For those unfamiliar with Saint-Bernard, it is worth pointing out that this Ain village is situated on the left bank of the river Saône and was home for a long time to its best known resident, Utrillo, the famous painter who once lived in the village’s château.

Le Clos du Chêne is right next door to the château, boasting a hectare of wooded grounds where three horses are allowed to roam freely. The property is a traditional old farm which was done up in 2006 by its owners Cheryl and Michel Patay, a Franco-American couple, to offer bed and breakfast accommodation. The five rooms are air-conditioned and all benefit from a terrace. Overlooking the river Saône, they offer all the comforts synonymous with a small hotel. Le Clos du Chêne also has a secure car park, a swimming pool, a sauna, a boules pitch as well as a fully-equipped meeting room for 35 people theatre-style.

Cheryl Patay, who for many years was in charge of organising conferences for the Indosuez group in New York, is able to use her past experience to create tailor-made meeting options for local companies.

Our location is obviously popular, because we’re already handling one or two conferences every week, she smiles. Most of the business is based on training days as well as sales meetings and board meetings for companies based north of Lyon and around Villefranche-sur-Saône. In order to market ourselves, we’ve targeted those companies operating in the area’s main industries. And we also took part in the French Show in London between 9 and 11 January, alongside various partners from Atouts Beaujolais, an organisation of which we are members. It seems logical for us to target the Anglo-Saxon market, since I know that sector very well.

Prices at Le Clos du Chêne start at 210 € per participant for an overnight meeting, inclusive of room hire, welcome coffee, refreshment breaks, lunch, dinner, overnight accommodation and breakfast whilst a study day (including room hire, refreshment breaks and lunch) works out at 63 €.

It’s definitely worth checking out this beautiful property, as much for the quality of its cuisine as for anything else. Cheryl Patay is a keen cook and has taken lessons from several top chefs. Her culinary style combines traditional dishes with a creative touch. And what better way to digest one’s meal, than to borrow one of the Patays’ mountain bikes and explore the tow path along the river Saône…