Cooking in a French Chateau
Currently not available, please see our similar experiences: Culinary Vacations in France.
It has been suggested that French cuisine originated in the South West of France, the Basque country, but also in the neighboring Bearn. The region is known for the dry and sweet white wines of the Jurancon area, as well as for the red from the Madiran. You will get to taste both as you explore the local cuisine in a true farm-to-market and market-to-table experience.
It is the pittoresque little village of Moumour that you will find your home for the week, a beautifully restored Château set in a luscious park with stunning views of the Pyrénées. Summer residence of the bishops of Oloron Sainte Marie, the nearby town with a medieval cathedral, the chateau is grand and has been totally renovated to modern 5* luxury standards. It is an ideal starting point for exploring the beauties of the National Parc des Pyrénées, which is right around the corner.
Your hosts for the week are the owners, Christine, a sculptor who did the interior decoration of the Château, and Laurent, who will be your Chef and instructor. For partners that do not like to cook, there are many options to occupy your time, from a nearby golf course to a sculpture class with Christine, the library, gymnasium, home cinema, or swimming pool.
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Trip Details
Your 5 cooking classes will teach you the techniques and recipes of classical and modern cuisine. Chef Laurent always loved cooking, and after selling his shipping business, he and his wife Christine opened a bed and breakfast in the Château. To improve his already fine cooking skills, Laurent followed intensive courses at the Alain Ducasse institute in Paris, and Bocuse in Lyon, as well as working with chefs in restaurants in Paris, Marseille and Florence. Laurent, or ‘Chef Larry,’ cooks with a passion, not only traditional French dishes like coquilles St. Jacques and crème brulée, but all sorts of sauces, vegetarian and vegan dishes, and even some molecular cooking.
Itinerary
Day One
- Arrival and transfer to the chateau.
- Welcome drink and light lunch, followed by an introduction to the program.
- Take some time to relax and unwind. Perhaps take a stroll through the park or a dip in the swimming pool.
- Start your first cooking class, followed by dinner based on your efforts.
- Overnight.
Day Two
- Following breakfast, go shopping to buy ingredients from local suppliers for your second cooking class.
- Return to the kitchen for your class.
- Lunch based on your efforts.
- In the afternoon, some time on your own.
- Enjoy a fabulous dinner at Michel Guérard’s 3 * Michelin restaurant Les Prés d’Eugénie in the village of Eugénie-les-bains. (Drinks not included).
- Transfer back to the chateau, and overnight.
Day Three
- Breakfast.
- Transfer to Monein, a small village in the Jurancon wine area. Visit the church of Saint Girons, which has an interesting wooden roof structure.
- Return to the chateau for a light lunch and time to rest.
- This evening, your next cooking class, followed by dinner.
- Overnight.
Day Four
- After breakfast, depart for a a winery visit in the medieval city of Lucq de Bearn. You will taste the foie gras mi-cuit you hve made, will bake fresh foie gras, and will sample it with the Jurancon sweet wine of the winery.
- Return to the chateau for your next cooking class.
- Dinner and overnight in the chateau.
Day Five
- Breakfast.
- Today is all about vegetables! You will make the real choumous, baba ganoush, kofte, and vegan apple cake.
- Lunch to follow.
- In the afternoon, visit La Verna, the largest cave in the world that is open to the public. It is so big they one flew a hot air balloon inside!
- Return to the chateau for dinner and overnight.
Day Six
- Breakfast.
- Departure transfer.
Trip Details
Included in the 5-Night Trip
Accommodations
5 nights accommodations at the Chateau de la Mothe
Food & Beverages
- Daily breakfast
- 5 lunches (including arrival day)
- 5 dinners
Classes & Instructors
Your 5 cooking classes will teach you the techniques and recipes of classical and modern cuisine. Chef Laurent always loved cooking, and after selling his shipping business, he and his wife Christine opened a bed and breakfast in the Château. To improve his already fine cooking skills, Laurent followed intensive courses at the Alain Ducasse institute in Paris, and Bocuse in Lyon, as well as working with chefs in restaurants in Paris, Marseille and Florence. Laurent, or ‘Chef Larry,’ cooks with a passion, not only traditional French dishes like coquilles St. Jacques and crème brulée, but all sorts of sauces, vegetarian and vegan dishes, and even some molecular cooking.
Excursions
- Visit to market and local suppliers
- Excursion to Monein
- Winery visit and tasting
- Visit of La Verna cave
Transfer Details
- Transfers are not included but can be arranged from Pau-Pyrenees and Biarritz airport, or Pau and Oloron Sainte Marie train stations for an additional cost
Not Included
- Beverages with meals
- Transfers
Accommodation Information
Dating back to the 1100s, the Chateau has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the past few centuries. It’s been lived in by the bishops of Oloron as well as the Lamothe family. In 2007, Christine and Laurent renovated the chateau with modern conveniences to a 5* standard while still retaining the building’s charms. Five bedrooms feature king-sized beds and ensuite bathrooms, as well as TV and Internet access, and a ‘family’ room includes two double beds and two singles. In addition to the stunning panoramic views, the property also boasts a swimming pool. Please note there are no twin-bedded rooms.
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Pricing & Tour Dates
Year-Round Pricing:
5-night Program
US$3000 per person based on double occupancy
- Add US$550 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)
Tour Dates
Currently not available, please see our similar experiences: Culinary Vacations in France.
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