French Pastry Cookery Course

About the location

Your cookery holiday is set in a beautifully restored 19th century French farmhouse in the Lot-et-Garonne which is known as the ‘Garden of France’ and is found just south of the Dordogne and north of Gascony.

Just one hour’s drive south from Bordeaux is an unspoilt landscape boasting sunflower fields, vineyards, pine forests, lakes and a host of pretty villages. The region is dedicated to a relaxed way of life which revolves around the wonderfully diverse food that is produced here. The culinary heritage is very much alive here, being passed from one generation to the next.

The cookery school is set in the small pretty village of Anzex and is surrounded by the ‘Bastides’ which are a group of towns all with a central square housing the local market with a myriad of narrow streets leading off the square. The Bastides include the town of Villefranche du Queyran (2 min. drive away), Damazan (10 min. drive away), Vianne (20 min. drive away) and Bazas where they produce the famous Bazas beef which is similar to the Japanese Kobe beef (35 min. drive away).

The region has 4 capitals and the town of Casteljaloux is less than 10 minutes drive away. Discover the impressive church called the Notre Dame, the thermal spa, the swimming lake and beach at the Lac de Clarens and the original 15th century colombages (brick and timber façades).

Bordeaux is around an hour’s drive or train journey north and the UNESCO site of Saint Emilion which is famous for its wine is around 1.5 hours away which is within easy reach for a day trip to visit one of the most prestigious chateaux’s in the region.

You’ll stay in your host’s home which has been converted to a chambre d’hote with 4 guest rooms and mixes traditional French farmhouse style with modern comforts. All rooms are tastefully decorated and have en-suite bathrooms.

Visit many of the local producers and markets to gain an insight into cooking as the locals do and learn to cook in the purpose-built kitchen which has four distinct and fully equipped workstations, each with its own cooker to give you all the tools you’ll need to get the most out of your cookery lessons.

Get off the tourist trail and go learn to cook wonderful French dishes in a fun, relaxed environment and come home with new skills that will stay with you long after the holiday is over.


Features

- Just 1 hour drive from Bordeaux
- Set in the Lot-et-Garonne which is known as the ‘Garden of France’
- Just 8 minutes from one of the region’s 4 capital towns, the pretty market village of Casteljaloux with spa and lake
- Traditional farmhouse in peaceful rural France
- Purpose-built kitchen with 4 workstations and ovens
- Wonderful gardens to relax in with sun loungers
- Daily cookery classes with visits to local producers and markets included
- English and French speaking hosts with a wealth of knowledge about the area
- Learn to cook with a French cook who will pass on cooking techniques that have been passed from generation to generation
- Delicious local food and wine
- Secure off-road parking
- Free Wi-fi is available in the lounge and dining area
- Your hosts have dogs and a cat who are not allowed in guests desginated areas