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The art of French living,
beautifully prepared.
Imagine a week devoted to the pleasures of French life: mornings exploring charming historic towns, discovering exceptional ingredients at local markets, afternoons mastering the techniques of classical French cuisine, and evenings gathered around beautifully prepared tables.
The French Culinary Escape is an intimate, all-inclusive culinary journey created by The Walnut Grove Cookery School and led by Chef Eric. Your journey begins with a private chauffeur transfer from Paris and unfolds through the beautiful surroundings of Vitré, where you will enjoy six nights in a luxury boutique hotel, a four-star retreat selected for the comfort and character it brings to your stay.
Spend time in our welcoming farmhouse kitchen, meet passionate local artisans, discover the traditions behind French cheese and Normandy’s apple heritage, and explore the remarkable Mont-Saint-Michel.
This is not simply a holiday, and it is not simply a cooking course. It is an invitation to experience France slowly, deeply, and deliciously.
A Glimpse of the Experience
7 days · 6 nights
A carefully curated culinary escape.
Four-star luxury boutique hotel
Six nights in Vitré at Le Magic Hôtel, your elegant home throughout the experience.
Chef-led culinary tuition
Demonstrations, hands-on sessions, and classical French techniques.
Private chauffeur transfers
A seamless and stress-free journey from Paris and back again.
Brittany & Normandy
Historic towns, local producers, Mont-Saint-Michel, and French culinary heritage.
Six reasons to choose
The French Culinary Escape
Master the techniques
behind the French table.
At the heart of The French Culinary Escape is an immersive culinary program designed to inspire, challenge, and delight.
In the company of Chef Eric, you will discover the precision of French cooking through practical sessions, demonstrations, and beautifully composed menus.
From the fundamentals of knife skills and the preparation of stocks to fresh pasta, pastry, sauces, and the exacting art of the macaron, each lesson offers an opportunity to build lasting culinary confidence.
You will not simply taste French cuisine. You will learn how to create it.
A BEAUTIFUL STAY
Settle into an elegant luxury boutique hotel in a beautiful historic French setting, with a swimming pool and time to unwind between days of cooking and discovery.
THE ART OF COOKING
Spend time in the kitchen with Chef Eric, learning classical French techniques by doing. From savoury dishes to a dedicated macaron masterclass, every lesson is yours to practise and enjoy.
A taste of authentic France
Explore local markets, discover seasonal produce, and meet passionate artisans who preserve the country's culinary traditions.
Exceptional dining experiences
Savour fine restaurant dining, chef-prepared menus, regional specialities, and evenings filled with the pleasures of the French table.
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The secrets of French savoir-faire
Discover the art of the macaron, the traditions of French cheese, and the ingredients and techniques that define French gastronomy.
France beyond the kitchen
Explore medieval towns, local markets and the landscapes of Brittany and Normandy, with a memorable excursion to the iconic Mont-Saint-Michel.
The French Culinary Escape
7 Days / 6 Nights
Step into the heart of France for an unforgettable week of exquisite food, timeless traditions, and authentic French living.
Join Chef Eric for an immersive culinary journey where hands-on cooking, regional discoveries, and exceptional dining come together. Refine your skills, master essential French techniques, and gain confidence through personal guidance in the warm atmosphere of a historic farmhouse kitchen.
Stay six nights in a refined four-star luxury boutique hotel in Vitré, your elegant home as you explore local markets, discover French cheese traditions, visit Mont-Saint-Michel, and experience a guided Calvados tasting in Normandy.
From fresh pasta and classic sauces to bread, pâtisserie, and macarons, every day offers something new to learn, savour, and remember.
More than a cooking course, The French Culinary Escape is an invitation to discover the art of French living — one beautiful meal at a time.
Dates - 2027
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19 - 25 March
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9 - 15 April
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21 - 27 May
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27 August - 2 September
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24 - 30 September
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8 - 14 October
Group Size: Maximum 6 guests
This retreat is designed to give you clarity and confidence in the kitchen.
You will cook every day, understand why techniques work, and leave with skills that transfer naturally to your home cooking.
Price
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Cooking participant: 7 500,00€
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Non-Cooking participant: 5 250,00€
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
The itinerary
13:00 — Transfer from Paris with private chauffeur to your luxury boutique hotel in Vitré
18:00 — Champagne Welcome at the hotel bar
An informal introduction to the week ahead, the structure of the course, and the techniques you will explore together.
19:00 — Dinner at a fine restaurant in Vitré with Chef Eric
From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 — Departure to Laval
Visit Laval’s market to source ingredients and explore the medieval part of the town.
13:00 — Lunch at The Walnut Grove Cookery School
A relaxed lunch using market produce.
14:00 — Kitchen Session — Hands-on & Demonstration
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Introduction to the kitchen, equipment, and workflow
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Knife skills: care, safety, and sharpening
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Fundamental cuts: onion, carrot brunoise, macédoine, mirepoix, and leek julienne
Preparation includes:
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Scallops in the shell lutée, leek fondue, and ratatouille
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Salmon preparation and gravadlax
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Hazelnut crumble and purée
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Soufflé
17:00 — Aperitifs and nibbles
18:00 — Dinner
Menu
Scallop in its shell lutée, leek fondue
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Mystery sorbet
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Seared salmon, Hollandaise sauce, ratatouille, and hazelnut crumble
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Cheese
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Grand-Marnier soufflé
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Tea and coffee
21:00 — Transfer to the luxury boutique hotel in Vitré
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From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 — Transfer to The Walnut Grove Cookery School
09:15 — Menu Explanation
Kitchen — Demonstration / Hands-on-
Bread and brioche making
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Crème brûlée
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Chicken butchery: how to butcher and use every part of a whole chicken
13:00 — Lunch: Charcuterie and cheese platter, fresh bread, and salad.
14:00 — Kitchen — Demonstration / Hands-on
French onion soup, smoked purée, black garlic jus, chicken stock, Boeuf Bourguignon, and vegetable preparation.
17:00 — Aperitifs and nibbles
18:00 — Dinner
Menu
French onion soup with Gruyère croutons
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Mystery sorbet
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Chicken medley, smoked purée, crispy skin, and black garlic jus
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Cheese
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Lemon verbena crème brûlée
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Tea and coffee
21:00 — Transfer to the luxury boutique hotel in Vitré-
From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 — Transfer to The Walnut Grove Cookery School
09:15 — Menu Explanation
Kitchen — Demonstration / Hands-on
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Brioche
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Pasta dough
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Tagliatelle
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Foie gras tortelli
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Bavarois in a chocolate teardrop
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Chocolate and Earl Grey tea ice cream
13:00 — Lunch: Tagliatelle with bacon and tomato sauce, followed by cheese and bread.
14:00 — Kitchen — Demonstration / Hands-on
Potato gratin, pea purée, brandy snap baskets, caramel cages, crêpes, and salted butter caramel.
17:00 — Aperitifs and nibbles
18:00 — Dinner
Menu
Foie gras tortelli, sweet pea purée, and truffle foam
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Mystery sorbet
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Boeuf Bourguignon and gratin Dauphinois
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Cheese
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Pear and chocolate teardrop with chocolate and Earl Grey tea ice cream
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Tea and coffee
21:00 — Transfer to the luxury boutique hotel in Vitré
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From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 — Transfer to The Walnut Grove Cookery School
09:15 — Kitchen — Demonstration / Hands-on
Discover the art of the French macaron in this hands-on masterclass, one of the most exacting and rewarding disciplines in classical French pâtisserie.
Under Chef Eric’s guidance, you’ll master the precise techniques behind a perfect shell: whisking meringue to the right consistency, macaronage—the crucial folding technique that determines texture—piping, and reading your oven to achieve the signature smooth dome and delicate “foot.”
You will learn to create perfectly textured shells and explore classic sweet fillings, including ganache, buttercream, and fruit curd, as well as refined savoury variations, combining precision technique with creative flair.
12:30 — Lunch: Croque monsieur or madame with garden salad and fresh fruit salad.
13:30 — Visit to a Passionate Local Cheese Specialist
This afternoon, step outside the kitchen to immerse yourself in the world of French cheese with a true expert in the field. Discover the depth and diversity of French cheese culture—from the soft, bloomy rinds of Normandy to the region’s lesser-known artisanal varieties—and learn how to select, cut, and present cheeses beautifully.
You’ll come away with a genuine understanding of flavour, texture, and seasonality, as well as the confidence to create a refined, perfectly balanced cheese board of your own—a skill you’ll use long after you return home.
15:30 — Transfer to the luxury boutique hotel in Vitré
The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Vitré.
From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 — Excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel
Culinary Heritage & Regional Context
Today, we step outside the kitchen to explore how history, landscape, and tradition shape French cuisine.
Visit Mont-Saint-Michel, where monastic life influenced bread culture, broths, and seasonal cooking.
Continue with a visit to a traditional Calvados producer to explore Normandy’s apple heritage through a guided tasting.
Return to The Walnut Grove Cookery School in the late afternoon.
18:00 — Dinner
Menu
Smoked snail bonbons, garlic purée, and arugula oil
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Mystery sorbet
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Beef filet Rossini with truffle jus
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Cheese board
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Flambéed crêpes Normande with salted butter caramel
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Tea and coffee
From 06:30 — Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 — Departure to Paris with your private chauffeur
What's Included ?
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Private chauffeur transfer FROM and TO Paris
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Accommodations at Luxury Boutique Hôtel Le Magic & SPA in Vitré
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No single room supplement
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Unlimited access to the wellness area (spa, pool, sauna, fitness room)
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All course instruction & equipment at the school
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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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A welcome Champagne reception in Vitré
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Welcome dinner at a fine restaurant in Vitré
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Wine pairing served with each included dinner
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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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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.
Meet Chef Eric
Eric Duvin began his culinary training in France at fifteen.
What followed was forty years in professional kitchens — classical French training, private chef service at Badminton House, seat of the Duke of Beaufort, and the German Ambassador's residence in London, and a career built entirely on technique, precision, and the belief that cooking is something worth understanding properly.
At The Walnut Grove, the kitchen begins in the garden. Herbs, vegetables, the rhythm of the season — these are not decoration.
They are the starting point.
Eric teaches the way he learned — by doing, by explaining, and by insisting that every guest leaves with something real.
Come and Discover
The French Culinary Escape
Seven days of discovery. Six nights of boutique luxury. A lifetime of culinary memories.
From your arrival in Paris to your final farewell, Chef Eric and The Walnut Grove Cookery School invite you to experience France through its finest ingredients, its timeless techniques, and its most beautiful traditions.
Join us for an extraordinary week of cooking, culture, and the art of French living.
