Discover the Flavors of France on an Immersive Cooking Vacation
8 Days, 7 Nights of Authentic Cooking and Culture in The Loire Valley
Aug 30th to Sept 6th, 2027 | New Trip
8 Days
7 Nights
Small
Group
Immersive
Experiences
Join us in the Loire Valley of France for an immersive cooking vacation where you’ll embrace the art of living well. Experience the richness of French flavors, the warmth of local traditions, and a deep connection to the region’s cultural heritage.
From: $5,490 USD
Dates: August 30th to September 6th, 2027
Location: Angers, France
Authentic flavors
Deep connections
Max group: 10
Solo traveler friendly
What Awaits You in France
Spend 8-day/7 nights in a historic Chateau and learn to cook traditional French recipes
Working alongside a local chef, enjoy 4 dedicated hands-on cooking classes and learn to transform fresh seasonal ingredients into Loire Valley specialties and French classics
Enjoy one dedicated masterclass at the historic Cointreau distillery, where you’ll make a traditional dish or dessert infused with this iconic liqueur.
A wide variety of local Loire Valley wines will accompany all meals
Live ” la vie de chateau” like a royalty in the Valley of the Kings, and visit the underground world of the troglodytes, unique to the region
Enjoy exclusive excursions to local producers (farmers markets, wineries, cheese making, farm visits, and honey producers)
Cultural excursions include city tours, chateau visits, scenic boat and bike rides
Unwind by the outdoor pool or in the serene gardens of the château
You’ll come as a guest and leave as a friend
Welcome to the Loire Valley
Nicknamed the ”garden of France,” for its fertile lands, vineyards, and fairy tale castles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is celebrated for its cultural landscape, historic towns, and villages shaped by the Loire River, the longest river in France.
The region is lush and verdant, celebrated for its seasonal cuisine, local wines, and fresh produce, including white asparagus, mushrooms grown in tufa caves, Mara des Bois strawberries, orchard apples, and more.
The Loire Valley is also the land of goat cheese. We’ll explore the prestigious PDO varieties that reflect the region’s traditions. During our stay, we’ll enjoy and learn to prepare iconic dishes such as pork rillettes, freshwater fish with regional beurre blanc, and the legendary Tarte Tatin, born here in the Loire Valley.
Famous in France as one of the oldest and longest wine regions, we’ll explore its rich wine history through the renowned Chenin Blanc wines. This is one of the most versatile grape varieties that produces wines from crisp dry to sparkling and lusciously sweet.
Being in the “Valley of Kings,” you will live like royalty in a beautifully restored 19th-century castle nestled along the banks of the Loire. Enjoy authentic decor with contemporary charm, the serenity of nature, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Join us and discover the gentle and relaxed way of life in the Loire Valley. As they say in the region, ”La Douceur Angevine” or simple moments of happiness.
Taste France – Day By Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Tour And Welcome Dinner
Upon arrival in Angers in the afternoon, we’ll pick you up from the Angers-Saint-Laud-TGV train station and take you to our charming château to check in. After settling in, we’ll enjoy a welcome aperitif and a private tour of our charming 19th-century castle with our gracious hosts.
The evening unfolds with a traditional French welcome dinner, featuring fresh seasonal products from the region paired with exquisite local wines.
Day 2: Visit Angers Castle And First Cooking Class
After a typical French breakfast of seasonal fruits, homemade jams, freshly baked breads, pastries, and savory treats, we’ll set off for the day.
We’ll visit the impressive Château d’Angers in the city center, a massive medieval fortress built in the 13th century.
Inside, we’ll discover the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry, also called the Apocalypse Hanging. It is the oldest and largest surviving medieval tapestry cycle in the world and a UNESCO treasure.
Back at the chateau, we’ll meet our chef for our first cooking class. Diving into the basics of French cooking, we’ll prepare a sumptuous 3-course meal using market-fresh ingredients.
After cooking, we’ll savor our creations perfectly paired with a selection of local Loire Valley wines.
Day 3: Market Visit, Loire Winery Tour & Tasting, Second Cooking Class
We begin the day with a guided visit to one of the city’s best markets. A local (and personal favorite) market brimming with fresh produce, artisan cheeses, and freshly baked breads.
Later, we’ll dive into Loire Valley wines with a visit to one of the most respected local wine producers for a tour and tasting.
We’ll taste a selection of fine wines, from sparkling to crisp whites, elegant reds, and luscious sweet wines, perfectly paired with local cheeses.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll return to the castle kitchen for our second hands-on cooking class. Alongside our chef, we’ll craft a delicious 3-course French dinner accompanied by local wines.
Day 4: Sparkling Winery Tour, Historic Chateau Visit, Cave Dining
Today’s journey takes us to the nearby region of Saumur, famous for its sparkling wines, vineyards, and rich medieval history.
We’ll begin with a visit to a sparkling wine cellar 12 meters (39 feet) underground. On a guided tour, we’ll discover the art of sparkling wine production and how select grapes are transformed into refined bubbles. The experience ends with a guided tasting, showcasing a variety of styles.
After lunch, enjoy free time to stroll through the charming old town and discover its rich heritage on foot.
Our next stop is the city’s majestic medieval castle, sitting high above the river with sweeping views of the Loire Valley. On a guided tour, we’ll learn about its transformation from royal palace to military academy.
Our day ends at a surprising troglodyte cave restaurant carved into the limestone cliffs. We’ll savor regional specialties, including fouée (or fouace), a warm, hollow bread traditionally filled with a variety of delicious fillings.
Day 5: Medieval Village Discovery, Cointreau Distillery, Third Cooking Class
After breakfast, we’ll cross the Maine River, which runs through the city, to a picturesque medieval village.
On a guided visit, we’ll uncover its rich history as we walk past medieval-aged mansions, convents, and half-timbered houses. Along the way, we’ll learn the stories of the ancient residences that once belonged to prominent families of the French nobility. Our visit ends in the city’s lively food hall for a tasting of typical products.
In the afternoon, we’ll step inside the world-renowned Cointreau distillery for a guided tour and tasting. Afterwards, a local chef will lead us in a hands-on masterclass, where we’ll roll up our sleeves to cook a meal or create a pastry infused with the iconic liqueur.
Day 6: Cheese Farm Visit, River Cruise And Dinner By The Loire
Some call the Loire Valley the “capital of goat cheese,” and today we’ll discover why. After breakfast, we’ll visit a family-run goat farm that has been making goat milk cheese in an artisanal way for over fifty years. During our visit, we’ll tour the farm, learn the secrets of traditional cheesemaking, and enjoy an exclusive tasting of their PDO cheeses.
After free time for lunch and exploring Angers, we’ll gather in the afternoon for a tranquil boat ride along the Maine River.
Aboard a traditional wooden boat known as gabare, we’ll sail past serene landscapes and take in the natural beauty of the region. Our journey ends at a lively guinguette, one of the Loire’s traditional open-air riverside restaurants. We’ll savor a traditional dinner under the open sky before a relaxed ride back along the river.
Day 7: Beekeeping, Loire Cycling And Final Cooking Class
Honey, a gourmet treasure of the Loire, has been produced on royal estates for centuries. After breakfast, we’ll explore honey production with a professional beekeeper. Wearing beekeeping gear, we’ll head to the apiary for an immersion into the heart of the hives. The experience ends with a honey tasting session paired with local cheeses and bread.
Cycling in the Loire is a popular way to experience the French countryside. The afternoon is dedicated to discovering the valley on long stretches along the river. The pace will be gentle with your choice of a regular or an electric bike.
Having worked up an appetite, we’ll end the day back at the chateau for our final cooking class. Together with our chef, we’ll make a celebratory 3-course dinner, paired with local Loire wines.
Day 8: End Of The Cooking Vacation And Farewell
Over our final petit déjeuner together, we’ll celebrate the unforgettable moments of our immersive cooking vacation in France. With hearts full and memories, we’ll arrange your transfer to the train station and bid you a warm au revoir until we meet again.
Pricing
Double occupancy (2 people in 1 room)
$5,490 USD per person
Single occupancy (1 person in 1 room)
$6,390 USD per person
What’s included
7 nights chateau accommodations with copious breakfast and meals included
4 hands-on cooking classes with local French chefs
Wide variety of Loire wines with all meals
Local market visits
Goat farm visit with cheese sampling
Exclusive winery tour and tasting
Private tours of two historic chateaux
Leisurely river boat trip along the French countryside
Unique dining experiences in a cave restaurant and in a guinguette along the riverbanks
Guided walking tour of Angers
Daily guides and experts from the region
Gifts related to the culinary theme of this trip
All gratuities for accommodations, meals, private guides, and transportation
Local taxes
Transfers to and from the train station
What’s not included
Transportation to and from Angers, France
Optional activities not included in this trip itinerary
Accommodations or transportation if arriving earlier or staying later
Meals during your free time
Personal bar tabs
Souvenirs
Travel Insurance (required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Our Other Immersive Cooking Vacations