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The experience
At the heart of Gascon tradition
From the Samatan foie gras market to your own jar of foie gras
At dawn, you head to Samatan, in the Gers, for one of the most famous foie gras markets in France. Among the stalls of livers and duck carcasses, your chef-guide teaches you how to choose like a connoisseur, before coffee and croissants at the local bistro, surrounded by regulars.
After visiting a duck farm, you return to the château for a farmhouse lunch, then it's time to cook: you prepare your own confit and foie gras. Everyone leaves with their jars, a delicious souvenir of a truly Gascon day.
Duck foie gras from the South-West · Photo: Nikodem Nijaki, CC BY-SA 3.0
Programme
Your day, hour by hour
7 am
7 am
Departure from the château
Departure by van with your driver and your chef-guide.
8:15 am
8:15 am
Samatan foie gras market
Tour of the market and explanations on choosing livers and carcasses.
9:30 am
9:30 am
Coffee and croissants at the bistro
A break at the local bistro, in the rhythm of the market.
10:15 am
10:15 am
Visit to a duck farm
Meet a farmer and discover their know-how.
12:30 pm
12:30 pm
Farmhouse lunch at the château
Charcuterie, omelette, cheese and a glass of wine.
2 pm
2 pm
Cooking class
You prepare your confit and foie gras. Everyone leaves with a jar of two confits and a jar of foie gras.
5 pm
5 pm
Free time on the estate
Stroll in the park, rest in your room or relax at the spa.
7:30 pm
7:30 pm
Aperitif in the cellar
Tasting of local wines with gougères.
8:30 pm
8:30 pm
Dinner in the salon
A Gascon dinner featuring the produce of the day.
Next morning
Next morning
Night and breakfast
Night at the château and breakfast buffet.
Times are indicative and adjusted to your group and the conditions on the day.
In pictures
The places you will visit
Samatan, foie gras capital of the Gers
Photo: Raphael Isla, CC BY-SA 4.0
A duck and goose farm
Photo: Rui Ornelas, CC BY 2.0
Duck confit with potatoes
Photo: Tangopaso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pan-seared foie gras
Photo: Charles Haynes, CC BY-SA 2.0Evening at the château
Drinks and dinner
Aperitif
Tasting of local wines in the château cellar, with gougères.
The menu
- Foie gras
- Duck confit with Gers-style potatoes
- Apple croustade
The wines
Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh and Madiran
Practical
Good to know
- Available from November to March, during the foie gras market season.
- Early departure at 7 am: the Samatan market comes alive early in the morning.
- You leave with a jar of two confits and a jar of foie gras that you made yourself.
- Aprons and cooking equipment provided.
Booking
Book this day
Tell us your preferred date and the number of participants: we will contact you within 24 hours to confirm availability and finalise your programme.
See also
Our other discovery days
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