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The French Paradox
Program en 8 day / 7 nights

• Day 1

Arrival early afternoon in Perpignan, capital of French Catalonia.
On arrival, you will be welcomed by our local courier.
Rental of a car for the duration of your stay, or if you prefer, we can organize the hire of a limousine complete with English or German speaking chauffeur.
Transfer to your residence: superbly renovated guesthouse. Experience the serenity and charm of one of the finest Chateaux in the Languedoc-Roussillon in the south west of France. Nestling in exotic gardens close to the centre of Perpignan, La Tour Apollinaire blends the comforts of a boutique hotel with the character of a stunning Italian-Gothic Chateau with Art Deco influences. Located in the heart of town in an 18th century Bourgeois town house, complete with swimming pool. www.latourapollinaire.com
Once you are comfortably installed, transfer to the Mont Soleil Center, just a few kilometers away. Mont Soleil is a weight re-education center unique in France, addressing the issues of overweight and obesity. Its concept is founded on the basis of new-technology physical re-education, linked to the rediscovery of well-being and the fundamental principles of Mediterranean nutrition and cuisine.
Meeting with the Center’s multidisciplinary team: physical education coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists. After an overview of the organization of your stay in Perpignan, a dietetician will accompany you to buy the Organic food needed for your week’s dinner menus.
Transfer to your residence.
Your first carefully programmed dinner will be served in a Michelin-starred restaurant close to your residence (la Galinette).

• Day 2

Morning transfer to the Mont Soleil Center. (treatments and physical re-education session with coach : swimming pool and/or muscular reinforcement gymnasium)
12.15 pm: nutritionally-studied lunch at the Center.
Early afternoon: departure for Collioure, via Elne to visit the Roman cathedral overlooking the town. Heading for the coast, you will discover the ravishing village of Collioure nestling between royal chateau and lighthouse-church. This magical place carries unforgettable memories of artists such as Matisse, Derain or Dufy. Stroll through narrow streets which echo a time when life was lived to the rhythm of the traditional Sardane dance...... or we can offer you the option of a longer excursion on foot.
Transfer to Perpignan around 5.30 pm.
Individual preparation of your dinner in the Residence kitchen, using a Mont Soleil Center original recipe.

• Day 3

Morning excursion to a Foie Gras producer in the village of Oms. Thanks to its smiling owner, Claude Vassail, in little or no time you will learn everything there is to know about the origins of this oh so French traditional cuisine. The farm is located in the heart of a forest of cork-oaks and holm-oaks. Mas Cane raises free-range poultry, ducks, geese.....
A light lunch will be served at the farm.
Early afternoon, return to the Mont Soleil Center (treatments and physical re-education session with coach in swimming pool and/or muscular reinforcement gymnasium)
Transfer to your residence around 6.30 pm.
Individual preparation of your dinner in the Residence kitchen, using a Mont Soleil Center original recipe.

• Day 4

Morning transfer to the Mont Soleil Center (same program as day 2)
12.15 pm: departure for the country. Halt in an inn, where you will lunch on regional products.
Afternoon: visit of Domaine Les Fonts, a 30 acre olive grove in the picturesque Calce area. Accompanied by Carmen and Didier Lamirand, you will marvel at these beautiful old trees over fifty years old.
The olive grove is part of an ancient estate, dating from the 11th century. The fortified farm, with its abundant water sources, was used by cow and goat herds as a resting place during their transhumance (twice-yearly migrations to and from the mountain pastures).
Olive oil tasting initiation
(Walk + tasting in English = 3 hours)
Return to Perpignan around 5.30 pm
Individual preparation of your dinner in the Residence kitchen, using a Mont Soleil Center original recipe.

• Day 5

Morning transfer to the Mont Soleil Center (same program as day 2)
12.15 pm: transfer to Perpignan city center (“gourmand” salad and fresh fruit juice)
Afternoon free in town, strolling and shopping. (Discover the art of garnet-cutting in a goldsmith’s workshop in the city center), guided visit possible with supplement.
Return to your residence around 6 pm.
Individual preparation of your dinner in the Residence kitchen, using a Mont Soleil Center original recipe.

• Day 6

The day is dedicated to discovering Cathar country heritage and skills. In the morning, you will be able to stroll leisurely through the beautiful city of Carcassonne, located on the right bank of the Aude River and perched on the oppidum which gave the town its name (Carcasso). 2 miles of fortifications and 52 towers encircle this prestigious site, unique in Europe. A bilingual guide will bring to life the local history, during a visit of 1H30.
Lunch in a farm lodge in Aude country
The afternoon is spent on the water, for a 2 hour trip on a “gabarre” (traditional flat-bottomed boat) on the Canal du Midi.
On the way back, a halt at Terra Vinéa is a must: a unique encounter and an astonishing voyage to the center of the earth through monumental galleries to discover oak casks containing the Rocbère winemakers’ greatest wines.
Beneath the vaults of this naturally air-conditioned gypsum cathedral, you will be invited to taste these quality wines.
To end this busy day, a relaxing dinner in pure Catalan style, accompanied by “tapas” and good Roussillon wines, at the France restaurant.
Return to your residence.

• Day 7

Morning transfer to the Mont Soleil Center (treatments and physical re-education sission with coach in swimming pool and muscular reinforcement gymnasium)
12.15 pm: nutritionally-studied lunch at the Center
Afternoon: excursion to the Côte Rocheuse (Rocky Coast), 2 ½ hour walk in the Banyuls vineyards. You will share a very special moment with a winegrower/guide, who will accompany you on foot through le Domaine des Banyuls et de Collioure, followed by a chance to taste these exceptional wines.
You will be able to appreciate the bay of Banyuls and your last evening before dining on a mouth-watering meal with a Mediterranean accent.

• Day 8

Departure transfer to the airport or car-hire drop at the airport.

Tariff on Request