Our Estate is situated on a snail farm on the border between Burgundy and Champagne
Only 20 minutes from Chablis, Bernon is an ideal gastronomic venue where those who love nature and heritage will be able to refresh themselves in the surrounding forests or improve themselves in the cradle of the Middle Ages.
Your stay with us will be a tranquil and friendly one where well-being is the key word.
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<p> INTRODUCTION TO SNAIL COOKERY <br />
Every Saturday morning in July, we open our doors to up to 5 students to introduce them to snail cookery. <br />
These lessons are open to anyone wishing to learn the basics about cooking snails and wanting to learn some local recipes. <br />
The courses will start on Saturdays at 8.30 a.m. and will end with a meal. <br />
Places should be booked very quickly on 03.25.70.08.34<br />
The course costs 50 euros, including the meal. <br />
</p>
<p>SPECIAL OFFER<br />
Book any self-catering accommodation during July and August 2006 and we will give you a snail tasting box.<br />
</p>
<p>A LITTLE HISTORY</p>
<p>Bernon was founded in the Roman period and was used as a fortification on a Gallo-Roman road.</p>
<p>In the Middle Ages, Joan of Arc is believed to have come to meditate in Bernon church, founded in the 12th century.<br />
<br />
The first traces of La Fontaine farm can be found on a plan drawn in around 1630 which can be seen at the Aube Department Archives in Troyes.</p>
<p>At the beginning of the 20th century a cheese dairy opened on the site, together with a butcher's. </p>
<p>The Bourgoin cheese company manufactured Chaource AOC, Ervy and Carré de l'Est cheeses until 1969 and became renowned for making butter which was chilled with water drawn on the site.</p>
<p>The spring still exists and gave the site its name "La Fontaine".</p>
<p>In 1972 Daniel PETIT bought the former cheese dairy and 20 years later set up the "La Fontaine de Bernon" snail company.</p>
<p>In 1993 his son Denis joined him and set up a snail farm.</p>
<p>Since then, almost all the family have been involved with the arrival of the older son Didier who has developed the tourist part.<br />
</p>
<p>OUR HOUSE AND OUR COTTAGES</p>
<p>Our Hamlet offers several types of accommodation.</p>
<p>- 3 bed and breakfast rooms under the Gîtes de France name<br />
- 1 self-catering cottage for 2/4 people with fitted kitchen<br />
- 2 cottages for 2/4 people (for 2007)</p>
<p>In the evening, "table d'hôte" meals are available, made from farm produce and genuine local produce.</p>
<p>We are also pleased to offer Farm Teas known as "Welcome to the Farm".<br />
</p>
<p>EQUIPMENT<br />
<br />
- Barbecue<br />
- Garden furniture<br />
- Children's games<br />
- Disabled access possible (please ask us)<br />
- A 4000 m² park with about one hundred different species of trees and flowers including a sequoia, several tulip trees and maples, a two hundred-year-old walnut tree, some wild orchids, etc.<br />
</p>
<p>SERVICES</p>
<p>- Books, maps and tourist guides available at reception<br />
- Mountain bike hire<br />
- Free visit of the snail farm for all our guests<br />
- Local papers <br />
- Tavern where light meals can be served<br />
- Our animal friends are also welcome. </p>
<p>AROUND THE ESTATE</p>
<p>The watch words here are calm, authenticity and escape.</p>
<p>Full of generosity, the Aube department overflows with small producers who will be happy to see you and show you what they can do. </p>
<p>Food lovers will be delighted by Champagne (25 km away), Chablis (30 km), mushrooms, cider, as well as the tasty Chaource cheese and, of course, snails.</p>
<p>If you love nature, go to the Forêt d'Orient lakes and see the wonders of birds and deer in a park <br />
covering 70,000 hectares.</p>
<p>40 km away is the town of Troyes, a magnificently restored town of mediaeval splendour. Strolling through its 16th century lanes, where half-timbered houses stand alongside private mansions, is an ideal way of taking a little break.</p>
<p>Towards Auxerre you can take a walk through Noyers sur Serein, judged to be one of France's most beautiful villages.<br />
Heritage lovers should not miss visiting Chaource church with its statue of Christ being put in the tomb and its gilded wooden crib.</p>
<p>Come and rediscover the countryside and its special atmosphere, far from the noise and in perfect harmony with nature.</p>
<p>Whether you come alone, as a couple or a family, our region will fulfil all your desires.</p>
<p>Within a radius of 10 km<br />
- Cheese museum <br />
- Chaource cheese dairy <br />
- Pedal toy museum at Chaource <br />
- Chaource church and the Christ being put in the tomb statue <br />
- La Cordelière golf course <br />
- Doll museum at Maisons les Chaource <br />
-Paintball Adventure at Vanlay <br />
- Domaine Raid Découverte (quad bikes) <br />
- Cussangy mushroom farm <br />
- Goats cheese producer at Maisons les Chaource </p>
<p>Troyes: <br />
- Tool museum <br />
- Old Troyes <br />
- Hôtel Dieu Apothecary museum <br />
- Troyes Cathedral <br />
- "Son et lumière" display "The Cathedral Builders" from end of June to end of August <br />
- Music Week "Champagne Nights"<br />
- The Forêt d'Orient lakes<br />
- The "Maison des Lacs" sports centre <br />
- Eco Museum <br />
- Napoleon Museum at Brienne le Château </p>
<p>In Burgundy <br />
- Vezelay village, a UNESCO World Heritage site <br />
- Noyers sur Serein, judged to be one of France's most beautiful villages <br />
- Alésia <br />
- Guédelon fortress building site </p>
<p>Champagne and Burgundy wine cellars: <br />
- Moutard Champagne <br />
- Senez Champagne <br />
- Thierry HAMELIN Chablis wine at Lignorelles<br />
- Domaine Alain Mathias Epineuil wine</p>
<p>Arts and crafts: <br />
- CYPRAEA workshop at Chessy les Prés hand-painted porcelain <br />
- Mr CONSIGNY stoneware and enamels at Chaource<br />
- Chesley tile factory <br />
- Mr QUESTE artistic cabinetmaker at Commissey <br />
- Art therapy Mme MAZARGUIL </p>
<p>Useful addresses: <br />
- Tonnerre and surrounding area Tourist office site. <br />
- Chaource area site <br />
- Troyes Tourist Office site <br />
- Yonne Department tourism committee <br />
<br />
Plus: <br />
- Troyes factory shops<br />
- Nigloland theme park </p>
<p>and plenty more to come... <br />
</p>
<p>CONTACT US HOW TO FIND US</p>
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<br />
DETAILS <br />
2, rue de la Fontaine <br />
10130 BERNON<br />
-FRANCE-<br />
Tel. 03.25.70.08.34<br />
Fax 03.25.70.50.90 <br />
Click here to display maps</p>
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