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A French Christmas with Chef Eric
A small-group culinary journey from Mont-Saint-Michel to Paris
Limited to 6 guests

More Than a Cooking Holiday
This is not a demonstration course or a series of recipes.
The week is built around understanding how French cooking works in practice — how to organise, prepare, and serve food in a real setting, particularly for Christmas and entertaining.
You will cook, not watch.
You will understand, not follow.
With a group limited to six guests, the experience allows for direct access to Chef Eric throughout, in a setting designed for learning, not performance.

Hands-on festive cooking at The Walnut Grove

A practical approach to planning and executing a Christmas table

A small group of no more than 6 guests

Direct access to Chef Eric throughout the week

Private chauffeur transfers between Paris and Brittany

Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo

Christmas lights in Laval’s château and medieval streets

Chef-led visits to Dehillerin and professional kitchen suppliers

Meals in selected Paris institutions and at The Walnut Grove
The Experience
This experience is built around a simple idea:
To understand French cooking properly, you need time in the kitchen, a clear approach, and the right environment.
The week is based at The Walnut Grove, where cooking is hands-on and focused on how food is prepared, organised, and served — particularly for Christmas and entertaining.
Alongside the kitchen, the experience moves beyond it.
From Mont-Saint-Michel to Paris, you will see France through places and moments that reflect both tradition and everyday life.
The pace is balanced — time to cook, to explore, and to sit at the table.
Everything is organised so that you can focus on the experience itself.
Experience Highlights
A week designed around cooking, hosting, and experiencing France at Christmas — with Paris explored through Chef Eric’s knowledge, perspective, and professional experience.

At The Walnut Grove
The heart of the experience is in the kitchen — cooking, learning, and hosting in a warm and intimate setting.
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Hands-on festive cooking sessions
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A practical approach to planning and executing a Christmas table
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A small group of no more than 6 guests
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Continuous guidance and access to Chef Eric
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Shared meals and relaxed hosted evenings

In Paris
Begin your journey with a chef-led perspective on the city’s culinary and festive icons.
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Chef-led visit to Dehillerin and specialist kitchen suppliers
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Chef-led visit to La Grande Épicerie
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Lunch at Le Pied de Cochon
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Lunch at Les Antiquaires
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Dinner at La Fontaine de Mars
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Dinner at Le Grand Véfour

Beyond the Kitchen
Experience the atmosphere, culture, and beauty of France at Christmas.
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Private chauffeur transfers between Paris and Brittany
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Cultural excursions to Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint-Malo
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Christmas light installations in Laval’s château and medieval streets
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Time to explore Vitré, the “thousand-year town”
Booking Information
Price
€9,500
Per person, based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: €1,000
Dates
December 4 – 11, 2026
Availability
Spots are limited, limited to 6 guests
Information & Conditions
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A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking
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The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days prior to the start of the trip
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We reserve the right to introduce changes due to force majeure or unforeseen circumstances, while always aiming to confirm similar properties, vehicles, and experiences
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CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) travel insurance is mandatory for all participants
A Week in France
Private transfer from Paris to your 4-star hotel in Vitré.
Apéritif and dinner at the house.
Hands-on festive cooking and visit to Laval.
Focus on hosting, organisation, and structure.
Full-day excursion to the coast.
Transfer to your 5-star hotel in Paris.
Evening in Paris, Dinner at La Fontaine de Mars and Eiffel Tower by night
Chef-led visits and classic Paris lunch Au Pied de Cochon
La Grande Epicerie, Les Antiquaires and Le Grand Véfour
Departure after breakfast
The experience is designed to be fully hosted, allowing you to focus on the cooking, the places, and the time at the table.
Included in the program:
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7 nights accommodation
(4 nights in 4-star hotel in Vitré, 3 nights in 5-star in Paris) -
Private chauffeur transfers from Paris to Brittany and return to Paris
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All cooking sessions at The Walnut Grove
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Daily guidance and instruction with Chef Eric
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Excursions to Saint-Malo and Mont-Saint-Michel
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Visit to Laval Christmas lights
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Chef-led visits in Paris, including Dehillerin and specialist kitchen suppliers
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All scheduled lunches and dinners as part of the program
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All drinks included at The Walnut Grove
(wine, aperitifs, and table beverages)

Meet Chef Eric
Chef Eric Duvin is a classically trained French chef with decades of experience in Michelin-level kitchens and private service for royalty and dignitaries. Today, he shares his expertise through immersive, hands-on cooking experiences at The Walnut Grove Cookery School, where he teaches the foundations of French cuisine with a focus on technique, seasonality, and confidence in the kitchen.















