Named one of the "Best of Provence," Andrew Harper Hideaway Report, June 2002.
If you are really passionate about cooking, please see Passionate Provence: An Intensive Cooking "Stage" at the Domaine de Valmouriane.
About the location: Martina and Philippe Capel are a dynamic young couple. Their dedication and energy
are immediately obvious in every detail of the hotel and restaurant and will make your cooking vacation in France unforgettable! Martina, a graduate of a
Swiss hospitality school had always dreamed of owning her own hotel. She moved to Provence, met Philippe,
and together they found the lovely four star Domaine de Valmouriane. Soon after, Philippe,
who was a practicing lawyer in Marseille, went to hospitality school and became the
full-time manager at the hotel.
It is an enchanting place of just twelve rooms on a parklike property of six hectares. There is a large
pool (with cabana rooms where massages can be scheduled), an outdoor Jacuzzi, tennis court, Petanque court
and miles of hiking trails. There are hairdryers in the bathrooms, every room is complete with robe,
a computer is available for use by the guests, and there is an elevator. This is
an idyllic countryside retreat in the foothills of the Alpilles mountain range, located just outside of
St-Remy de Provence. St Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus and home for a period to Van Gogh, is now one of
the most fashionable towns of Provence, and a “must see” on any Provencal itinerary.
 While this
delightful place is your home for the week-long cooking vacation, the activities that Martina and Philippe have created open a
door onto real Provencal life. Stop in to meet an ambitious brother and sister team who
have resurrected a family-owned olive mill that lay dormant for years and now produces pure, unadulterated
olive oil; meet a wine producer of very high quality, organic wines of the region; enter into the
world of exquisite glazed candy production at a very unique shop run by the fifth generation of candymakers; and
explore the delectable chocolate shop of a young Frenchman who dreamed even as a
child of becoming a chocolatiere.
About the lessons: Chef Pascal Volle, a young and enthusiastic chef for the popular
restaurant “Le Saint-Georges” of the hotel will guide you through the many Provencal
recipes durin your cooking lessons. Just a few of the dishes you may prepare are
lobster cannelloni, herbed Provencal rack of lamb, and asparagus with salmon. Of
course, your lessons will be complete menus, finishing with those fabulous French
desserts!
Bonjour Provence at Domaine de Valmouriane
St. Rémy-de-Provence, Provence
Cooking Vacation Itinerary
Day One – Tuesday
- Transfer from Avignon TGV station or from Marseille airport to the Domaine de Valmouriane.
- Light lunch at the property, and time to relax.
- Welcome dinner.
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Day Two – Wednesday
- Market visit in the lovely and chic town of St. Remy de Provence.
- Return for your first hands-on cooking class, followed by lunch based on your efforts.
- Afternoon visit of Avignon. You will have a guided visit of the city,
with free time for shopping or to visit the famous Popes’ Palace on your own.
- Dinner in the Domaine’s restaurant and overnight.
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Day Three – Thursday
- Morning cooking class followed by lunch based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, visit the villages of the Luberon, made famous by
Peter Mayle in A Year in Provence.
- Dinner out, and transfer back to the Domaine.
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Day Four – Friday
- Breakfast.
- Morning cooking class following by lunch based on your culinary efforts.
- Afternoon visit of St. Remy de Provence with wine tasting.
- Following your wine tasting, visit of the Lilamand confectionery, makers of the famous candied fruits.
- Next, a visit of the chocolatiere, Joel Durand, with his delectable “alphabet” of chocolates.
- Free time for shopping. Dinner tonight is in St. Remy, with a taxi home (a taxi back will cost you around €20 [$35] per car). (If you prefer to skip the shopping and head back to the Domaine for a rest before dinner, you can always take a taxi back to St. Remy later on.)
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Day Five – Saturday
- Morning class followed by lunch.
- Afternoon at leisure.
- Bistrot dinner in the evening at the Domaine.
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Day Six – Sunday
- Morning visit to the famous market of L'Isle sur la Sorgue, and time to explore the town. L’Isle sur la Sorgue, besides being one of the loveliest Provencal towns because of its canals and waterways, is also one of the best places in France for antiques.
- Lunch on your own and free afternoon. You may want to go back to St. Remy to shop or sightsee.
- Farewell dinner in the restaurant.
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Day Seven – Monday
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All prices based on double occupancy.
Low season — February, March, November
US$2900 per person for minimum of 4 people
US$3000 per person for 2-3 people
Single supplement: please inquire
Mid season — April, May, June, September, October
US$3300 per person for minimum of 4 people
US$3400 per person for 2-3 people
Single supplement: please inquire
High season — July, August
US$3400 per person for minimum of 4 people
US$3500 per person for 2-3 people
Single supplement: please inquire
Non-cooking companion: $300 less (mid and high seasons only)
4-night option also available: $2400 (mid and high season only, please inquire for details)
Looking for a more in-depth cooking experience? See Passionate Provence: An Intensive Cooking "Stage".
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2009 Tour Dates
February 17-23
March 3-9
March 17-23
March 31-April 6
April 14-20*
May 12-18*
May 18-24 (Monday to Sunday)
May 26-June 1*
June 30-July 6
August 11-17*
September 1-7
September 29-October 5
October 13-19
October 20-26
*Join a week others have booked
Available any other week on request for a minimum of two people.
UNAVAILABLE: January 4-February 6; November 15-December 4, 2009.
Sold out: June 9-15, 20, 21, 27; September 9-11, 19-26.
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Included in the cooking vacation:
- Six nights accommodations
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Daily breakfast
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Four cooking classes with meal to follow
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All dinners
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All lunches except on day six
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Wine included with meals after lessons and dinners in restaurant
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All excursions with escort as listed with transportation
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Round trip transfers from Avignon TGV or Marseille airport
(On free afternoons, a cab ride to St. Remy is approximately €20—$35 each way.)
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Cooking Vacations 
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