MEETINGS
& EVENTS
Want the Perfect Wedding?
In the middle ages, the French inscribed posy rings with - Deux Ames Un Coeur or Two souls, one heart. One of the most fundamental features to a beautiful wedding is a feeling of heart – or what the French call Coup de cœr. Intimacy, majesty and beauty make the heartbeat of Chateau Gerard. Its interior and grounds provide intimacy against an ancient and majestic setting, perfect to celebrate the ceremony of two people about to set off on their life’s adventure. From two people to two hundred the castle can nestle a couple or embrace a generous gathering. Coupled with catering the event will create a memory to live on for all who attend.
Catering
Chateau Gerard is at the epicentre of some of the finest food and wine in the world. Just twenty five minutes from Chablis, and wonderful regions like the undiscovered pinot-noir paradise of Irancy, it is easy to pair some of the world’s most tantalising wine with the finest French and Burgundian cuisine. From fully catered weddings to a regal fire-side dinner at the long table, to a Chateau hamper full of fare for lazy lunches in the garden or beside the pool it will be hard for food not to be a central feature of your visit. The father and sons team of Dennis, Pierre, and Vincent - featured on Anthony Bordain’s episode on Burgundy – cover the culinary gamete from premiere charcuterie, to sommelier, to market garden. The produce and the attention to detail befits the castle that will become your home.
Wine Tasting
Enjoy the expertise and warmth of Pierre Paillot, sommelier, who graduated in 1999 from the school of oenology and then trained in wine waiting at Tain l’Hermitage, located in the Rhône Valley. Take the opportunity to share his passion and the knowledge he acquired as sommelier in the prestigious restaurants of Gordon Ramsey, Marc Meneau, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Tom Aikens London, Mint Restaurant Dublin. He will be happy to share his experience of European vineyards, and to steer you towards other wine–making areas worth a visit.
Local Food Direct from the Farm
Farm: For Milk and Cheese: Farm Champbeaublé at Blacy near l'isle sur serein
Fanny Collin Phone: 06 82 06 56 47 @: champbeauble@gmail.com
Farm: Lamb, Pork and Veal - Clavisy at noyers (next to the Pailott Market Garden) Guillaume Verdin Phone: 06 76 63 99 05 fermedeclavisy@hotmail.fr (You can see Guillaume and his farm on Anthony Bordain’s Burgundy Episode)
Local Grocery Stores
The newly renovated Épicerie (3 minutes walk) Small, handy. Meats, cereals, beer, wine, small but all the essentials. Best to order your bread the day before if you don’t want to drive to Noyers. Better still, set up a regular order for the duration of your stay.
1. Noyers - 10 Minutes drive. 2 local supermarkets. Directions.
2. L’Isle-sur-Serein – 10 Minutes drive. Directions. 1 Supermarket (Tip: More fish available here than in Noyers).
Local Baker and Butcher
For fresh bread order direct from the local store 3 minutes walk from the castle.
For a fabulous baker – go to Noyers.
Everything you’d ever want, including snails, wine, terrines and the world renowned chickens from Bresse – visit Dennis at Maison Paillot in the heart of the Medieval Noyers just 12 minutes from the castle.
Restaurants
It’s Burgundy! They are everywhere. A favorite is Denis, Pierre and Vincent’s restaurant in Noyers - Maison Paillot. Beautiful to eat outside and in. Great cost and quality. Fabulous wine list. Bookings recommended.
Also a must if you visit if you visit Noyers is Restaurant de la Vieille Tour. An institution with the locals, the experience is typically French with locally sourced produce and a high degree of passion from the owner, Laurence. Some of the best Burgundian cuisine you'll experience and at a great price. For the adventurous eaters: the tête de veau is unsurpassed. 1 Rue de la Porte Peinte, 89310 Noyers
For a nearby Michelin-starred restaurant popular with Château Gérard guests, visit Au Fil Du Zinc in Chablis. The restaurant is unpretentious and stylish with attentive staff, located in a beautiful setting that bridges a waterway. The French cuisine is reinterpreted in a neo-bistro atmosphere and loved by Chablis locals and visitors alike. Chef Ryo Nagahama worked at Atelier with Joël Robuchon, Hôtel Meurice with Yannick Alleno, and finally sous cheffed for Joël Robuchon in Taipei. Au Fil du Zinc is also an excellent place to explore and savour some of the best wines of the region.
Where to buy wine
Everywhere, it's Burgundy!
However, particular favourites for cost, variety, and quality are
Pierre Paillot, co-owner and sommelier at Maison Paillot in Noyers. Tip: ask for a tasting and to see the selection located in his cave. Be careful, he may recruit you to volunteering on his vineyard located in the hills around Noyers!
Fabian Espana, the co-owner and sommelier at Au Fil Du Zinc in Chablis. Here is an example of range and prices. Note: this list is for the restaurant and prices may be less from the Cave, located to your left just before you enter the restaurant. Tip: buy more, pay less.
Both men are native to the region and contagiously passionate about wine.
Markets
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Avalon: Saturday (Open and Covered) . Directions and drive time.
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Noyers: Every Saturday and Wednesday. Every autumn the famous Burgundy truffle market is held under the arcades at Noyers-sur-Serein, with stalls selling pottery and local produce in the town centre. Directions and drive time
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Chablis: Sunday morning until noon. Directions and drive time
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Beaune: Saturday (open and covered). Directions and drive time
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Auxerre: Tuesday and Friday at Arquebuse the market hall off Boulevard du 11 November. Wednesday in the centre, Rue Draperie. Directions and drive time.
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Dijon: Tues, Thurs (covered) Fri, Sat (covered and open). Directions and drive time
DOWNLOAD OUR MENUS
Yes, all Menus include cooking, serving, and cleaning and - being Burgundy - the wine of course! Selected by Pierre Paillot (glass per course). Minimum 10 people.
Other Fun Things (entirely unrelated to food and wine)
Bicycle Hire - Delivered straight to the Château door
La Maison du Vélo, Pl Achille Ribain - 89000 Auxerre, +33 3 86 46 24 99 - www.maison-velo.com Tip: Ask for Laurent
Tennis in the Château's village.
Just a five minute walk from the Castle. Be sure to book the court by writing your name on the list located at the Court. For more details just as Kate or Ashley when they meet you at the Castle upon your arrival. The court is included in your stay. (Racquets are not provided because the range of grip sizes etc is too wide).
Badminton at the Château
A badminton set is provided at the Château.
Horse Riding
Madame Severine Sourd, Ecurie de La Fontaine, 89200 Annéot. Tel: +33 3 86 31 63 10