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.

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 elunches, evening meals and leaving goody bag. For information on availability, please contact us.

Check airbnb or Booking.com for available local accommodation.