FRANCE A LA CARTE
French cuisine courses

BOOKING ENQUIRIES

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other cooking courses in France

Aveyron - a culinary outpost in the Aveyron Gorge

Gard - near the 'Pont du Gard'

Avignon - olive groves and another bridge

Provence - in a 500 hectare wine estate

Bandol - La Cadière d'Azur among the Bandol vines

Ariège - in the Cathar country, Pyrenean foothills

COOKING COURSES in QUERCY

ONE week of HANDS-ON classes in FRENCH CUISINE in a Quercy Chateau.

In deepest Quercy, between the Lot river valley and the valley of the Garonne, in a land of stone-built villages and fortified castles, of vineyards and sunflower fields, lies an oasis of calm, comfort and ... industry. This magnificent Château houses a team of industrious creators who want to help their guests discover the best in their region: visits to bastide villages, local markets and vineyards, castles and lakes.

Our culinary courses are the fruit of a close collaboration between the chateau's chef and France à la Carte. We have concentrated on providing the 'big picture' of Quercy cuisine: just three hands-on sessions during the week with chef Guy Hérault supported by a series of wine-tastings and visits to places of culinary interest - a foie gras museum, a truffle centre, a winery etc.

As this is an all-inclusive course with full-board at the château, participants will have ample opportunity to chat with Guy and his team about the finer points of the local cuisine. Each evening you will sit down to a real gourmet dinner in the Château's dining room or outdoor patio to enjoy the best french cuisine dishes. Only then will you be able to answer the question "What is french cuisine?"

Gastronomy week in the Quercy

Saturday - arrival in the afternoon: installation in room. Welcome cocktail with the Director and the chef de cuisine. Dîner gastronomique - where you will discover a range of typical dishes - and overnight in the château.

Sunday - after breakfast a visit to the most colourful market in the region : that of Montcuq. And then a trip to St Cyprien to visit the "Grange de Marcillac" where you will be initiated into the secrets of the black truffle, the 'black diamond' of the Quercy, following a 'truffled' lunch at the Grange (drinks included).

Evening: dinner and overnight in the château.

Monday - visit to the Lot Valley. Cahors and its 'Pont Valentré', the beautiful village of St Cirq-lapopie and, if you wish, a visit to the prehistoric site at Pech Merle with its paleolithic cave paintings.

In the afternoon you can visit the hilltop village of Lauzerte on the way back to the château. Dinner and overnight in château.

Tuesday - After breakfast Guy Hérault, the chef cuisinier, welcomes you into his kitchen for a hands-on session all about the preparation and service of foie gras. At lunch time you will eat the fruit of your own labours! (wine included).

In the afternoon a visit the Foie Gras museum in nearby Frespech.

In the evening, before dinner, a visiting oenologue will reveal the particularities of the Cahors wines in a pre-prandial wine-tasting session. Dinner and overnight in château.

Wednesday - After breakfast another session in the château kitchen on the theme 'Fish'. Again you will consume your own production at lunchtime (drinks included).

After lunch a visit to the Château Lamartine (AOC Cahors) for an intensive wine-tasting, preceded by a visit to château de Bonaguil.

Dinner and overnight in the château.

Thursday - After breakfast a look at the marvellous 'Château de Henri IV' in the mediaeval village of Nérac where you may like to lunch. In the afternoon we have another wine-tasting at the 'Domaine de Buzet'; return to the Château by way of Port St Marie, Prayssas and Pujols.

Dinner and overnight in the château.

Friday - After breakfast, the last of Guy Hérault's classes is entitled 'The Dessert'. You will again eat your own work at lunchtime, drinks included. In the afternoon you can visit the Bastide town of Penne d'Agenais.

Dinner and overnight in the château.

Saturday - final breakfast in the château.

Departure