+44 203 048 3044 Agent login
From £1580 pp
(3)
Request Availabilty
See more photos

French Cooking and Wine Holiday

Highlights

  • Includes many excursions which are based on local food and wine
  • Learn to cook from two trained chefs during hands-on lessons
  • Stay in a beautifully converted French farmhouse with a hot tub & terrace
From £1580 pp
  1. Choose date!
  2. Select time if there are different times shown
  3. Select number of people
  4. Check availability
Request Availabilty

What you'll do

Overview

Immerse yourself in French life on this 5 night/6 day gourmet cooking course that promises not only a cooking experience but also a cultural one; stay in a beautiful French house in the historical village of Gramont in Gascony & learn to cook typical French dishes using fresh ingredients.

2023 Dates
10 Sept , 17 Sept

Tucked away in the peaceful and historic village of Gramont in Gascony, this charming and tastefully restored French farmhouse is the setting for your French cooking and wine holiday experience.

Under the guidance of your English host Chef David and French Chef Bernard who both trained as chefs in France and are acclaimed in the area, you will immerse yourself in French life to discover the gastronomic and wine delights of this beautiful area of South West France.

The aim of the course is to give you the skills to cook a fabulous dinner party back home to impress even the most experienced foodies. You’ll learn to cook either in the kitchen of local restaurant the Auberge (“French farmhouse restaurant”) or in the kitchen at the main house. You’ll also have the opportunity to discover the wonderful wines of the South West France, the original wine region of France.

Combining fun hands-on French cooking lessons with culinary excursions and time to relax, this 5 night / 6 day French cookery and wine holiday promises not just a culinary experience but also a cultural one.

Sunday

– You may check-in to your room anytime after 2pm on Sunday afternoon
– Enjoy welcome aperitifs and canapés on the terrace
– Traditional French cuisine consisting of a delicious 4 course dinner with wine and coffee will be served by your hosts in the evening at 7pm

Accommodation

This lovingly restored French farmhouse is surrounded by breathtaking views of the idyllic Gascony countryside.

 

Monday

8.30am – To make the most of your time at the Cookery School we serve breakfast at 8.30am, it is a traditional French affair of homemade breads, croissants and homemade preserves, cereals, yoghurts and a good helping of coffee, tea and orange juice are also available.
10am – Kitchen tour & knife skills
– You’ll receive a tour of the kitchen and an explanation of the equipment and be loaned your own set of chef’s knives before your first lesson learning how to chop, slice, julien and dice food
11am – Hands on French cooking lessons
– On your first day you’ll learn to cook a traditional gateau pithiviers, an ornately decorated puff pastry dessert with a delicious crème d’amande at the centre as well as chef David’s famous pizza gersois (local onions, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and thinly sliced duck breast) and a prepare a pate sucree (the base for the tarte aux pommes you will be preparing the next day)
3pm – Afternoon cooking lesson learning to cook a range of French dishes and desserts

Following a traditionally long French lunch you will make your way to Chef Bernard will introduce you to the art of preparing foie gras. You will prepare four different types of foie gras –mi-cuit, traditional, cru and pain d’épices and then another quintessentially Gascon dish; cassoulet. Bernard will share with you his tried and tested wisdom as to the best way in which to prepare his most popular dish.

You’ll then prepare crêpes for the evening dinner and the sauce suzetteyou prepared at the beginning of the day will be the finishing touch to this traditional French classic. As the first day comes to a close you will return to Chef David’s kitchen to complete two final pastries; Pâte Sablée and Pâte Sucrée.

7pm – You are invited to experience Bernards signature menu: an haute cuisine experience in traditional Gascon manner including the three different types of  foie gras that you prepared earlier… Bon appetit.

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in the restored French farmhouse is surrounded by the Gascon countryside.

Tuesday

8.30 – Breakfast
– Enjoy a typical French breakfast before heading into the kitchen
10am – Market visit
– Today you’ll be given some money and list of ingredients as you head to the local food market in Fleurance where local farmers and growers sell their produce. You will familiarise yourself with the regional produce and select the fresh ingredients that you will be using in the afternoon class and during the week
12.30pm – Travel back to Gramont to the local Bistro for lunch before returning to the cookery school for the afternoon cooking class.
3pm – Afternoon French cooking lessons
– This afternoon you’ll learn how to fillet a fish correctly, and prepare a veloute sauce as an accompaniment. This is then followed by a Tarte aux Pommes for dessert where you will learn to practice your pastry and knife skills
8pm – Enjoy aperitifs and canapés followed by the wonderful 4 course dinner. The fish in velouté sauce and tarte aux pommes that you prepared earlier will be the centre piece of the evening’s menu, giving you the chance to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
– Each day, all guests are invited to help the kitchen plate up the food ready for service to enhance their cooking skills that go from preparation to service

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in the restored French farmhouse surrounded by the Gascon countryside.

Wednesday

8.30 – Breakfast

10am – Hands on French cooking course

After breakfast you will join David in his kitchen to put your newly acquired knife skills to the test, boning a chicken to create a sumptuous Ballotine de Poulet. Following the preparation of the chicken, you will make a rich mushroom sauce as an accompaniment.

Next this morning you will prepare a light and refreshing Tarte au Citron and an entrée of Soupe Aux Deux Poivrons (Two-Pepper Soup), the unique presentation of this dish never fails to impress at a dinner party.
2pm – Enjoy the delicious lunch you’ve prepared
3pm – In the afternoon you will visit Gramont’s seventeenth-century chateau a well preserved Renaissance castle complete with period furniture and tapestries, afterwards you will have time to relax before joining David in the kitchen to complete the final preparations for this evening’s meal.

This evening you will done on all three dishes you pre[pared today.

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in the restored French farmhouse surrounded by the Gascon countryside.

Thursday

8.30am – Breakfast

10am – Hands on French cooking course
– Today will be an intensive cookery class where you will prepare 6 dishes over three hours, the focus will be on French desserts. These will consist of a crème patissiere, crème brulee, crème caramel and finishing off with a savoury sauce béchamel, followed by sugar spinning technique, preparing a reduction sauce (jus de vin rouge)
2pm – Enjoy the delicious lunch you’ve prepared
3pm – After lunch you will visit the Château de Cassaigne, Condom’s acclaimed Armagnac distillery, learn about the history of this local brandy whilst indulging in a short degustation. Then there will be a tour of the beautifully preserved, medieval fortified village of Larressingl and  the delightful village of La Romieu.

8pm – You will dine at Bernard’s and your menu will include the cassoulet that you prepared on Monday and today’s desserts.

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in the restored French farmhouse surrounded by the Gascon countryside.

Friday

Sadly, the cookery school has come to an end!

Breakfast will be served as usual, until 10am and we ask you to kindly vacate your room before 11am.

À bientôt!

 

What's included

Included

  • 5 nights accommodation in a double ensuite room
  • Breakfast each morning
  • Lunch each day at the farmhouse with lunch on day 2 in a traditional french Auberge
  • A four course dinner on 3 evenings with wine, water and coffee
  • 2 evenings dining at the traditional French Auberge, dinner includes wine and coffee
  • 5 cookery lessons with a professional chef
  • Cooking lessons take place in the professional kitchen at the Auberge restaurant or in the purpose built teaching kitchen in the farmhouse either with Chef David or Chef Bernard
  • All cooking materials, apron and ingredients
  • A visit to the farmers market
  • A tour of the Chateau de Gramont
  • A visit to the medieval fortified village of Larrissingle and the delightful village of la Romieu
  • A visit to Condom and a tour of the local Armagnac distillery
  • All transport for your afternoon or morning trips so a car is not necessary
  • You can check in anytime after 2pm on Sunday and check-out by 11am on Friday
Your local host

David and Bernard

As a result of his love of France and passion for French cuisine, professional chef David moved to the village of Gramont in France’s Gascony region in 2002. It was here he met and joined forces with Chef Bernard, who has owned and run a successful restaurant in Gramont, Le Petit Feuillant, for over twenty-five years. Their vision was to design a cookery course that would give guests the chance learn an impressive range of skills as well as how to prepare delicious French menus in just under a week. Making French cuisine enjoyable and accessible to all. David and Bernard are passionate about the food and wine from the Gascon area. During your French cooking classes either in the main house kitchen or in the professional kitchen of ... Read All

As a result of his love of France and passion for French cuisine, professional chef David moved to the village of Gramont in France’s Gascony region in 2002. It was here he met and joined forces with Chef Bernard, who has owned and run a successful restaurant in Gramont, Le Petit Feuillant, for over twenty-five years. Their vision was to design a cookery course that would give guests the chance learn an impressive range of skills as well as how to prepare delicious French menus in just under a week. Making French cuisine enjoyable and accessible to all. David and Bernard are passionate about the food and wine from the Gascon area. During your French cooking classes either in the main house kitchen or in the professional kitchen of the Auberge (“French Farmhouse Restaurant”) which is a few minutes from your accommodation, you’ll have the pleasure of cooking seasonally with fresh food you’ve purchased yourself from the local French market.

David and Bernard image

Location

Recommended by Alastair Sawday, this cookery holiday is set in the peaceful village of Gramont in a lovingly restored French farmhouse, surrounded by breathtaking views of the idyllic Gascony countryside.

Features
– All rooms are twin/doubles with private bathrooms and air conditioning
– Just 5 guest rooms in the main house all with stunning South facing views with a gite next door for B&B guests
– WiFi available in the house but not in the guest bedrooms
– Your hosts have a cocker spaniel dog who is allowed in the house but never in the kitchen nor guest bedroom
– Terrace with breathtaking views
– Cook with one English and one French acclaimed chefs within the region
– Use locally grown, seasonal ingredients and taste regional wines
– A short walk from the local honey museum
– A few minutes from the Chateau de Gramont

Nearest airport: Toulouse (65 km away)

Nearest Train Station: Agen Train Station

 

 

What our travellers are saying...

The French Cooking and Wine Holiday is a beautiful course. There is something for everyone in this course, from exquisite and authentic cooking to local sightseeing, Armagnac tasting sessions and of course having a great time dining and reaping the rewards of a busy cooking day.

C Vogt

An amazing week in a beautiful setting of Southern France. Chefs David and Bernard were so very nice with incredible enthusiasm for teaching us great cooking skills. It was a wonderful experience highly recommended for anyone who would enjoy learning new cooking skills in a fabulous place.

M Reinfuss

Does exactly what it promises and so much more. It was very hands on so we all learned an enormous amount and got to eat the fruits of our labours each day. Plus we visited museums, chateaux, had a private Armagnac tasting, shopped at the market, toured the area and ate like kings. Excellent course.

P Price

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all from beginners to experienced foodies
- Minimum age 17 with no upper age limit
- Your hosts are British and French so all cooking classes are taught in English and French
- Many people on the course travel solo and this course attracts guests from around the world for a wonderfully sociable and culinary experience
- All dietary requirements must be communicated at the time of booking

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

- Many solo guests travel on this cookery holiday and the groups are fun and sociable
-If you are travelling alone please choose the private room option when you book.

When can I start?

- All arrivals are on Sunday
- Departures are on Friday

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help
- We generally do not recommend this location for those with restricted mobility, and there is no wheelchair accessibility
- The accommodation has one room (twin/double) available on the ground floor with 1 step to the room, and 1 low step to the shower; please feel free to ask if it is available

How do we get there?

Nearest airport:
Toulouse (65 km away 50 minutes from school)

Alternative airports:
Bergerac (100km 1hour 20mins), Bordeaux (140km 1 hour 50mins), Carcassonne (110km 1 hour 30mins)

Airport transfers:
Transfers can be added by arrangement to and from Toulouse airport - prices are based on up to 4 people sharing with reasonable luggage that will fit into a regular car. The price of the transfer is 70 euros each way but the price may be shared depending on how many people are travelling in the car. If you would like to arrange a transfer, please either get in touch with Not In The Guidebooks a minimum of 14 days before departure.

By public transport:
From the central bus station in Toulouse airport you can take a take a bus to  the central bus station in Toulouse for 5€ one way, where it can be pre-arranged for your hosts to collect you using the transfer service which you can add on and pay locally.

Car hire and parking:
A car will allow you to fully explore and appreciate the local area, and parking is available at or near the school. If you are travelling by car, please get in touch with us for specific driving instructions.

Join our community

Get off the beaten track and support local communities that you visit.

Sign up for inspiriation for your itinerary, new experiences and special offers.