied and we thoroughly enjoyed our dinners with yourself and with Max, Claude and Sophie. The market and coffee with Lisa was a lovely couple of hours.
Joy M,
Glendale, CA
I had an amazing culinary tour of the Gascony region. We went to markets and tasted the local specialities. I got to experience a tour of the region’s Armagnac distillery and learn about the process. The highlight was of course the incredible food and hospitality,10/10 would recommend!!
Michelle R.
Oakland, CA
Although I did enjoy going to restaurants and trying different things on the menus, my favorite experience is just being served a home cooked meal from ingredients shopped for that morning - cheese, vegetables, meat or fish - and of course the obligatory fresh baguette. Drinking a glass of wine or armagnac from a neighbor's vineyard, and then taking a walk at sunset to settle the digestion.
Amy and Rob Portland, OR
We really enjoyed the day trip to Mirande. Such a fabulous medieval village with a great art museum and a fantastic market! I would highly recommend the experience, even 5 days did not feel like enough time to see everything!
Nate L.
Boston, MA
Our family did the e-bike tour that began in Bassoues and stopped in front of medieval churches that are on the Way of Saint James for a guided exploration of both the history and culture of the region. We also had a fantastic time getting close to the goats at the goat cheese farm. I would absolutely do this tour again, and recommended it to anyone who wants to enjoy a great day on bikes!
Bonnie H.
Orlando, Florida
The thing that makes this tour so special was the chance to meet the people, and to participate in activities with the artisans. The baking experience was phenomenal, we got to really roll up our sleeves and help to make the special holiday bread with the bakers. I would do this again for every holiday if I could!
Brendan & Rachel Sitka, Alaska
If you’re looking to get off the trodden path and discover the real cuisine of France, look no farther. You’ll meet French farming families eager to share their lives, and livelihoods. This is one experience not to miss.