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Overview

Rhone Alps Cooking Vacation

Your chef and hostess mixing cocktails!Selected by Le Figaro magazine as one of ‘les plus belles chambres d’hotes’ (the best b&bs) in all of France.

Ready for a bit of time in the garden.Enjoy a luxurious six-night exclusive Savoyard cooking vacation at a lovingly restored chalet located in the heart of the French Alps, just south of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva and with roads leading into Italy. The Savoie has long attracted visitors not only for its unforgettable scenery of dramatic mountain peaks and lush, green valleys but also for its rich and unique French culinary dishes that are, in part, inspired by Italy.

Dishing up dessert during your France cooking vacation.The dishes you will learn to prepare during this French Alps foodie tour feature a host of local foods, from cheese to mushrooms, potatoes, and apples. The Savoie even has its own pasta: Les Crozets, which is made with buckwheat flour. Your instructor and hostess loves teaching local and classic French dishes in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

Whichever season you choose to visit during your cooking vacation in French Alps, the colors, clean air, abundance of flora and fauna, and unrivaled seasonal produce of the region will leave you wanting to come back for more.


Latest Review

I gave this trip 5 stars
Mojdeh
MI
Trip taken September 2023
I had a wonderful stress free experience in French Alps cooking class. Adrian went through all the details and explain what to do and expect in our trip and everything went very smoothly. Oh, I did forget to make a copy of my train ticket at home so I called him in panic while I was in France. Adrian again came to the rescue and sent a copy directly to my hotel in France which I can't say enough thanks to him. Also Nikki and her husband who hosted the cooking class in the French Alps were out of this world! I couldn't of asked for any better trip! Thanks so much Adrian, Nikki and The International Kitchen for making my dream vacation coming true!

French Alps Food Tour Highlights

A delicious starter during your culinary tour in the French Alps.Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of your culinary vacation in the French Alps will be the hands-on cooking classes with your host. She will introduce you to local and classical French fare and tailor the lessons to your specific skill set. But your cooking vacation will also include:

  • charming accommodations at a beautiful mountain chalet
  • a market visit to explore the local products
  • a walking tour to explore the local villages
  • an excursion to Annecy, the beautiful lake town of the Alps
  • meals as indicated
  • and more!

 

Cooking in the French Alps Culinary Tour Itinerary

A bedroom at the chalet. Order of activities for our French Alps cooking vacation is subject to change depending on the specific dates booked. 

Day One

  • Arrival transfer from the Albertville or Chambery train station.
  • Upon checking into he chalet, Nikki and her husband Hugh will show you around and help you settle in. If you’re arriving early in the day, a lunch and afternoon tea and cake will be served.
  • Nikki and Hugh will start your Rhone Alps cooking vacation by inviting you into their private bar for a welcome drink and to have a chat about the following days ahead and this wonderful region of France. Next, they will serve a very traditional Savoyard meal. – Tarte aux tomatoes roties et thyme de montagne, Tartiflette, Green salad, Peche poaches, vervain et vanille.
  • Overnight.

Making dessert during your cooking vacation in the French Alps.Day Two

  • Breakfast will be served in the vaulted dining room.
  • In the morning, begin your first cooking class, which will focus on the preparation of a traditional Savoyard lunch. During class, Nikki will explain how the local history and traditions are linked to the local produce.
  • Lunch to follow based on your efforts. Sample lunch menu : Comte
    souffle, salad de tomate, tarte aux myrtilles.
  • In the afternoon, put on your walking boots and take a leisurely look at the three surrounding villages, the history of the area, and how they operated as a community back in the 1700’s. You will meet a few farmers and taste some local cheeses. (Or if you prefer, you can rest, read, and enjoy the scenery from one of the many lounges dotted around the property.)
  • Return to the chalet to relax before pre dinner drinks and dinner is served with a selection of Rhone wines. Sample dinner menu: Tatin d’endives et tomme de chèvre, Poulet fermier aux champignons et creme fraiche, creme caramel.
  • Overnight.

A French village in the fall.Day Three

  • After breakfast, drive to the valley floor (about 20 minutes) to visit a local farmers market to source and purchase the fresh ingredients for the evening cookery class. During this visit, Nikki will take you around the market to sample and enjoy the local produce, to choose together a selection of wine and seasonal food items for the following days picnic hamper. You will also visit a local knife shop.
  • Enjoy a lovely farm to table meal in a local restaurant together (drinks not included).
  • In the afternoon, take part in your second cooking class, where you’ll make dinner using ingredients from the market. Five-course sample menu: Amuse-bouche feuilletes, Tartare de tomato, Tart epinards et chèvre Sainte-Maure, Filet de cabillaud en papillote, Salade aux 5 perfume, Choux jasmin – framboise.
  • Pre dinner drinks and nibbles on the terrace or at the bar (weather depending) – then dinner based on your efforts, during which you will learn more about the local Rhone wines.
  • Overnight.

Showing off some homemade tarts.Day Four

  • Breakfast.
  • Spend the morning in your next cooking class preparing the food for
    your dinner. Sample menu: Gateau de Savoie, Soupe a l’oignon, Diots
    au vin blanc, gratin de crozet, Tarte tatin, soda bread, biscuit sale.
  • Lunch is a beautiful and easy walk into the forest where you will find a
    magical table set overlooking the Alps – by foot in summer or snow
    shoes in winter. Eat, relax, read, and take in the jaw dropping views.
  • This evening, enjoy pre-dinner drinks, followed by a three course meal and local wine, served downstairs in the vaulted dining hall under the chandelier.
  • Overnight.

Enjoying the French AlpsDay Five

  • After breakfast, your food tour in the French Alps will take you on a picturesque journey to the unforgettably beautiful and historic mountain lake town of Annecy, about 90 minutes away. A real jewel of the Alps, Annecy delivers on all fronts: breathtaking scenery, quality shops, gourmet restaurants, as well as quaint streets, buildings, and a castle dating back to the 12th century.
  • You will have the day to explore, shop, and choose your own restaurant for lunch on your own.
  • Meet back together at 4.00pm.
  • After returning to the chalet, enjoy an aperitif together before Nikki serves you dinner.
  • Overnight.

Shopping in the local village.Day Six

  • Breakfast.
  • After breakfast, transfer to Chambery, where you will have time to shop and explore on your own.
  • Lunch on your own in Chambery.
  • After getting picked up, head to a local winery for a visit with a wine tasting.
  • Transfer back to the chalet for time to relax before dinner.
  • Dinner this evening will be a fondue meal together at Chez Fred’s in Grande Naves.
  • Overnight.

A beautiful view of the mountains.Day Seven

  • Breakfast followed by check out by 11 am.
  • Return transfer to the Albertville or Charmbery train station.

French Alps Cooking Vacation Trip Details

Included in the 6-Night Rhone Alps Culinary Tour

Accommodations

6 nights accommodation in double or double twin room

Food & Beverages

  • Daily breakfast
  • 3 lunches
  • 6 dinners
  • Local wine, water, and coffee with all meals served at the chalet

Classes & Instructors

Your 3 cooking sessions during your French Alps foodie tour will be with host Nikki, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, and who has always had a passion for food, wine, and rustic architecture. After her stint at Hotel & Catering College, she left for Europe in search of a new dream. This took her to many exciting places, allowing her to gather a multitude of culinary experiences along the way, from cooking on Super yachts to cheffing in private villas and running a handful of hotels. Eventually Nikki settled in the Savoie region where she has been part of the community ever since. Nikki enjoys nothing more than sharing her knowledge of 30 years of living and cooking her way around France.

In your hands-on classes that take place in the chalet’s cookery kitchen, Nikki promotes a relaxed atmosphere where she will build your confidence and knowledge based on your skill set, whether your want to learn fundamental culinary techniques or recipes that require a higher level of technical skills. Nikki has a talent for taking the traditional food of the region, and often likes to give those recipes a slight twist. Most of all, you will laugh, learn and prepare exceptional dishes in a stress free environment, a magical experience overlooking the French Alps.

Excursions

  • Walking tour of the area with your hosts to visit three local villages
  • Market visit
  • Forest picnic lunch (weather permitting)
  • Excursion to Annecy
  • Excursion to Chambery
  • Winery visit and tasting

Transfer Details

  • Included transfers from Chambéry Challes Les Eaux or Albertville train stations (transfers from/to the Lyon or Geneva airports priced on request).

Not Included

  • Drinks during lunch on day 3
  • Lunches on days 5 and 6

Accommodation Information

This alpine chalet retreat was once an old barn, until it was renovated into a luxurious boutique property by husband and wife Hugh and Nikki. In addition to the cooking school, lounge area, formal dining room, and guests’ private farmhouse kitchen, there are three bedrooms decorated in a Savoyard style featuring modern amenities, including plasma satellite TV, Netflix, surround sound, and free WiFi.

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Pricing & Tour Dates for Our French Alps Food & Wine Tasting Tour

Find pricing and dates for our culinary vacations in the French Alps below, and contact us for availability or to book your trip.



French Alps Cooking Vacation Pricing:

6-Night Cooking Vacation Pricing

US$3650 per person based on double occupancy

  • Add US$500 for single occupancy (use of a double room by 1 person)

30% deposit due to confirm booking.

Balance payment due 60 days prior to tour start date. Questions? Please contact us!

If you prefer a transfer from/to the Geneva or Lyon airport, those are priced on request but they run approximately $350 each way per car.


French Alps Culinary Tour Dates

Our Cooking in the Rhone Alps culinary vacations are available any week for a minimum of one person. Please inquire with specific dates for availability.

2024
Available during the following periods (subject to change – please inquire!!)
March 25-31
April 1-19
May 1-5
May 5-11 – SOLD OUT
May 11-15
July 9-31
August 1-31
September 1-3
September 19-30
October 1-5
Other dates on request.

Reviews

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Plan Your Dream Culinary Vacation in France!

Enjoying a cocktails in the garden during your French cooking vacation.
Whether it's arranging extra nights, tours in France, transportation, or anything else, our team is dedicated to crafting your perfect cooking holiday.

While we can't pack your bags for you, we're here to enhance your culinary journey in France in many other ways.

For further details, feel free to reach out to us. Alternatively, you can express your interest during checkout, and we'll be sure to follow up with you! Contact Us
 

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