Dining with History at the Château de Champ-Renard

Invited by the marquis to enjoy a gourmet meal, you take your seat in the prestigious salons of his château in the Rhône region. This is what the “À Table avec l’Histoire” event offers: a unique immersion in France’s flamboyant past. Experience the refinement and art of living of the Age of Enlightenment, enhanced by theatrical and musical interludes, in the sumptuous setting of the Château de Champ-Renard.

Discover the menu by Michelin-starred chef Aurélien Mérot (Auberge du Cep in Fleurie)

An Invitation to the Marquis's House

Would you like to enjoy an exceptional experience at a château in the Beaujolais region?

Conceived by the Châteaux en Beaujolais association, this event subtly blends history and local culture. Visitors are invited to exceptional dinners in the most beautiful estates of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where Beaujolais cuisine and wines take center stage.

Part time travel, part immersive experience, these events offer a chance to discover the region’s rich cultural and culinary heritage through gourmet dinners held in the châteaux of the Beaujolais region.

Did you receive the marquis's invitation to dinner at his castle?

On December 4, the Champ-Renard estate will host an authentic aristocratic dinner at the château. The Marquis’s salons—renovated to preserve their original atmosphere and specially decorated for the occasion—provide the perfect setting. In an elegant and intimate setting, you are invited on a journey through time, where every detail faithfully captures the spirit of the Age of Enlightenment.

On this day, the Marquis d’Espinay de Laye welcomes a distinguished guest: Thomas Jefferson, drafter of the United States Declaration of Independence and ambassador to France. A gourmet and connoisseur of wine, the future U.S. president appreciates the French way of life. You have the honor of sharing a table with these distinguished guests, served by the renowned Michelin-starred chef of the Auberge du Cep, Aurélien Merot.

These^18th-century recipes, skillfully reimagined, are accompanied, as they should be, by the finest wines from the Champ-Renard estate. Waitstaff in period costume and a lavish table setting enhance this historical immersion. Short theatrical skits performed by talented actors, along with musical interludes played on a pianoforte, add the finishing touch to an evening that promises to be exceptional.

What makes your gourmet, immersive dinner at the château so special?

The salons of the Château de Champ-Renard offer an intimate atmosphere and period-inspired refinement, enhanced by the authenticity of their décor and the elegance of their boudoir-style ambiance. Beyondthe culinary and cultural experience, we invite you to immerse yourself in the Age of Enlightenment. Every detail has been carefully considered, from the restoration of the rooms to the selection of furniture and the table settings. The musical and theatrical accompaniment transports you to the world of an^18th-century aristocrat, a connoisseur of culture and good taste, and a lover of fine cuisine and exceptional wines.

Who is the master of flavors orchestrating the cuisine at Château de Champ-Renard?

Aurélien Merot is famous throughout the region and beyond for helping the Auberge du Cep regain its Michelin star. A lover of local produce and a connoisseur of food and wine pairings, this inspired and talented artist brilliantly rises to the challenge set by Champ-Renard: to create a gourmet menu based on historic recipes.

L’Invitation du Marquis invites you to enjoy a timeless, rare, and precious experience. Savor the estate’s age-worthy wines, which perfectly complement the finesse of each dish, all in an exceptional setting.

How do you book your gourmet, historic meal at the castle?

Mark your calendars now for Thursday, December 4, 2025. That evening, join us in the Salle de Justice for a cocktail reception featuring champagne. You’ll be welcomed by the Château’s hosts, dressed in period costumes.

Feel free to join us in period costume or with an 18th-century accessory. Then, at dinnertime, you’ll head to the Marquis’s Salons on the first floor of the Château de Champ-Renard. The price is 295 euros per person, all-inclusive.

Upon request, you can reserve one of the four private rooms (for 10 to 16 people) for an even more exclusive evening.

To preserve the exclusivity and magic of the moment, seating is limited: don’t wait to book your immersive, gourmet dining experience at the château.