French Girl Knitting Tours
September 13-20, 2010
Chateau D'Agel is a fairytale chateau nestled into the tiny hamlet of Agel, France. Replete with centuries-old paintings, a landscaped garden, polished stone stairways and its own private wine cave, this is an absolutely stunning castle; visit their website and we're sure you will agree. Agel is simply a beautiful, charming, and perfectly located chateau – perfect for your French Girl knitting getaway!
We are excited to share with you the beauty of this little-known corner of France, and invite you to join us in 2010 for what we're sure will be an experience that will remain with you always.
For the 2010 Knitting Tour, you'll spend a week in these luxurious quarters, learning exciting new seamless, top-down knitting techniques from our own Kristeen Griffin-Grimes, author of the bestselling French Girl Knits. Classes will be held on three mornings, in which Kristeen will get you started on several projects that incorporate some of her seamless knitting methods. Knitters of all levels are welcome, as our emphasis has always been one of providing individualized attention and allowing each knitter to work at her own pace. Projects and detailed information on classes are available in our welcome packet sent to registered guests.
Itinerary (Seven days / Seven nights)
Monday:
Arrive at Perpignan Airport, where we'll meet you at the gate and transport you to
Le Chateau D'Agel, our home for the week. After an hour's drive to the petit
village of Agel, you will be greeted by our French Girl staff with a refreshing aperitif de maison, and we'll make sure you are comfortably settled into your
luxurious quarters. Relax, take a dip in the inviting pool, or walk through the
beautifully landscaped garden and marvel at the beauty of our lovely Chateau.
We'll get to know each other with a short orientation in the courtyard and make
our way to a delightful dinner at a local auberge.
Tuesday:
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner (Breakfast)
9:00 – 12:00: Knitting class
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch at the chateau.
2:00 - We'll drive to Minerve, a stunning village perched on the high cliffs above
the River Cesse, and also rated as one of the 144 Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages in France). We'll wander the cobbled streets of this tiny
town, historically one of the last holdouts for the Cathars during the Albigensian
Crusade. Leaving Minerve, we'll take in a wine tasting at one of the many local
vineyards, where you'll have a chance to taste some of the outstanding wines
that have made this region a destination for oenophiles everywhere.
7:00 - Dinner at the chateau.
Wednesday: 
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner
10:00 - No French Girl tour is complete without a visit to Collioure, one of the
prettiest fishing villages in France. A pastel-hued gem resting on the
Mediterranean coast beneath the steep, verdant foothills of the Pyrenees,
Collioure will lure you in with it's narrow, shop-lined streets, brightly-colored
fishing boats, and stunning 17th century belfry of L'Eglise de Notre Dame des
Anges. We'll leave home shortly after breakfast, arriving at our destination in
time to take in the weekly market in the Plane tree-shaded village park. We'll
then turn you loose to have lunch at the restaurant of your choice. You'll have the
afternoon to browse the shops, visit the 12th century Chateau des Templiers, or
simply soak up the sun on one of the village's three beaches.
7:00 – Dinner at a regional restaurant
Thursday:
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner
9:00 - 11:00: Knitting Class
We'll then head to Le Centre Europeén du Patchwork, a one-of-a-kind quilt
museum housed in the village of Salleles D'Aude. Sitting cozily on the treeshaded
banks of the lovely Canal de la Robine, the museum is actually a
converted winery that now houses unique, hand-stitched quilts from all over the
world. We'll have our traditional picnic lunch on Marie's veranda, after which she
will give us a guided tour of the museum. You'll have time to sit and knit
afterwards, or walk the picturesque banks of the canal and watch the cruise
barges navigate the locks. We'll return to the Chateau for a few hours of
relaxation.
7:00 Dinner in a local restaurant.
Friday:
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner
9:00 - 12:00 Knitting Class
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch at the Chateau.
Since yesterday was a full one, we'll slow the pace down today, and leave the
afternoon for relaxing at the Chateau. About 4:00, we'll take an hour's drive
north to the small village of Faugères, home of our very first French Girl tour, for
a must-stop visit to La Vigneronne. Our dear friends & wine-makers Christian
and Régine will welcome us with a tour of their wine cellar and biodynamic wine
offerings, after which we'll be treated to a truly memorable dinner, with Christian
introducing each wine, and Régine explaining each tantalizing dish in this multicourse
affair.
Saturday:
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner
Montpellier is truly a one of Languedoc's gems, and therefore holds a permanent
place on all French Girl Tour itineraries. After breakfast & orientation, we'll leave
some time for relaxation at the Chateau. The remainder of the day will be spent
in "The Paris of the South", whose vibrant Place de la Comedie is one of the
most stunningly beautiful squares in all of France, with its stately 18th century
hotels, lively street performances, and sun-drenched sidewalk cafes. We'll have
lunch at Les Bains, a 2nd century Roman public bath that has been converted into
a charming restaurant. You'll then have the afternoon to explore the city, wander
the marble-paved Rue de L'Ancien Courrier, and get lost in the labyrinthine
streets of old Montpellier. For a mid-afternoon snack, drop into one of the many
enticing patisseries to indulge in a heavenly fôret noire or a quick pick-me-up of a
noisette or another French specialty coffee – délicieux! Before we return home
to the Chateau, a special dinner awaits us on the shores of the Etang de Thau,
home to the world famous Bouzigues oysters and other Mediterranean
delicacies.
Sunday:
8:00 – 9:00: Petit Dejeuner
Today is market day in St Chinian, a scenic town tucked into a verdant valley
near the Black Mountains. We'll spend the morning browsing its colorful stalls,
piled with fresh vegetables, local cheeses, and more olives than you can
imagine. After lunch in the village, we'll return home for the afternoon, to allow
time for relaxation and packing. French Girl Au Revoir dinner under the stars
(weather permitting).
How To Register For a French Girl Tour
Registering for a tour is easy. We accept payment by check, PayPal,
or all major credit cards.
Simply complete the Tour Registration Forms and send them to us
with your $500 deposit to confirm your participation in your chosen
Tour.
- PayPal: make your deposit online via our Shopping Cart (www.shop.frenchgirltours.com).
- Credit Card: please call us ( or 206-948-6495) or mail us your credit card information on the Registration Form.
- Installment Plan: After your initial deposit is made, we also offer a convenient six month installment plan - - contact us for details ( or 206-948-6495) or frenchgirlknits@yahoo.com.
- Balance of payment is due no later than 90 days prior to tour departure date. You will receive an invoice/payment form to complete 2 weeks prior to your payment due date.
For more information, contact:
French Girl Tours
Kristeen Griffin-Grimes & Phil Grimes
frenchgirlknits@yahoo.com
206-948-6495