FRENCH PATISSERIE COURSES
5 NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL PATISSERIE COURSE
The patisserie course includes 4 days of pastry classes and is designed to teach you many techniques for classic French pastries. With two outings and an unforgettable evening at the finest local restaurant, it will give you a chance to get a good feel for the area and soak up the south west atmosphere.
Check-in on Sunday.
Sunday
Arrival from 4:00pm. You just settle in and make yourself at home. We meet before dinner for a welcome drink with canapés, followed by a three-course dinner.
Monday
After breakfast we go to different patisseries in Casteljaloux to compare a few classics over a nice cup of coffee. This will give you a precise idea of the textures and presentations we will be aiming for when we produce them in our kitchen. We come back for lunch. At 1.00 pm, we meet in the kitchen, to create our own pastries, which will be served for dessert that very same night. We will be in the kitchen until about 4:00 pm, so you will get some time to relax before we meet up at 7:00 pm for an aperitif followed by dinner.
Tuesday
After breakfast we meet in the kitchen, to start baking. We will stop for lunch and get back to the kitchen to finish our pastries. You will then again get some time to relax before the aperitif and dinner. Once again, your creations will be served for dessert that very same night.
Wednesday
After breakfast we go to the chocolaterie in Nerac (please note: the shop remains closed in July, but we'll still do all of the below), the very place that inspired Joanne Harris's novel 'Chocolate'. On the way, I'll show you the bastide (fortified) village of Vianne for a small glimpse into history. Then, onto the chocolaterie for a bit of indulgence. With our newly acquired chocolate hoard, we'll pop into the historic part of town and take a leisurely stroll along the riverside, crossing the ancient bridge, leading us through the winding cobbled roads and paths, which will take us to the main 15th century chateau, across from where we'll enjoy a glass of champagne, or two, and of course, the chocolate. We shall be back home for lunch in good time and then meet in the kitchen around 1:00pm where the afternoon will be spent making and baking Macarons. After, you'll be able to relax and put your feet up until 7:00pm, where it will be time to leave to go out to dinner at one the most charming restaurants in the lot-et-garonne.
Thursday
After breakfast we meet in the kitchen, to start baking. We will stop for lunch and get back to the kitchen to finish our pastries. You will then again get some time to relax before the aperitif and dinner. Once again, your creations will be served for dessert that very same night.
Friday
Departure is on Friday morning. The room is yours until 11.00am if you have your own vehicle, but drop off to Tonneins station is for the 7.30am train.
You will learn to make: chou pastry (éclairs, religieuses, paris-brest, saint-honoré or croquembouche), crème patissiere, shortcrust and sweet pastry, tarts, macaroons, millefeuille, bavarois, tarte tatin, croissants or puff pastry, and bread or brioche.
Pricing
(Approx £2357)*
(Approx £1350)*
(Approx £300)*
(Approx £1414)*
*Exchange rate based on Google currency converter 04/12/2023
Accompanying non-cooking guests:
€990.00
FOR 5 NIGHTS
The above prices are full board on our regular cooking courses.
If you have any questions about one of our courses, or would like to get in touch with us, please do so via the contact form.
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Group photo - May 2023
3 NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL PATISSERIE COURSE
For those shorter on time, this baking vacation spans over 2 days and 3 nights, where you'll delve into some of the essential techniques behind classic French pastries. Along the way, a little charming outing, allowing you to savor the ambiance of the picturesque southwest region.
Choose your preferred start date, as we offer check-in options on both Sundays and Tuesdays.
Minimum of 2 people sharing.
Day 1
Arrival from 4:00pm. You just settle in and make yourself at home. We meet before dinner for a welcome drink with canapés, followed by a three-course dinner.
Day 2
After breakfast we go to a local patisserie (applicable for Sunday or Thursday check-ins), to sample a few classics with a nice cup of coffee. This will give you a precise idea of the presentation we will be aiming for when we reproduce them in our kitchen. We come back for lunch. At 1.00 pm, we meet in the kitchen, to create our own pastries, which will be served for dessert that very same night. We will be in the kitchen until 4:00 pm, so you will get some time to relax or drive to town if you wish. We meet up at 7:00 pm for an aperitif before dinner. (please note that if your "day 2" is a Wednesday and a 5 nights course is on that week, the outing will be to the chocolaterie in Nerac, not a patisserie).
Day 3
After breakfast we meet in the kitchen, to start baking. We will stop for lunch and get back to the kitchen to finish our pastries. You will then again get some time to relax before the aperitif and dinner. Once again, your creations will be served for dessert that very same night.
Day 4
Departure is in the morning on Day 4. The room is yours until 11.00am if you have your own vehicle, but drop off to Tonneins station is for the 8.10am train..
Examples of what we make: chou pastry (éclairs, religieuses, paris-brest, saint-honoré or croquembouche), shortcrust and sweet pastry, berry tarts, macaroons, millefeuille, traditional apple tart, bavarois, tarte tatin, croissants, pains au chocolat, bread and brioche.
DAY COURSES
If you are in the area, you can join us for half a day or for a whole day of patisserie course. The booking of a day or afternoon course will not include any accommodation nor transport apart from the planned and agreed excursion.
One-Day Course
Arrival around 9:00am and we head straight to the kitchen for a first baking session or planned excursion. You enjoy lunch around 12:00 with some local wine.
We meet in the kitchen at 1:00pm to bake. From 4.00pm you get free time to go for a walk or a drive, or to just relax in the lounge or in the garden. We meet at 7:00pm for an aperitifs and nibbles before dinner, which will be served at 7:30pm. You can then enjoy the fruit of your labour for dessert.
This day course includes all excursions where applicable in the morning, lunch with wine, and baking workshop, all ingredients, aperitif, 3 course dinner with wine, and coffee, tea and cold drinks throughout the day.
Contact us with your dates
Non Residential Courses
You can now join us as a non-residential participant - ideal if you are in visiting the area and are happy to organise your own accommodation. You'll also need to have a car to get to us. Everything apart from the accommodation is included, the patisserie tasting, the chocolatier visit as well as the meal out, the lunches, evening meals and leaving goody bag. For information on availability, please contact us.
Check airbnb or Booking.com for available local accommodation.
What's Included
We provide complimentary transportation to and from our local train station for all residential courses, ensuring a hassle-free arrival and departure.
Enjoy a worry-free experience with no hidden costs. Our all-inclusive package covers your accommodation, every meal (including drinks), and all taxes
We don't charge any supplements for solo travelers.
Large kitchen with over 30m2 of kitchen space.
Personalized Attention: To ensure a high-quality learning environment, we limit our classes to a maximum of six participants.
This way, everyone receives individual attention and has enough workspace to unleash their culinary creativity.
Indulge in a delectable array of meals throughout your stay. Start your day with a continental-style breakfast featuring fresh breads, croissants, organic juices and yogurts, soft boiled eggs, coffee, tea, cereals, fresh milk (not UHT!) and more.
Enjoy a satisfying lunch each day, and savor a three-course dinner every night as well as a night dinning out in style at one of our renowned local restaurants.
Whatever your preferred drink, we have you covered. You'll be welcomed with drinks and canapes upon arrival.
Before dinner, enjoy different aperitifs and cocktails each day. During meals, complement your dishes with local wines.
Throughout the day, quench your thirst with water, tea, coffee, cold drinks, and beers. Additionally, your room is equipped with coffee and tea making facilities.
Immerse yourself in the local culture and culinary scene with our included excursions and restaurant visit.
Discover the region's highlights, participate in tastings, and explore fascinating attractions - all entrance and restaurant fees covered.
Benefit from our years of experience and expertise. Unlike passive demonstrations, all our classes are hands-on, allowing you to actively engage in the cooking process.
We provide all the necessary ingredients, equipment, aprons and your own recipe folder to take home.
Accommodation (details on our accommodation page), on all residential courses.
Linen, towels, organic shampoo & shower gel, for the duration of your stay.
Welcome pamper pack and departing goody bag included!
Stay connected with complimentary super-fast WiFi available throughout the premises, ensuring you can share your cooking & baking holiday adventure with friends and family.
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