We begin on Friday with a warm welcome at our 19th-century farmhouse cookery school.
Once you've settled into your room, we’ll gather for a seasonal welcome dinner, prepared by Chef Eric.
The evening begins with Champagne and canapés, followed by a beautifully cooked menu highlighting fresh produce from our garden and local artisans.
Each morning, you’ll step into the kitchen for immersive, hands-on instruction. You’ll work with exceptional ingredients, many from our own land, and learn to cook with the seasons.
From knife skills to stock-making, from butchery to pâtisserie — every lesson is grounded in classical French technique.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the week, you’ll build confidence in the fundamentals:
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Classic French cooking techniques
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Knife handling and mise en place
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Stocks, jus, and essential sauces
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Pastry doughs, desserts, soufflés
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Sous vide and precision cooking
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Blanching, braising, searing, poaching, roasting
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Chocolate and sugar work
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Modern plating and presentation
We provide you with a printed folder of recipes and menus to take home — a lasting reference of everything you’ve cooked and learned.
Each evening ends around the table, sharing a six-course dinner — dishes you helped prepare yourself.
Rooted in the Garden, Inspired by Nature
We believe great cooking begins with the ingredients — and that means growing, gathering, and sourcing with care.
Our farm is home to fruit trees, edible flowers, herbs, and heirloom vegetables.
We raise hens for fresh eggs, keep bees for honey, and make jams from seasonal fruit like rhubarb, raspberry, cherry, green tomato, and pumpkin.
You'll cook with ingredients from the land, dine in the garden when weather allows, and reconnect with the natural rhythm of food.
From bleuet to borage, shiso to tarragon — you’ll see how flavour begins in the soil.
Optional Cultural Excursions – Beyond the Kitchen
Elevate your culinary retreat by extending your stay and embracing the cultural richness of the surrounding region.
These thoughtfully designed day trips let you discover iconic landscapes, storied towns, and rural heritage—all just a short journey from The Walnut Grove.
Choose Your Experience:
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Mont‑Saint‑Michel — Spend an extra day exploring this legendary island abbey and its medieval streets.
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Cancale & Saint‑Malo — Immerse yourself in coastal charm, from oysters in Cancale to the historic ramparts of Saint‑Malo.
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Dinan — A perfectly preserved medieval town filled with cobbled lanes, half‑timbered homes, and cathedral views.
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Villedieu‑les‑Poêles — Famous for hand‑crafted copperware, this artisanal village offers a glimpse into traditional metalwork.
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Loire Valley (2–3 days) — Customize an extended itinerary to wander châteaux, sample wines, and savor the elegance of France’s “Garden of France.”
By Week’s End
You’ll leave with more than skills — you’ll leave with confidence.
You’ll understand not just how to cook beautifully, but why techniques matter, and how to adapt them in your own kitchen.
Whether you join us to sharpen your skills or to rediscover your love of food, this retreat is designed to give you something lasting.
This isn’t a cooking holiday. It’s a culinary transformation.
Culinary Adventure
6 Days / 5 Nights — From €3,725
A hands-on introduction to classical French cuisine — perfect for passionate home cooks ready to build confidence.
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Knife and kitchen basics
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Butchery fundamentals
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Classic French techniques
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Intro to pastry
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French farmer's market
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Vitré (Medieval town) cultural tour
Upcoming Dates:
Sep 19–24 2025
Oct 3–8 2025
March 6-11 2026
March 13-18 2026
May 22-27 2026
June 5-10 2026
June 19-24
August 21-26
September 18-23
October 2-7 2026
+ more dates by request
Non-participant price: €2,600
Gourmet Odyssey
7 Days / 6 Nights — From €5,500
Perfect for returning guests or confident home cooks, this advanced course offers a deeper dive into classical French cuisine.
You'll refine essential techniques, expand your repertoire with elegant modern plating, and push your culinary intuition further through immersive, hands-on instruction.
With a focus on precision, creativity, and confidence, this course is designed to elevate the way you cook — and think — in the kitchen.
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Advanced knife skills
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Fish filleting & butchery
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Mothers Sauces, & plating
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Menu design & planning
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Advanced pastry
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Croissant & macarons masterclass
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French farmer's market
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Vitré (Medieval town) cultural tour
Upcoming Dates:
Sep 5–11 2025
May 8–14 2026
Sep 4–10 2026
+ more dates by request
Non-participant price: €3,850
Bespoke Culinary Retreat
Flexible Dates — Fully Tailored
Create your own private culinary retreat with Chef Eric.
Ideal for couples, friends, or private groups (1–6 guests)
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Custom dates & length
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Your choice of techniques focus
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Private instruction Accommodation
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Optional excursions
1–6 Guests.
Your dates. Your way.
The French Cooking School Prices
Our Prices Include
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Guest accommodations at the Farm or In the Village.
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All course instruction & equipment.
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Excursions, as noted, in the course descriptions.
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Daily Breakfast, Lunch & Dinners as noted in the course descriptions.
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Please Note: Most itineraries include a welcome Champagne & Canape' Reception; A Six Course Gourmet Dinner Prepared by Chef Duvin; Remaining Nights: Gourmet Dinners Prepared by the Students with Chef's Assistance.
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All transportation for activities listed in each itinerary is included, providing smooth and hassle-free travel throughout your entire experience.
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Roundtrip transfers from Gare Laval (Limited times only)
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Complimentary On-site Parking
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Complimentary access to Wi-Fi
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A comprehensive recipe folder to guide your culinary journey, making it easy to recreate delicious dishes at home.
Our Prices Exclude:
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Laundry service is available on request, including wash and dry: €15 per standard load.
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Wine or spirits ordered on-site
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Any gifts purchases on-site
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Airfare, train or car rental fees associated with your travel