Imagine finding yourself in the French countryside. It’s a beautiful sunny day, and you are arriving at a stunning cream coloured Grand Siècle Château in the Champagne region.
Next to the romantic Vesle river, expanses of meticulously maintained grounds surround the castle, including topiaries, sitting areas, a pool, and tennis court. There is even a private forest with paths for walking and cycling.
This isn’t a dream. Welcome to Château de Courcelles, a 4 star luxury hotel in Courcelles-sur-Vesle.
Stepping into the Château is like entering a fairytale castle. Built in the 17th century by Baron Jacques de la Grange, advisor to King Louis XIV, the castle has a rich history. It hosted famous visitors like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire. It was where Emperor Napoleon met his second wife, Marie-Louise. The Château survived German occupation in World War I. It was also a favourite party spot for Christian Dior. About 30 years ago, this family-run property was transformed into a luxury hotel. It has since made the Gold List of the renowned Condé Nast Traveler magazine and has been selected as “Traveller’s Choice” by TripAdvisor.
I could feel the history and elegance of this majestic building the moment I walked in. Warmly greeted by friendly staff, I was escorted through a series of gorgeous rooms. These included the lobby, boudoir (complete with cigars), and library.
The dining area includes an intimate chandelier-decked room with an impressive fireplace. Beyond the dining room is the beautiful Jardin d’hiver. This is a glass-enclosed dining space with lovely views of the grounds.
Recommended by the Michelin-guide, Château de Courcelles’ fine-dining restaurant is headed by Chef Lucas Vannier, whose career includes several famous starred restaurants. He specializes in regional cuisine with a twist, using fresh, seasonal produce in his dishes. In fact, everything he uses is sourced as locally as possible, even truffles and garnishes like edible flowers. Fish is brought in daily from the coast, to be as fresh as possible
Chef Vannier is absolutely passionate about his work and loves to share his knowledge with others. I had the incredible opportunity to join him in his kitchen to learn how to make two of his signature dishes!
Over the course of an afternoon, he taught me how to create his Rosace de homard au radis bleu et citron caviar, as well as his Langoustine au risotto a la bisque, tuile dentelle. This class was not just about following a recipe. Everything was well-explained and accessible. Chef was very friendly and it was clear that he was excited to teach!
I learned valuable tips such as how to shell some of my favourite seafood so that they remain pristine, how to cook them for maximum flavour, how different parts of an egg affect the consistency of homemade mayonnaise, and more. Chef not only introduced us to interesting produce like blue radishes and finger limes (an ingredient that I’ve been dying to find for years!), he also explained the chemistry behind certain ingredients and how they react together to produce flavours and textures.
Chef also even explained how he develops his recipes, starting from conception on paper to practicing and adjusting in the kitchen. Following the ingredient preparation, I then learned how to plate the two dishes like a pro. The best part: I got to eat what we made and WOW! these dishes are absolutely delightful.
The first dish was Rosace de homard au radis bleu et citron caviar. It was light and refreshing. While packed with interesting flavours and textures, it still respected the delicate taste of the lobster.
The second dish, Langoustine au risotto a la bisque, tuile dentelle, was heartier and comforting. This recipe was full of interesting technical details. One of my favourites was how to make foam sauce and tuile just like at a restaurant!
This wonderful experience finished at the Salon des Grisailles. Here, Chef Vannier further discussed his education, experiences, and life at Château de Courcelles over a glass of local Champagne Aspasie Brut Blanc de Blancs.
Overall, this was a truly memorable experience. The class can appeal to any level. The Chef is excellent at what he does, the staff’s service was outstanding, and the setting is gorgeous. The castle is also conveniently located between Paris and Reims. I would highly recommend a visit to Château de Courcelles to everyone.
I would like to also say “MERCI!” to Château de Courcelles for this amazing experience. I look forward to my next visit!
Cheers!
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