As world travelers and photographers, Henderson Productions joined forces with our friends from Poggio Amorelli B&B to explore culinary France. Master Chef contestant Angela Perkins contacted chefs in five distinct regions and asked us to design and document the trip. We knew it would be a journey for our senses: to see, taste, smell and touch France. Above all else, we aimed to enjoy the adventure. We are delighted to report those goals were met and more. Along the way many chefs gave us permission to include their recipes to help you recreate some of our experiences. We invite you to appreciate the bounty of their gifts. Bon Appetit et Bon Voyage.
Our mountain cottage was charming
Fell asleep early and woke snug as a bug in our mountain escape in the Pyrenees. While the others snooze I usually play catchup. The good thing is I have developed a system of typing notes into my phone so as not to forget details during the day.
Sunday morning in Mirepoix is leisurely
We left Castle Durban around 9 for Provence via the towns of Carcassonne, Braziers, Nimes and the Pont du Gard. First stop was the gorgeous, lovely medieval Mirepoix for a coffee break where Angela met baker Gabriel at our coffee shop. The town is arcaded around several central squares and looks like a movie set for swashbuckling adventures. We are so glad we detoured in for a short visit.
Meeting Chef Gabriel in Mirepoix
We passed acre after acre of vineyards on our way from Carcassonne to Narbonne to Beziers where the Christian purist Cathars were slaughtered on orders from the Pope in the Crusades in 1209. Their stronghold to protest against papal corruption was in this region and they built heavily fortified towns and villages to protect themselves from what turned out to be annihilation. So much history we’ve never learned is visible daily in France.
Goodbye to the Pyrenees
We pulled off the highway in Nimes to head into Remoulins following the signs to the Pont du Gard. We opted for the Rive Gauche – or left side – of the river but would recommend the right bank for lower level shots. Either way you are able to walk across on the lowest level of this triple-decker bridge to access both sides and Rick opted to put the light to his back to capture the entirety while I stayed up top and photographed down. It was gloriously sunny, and we were thrilled with beautiful photos of this Roman masterpiece over the River Gardon.
