This exceptional 9-day tour is designed to introduce you to French cuisine as well as to French culture and traditions by alternating cooking days and cultural days.
For nine days, you will stay at our spacious, fully restored 19th-century French country home, with spectacular views of the Alps, including the Mont Blanc, the Virieu castle and picturesque surrounding hills. Valerie will be your host and chef, preparing breakfast and 4 course gourmet dinner every night. This tour is for a max of 7 people, so you will have the feeling of being at home with your friends. You will not be a tourist, you will be our guest.
Whether you are a culinary professional or an amateur, you will be able to experience 3 cooking days with 3 different professional French chefs who will guide you through the delights of the art of French cuisine and pastry in Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. The settings for your cooking program will be at world-famous Bocuse Institute and at the home and workshop of two famous chefs. All classes will be in English and cooking outfits will be provided.
Between your cooking sessions, your tour leader Jackie will take you on daily trips to enjoy the wonders of the Rhone Alps region and taste delicious local products such as genuine Chartreuse liqueur, amazing chocolate and walnut oil.
Day 1 - Welcome Champagne Reception
We will pick you up at the Lyon airport, early in the afternoon. Upon your arrival at our fully restored 19th-century French country home, you'll relax and enjoy a champagne reception with authentic local finger foods and drinks. In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional sumptuous buffet prepared especially for you. (D)
Day 2 - Spellbinding Chartreuse and Liqueur Tasting
We will then visit the Chartreuse cellars, the longest liqueur cellar in the world, where you will learn all about the making of this world famous beverage. This is where, from a secret recipe guarded by the monks for centuries, the Chartreuse liqueur has been produced from over 130 plants. You will have the opportunity to taste over 10 different kinds of Chartreuse liqueurs. (B, D).
Day 3 - Hands-on class in Lyon
Aurelie Chauvin, a brilliant chef in several gourmet Lyon restaurants, will open the doors of her home for our group to share her cooking secrets. For 3 hours, you will cook a typical 3-course French meal under the guidance of your smiling chef in a fun atmosphere. You will then relax and enjoy the meal you prepared with a glass of wine, while chatting informally with your chef. (B, L, D).
Day 4 - Romantic Bourget Lake and Walnut Oil Tasting
We will drive east along the Rhone River, through beautiful vineyards and picturesque villages to the lovely village of Chanaz. We will attend a walnut oil making demonstration in a 19th-century mill. This is a unique opportunity that can't be missed since this mill is the only one left in France listed historical monument. Tasting of the oils and the jams In the afternoon, we will visit the flamboyant gothic Abbey of Hautecombes by the emerald Lac le Bourget. (B, D).
Day 5 - Cooking session at the chef’s house
Chef Jean-Marc Villard, world-class chef in several Michelin-starred restaurants and at the Bocuse Institute, will have a special cooking demonstration just for you in his private workshop. He will prepare a gourmet 3-course meal from A to Z in front of you; you will be able to take notes and ask questions. At lunch time, you will join him at the table to enjoy a complete gourmet meal (wine and coffee included). You will also graciously receive a copy of his recipes. (B, L, D).
Day 6 - Chocolate Tasting
This day is designed to give you an authentic flavor of the French countryside and village life. Valerie will open her own house to you. Be her guest and feel at home. We will experience the local market day and buy fresh food at La Halle, a 13th-century covered market where the locals meet. In the afternoon, we will visit a chocolate maker to learn all about chocolate and to taste these delicacies. (B, D).
Day 7 - Pastries cooking at the Bocuse Institute
You will spend a whole day at this prestigious international cooking school and experience the daily schedule of a cooking student at the Institute. You will start with a special tour of the school premises, the splendid Chateau du Vivier. Then, you will visit the impressive kitchens of the school where you will learn and make yourself 3 pastry recipes under the guidance of prestigious pastry chefs. At lunch time, you will eat an exquisite meal at the Institute restaurant before returning to your cooking class. At a closing ceremony, you will be awarded a Bocuse institute diploma, signed by Paul Bocuse himself and you will savor your pastries. (B, L, D).
Day 8 - Cooking with our hostess Valerie
In the morning we will go to the supermarket to buy the ingredients you need. In the afternoon, those willing to join this informal cooking session, will prepare dinner at home with the help of Valerie, the home cook. Before dinner, you can join us on a gentle hike though the picturesque fields and woods surrounding the guesthouse. (B, D).
Day 9 - Departure
After our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Lyon airport in plenty of time to catch your flight home. (B).
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price includes:
· Lyon Airport pick-up and drop-off;
· A champagne and hors-d'oeuvres reception;
· All nights at our authentic 19th-century country home;
· All authentic French breakfasts;
· All traditional gourmet dinners (including over 20 types of fine French wine and cheeses);
· 3 lunches with French chefs;
· 3-day cooking classes with famous French chefs;
· Transportation in a comfortable van;
· A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week;
· Wine and local product tasting;
· Entrance fees to all sites on the tour;
· Cold soft drinks, bottled water and snacks during day trips;
· A free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris: suggestions of hotels, restaurants and places to visit.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Food & Wine
Cultural Journey
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