• Bike and Bite

After breakfast on Sunday, we will bike into the forest on one of the many trails that start behind the auberge. Saint Jacques provides the bicycles and a guide. Quite possibly we will see a few of the many deer that thrive in the area, but the superb flora of the woods will be enjoyment enough. We will return to the auberge in time for a French countryside lunch.  
One person not sharing a room: 200 euros
Two persons sharing a room: 175 euros each
Couple: 310 euros

• Bistro Cooking

The class will start at 11 Saturday morning and will finish with lunch. We will eat what we have cooked! Dinner preparations will begin at 6:30, with Saint Jacques supplying the aprons! At breakfast on Sunday, guests will be given a jar of cassoulet and a special cheese spread to take home.
One person not sharing a room: 220 euros
Two persons sharing a room: 200 euros each
Couple: 340 euros

• Falconry

It’s not quite flying with eagles, but it’s close! Saturday morning, after breakfast, you will be free to visit the nearby attractions and have lunch at one of the area’s fine restaurants. In the afternoon, we will leave the auberge to visit Francis and Brigitte Cohu, directors of Le Faucon Solognot, who will introduce you to the art of falconry. They will also take you on a tour of their immense aviary that houses more than 60 species of owls, eagles, hawks and other birds of prey. A weekend not like any other! The visit to Le Faucon Solognot is available at any time for groups of four or more.
One person not sharing a room: 240 euros
Couple: 380 euros

• The Mushroom: To Eat or Not to Eat

Learn to identify several varieties of mushrooms, some of which we can safely eat and others we shouldn’t even touch! We will embark on a hike after breakfast on Saturday, collecting several of the tastier, edible mushrooms. We will then learn ways of cooking our harvest, preparing the mushrooms for lunch (a harvest is guaranteed for the cooking class!) Saturday afternoon will be free for visiting the area. Our dinner Saturday evening will honor our noble plants.
One person not sharing a room: 250 euros
Two persons sharing a room: 230 euros each
Couple: 350 euros

• Wine and Cheeses from the Loire Region

The family-style Friday evening dinner will feature wines and cheeses from the area. Much of Saturday will be free for seeing the nearby attractions and having lunch at a restaurant, but at 3 we will depart as a group to tour a winery. Upon our return, a wine-tasting will feature the products of several area wineries, along with local cheeses that complement them.  
One person not sharing a room: 250 euros
Two persons sharing a room: 230 euros each
Couple: 350 euros

• Game Weekend

Offered only during the cold winter months, this theme weekend begins Friday evening at 8:30 with a convivial family-style dinner. Afterward, curl up by the fire or relax in the cocktail bar, the Coin Perdu. After breakfast on Saturday, you can visit the nearby attractions or come to the living room and let the games commence! Complimentary soft drinks, hot chocolate and snacks will be on hand, the fire will be going nonstop and the Coin Perdu will be open. Our many games include Backgammon, Scrabble, Monopoly and Chess. Saturday evening dinner will again be at 8:30, and Sunday’s breakfast will be from 8 to 10.
One person not sharing a room: 200 euros
Two persons sharing a room: 175 euros each
Couple: 310 euros

• Future Theme Weekends

Saint Jacques is planning several new theme weekends, including:

• Fois Gras — Make Your Own Year Round
• Cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas (and even order your turkey from our local farm!)
• Decorating for Christmas (wreaths, trees, food and drinks)
• Painting Ateliers
• Photography Ateliers

• Other Activities

Whether you will be staying at Saint Jacques for one of our theme weekends or just for a relaxing visit, you will find the area offers many activities. Several agencies and organizations offer organized tours and, depending on the season, other popular activities are:

• Ball Trap/Sporting Clays — Beginners and experienced shooters will both benefit from lessons by Laurent Deram, formerly an instructor at Vouzelaud, a prestigious shooting school near Paris. You do not need to speak French to take the lessons. Let us know your preferred date, and we will make the arrangements at no extra charge.
• Fishing — Daily fishing permits during the season can be purchased for 6 euros. The local pond is stocked with pike, carp and, depending on the release, trout.
• Horseback Riding — For accomplished riders, a neighboring stable offers horses for promenades, and lessons are available to all at every level. For the lessons, at least a basic understanding of French is desirable. We can arrange your ride or lessons at no extra cost, or you may call the stable directly at 02.38.45.41.39.