Course itinerary
This truly remarkable French chateau dates back to 1852 and sits at the heart of 7 acres of beautiful parkland in the charming village of Bouliac. It provides the perfect fairytale setting to immerse yourself in all Bordeaux has to offer on your French cookery holiday.
The chateau boasts the fantastic Orangerie, a former wine cellar that dates back to the 19th century. Offering a fully equipped professional kitchen, dining room and traditional bread oven, you’ll find everything you need for your French cooking lessons.
Suzanne, the warm and welcoming hostess and owner of the property, has always been passionate about food and wine- even managing a vineyard! Under her expert supervision you will learn to cook traditional French dishes using fresh, seasonal produce from the kitchen-garden and local market.
The 6 night/7 day course also involves many extra activities which will allow you to really enjoy this delightful corner of France. From private city tours and market visits to wine tastings, visits to an oyster farm and even a duck workshop, this course is the perfect way to really immerse yourself in French culture and gastronomy.
Suitability
- Suitable for all
- Please note that a car is required for this course
- All cooking classes can be held in English, French, German or Hungarian
- Please note that this package is priced per person for a minimum of two people travelling together
- If you are a single traveller, 3, 5 or 7 persons travelling together and require single rooms, please email for details
Start Days
- This holiday starts on selected dates from April to November, if you can’t see the date you are looking for please email with your requirements as additional dates can be requested
French Culinary Weekend Itinerary
Please note that a car is required to fully enjoy this course
Day 1
- You will arrive at the chateau in the afternoon anytime after 3pm
- Upon arrival at the house you will have time to settle in to your room, unwind and relax
- In the evening you will enjoy a casual dinner, freshly prepared in the bread oven and served in the chateau’s Orangerie
Day 2
- Enjoy a buffet continental breakfast before your visit to one of the most lively outdoor markets in the region
- You’ll have lunch near the market and will return to the chateau after lunch where you’ll enjoy a wine tasting lesson in the Orangerie where you will have the opportunity to sample 7 different Bordeaux wines
- You will take part in a group hands-on cooking lesson followed by dinner including the delicious food you have prepared
Day 3
- Enjoy a buffet continental breakfast before your visit to the wine area “Graves” and “Sauternes”
- You’ll visit of wineries and enjoy a private wine tasting session visiting the “Château de la Brède”, a historical property of Montesquieu the famous French philosopher and writer
- Lunch is at “La Forge” in Léognan
- In the afternoon you’ll have a private city tour in Bordeaux followed by dinner
Day 4
- After breakfast today you’ll start your ‘Duck workshop’ with lunch and wine-tasting in the Orangerie
- You’ll take away the skills needed to make foie gras and confits prepared in the workshop
- After lunch you’ll visit Arcachon Bay, the home to an oyster farm where you’ll taste oysters and enjoy a boat ride in the bay
- This evening you’ll have another cooking lesson where you’ll learn how to prepare a seafood dinner which you will then sit down to eat in the Orangerie
Day 5
- After breakfast you’ll visit the beautiful town of Saint-Emilion
- You’ll have a private guided tour of the town followed by lunch and a visit to a wine cellar with wine tastisngs
- In the evening you’ll have dinner in Bordeaux
Day 6
Today you’ll have plenty of free time to relax and explore the chateau grounds before your farewell gala dinner in the grand dining room
Day 7
- After breakfast, you will have the chance to relax before checking out of your room, leaving with new cooking skills, knowledge of the fantastic Bordeaux wine industry and an insight into French culture that will remain with you long after this fantastic holiday ends
Your Accommodation
- Your room is located in the main building of this stunning 19th century chateau
- Each room features a double bed, a private bathroom, period furniture and garden views
- There will be a daily cleaning service
- If you are a single traveller, singles can be requested – please email for details
Meals and Drinks
-A full buffet breakfast is included each morning
- You will enjoy the meal you have cooked after each of your cooking classes
- Dinner is included at the chateau on 2 nights
- 5 meals are included during your outdoor visits
Go learn to cook French cuisine and explore Bordeaux’s wine industry on this unique French cooking holiday, where you can truly relax and immerse yourself in French culture in the fantastic setting of a 19th century chateau.