French Tennis and Culinary Holiday

Highlights

  • 4 (2hr) tennis lessons with a pro; all materials provided
  • Village markets, wine and Armagnac tastings
  • Time to cycle, canoe, swim and enjoy the area
  • Perfect mix of rest, activity and learning in a relaxed atmosphere
From £1829 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

The perfect all-inclusive holiday for friends, couples - or just someone looking to treat themselves in the countryside and hit the courts. This holiday includes the best of France in a stunning location with fabulous hosts.

This is the perfect holiday where you can enjoy playing and improving your tennis and other activities such as canoeing, cycling and walking, as well as indulging in great food and wine in the stunning southwest of France. Après le sport the reconfort! After being active in the day you can reward your efforts sitting by the pool being served gourmet meals by your host Adam, a lover of food and wine! There is no such better feeling of feeling fit, happy and spoilt.

2023 Dates: 20th April and 30th September

2024 Dates: 18th April and 10th October

Arrival day

Arrive at Agen train station to be greeted by your hosts before being driven to the farmhouse where your holiday will begin.

Settle into your charming room before getting to know your fellow guests over delicious aperitifs.

Enjoy a social evening with a 3 course gourmet dinner served in the farmhouse kitchen along with a short introduction from your hosts about what to expect over the next few days.

Accommodation

You’ll stay in a gorgeous 150-year-old farmhouse with three beautifully appointed guest en-suite twin/double bedrooms, and one of the main attractions of this farmhouse is its large open plan traditional kitchen. Guests can sit around the homely table, that seats 14 guests, and share delicious meals prepared by Caroline’s husband.

Attached to the farmhouse is a recently renovated gite. The gite has been sympathetically restored to a very high standard and also contains two twin/double bedrooms.

Features
– Set in 50 acres of parkland, an area of incredible natural beauty famous for its gastronomy and wines
– Outdoor swimming pool (12m x 6m)
– All twin/double bedrooms have private ensuite bathrooms
– Open plan farmhouse kitchen and large living area with TV
– WiFi available

Walking and tennis

This morning you will walk 11km to a local delightful village market for coffee and croissants to discuss your activities with the rest of the group and your tutor Caroline.

You will have 2 hours of tennis coaching enjoying both the clay courts and hard courts.

Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen with views of the countryside all around to help inspire your creative side, followed by free time to use all the on-site facilities before aperitifs are served.

There is always the option to use the tennis courts if you want.

Cycling, tennis and Armagnac

Start your day off with your tennis coaching, then enjoy a lovely cycle ride in the stunning countryside visiting  market towns on electric bikes.

Early evening, you will visit a family run Armagnac distillery (which Gascony is famous for) and learn how it is made and the history behind it and, more importantly, tasting before returning for dinner back at the farmhouse. Sample different vintages across generations of production. These are millesime armagnacs, not blended, and bottled for you directly from the cask.

Free day

Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen depending on the season.

Late afternoon, you will visit a beautiful chateau famous for its aperitifs and wines for an afternoon of wine tasting.

Dinner will be served back at the farmhouse giving you time to relax in the lounge or by the swimming pool firstly, or to take advantage of one of the onsite activities such as table tennis or cycling.

There is always the option to use the tennis courts if you want.

Tennis and Michelin star restaurant

Get in 2 hours of coaching before heading out for a  relaxing lunch at a gourmet restaurant.

After lunch we will go wine tasting at a new stunning Chateaux in the area.

A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served in the grounds or the farmhouse kitchen this evening.

Canoeing and tennis

Before lunch, get in your tennis time, before taking  a canoe trip to a lovely local village.

Before dinner, you are free to enjoy whichever activity you prefer, or simply hit the pool.

A 3 course gourmet meal will then be served back at the farmhouse.

Day excursion

This is a fun day out with the choice of a city visit to Bordeaux city or Toulouse city, depending on the groups preferences

You’ll have the option for a visit to the mountains, golf or Spa – you can make your plans with your hosts upon arrival.

Departure day

After breakfast, guests are asked to check out by 10am.

You are welcome to relax and enjoy some free time if your flight is not until later in the day, before being taken to the airport or train station for your return journey.

You will return home with fantastic memories from an indulgent week!

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • This is an all inclusive holiday. Once you arrive at the farmhouse (or Agen train station) everything is covered - all meals, all visits, and all tastings.
  • Gourmet dinners
  • 4 (2hr) tennis lessons with pro
  • All material provided
  • Village markets
  • Wine tasting
  • Armagnac tasting
  • Gourmet restaurant
  • Day trips
Your local host

Caroline & Adam

Caroline is a qualified teacher from the UK and her husband Adam is a passionate cook. They moved to South West France looking for a change of lifestyle and now run their hugely successful jewellery making and activity holidays from Baron-Figués, where you will be staying. Caroline has been a qualified teacher for over 25 years and has experience in setting up and running training centres teaching practical skills. She is a senior instructor in both PMC and Art Clay and has experience in using a wide range of clays and other materials. Adam is a serious gastro enthusiast, as much in love with the local seasonal produce as the Gascons, and entirely committed to cooking the most incredible traditional dishes for guests as well as providing wonderful cooking courses. For Adam, cooking is a journey through all the senses and you won't just spend time sampling the local produce but understand how it is made and the traditions behind it. Adam blends a simple Irish approach to cooking with flavours and skills acquired from travels across the world. From conception to plate, Adam will teach you how to prepare and serve fantastic meals that will seem to magically appear in front of your guests, allowing you to enjoy the party too! For the painting course, they are joined by passionate local artists with huge knowledge and experience of the area as well as art to ensure you are taken to the right places to inspire your paintings.

Caroline is a qualified teacher from the UK and her husband Adam is a passionate cook. They moved to South West France looking for a change of lifestyle and now run their hugely successful jewellery making and activity holidays from Baron-Figués, where you will be staying. Caroline has been a qualified teacher for over 25 years and has experience in setting up and running training centres teaching practical skills. She is a senior instructor in both PMC and Art Clay and has experience in using a wide range of clays and other materials. Adam is a serious gastro enthusiast, as much in love with the local seasonal produce as the Gascons, and entirely committed to cooking the most incredible traditional dishes for guests as well as providing wonderful cooking courses. For Adam, cooking is a journey through all the senses and you won't just spend time sampling the local produce but understand how it is made and the traditions behind it. Adam blends a simple Irish approach to cooking with flavours and skills acquired from travels across the world. From conception to plate, Adam will teach you how to prepare and serve fantastic meals that will seem to magically appear in front of your guests, allowing you to enjoy the party too! For the painting course, they are joined by passionate local artists with huge knowledge and experience of the area as well as art to ensure you are taken to the right places to inspire your paintings.

Location

Set in the heart of Gascony surrounded by 50 acres of private unspoilt meadows, the your farmhouse accommodation is tucked away in the Gascon countryside. Although the farmhouse is a rural retreat, the bustling picturesque towns of Nérac and Condom are within easy reach.

Nearest airports:
Toulouse (1hr 40min), Bordeaux (1hr 40min), Pau (2 hours) or Bergerac (2 hours)

Complimentary pre-booked train transfers:
Return transfers to and from Agen train station (30 minutes) are included in the course price.

Trains run to Agen from across the SNCF network from where you can take advantage of the free transfer. Optional private airport transfers can be booked for an additional cost.

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

Suitable for all cooking levels from beginners to advanced with a minimum age 18. Your hosts and tutors speak English and French, and lessons will be taught in English. Dietary requirements will be catered for if these are communicated in advance of booking.

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

These holidays make great singles holidays as there are no single supplements and you will have your own private room for no additional cost. There is a discount for 2 people travelling together and sharing a room.

Is there 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.
- This holiday is based in the countryside, and does include some walking.
- The accommodation has no bedrooms or bathrooms on the ground floor, therefore one must be comfortable with stairs.

What can I do in my free time?

During your free time, there is plenty to do at your farmhouse accommodation including relaxing by the swimming pool (May-September). The accommodation offers a range of extracurricular activities onsite which are free of charge including table tennis, basketball, shooting, archery, cycling and board games to name a few!

There are numerous fêtes, music festivals and exhibitions in the surrounding areas through the year and your host Caroline will be happy to advise you during your stay. The closest towns are Nérac and Condom, and your host will be happy to suggest activities and transport should you wish to explore these during your stay.

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