Visit Pah Feternes 210724 Marie El Hajal 03
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A vineyard praised by Marcel Proust
Féternes can boast of having had Marcel Proust himself as an admirer, who proclaimed that its wine was amongst the best in the world. Curious to discover the reason behind this praise, we began our exploration in the heart of the hamlet of Château-Vieux. It is here that Féternes wine has its roots, amongst ancient châteaux and the remains of former vineyards. The tour is organised by the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire (PAH), a programme dedicated to promoting local heritage.
In search of the old wine presses
Our guide, Florent, takes us on a fascinating quest: to track down the old wine presses, which bear witness to Féternes’ wine-growing history. At each stop, we discover elements of ancient architecture, such as stone wine presses, and learn about the importance of these structures, which were once central to wine production. A real treasure hunt to gain a better understanding of traditional methods.
Local history and legends
As the tour progresses, the history of the vineyard becomes intertwined with that of the region. We discover that Féternes church was once the centre of the village, a role it has gradually lost over time. Florent is keen to share local legends and the fascinating history of the Savoy flag with us, whilst tracing the development of the Chablais region, the Gavot plateau and winemaking practices.
The discovery of the cup-marked stone
A highlight of the visit is the discovery of the mysterious cup-marked stone. These stones, engraved with small hollows and scattered throughout the region, have given rise to numerous hypotheses and interpretations. Were they ritual tools or geographical markers? Their origin remains a mystery, adding an air of intrigue to this exploration.
A wine tasting amongst the vineyards
To round off the tour, a wine tasting is organised in the heart of the vineyards. Wine lovers are invited to savour the local vintage whilst admiring the landscape. It’s an opportunity to put Proust’s claims to the test and to taste a wine steeped in history, whose secrets have been passed down from generation to generation.
Practical information
Tours are organised upon booking through the tourist information offices of the Pays d’Évian – Vallée d’Abondance. For any enquiries regarding image rights, please contact S. Moissonnier by email at the following address: [email protected]. Bookings can be made directly online via the official website.
