It was with great pleasure that the National Bailliage invited members and their guests to our National Grand Chapitre which took place from October 8th - 12th, in the beautiful region of Colmar (Alsace), so nicely drawn by Hansi. The Esquisse Hotel & Spa on the avenue de la Marne in Colmar was the host hotel.

The long weekend was the opportunity to take locals and visitors alike to meet producers and artisans, who perpetuate and safeguard 1000-year-old traditions in a splendid land of history and breathtaking landscapes.

The comprehensive programme of events included:

Wednesday, October 8th
“The castles of Alsace” was the theme of the day which included the castles of Haut Koenigsbourg, Haut Ribeaupierre, Girsberg.

Thursday, October 9th
Themed “The most beautiful villages” (of which there are many in Alsace!), Riquewhir, Ribeauvillé, Kayserberg, to name just three, entranced the group with their beauty.

Friday, October 10th
The day saw visits to the “Great Museums of Alsace”, namely the Ecomuseum, Train Museum and the Automobile Museum. The Ecomuseum is the largest open-air museum in France where authentic Alsatian buildings form a village with, for example, half-timbered houses, a shop, a Town Hall, a fortified tower, a village hall and a school. Dinner was served in the Automobile Museum with the tables arranged around the exhibits.

Saturday, October 11th
In the morning the AGM of the National Bailliage was held at the Esquisse Hotel.

After lunch and a mini-train tour of “Secret Colmar”, for the Gala Induction Evening we had the pleasure and honour of being received by the Confrérie de Saint Etienne at the Château de Kientzheim.

Along with the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs the Confrérie de Saint Etienne is one of the oldest in France. Its internal regulations, still in use, date from 1561.

Amongst the distinguished attendees, it was a pleasure to have the presence of Francis Sandt, the Bailli Délégué of Luxembourg who is a Member of the Conseil Magistral. Another Member of the Conseil Magistral who participated in the event was Daniel Jäggi, Bailli Délégué Honoraire of Liechtenstein together with his wife, Strit Doris Jäggi-Lind, who is the current Bailli Délégué of the Principality.

Renowned Chef Jean-Luc Brendel and his brigade prepared the menu for the Gala Dinner. In partnership with Anne Humbrecht, Sommelier of La Table du Gourmet, Jean-Luc Brendel's restaurant and the Confrérie de Saint Etienne, Échanson Florent Martin (Best of Sommelier of France, Meilleur Ouvrier de France and Head Sommelier of the Peninsula Paris) proposed a wonderful selection of wines to pair with the innovative courses.

Sunday, October 12th
A grand brunch at Esquisse, the Grand Chapitre's host hotel, concluded the dining events. Afterwards there was an Induction Ceremony for the Club du Cigare du Comte de Monte-Cristo presided over by Jules Julien, Bailli Provincial of Alsace.