Le Verger: accommodation and food
About Le Verger
Le Verger is a beautifully renovated complex of historic farm buildings (the earliest building dates from 1775) in an idyllic rural setting. It is located in the peaceful little village of Coutarnoux in the heart of the Burgundian countryside. The courtyard entrance to Le Verger is opposite the Coutarnoux village church while the orchard garden side of the property has uninterrupted views across fields and woodlands. The sunsets can be spectacular.
Le Verger includes two farm houses, La Vieille Maison and La Maison Bleue, a bread house and two barns one of which has been converted into a spacious, light filled seminar room. The property is an L shape, with the two houses facing away from each other at different ends of the L and with a barn in between. The plan of the property will give you an idea of the layout. If you arrive by car there is ample space for parking in the courtyard of Le Verger.
Le Verger has a swimming pool set in a secluded corner of the large orchard garden. There are two outdoor terraces for al fresco dining and quiet corners of the garden with deckchairs available for reading or relaxation.
Le Verger is a place where the atmosphere is relaxed and informal and where you are encouraged by course organisers, Rosemary Stones and Alan Ravenscoft, to make yourself feel at home.
Computer facilities
You are welcome to bring your own laptop but there is no IT support available.
Disabled access
We regret that the venue is not easily accessible for wheelchair users.
Accommodation
The shared sitting room in La Vieille Maison has an open stone fireplace for log fires and a traditional oak beamed ceiling. It is hung with British paintings from the ‘40s and ‘50s and furnished with comfortable chairs and antique Burgundian sideboards. There is a well stocked library which has a collection of guide books to the local area. Most bedrooms also have crowded book shelves.
Seminars take place in the large converted barn with its spectacular high beamed ceiling or, if the weather is glorious, on one of the outside terraces.
Course participants come together for meals which are either eaten at the table in the large kitchen dining room (which also has a stone fireplace and traditional oak ceiling) or al fresco on one of the outside terraces.
Bedrooms and bathrooms
There is a mixture of single and twin bedrooms in the two houses. The bathrooms are shared. Linen and towels are provided. (It is helpful if course participants bring their own pool towels.)
There are washing machines, a drier and ironing facilities available on request.
Some of the bedrooms at Le Verger:
Food
Food and drinks are provided. This includes breakfast, morning coffee, lunch and dinner. There is an emphasis on local ingredients and regional specialities. Epoisses cheese, boeuf bourguignon, snails and kir are just some of the highlights of Burgundy cuisine. There are facilities for participants to make themselves tea or coffee at any time. Please let us know of any dietary requirements well in advance.