Faculty Information:
About the location: Martina and Philippe Capel are a dynamic young couple. Their dedication and energy are immediately obvious in every aspect and detail of the hotel and restaurant. Martina, a graduate of a Swiss hospitality school had always dreamed of owning her own hotel. She moved to Provence, met Philippe, and together they found the lovely four star Domaine de Valmouriane. Soon after, Philippe, who was a practicing lawyer in Marseille, went to hospitality school and became the full-time manager at the hotel. It is an enchanting place of just twelve rooms on a parklike property of six hectares. There is a large pool (with cabana rooms where massages can be scheduled), an outdoor Jacuzzi, tennis court, Petanque court and miles of hiking trails. There are hairdryers in the bathrooms, every room is complete with robe, a computer is available for use by the guests, and there is an elevator. This is an idyllic countryside retreat in the foothills of the Alpilles mountain range, located just outside of St-Remy de Provence. St Remy, birthplace of Nostradamus and home for a period to Van Gogh, is now one of the most fashionable towns of Provence, and a “must see” on any Provencal itinerary.

Other Activities:
While this delightful place is your home for the week, the activities that Martina and Philippe have created open a door onto real Provencal life. Stop in to meet an ambitious brother and sister team who have resurrected a family-owned olive mill that lay dormant for years and now produces pure, unadulterated olive oil; meet a wine producer of very high quality, organic wines of the region; enter into the world of exquisite glazed candy production at a very unique shop run by the fifth generation of candymakers; and explore the delectable chocolate shop of a young Frenchman who dreamed even as a child of becoming a chocolatiere.

Facility Information:
About the lessons: Chef Pascal Volle, a young and enthusiastic chef for the popular restaurant “Le Saint-Georges” of the hotel will guide you through the many Provencal recipes, assisted in translation by Philippe. Just a few of the dishes you may prepare are lobster cannelloni, herbed Provencal rack of lamb, and asparagus with salmon. Of course, your lessons will be complete menus, finishing with those fabulous French desserts!

Notes:
Low season — February 8 - April 7

US$2300 per person double occupancy (minimum 4 people)
US$375 single supplement
US$200 per person supplement for 2 or 3 people
High season — April 8 - December 6

US$3275 per person double occupancy
US$375 single supplement
US$2975 non-cooking companion (high season only)
US$2300 4-night option (high season only, please inquire for details)

Six nights accommodations
Daily breakfast
Four cooking classes with meal to follow
All dinners
Lunch on own during excursion day six
Wine included with meals after lessons and dinners in restaurant
All excursions with escort as listed with transportation
Round trip transfers from Avignon TGV or Marseille airport

Also see Vacation Schools in:
Cooking schools   Europe   France  

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