La Ferme de la Lochere
Gourmet Vacations in Burgundy

Guests: 8	Your Host: Chef Katherine Frelon
Size: 5 bedrooms	English Speaking Crew of: 5
Last Visited: 2011	Bicycles: To be advised
Rating: Deluxe

We are offering this program only for groups which will take over the entire facility for a private experience. A maximum of eight guests can be accommodated. Perfect for four couples, a family or that Girlfriends Getaway – maybe in combination with two or three days in Paris. Let us plan this perfect – and perfectly delicious – vacation in Burgundy!

2012 rates

Private Party of 7 guests: $22,850
Private Party of 8 guests: $26,000

2012 dates

April 1 - 7	May 27 - June 2	July 22 - 28	September 16 - 22
April 8 - 14	June 3 - 9	July 29 - Aug 4	September 23 - 29
April 15 - 21	June 10 - 16	August 5 - 11	September 30 - October 6
April 22 - 28	June 17 - 23	August 12 - 18	October 7 - 13
April 29 - May 5	June 24 - 30	August 19 - 25	October 14 - 20
May 6 - 12	July 1 - 7	August 26 - Sept 1	October 21 - 27
May 13 - 19	July 8 - 14	September 2 - 8	October 28 - Nov 3
May 20 - 26	July 15 - 21	September 9 - 15

For the past 25 years, Barge Lady has enjoyed divine meals produced by young and innovative chefs working in floating kitchens. On board cuisine is light, utilizing local ingredients, fresh from outdoor food markets. There is variety at luncheon buffets at which up to seven dishes may be offered. The flavors of France shine through in the cheese and wine selections. Up until now, however, this joyous and abundant way of life could be enjoyed only on a canal barge. However, this is about to change with the introduction of Chef Katherine Frelon’s program of gourmet cooking, dining, and sightseeing – held in her renovated home, deep in the heart of the Burgundy countryside.

Barge Lady Ellen Sack first met Chef Katherine on the barge C’est la Vie in June, 2011. Ellen says: “Katherine is absolutely gorgeous, she sparkles with personality and fun – and she served meals that rate among the most amazing we have enjoyed in a long career filled with enjoyable meals! Katherine has cooked on top barges for many years and has had a varied career in both France and Great Britain as a caterer, cooking teacher and consultant. All of this experience she brings to her brand new venture.

The heart of the program are the hands-on cooking lessons offered by Katherine in her large and open kitchen. But the program places the cooking into a larger fabric of food shopping, winetasting, and restaurant cuisine from top chefs. Meet the locals and take in the ambiance of France’s top food and wine region. This is a fabulous choice for “foodies” and maybe the best "Girl’s Getaway" we have ever seen! "

After hearing about this program, we decided to offer it to our barge guests looking for something a bit different. So, as if we had not tasted enough of Katherine’s delicious food, we sent Creative Director Kelly Weiss to check out Katherine at her home, La Ferme de la Lochere. Here is Kelly’s report:

"La Ferme de la Lochere is tucked away in the small but charming French village of Marigny le Cahouet, with a trickling stream right next to the property and gorgeous views of the French countryside. Also on the grounds are a heated swimming pool and a garden where Katherine grows the herbs and vegetables she uses in her cooking.

Walking into Lochere, I am greeted with an impressive stone staircase and two stunning Moroccan lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Katherine guides us down the hall and around a corner, unveiling a beautiful open kitchen, dining room and sitting room. It is gorgeous, both modern and rustic. I love everything about it – the high ceilings (with 3 of those wonderful Moroccan lanterns), the huge kitchen, the spacious but cozy sitting room and fireplace, the dramatic hand carved oak dining table and the large arched oak doors that flood in natural light and lead out into a pretty flowering courtyard where guests can enjoy an alfresco lunch.

The five guest suites are all spacious and colorful, with modern en-suite baths. Large windows with chiffon curtains let in soft natural light and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The exposed wooden beams add a wonderful rustic touch to the rooms.

Back downstairs, we sip wine as Katherine prepares lunch using fresh tomatoes and herbs grown from her garden. The delicious buffet features an amazing Bleu cheese and zucchini quiche - as well as a selection of fresh breads and local cheeses and several salads. It all smells as good as it tastes, and as we enjoyed our lunch, I could not help but appreciate this amazing cuisine and ambiance deep in the heart of Burgundy."

*Some photos have been used with kind permission from' Living France' 2009

La Ferme de Lochere Itinerary

Burgundy Gourmet Land Tour

Sunday: From Paris to Dijon by Train
Special Welcome to La Ferme de la Lochere!
From the Paris Gare de Lyon Train Station, take TGV #7661, depart Paris 1:58 pm – arrive in Dijon 3:36 pm. (The cost of train tickets is in addition to your cooking school fee. Let us arrange this before you depart!) As you alight, a representative of La Ferme de La Lochere will be on the platform and will chauffeur you to your private hideaway and home for the next six nights. Estimated travel time to La Ferme de la Lochere is 45 to 60 minutes. Chef Katherine Frelon and her staff will welcome you warmly with a Kir Royale, take you to your bedroom, and review the program. Then, you’ll not waste a minute! A wine expert will be on hand to introduce the appellations of the Burgundy region, and Chef Katherine will demonstrate the technique for making gougeres, light and airy cheese puffs that will be the starter for dinner. The sight of Katherine in her open kitchen will become familiar over the next week!

Monday: Day 2
Create your lunch, using local herbs
After a leisurely breakfast you will be preparing for your 1st culinary experience, learning how to combine fragrant herbs, pairing fabulous ingredients to create a wonderful lunch, pictured below. Cooking demonstrations take place in the spacious open kitchen -dining-salon area. Relax and watch – or get into the action! Once lunch is done, there is so much to explore in the immediate area of La Ferme de la Lochere. Enjoy a local winetasting, followed by a visit to Flavigny, the enchanting village where the movie “Chocolat” was filmed.

Tuesday: Day 3
Market Day in Dijon, learn how to make croissants
Today let Catherine be your guide to the large and colorful Dijon food market; that’s Catherine, below left, purchasing at her favorite vegetable stall. Explore a profusion of colorful fruits and vegetable, spices and herbs, breads, cheeses, meats, fish, and prepared foods. You’ll carry your recipe book and a list of ingredients to gather – testing your French! Stop for a rest and a café-au-lait before leaving the market for a quick walk around the Medieval core of Dijon. A luncheon buffet will be waiting back at La Ferme de la Lochere. After lunch, our local baker Frederique will demonstrate the technique for a perfect croissant and other delicious baked goods, pictured at right below. Dinner will be prepared using ingredients you purchased earlier today!


Wednesday: Day 4
Winestasting in the nearby Cote d'Or and beautiful Beaune
Our wine expert will return and whisk you off to the famed Cote d’Or wine region, about a ninety minute drive. He has arranged visits to vineyards and negociants not usually open to the public in the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuit appellations. Then its on to enchanting and cobblestoned Beaune, where you will first visit the immaculately preserved Medieval Hospice, followed by free time for shopping. Dinner back at La Ferme de la Lochere ends this busy and stimulating day.

Thursday: Day 5
Cooking demonstration at Le Charlemagne
Rising star Chef Laurent Peugeot will offer a cooking demonstration at the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Charlemagne and then will serve a sumptuous lunch. His French-Japanese fusion cuisine is decidedly different from classic fare of Burgundy! However, the location in the midst of the countryside is stellar: overlooking vineyards visible through the restaurant’s glass walls. Return to La Ferme de la Lochere, about an hour’s drive away, and spend the rest of the day relaxing. What about a bicycle ride into the village or sunning by the pool? Tonight, it’s Chef Katherine’s turn to demonstrate. Watch her cook and serve another delicious country-style dinner.

Friday: Day 6
Special Chocolate Tasting and
Degustation at a Michelin 3* restaurant!
It is the ultimate ‘foodie” day! Begin with a leisurely breakfast and then prepare a light lunch with Katherine. Then it’s off to Abbaye de Fontenay, one of the oldest Cistercian Monasteries in Europe founded in 1118 by St. Bernard and now a Unesco treasure. Stop off at the adorable walled village of Semur-in-Auxois for a tasting of artisan candies at Alexandre Chocolatier, pictured at right, and there may be time to shop for jams and spices at nearby shops. (We found a delicious apricot-almond jam and other gifts to take home!)

Tonight, it’s your last night – but what a night! Dinner will be taken at the Michelin 3* restaurant Bernard Loiseau in nearby Saulieu. That’s the chef himself posing with our guests! From informal lessons in Catherine’s kitchen to classic French menus at world-renowned restaurants, you week has stimulating (and delicious) at every turn.


Saturday: FromMontbard to Paris by Train
A Sad Farewell
After a last breakfast, you’ll be taken to Montbard, about a half hour drive away, in time to board TER 91056 – depart Montbard 10:23 am, arrive Paris Bercy Station at 12:44 pm. Cabs line up to take you to your next destination. Please make all onward travel plans on the basis of this timing. It has been a pleasure to welcome you to our Burgundy cooking and dining program – and we hope the memories last a lifetime.

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Burgundy Gourmet Land Tours and Gourmet Tours in France. Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

La Ferme de la Lochere
Guest Book

"Once again a very big thank you to you and Charlie, and to Yannick and young Charlie and Mathilda for the most amazing week. You have a piece of paradise at La Lochere and offer your guests a truly unique experience. The combination of beautiful countryside, gorgeous villages, magnificent accommodation, food to die for, fantastic wines, top restaurants, cooking - both hands on and demos plus all the little extras made for a perfect holiday. You also really went out of your way to spend time with us and make our stay extra special which we very much appreciate. Jenny and I enjoyed every minute and have very special memories that will last a lifetime. I certainly feel as though I Ieft a little piece of me in Burgundy."
- Jacqui and Jenny, South Africa

"Beautiful weather, fabulous food, incredible wines….our week in Burgundy in your beautiful property is filled with memories that will last a lifetime. It was great fun cooking with Katherine, visiting the Farmers Markets to obtain our ingredients was an educational and entertaining….we delighted in the Michelin starred restaurants, but none were better than Katherine’s cooking…can’t wait for a return trip!"
- Cheryl and Steve, USA

"A special thank you for making our time in Burgundy a memorable one. We enjoyed the delicious food that Katherine cooked….the Michelin starred restaurants we wonderful, but not better than Katherine’s cooking!! We will always remember the great meals and the beautiful place to relax by the fireplace."
- Mirella and Mark, Hawaii

"Thank you for your fabulous hospitality; it was truly a pleasure …..our cooking classes were unforgettable, something we shall take home and recreate with wonderful memories of Burgundy…we will plan on returning again and again, you have a special place in our hearts."
- Lianne and Harold, Miami