"In the 80s I lived in Normandy, my workshop was in Vieux-Pont-en-Auge, 50 km from my gallery on the Quai Sainte-Catherine in Honfleur.

I came back from time to time to Tours where I had lived for a few years and had built some strong friendships. These required me to make punctual returns; starting with an obligatory meeting at the Colibri, an emblematic bar in Vieux Tours where the owner Madame Monique had to celebrate our reunion, a bottle of champagne vintage René Laloux 1979 which was reserved for us. Thus could the festive hostilities begin.

Large flow of beers supplying a shady population made up of regulars, traders, outcasts and tourists looking to wander around in the Old Tours of the time, living day and night, the weather was good.< /p>

At the Colibri, Madame Monique, in exchange for meals and a few kids, occupied Dédé.

Early in the morning Dédé set up the terrace, went down and put away barrels of beer (many), syrups of all flavors (a few), he left to do some shopping which kept him busy the day, punctuated by a few meetings and toasts for in the evening… less courageous to return to the terrace.

Madame Monique, to her chic and friendly dinners, invited around her a clever mix of regional notables, artists, architects, dancers, musicians and never forgot to invite Dédé who listened to the speeches of our bright future.

We all talked about our future in the light with our surname which could only grow on the posters, even if it meant covering them entirely.

At our last dinner, Madame Monique explained to us that Dédé would no longer be there, he lived in a small house in La Riche and in his burnt house, he had been found dead.

He was killed by skinheads who then set his house on fire. The party was over, the spell broken.

Back in my studio, this story haunted me and I still think about it forty years later.

This is why on my “Invitations to travel” you will often see the little character with his broom, it’s Dédé. If you don't see him, he's not far away, he's in a tavern drawing a very big snake that has swallowed an elephant. And grown-ups tell him that he drew a hat."

- Michel Audiard

Find the works “Invitations aux voyages” at La Galerie-Store from July 25 to October 21, 2024.

Free entry, every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Explore the brand new sculpture exhibition presented at the Galerie-Store of the Domaine du Château des Pères.

After Sophie Verger, it is now the turn of the artist Michel Audiard to take his place in this artistic space.

Self-taught sculptor, born in 1951 in Paris, Michel Audiard created his lost wax bronze foundry at the end of 1978.

APPROACH AND CONCEPT 

"His work reflects the image of man: free, poetic, committed, sunny, traveling, atypical.

His sensitivity, his almost mystical connection to those around him. He is, in turn, creator, demolisher, builder, but he is always the one who has fun in his work.

Thus, each new material is an opportunity to test, to experiment: bronze, rust, resin, metal, wood or even plaster will be used to create the approximately 80,000 works to his credit . "

- Camille Colloch

STORY OF A MEETING

“First meeting with Michel Audiard / first sale at Public Auction of Monumental Sculptures in Brittany. 

I had discovered his sculptures shortly before in an exhibition in Touraine and really wanted to present his work and get to know the character a little more. No problems, you can count on me, he replied.

He arrived at the auction site with a flatbed trailer containing his magnificent XXL white rhino like the tamer from the Pinder circus and he said to me: Excuse me for coming with you, but that's how I am!< /p>

I understood that a great human and artistic adventure was beginning, we hadn't sold the rhino but what a laugh we had. Michel is like that, generous, funny, talented, attentive and always professional!

50 years of fun for him, 10 years of delicious exchanges for me!”

- Katy Criton, Artistic Director of the Estate

The Galerie-Store is open every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. The exhibition is free and open to all.

A conversation with Claire and Olivier, our chef couple who are heading out on a new adventure...

Watch their video announcement and read their responses to our questions below.

When and how did you come to the Château des Pères kitchens?

Olivier: I came in 2015 through a connection with someone both Jérôme [Jérôme Jouadé, chef who opened La Table des Pères restaurant] and I know. I didn't know anything about the estate or the village where it was located. Before coming here for the first time, I really thought it was in the middle of nowhere. And then I discovered the Chateau and met Jérôme and I've never left. Jérôme was all by himself. He had just arrived to set up the restaurant. Everything still had to be done and there were lots of projects, which kept me motivated.

Claire: I was friends with Olivier and as soon as he started working at the Chateau, he talked about it all the time. Everything he told me fit with what I was looking for. It sounded so good to me! And then I saw Jérôme on TV (on TF1) and the way he approached cooking, his values and his mindset. That's when I said, "I want to go there". I met Jérôme who was looking to expand the team. I sensed there was a lot of respect. I got a good feeling right away. I started working on the side in 2016 and I've been here ever since.

You spend a lot of time working as a team. What do you enjoy most about this part of your job?

Olivier: The crazy laughter! There are five of us in the kitchen. We laugh, get angry and support each other, just like a little family. There's lots of joking!

Claire: Working as a team isn't something that comes naturally to me, but I've learned how over time and now the moments I enjoy most are when we're creating a dish. It's a time when we're all on the same level. Each person is free to share their ideas, whether they seem crazy to some people or great to others. Jérôme values each person's skills, but he's most interested in the madness that drives us all!

Like Olivier said, we're a true family now. Rather than feeling like we're going to work, it feels like living out our passion with people we love. It's the first company I've worked at where people are the driving force. We tackle all of the challenges together, as one. Jérôme often says there's a bit of us in him and we all have a bit of him in us. It happens by osmosis!

What is the strongest memory you have made together at Château des Pères?

Olivier: I think we'll always carry the memory of the time when there were just three of us. We had to run everywhere. We didn't even have time to talk. We just understood each other with one look.

Claire: Yes, that's true. Now, some of the most memorable times are the moments when we relax, the simple moments when we're together, like at meals with the team for Sunday lunch.

We went through a really tough time after our front of house manager Jean tragically died in 2017. This really rattled us all and also brought us closer at the same time. It's definitely the most painful memory, but also the most vivid.

You are partners in your private and professional lives. Is that a benefit or a barrier?

Claire: Everyone figured we would get together, even before we realised it ourselves. [laughter] Now we live together and we work together. We can't imagine doing life any other way. We are so different in many ways. We complete each other.

Olivier: We complement each other in both our private and professional lives. We don't always see things in the same way. We're two people on opposite ends of the spectrum who've come together and this creates a balance that's sometimes a little crazy and sometimes a little funny.

Claire: In any case, we make all our plans together, no question about it.

Rumour has it that you're leaving the estate. Can you tell us more?

Claire: We're not really leaving. We'll just be gone for a bit. [laughter]

We took a leave to travel and explore France and Europe for a year. We had already separately dreamed of doing this and now that we're a couple, the desire is even stronger.

Why now? It's a whole…well, it's now or never, for both our personal and professional lives.

What do you want to get out of this trip personally and professionally?

Olivier: I want to change my lifestyle and consumption habits so I can connect more with Nature. This trip is a starting point for that.

It's also going to help us explore many new culinary cultures, meet farmers, harvest grapes, and connect with people and learn about their work and their passions. We'll come back to the Chateau full of experiences to share and ideas to try out.

Claire: For me, I want this trip to help me let go.

I'm not very adventurous deep down. I like everything to be planned, organised and anticipated, with no surprises. I was conditioned to be like that but I realise that it causes me to miss out on lots of things. A life that's over-planned is much less enjoyable.

I've already worked on myself a lot in preparation for the trip. Olivier also helps me quite a bit on this. That will help me check out unscheduled places and be open to surprises, most importantly. This will be our mindset every day.

This trip will also give me something I've been wanting to do for quite a while: explore things myself without worrying about the expectations of those around us.

This will be our time. We need to take this time to find out who we are in a different environment away from everyone else.

So when you get back in a few months, what will be your objectives and aspirations?

We'll be back ready to start on our new project!

We've both dreamed about running our own place.

Now we've been offered an alternative that will enable us to thrive while staying at the Chateau, a place we love and somewhere we want to be. What we want most is to lead a project, to be able to grow with a sharing mindset, and to do our part to contribute to the estate's growth.

This trip will change us. We'll come back full of new experiences that we will want to share in our environment, our kitchen and with people around us.

You are preparing to leave for a year and go far away from everything. Are you worried about anything for your return?

Claire: We don't really have any worries because we know what's awaiting us when we get back. We can't wait, to be honest. Now we're impatient to head out on our trip but we know we'll be motivated by the idea of coming back and setting up this new project at the Chateau.

Olivier: We're very optimistic and confident for the future!

If you could be a fly on the wall, what would you choose to observe here while you're away?

Claire: We're going to miss participating in the next hiring rounds and building the future team, so we would keep a close eye on that. We're going to get back and everything will be done. It'll be a complete surprise!

Until now, we've always done hiring together. We were all involved with the arrival of new people. We just hope that the connections built will be as strong within the team.

Olivier: We're going to miss lots of things by leaving for a year. We'd like to see what everyone's doing, just everyday life. Because when we get back, we're going to have to catch up on everything: building connections with those who arrive while we're gone and getting used to the new spaces that are being built.

Claire: The Chateau is part of our life. It's a place where there are projects, where there's life. So many things will happen in a year, for sure. We hope that everyone will be as happy there as we are!

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–> Follow their adventure on Instagram!

@goutdechemin

The Hôtel-Spa**** L'EssenCiel has just been selected to be among the 100 most beautiful hotels in the world, in the Architecture category, during the prestigious Hôtel & Lodge Awards 2024. This nomination crowns the excellence and originality of our establishment which offers an extraordinary experience to its visitors.

Located within the Château des Pères estate, the Hôtel l'EssenCiel stands out for its captivating atmosphere and avant-garde design. By subtly merging luxury and nature, the establishment offers a unique stay where every detail is carefully thought out to amaze the senses.

THE ORIGINALITY OF HOTEL L’ESSENCIEL LIES NOT ONLY IN ITS BOLD EXTERIOR DESIGN BUT ALSO IN THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IT OFFERS.

Imagined as a suspended "Nest", each of the 42 rooms evoke intimacy, tranquility and harmony with nature. This unique concept in France symbolizes the spirit of innovation embodied by the Domaine du Château des Pères. This nomination reinforces the image of the Domaine as a place where innovation and creativity combine harmoniously with the historical heritage of the 18th century Château. The Hôtel l'EssenCiel offers travelers an unforgettable experience, combining contemporary design and immersion in an exceptional natural setting.

Beyond its atypical architecture, the Hôtel l'EssenCiel offers a unique experience where visitors can discover the multiple facets of the Domaine du Château des Pères: walks in the Sculpture Park, gourmet meals, and even artistic workshops for creative enthusiasts.

IT’S NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT HOTEL L’ESSENCIEL HAS DISTINGUISHED IN THE WORLD OF HOTEL INDUSTRY.

In fact, the establishment had already won 3rd prize in the unusual category during the 2023 edition of the Hôtel&Lodge competition. This recognition confirms the team's continued commitment to innovation and providing unique experiences to its guests.

The Hotel l'EssenCiel perfectly embodies the fusion between refinement and daring, thus creating a universe where the traveler is invited to explore new horizons and experience exceptional moments. This nomination in the Hôtel&Lodge competition establishes the establishment as an essential destination for travelers looking for unique and memorable experiences.

See you on May 16 for the official awards ceremony!

This year is a bit different, so Château des Pères is offering an at-home menu to celebrate Valentine's Day. All you have to do is slip on your apron and prepare a meal to surprise your sweetheart.

Just follow the Chef's advice to create a gourmet four-course meal in your own home. No chance of botching things! It will be easy to delight your lover.

Your Valentine's Day package includes:

The menu, all of the ready-to-cook ingredients, detailed explanations and tips from the chef, and a special game for lovers as a bonus.

#IAmYourChefToday

4-course menu + bottle of red wine*: €47 per person 

* based on the sommelier's recommendations 

Limited quantities available. By reservation only on +33 (0)2 23 08 40 80 or from our gift voucher shop 

Pick up your package onsite on Saturday 13 February from 10am to 12pm or from 2pm to 5pm after payment. Book your pickup time slot by phone.

Orders will be refunded if changes in government measures do not allow click and collect pickups. 

Valentine's Day Menu Details

Saint Jacques Scallop Carpaccio, Perrine et Etienne lemon confit, creamy avocado and puffed tapioca chips 

****

Freshly caught fish, shellfish broth risotto, shredded pickled parsnips and smoked sweet pepper cream 

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Veal tournedos, Breton sweetheart cabbage in slightly salted butter, garden squash in reduction sauce with roasted flavours

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Preserved Citrus from Bâchés and various types of Valrhona chocolate

As Château des Pères prepares to open our 4-star hotel and spa, we are also restructuring our dining options to keep pace with the estate's growth.

There are lots of things happening at Château des Pères right now: we are opening Le Re-Père cafe/restaurant in Autumn 2021, moving La Table des Pères into a new facility close to the hotel and opening Les Kompères restaurant in April 2022! We're making progress on all our projects thanks to the excellent work of teams from Legendre Construction and the Vitré agency.

By 2022, visitors to the estate will be able to choose from a variety of options for dining onsite every day:

La Table des Pères restaurant, the estate's flagship, offers gourmet cuisine. It is currently located in the historic building, but will be moved in April 2022 to a new facility currently being built right next to the new hotel.

The restaurant's panoramic garden view will immerse customers in the world of Chef Jérôme Jouadé who draws his inspiration directly from the market garden. La Table des Pères guests will be able to savour this avant-garde cuisine Thursday evenings through Sunday middays.

Le Re-Père cafe/restaurant, which opened in September 2021.

Le Re-Père was created to offer guests a welcoming place to gather, something that is important to the estate's director Julien Legendre. It also fulfils his desire to extend the pleasure of dining in a different atmosphere than La Table des Pères. Le Re-Père is located in the estate's former pig pen (which used to be the location for weddings). It is filled with beams and old rocks, creating an inviting space for big gatherings of friends or families. Each person can eat at their own pace with selections from the buffet featuring dishes inspired by the food our grandmothers cooked, as well as a rotisserie featuring the finest pedigree meats from local farmers.

Le Re-Père is open every weekend for brunch, lunch and dinner or a cup of coffee after a long walk. It will take you back to your childhood with unpretentious forgotten flavours from the region.

Les Kompères is a new restaurant located within the Chateau that will open at the same time as the relocated La Table des Pères.

Claire and Oliver have been with the estate since we first began our culinary adventures and they will take the helm at this new restaurant. These two lovers (of good food) want to give the restaurant a warm, welcoming vibe that connects with guests. They will offer cooked-to-order dishes made with fresh, high-quality products to create set menus guided by the seasons and their current inclinations.

Les Kompères will be open Monday through Friday at midday and evening. Stop by after a walk in the Sculpture Park or just to enjoy dining within the estate's historic building.

Opening in April 2022 with space for 40 guests.

The Chateau's rooms can be privatised to host family meals, private events and company meetings. Dedicated menus will be created that fit all types of events with various menus featuring local, seasonal products like at the other restaurants on the estate.

Read our press release to learn more about these projects.

This year, we are bringing back our Picnic package at the Château des Pères from Saturday 22 May until Sunday 29 August!

After a difficult spring, take time to gather outdoors with family or friends over a delicious picnic prepared by our La Tables des Pères restaurant. Of course, all hygiene and safety measures will be in place for this event. 

 -> Picnic menu: €28 per adult, €18 per child, Saturday and Sunday, midday only 

On the menu: Salad, seafood, charcuterie, homemade terrine, cheeses, fruit salad, farm-fresh fromage blanc + Beverage included 

We set up picnic tables throughout the sculpture park where you can comfortably enjoy your meal and take advantage of the Château's exceptional setting. 

Book your picnic now by email at latabledesperes@chateaudesperes.fr or on +33 (0)2 23 08 00 08. Reserve at least 24 hours in advance.

If the weather is bad, your picnic will be available for takeaway.

Artist Paul Javaudin invites you to join him on Saturday 10 July to explore sculpting and clay modeling focused on the theme of masks.  

During this session, you will learn how to work with clay by creating a terra cotta mascaron or mask.

Paul invites you to spend a day making a clay face that can be placed against a wall. You can customise it to fit your current inspirations. Express your decorative fantasies and original ideas with this work.

You will use traditional modelling techniques to create an anatomically correct head shape.

You can also use various extruded and/or hollow moulds if you would rather stamp the clay to create a hollow shape that can be manipulated from the inside if you want to work on the project in a different way.

This workshop is open to all your creative ideas, so feel free to bring your own project to work on.

Come as a family or with friends to enjoy a fun or serious moment based on your current mood and creativity level.

You can pick up your pieces after they have been dried and fired.

Reserve your spot on +33 (0)2 23 08 40 80 or at secretariat@chateaudesperes.fr
Hours: From 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Price: €100 per person (adults and teens age 10 and older)
Accessible to visually impaired and blind people