References and Comments on the Ecole des Trois Ponts
 

Language and cookery lessons in a friendly, convivial atmosphere taught by fully trained professionals.

Australia

Jenny Gardner - cjgar@bigpond.net.au

Patricia Anderson - 899 236 519 patander@bigpond.net.au

Michele Arthur - Tel  407 383 331marthur@internode.on.net

USA

Clare Posnack (NY) - Tel (212) 410 9355  clare@posnack.com

Linda Irenegreene (NY) - Tel (914) 282 8172 liglaw@westnet.com

Blair Beebe (Portola Drive) - blairbeebe@earthlink.net

Larry & Margie Krakauer (MA) - Tel  (508) 358 2319 LKrakauer@comcast.net

Frank Gitro (NY) - Tel (212) 855 9599 fgitro@gmail.com

Germany

Frank & Rosalind Hermes -Tel 2232 928708 frankhermes2000@t-online.de

Felicitas Witt - Tel 6123-703319 Felicitas.Witt@gmx.de

Felicia Steinigeweg    feliciastg@web.de

Renate &Thomas Foerster -Tel : 211 25 32 86  renate_foerster@web.de

Canada

Jan Doll - j.doll@shaw.ca

Carrie Lee Chung - carrielee_chung@yahoo.com

Great Britain

Solveig Hamilton  -  solveigmary@hotmail.com

John Macksmith - Tel 01179 429248 johnmacksmith@hotmail.com

Duncan Targett -  Tel 07776 463654 duncan.targett@mac.com

Anne Kiltie - anne.kiltie@cancer.org.uk

Italy

Francesca Cesari - sole7676@yahoo.it

Fabrizio & Rossella Grea - Tel (+39)335 788 53 52

Espagne - Spain

Ana Bustelo - (+34) 91 744 9235 ana-bustelo@ya.com

Cooking Course

Sharman Bocigalupi (US) - sharmie2u@yahoo.com

Suzy Hillier (UK) - Tel 01684 273605 suzy27@btinternet.com

Tony & Jane Philip (UK) - Tel 208 332 0337 tony.philip@btinternet.com

Patti Sollereder  (Ca) - Tel  (780)452 4172  p_sollereder@hotmail.com

Pastry/Baking  and Chocolate Course

Dave Hefflin  (US) - david.hefflin@btopenworld.com    (Pastry or Chocolate)

Amy Spicer (UK) -  amy_spicer78@hotmail.com     (Pastry or Chocolate)

Katrina Murphy (Irl) -  katrinamurphy@eircom.net    (Pastry)

Marla Muns (US) - marlacmuns@aol.com    (Pastry)

Elaine Namba (US) - emnamba@kcc.com     (Chocolate)

Family stays

Candida Weston (UK) - Tel (+41) 22 369 0880 CandidaWeston@aol.com

Liz Hayes (US) - Tel (414) 962 3612 EHayes7178@aol.com

Quotes from Guests

Chateau Atmosphere

Vous avez créé un endroit comme nul autre - pas seulement un endroit où on peut apprendre le français mais aussi où se sent comme on serait chez soi. Après trois semaines, vraiment, je ne veux pas partir.
Je vous demande pardon de mes erreurs grammaticales et j'espère revenir un jour pour apprendre même plus! Merci mille fois pour tout. Sandra Hague

We had such a wonderful time at your Chateau. My husband and I were so relaxed. He did not want to leave. Great food! Great wine! Great company! Tess, USA

Merci encore pour une semaine de pure joie! Clare

I really cannot emphasize enough what a great time I had this week and how special my teachers and the staff were. Lisa, USA

You should be very pourd of what you offer; this is an outstanding opportunity for people to meet and learn French in a most convivial situation. Christine

Visit http://www.simonandjillian.co.uk/reportage/ecole_200508/trip_report.htm for two students' 'report' on their stay at the château.

French Country Cookery Courses

I just wanted... to tell you how much I enjoyed my stay at your home: Château Matel. I really do feel like I was staying at a truly French home and not a vacation spot. I loved the French country cooking... What surprised me was the amount and quality of side trips you included for us. I felt like I had a personal tour guide. Lin, Louisiana

What a hoot!!! You obviously know your stuff when it comes to food. Really enjoyed the class. L.B.

This was the best class I've ever taken! Lin

What a fun, delicious week. A few secrets from the chef, but more details and refined methods were the highlights of the class. Great class size. A lovely location and wonderful French country feel. Mary

French Language Courses

C'était une expérience merveilleuse. J'ai appris le français, j'ai fait des amis, je me suis relâché et j'ai beaucoup ri. Merci. Christine

I can highly recommend L'Ecole des Trois Ponts... My experience at the château was so wonderful, I am going back in May... The school is a great place to learn all aspects of the language and, importantly, get to know some very nice French people. I felt very much at home with the teachers and staff. I made new friends from all over the world. Kathy, USA

Une autre année et beaucoup de choses superbes, intéressantes, amusantes, éducationnelles. Nous vous remercions pour la chance à vivre comme les français pendant une semaine. Ruth & Megan

Avec un euphémisme typiquement anglais, je dis sans aucun doute - j'ai été fortement encouragé par mes leçons, bien satisfait par la nourriture copieuse. Je pars avec de bons souvenirs d'une ambiance cordiale et d'un endroit toujours intéressant. Tony, UK

Group and University Courses

Comments from the University Professor from College DuPage:

The Cooking and Gastronomy Course at the Chateau de Matel provides students of all ages with a varied program of hands-on cooking classes, educational day trips to local establishments and a greater understanding of French culture. As a Professor of Culinary Arts at the College of DuPage outside Chicago, I have led several groups on this tour, with participants who ranged in age from 18 to 65. Our hosts at the Chateau always make our group feel at home with their welcoming and genuine hospitality. The warm and lively atmosphere promotes a sense of fun and relaxed learning. Students are given the opportunity to cook with a master French Chef, and each comes away with recipres to try out at home. Day excursions to local markets, vineyards, oil-pressing workshops, and an award-winning chocolatier expand the students' understanding of the beauty and bounty of the Roannaise region. Cheese classes, wine classes, and delicious meals at fine restaurants promote sensory learning experiences that could not be recreated anywhere else. Meals at the Chateau are a particular treat with everyone gathered around the large dining room table exchanging stories from the day's activities. highly recommend the Cooking and Gastronomy Course for any group that is interested in broadening their horizons and sharing in a truly exceptional experience. Please feel free to contact me for any additional information.

Chris Thielman
Hospitality Administration
College of DuPage
e-mail: thielman@cdnet.cod.edu
phone: (630) 942-2720

Comments from the University Professor from Purdue University:

René Dorel's Ecole des Trois Ponts is an example of French culture at its best. What better way to appreciate the French way of life than through cooking, wine and cheese classes, complemented by regional excursions to a vineyard, oil press and chocolate maker, all the while living in a French château! The school offers 4-star quality treatment in an intimate and personal setting. Particularly appealing to the university student, the program is adaptable to the semester calender and to French immersion, if desired. Your students are in for one of the best experiences of their lives. Anyone wishing to discuss any aspect of this school is welcome to contact me.

Becky Brown
Purdue University
Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
765-494-3828

Comments from the University Professor from Washtenaw Community College:

Ecole Des Trois Ponts was truly an exceptional life learned experience for myself and my students. The activities were creatively prepared by our host Rene. Our accomodations consist of a historic 18th century Chateau set in acres of natural beauty. The gracious ambiance of elegance and charm fully met all our needs. The expectations of the course was professionally designed to educate and stimulate the palate as well as your artistic talent. The program at Trois Ponts school demonstrated French culture and Culinary Cuisine at its best, which holds true to pure delight unique and a magnificent stay.

Chef Terri M Terrera
CEC therrera@wccnet.edu
(Instructor, Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor MI)

Extracts from our former guests' e-mail page

I attended the French classes beginning on Aug. 5 for two weeks. My teachers were Pascal and Katrine. After leaving Roanne and the Chateau, I attended a painting workshop near M... The comparison intensified my admiration for your operation at Chateau Matel.

At the end of my first week with you I received an evaluation sheet.  I never completed it for submission even though I had intended to do so after week 2. Actually as I logged onto  this email site, I thought that having that form on the site as a backup might be a good idea. Since I returned home the other day, I have had a strong impulse to write to you to say how much I enjoyed my stay with you...  

Your methods of teaching are superb.  The interactive exercises  helped me to find my own way within the language.  Both  Pascal and Catherine were excellent teachers and prepared very well for every class.  The fact that the classes were small allowed each student to participate frequently.  The feeling of freedom to express oneself made for exciting classes as opposed to other  schools who operate with an ecoutez, repetez method.  The accommodations were perfect in my view.  My bed was firm and comfortable.  The meals were consistently wonderful.  The friendly atmosphere with everyone sharing in the conversation including the host and chef created the feeling that one was  at home.  I loved sitting at the French table even though I struggled with my language ability.  

Your coffee machine  is a marvel.  That machine served almost as an icon of  your generosity. It was available to everyone at all times.  Having wine with dinner each night as part of the course was an extraordinary benefit.  
After leaving  the Chateau I conducted several transactions for train tickets and other mundane needs totally in French.  I was proud of myself even though I know my limitations.  I learned to take risks and did manage to make myself understood.  When I teach English, I use a saying that contrast is necessary for vision.  I saw your school as excellent before I left, but after experiencing another school which suffered by comparison, yours shone even brighter than it did at first.  I thank you for a perfect two weeks filled with the pleasure of learning and the pleasure of good company and good food.

 J'ai l'envie retourner.  I intend to spread the word and tell all my friends about your edenic community.  You may use my name, address and whatever information you wish so others may learn about your excellent school.

Gratefully, Cathleen Mc