Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan MARTEL.
Megan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979. I didn’t travel to Europe until I was 18, but once I did, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. My first trip was to Italy with my aunt and uncle. I spent hours listening to my Walkman and exploring the olive tree fields, completely enchanted by the landscape and culture. This experience ignited my desire to study abroad.
I studied in Paris during my senior year of college, which deepened my love for European culture. After graduation, I worked as a language instructor in Toulouse. The experience of being foreign, not mastering the language and culture, was a delicious challenge for me. In France, people spent hours at the dinner table, and life moved a little slower. These differences, though challenging at times, were incredibly stimulating and important to me.
Wanting others to experience the joy of immersion, I Googled international education and found a program at New York University. Long story short, about eight years after that transformative trip to Italy, I met my talented and amazing husband, Julien, on the rooftop of my apartment in New York City. Julien was a looker, to say the least, and even better, he was French and very kind. On that rooftop, Julien invited me to Lyon and charmingly asked me to come and have a drink with him on the terrace. I took him up on his offer.
Two years later, we got married and moved to the beautiful city of Bordeaux. I continued to work in International Education for the University of Bordeaux, while Julien worked as a tax law accountant for English-speaking business owners in France. We both dreamed of creating the magic we felt studying, working, and just living in a foreign country. So we saved our money for three years and searched for the perfect old house in the French vineyards to create immersive experiences.
In 2010, we found our beautiful Rouge Bordeaux B&B in the charming town of Auros. Julien continued working in Bordeaux as an accountant while I left my job to begin our adventure of creating immersion experiences at our B&B. The house was very old and hadn’t been lived in for five years. It is an old presbytery, previously home to priests. With the help of friends and students from the University of Bordeaux from Nigeria, China, the USA, Germany, and Belgium, we knocked down old plaster walls with little hammers to expose the beautiful hidden limestone underneath.
In the summer of 2011, we received Professor Peter D’Souza from the University of Wisconsin Stout’s hospitality program. We welcomed him with locally produced foie gras and Sauternes wine in the entryway of our B&B in progress, still with dirt floors! He was looking for the perfect place to hold his wine and food pairing study abroad class in France. We assured him the house would be ready by June 2012, and so began the planning of our first immersive experience held at our B&B before the house was even finished! Julien and I had our work cut out for us!
By the summer of 2012, with lots of sweat, laughter, and tears, Julien and I opened the Rouge Bordeaux B&B doors and began an adventure that will forever be a dream come true. The University of Wisconsin Stout’s Wine & Food Pairing program was an incredible success. The students held a gourmet five-course meal as their final exam for Professor D’Souza, and their guests included the winemakers we visited, the mayor of the town, and our local restaurant’s chef who allowed the students to use his kitchen and learn from him as well. The program ran for eight years until Professor D’Souza’s retirement.
Since then, we have hosted hundreds of curious travelers looking to deeply immerse themselves in the culture of the French countryside. We craft tours based on our guests’ interests and passions. Julien and I continue to cherish and expand our dream, welcoming new faces and creating unforgettable experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been an easy road in creating, marketing, and running our dream business. Although, looking back we have always made it through the challenges victorious. Julien and I saved up and invested in this old building dating back to 1812. Our home was once a presbytery that was linked to the village church and castle. However, when we bought the house it hadn’t been lived in for over 5 years. We knocked the walls down with little hammers to expose the beautiful lime stone underneath. Julien worked from dusk until dawn and there were moments we thought we wouldn’t make it, but I look back on every drip of sweat and tears with much joy and happiness. We took a leap of faith in being able to take on such a large project. Despite the immense challenge, we both held on to our vision of creating a place for sharing and exchange. The faith in our dream provided the motivation needed to persevere.
The pandemic posed a significant setback, bringing unexpected delays and complications. We adapted to the circumstances and continued to push forward despite the uncertainties. Today, our business is thriving. The hard work, sweat, and tears have paid off. Looking back, we feel immense joy and happiness for what we have accomplished, appreciating every effort that went into realizing our dreams.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our Journey to Creating a Dream Business Julien and I opened our beautiful B&B nestled in the heart of Bordeaux wine country in the summer of 2012. This historic home, dating back to 1812 and once a presbytery linked to the village church and castle, was in disrepair when we bought it. Having been uninhabited for over five years, it required extensive renovations.
The Restoration
With little hammers, we knocked down walls to expose the beautiful limestone underneath. Julien worked tirelessly from dusk until dawn, and despite moments of doubt and exhaustion, we persevered. We took a leap of faith, driven by our dream of creating a place for sharing and exchange. The pandemic posed significant challenges, but our unwavering commitment saw us through.
Our Background and Passion
Julien, a native of Lyon, the epicurean capital of France, has been tantalizing the palates of international travelers as a private chef and gastronomical guru for over fifteen years. Both Julien and I, his Minnesota-born wife Megan, have helped hundreds of curious travelers discover the unexpected and lesser-explored parts of Southern France through food, wine, and authentic experiences. We believe in sharing the “joie de vivre” – a marvelous way of living, eating, and interacting that should be enjoyed by all who are open to it.
A Personal Connection to France
For me, the connection to France started in childhood, with my mother counting with me in French. This fascination grew as I played the French horn, studied French in college, and eventually lived in Paris for a year. Meeting Julien and experiencing the French way of life deepened my love for this country. Now, with a Frenchman as my partner and two little French boys, France has become my home. Sharing this beautiful way of living through a different perspective has become my passion.
Culinary Heritage
Julien was trained by his mother and grandmother from a young age, and he takes great pleasure in sharing his culinary delights with our guests. His expertise and our shared passion for authentic experiences have turned our B&B into a haven for those seeking to immerse themselves in the rich culture and cuisine of Southern France.
Embracing the Heart of France
France’s allure lies not only in its amazing cuisine but also in the heart you find in its people. My year in Paris and our life here have taught us the art of imperfection and the beauty of living life at a different pace. Our journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, has ultimately led us to a place where we can share this joy with others, making our B&B a true reflection of our love for France and its culture.
Our Business : The Rouge Bordeaux Tour Experience
Welcome to our exclusive Rouge Bordeaux Tours, where we craft personalized French immersion tours tailored to our guests unique tastes, interests, and preferences. At the heart of our tours is our quintessentially French country B&B, nestled in the picturesque Bordeaux wine country. Our historic home, dating back to 1812, provides a charming and authentic backdrop for our guests to enjoy. We take the time to attentively understand each person’s vision, ensuring their immersion is exactly what he or she wants. Whether we are creating an experience for a wine connoisseur, a history buff, a foodie, or someone seeking the tranquility of the French countryside, we will design an itinerary that brings everyone’s dream trip to life. Our guests enjoy the luxury and convenience of chauffeur-driven cars or vans, allowing them to relax and fully immerse themselves in the beauty and culture of the Bordeaux region. They visit world-renowned vineyards, family owned lesser known vineyards, and private cellars. They indulge in exclusive wine tastings, and learn from the some of the most experienced wine makers in the region. They experience the culinary masterpieces of Julien Martel, our private chef and gastronomical guru, who tantalizes taste buds with gourmet meals and cooking classes. They explore the rich history of Southern France with guided tours of ancient castles, churches, and charming villages. They engage in authentic cultural experiences, from local markets and artisan shops to intimate gatherings with locals, allowing them to truly live the “joie de vivre.” We create each tour with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every moment aligns with our guests interests and desires. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family adventure, a class reunion, or a solo retreat, we cater to everyone’s specific needs and preferences. We arrange crafted tours and bring to life the experience our guests have always imagined.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Why Rouge Bordeaux Tours?
Because our guests want an authentic French experience, not “just” a quick glimpse of an exhibition in a museum showcase!
When a tour is booked with us here in our little town of Auros, our guests are really ready to jump into “La Vie Française.”
Here’s why:
When you book a tour with Rouge Bordeaux in France, you’re booking an exclusive trip with us (Julien & Megan)! We are so lucky to be able to join you, share with you and discover with you this extraordinarily special part of France! Discover with our guests Bordeaux and its magnificent vineyards, gastronomy, people and architecture that make it so unique! Our guests love the Bazas beef farm to table experience and private dining in our favorite vineyards. They love tasting unique wines with other wine lovers and, above all, enjoying the experience of dining in our 18th-century kitchen with a fire in the stone fireplace. Discovering open markets, learning from a master chocolatier and historical monuments are also highlights.
But there’s much, much more…
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rougebordeauxinfrance.com
- Instagram: Rouge Bordeaux in France (@rougebordeauxinfrance)
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rougebordeauxinfrance
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rouge-bordeaux-in-france-84b514270/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rougebordeauximmersionsinf5219
