| UK | NL |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Theme
breaks and special offers
French Cookery Courses
Wine Tours |
![]() |
|
|
|
* * *
A
Taste of Rural France |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
French Cuisine Cooking Holiday Have fun learning some French dishes, tasting new foods and meeting some interesting people. This week long holiday incorporates participants learning by a “hands-on” experience – no sitting back and watching! Classes are held in a farm Restaurant Auberge, in a relaxed atmosphere with an experienced and renowned French chef. All classes benefit from an interpreter present to translate into english. For all skill levels this course is great value, and is informal so you'll never feel out of place. This cooking holiday will provide the opportunity for you to experience life in rural France and learn traditional methods of cooking which can be adapted easily in your kitchen at home, so that you take back a “taste of France” with you to enjoy long after your holiday is over. What's more - non-cooking guests are welcome too. So bring along your friend or partner, they qualify for a reduced rate, get to taste all the great food, and go on some of the visits. |
A word or two from your Instructor Didier “Bonjour – my name is Didier, I was born in Bergerac, a city which is situated on the banks of the river Dordogne which flows through the nice region of Périgord. Such origins could only lead me to the love of good country cooking, with one grandmother from Bergerac, the other one from Saint Emilion, with its well-know great wines. How could I have escaped from the lure of gastronomy!
|
![]() |
|
Chance, meeting people, and maybe being a little known locally led me to meet Jean Luc Petitrenaud, one of the most famous food critics in France. To hell with my own modesty, I must confess I had great pleasure to be highly acclaimed by such a top star of gastronomy, who is more used to Michelin Guide 3 star restaurants. Only one meal, of the most simple and traditional kind was enough for Jean Luc to ask me for a TV programme on TV5 and interviews on international radio, Europe No:1 plus a double full page spread in the national magazine “L’Express”. Today, I still blush with pleasure when I think about it, but when the greatest food critic says my boudin blanc is “exceptional” and my restaurant “La Gravette is inspirational and moving, a real disorientation where sincerity and honesty are the first ingredients in building up this little miracle in the Bourbonnais”……Well I am most pleased! |
So dear friends from across the channel, I am ready to share my love of French country cooking with you, and I am sure my grandmother’s who never knew anything about Great Britain except “ici radio Londres” from the worst of the 40s, will be quite surprised from heaven to see their grandson telling you some of their cooking secrets. When a customer in my restaurant appreciates a dish and asks me for the recipe he always adds “but I know you will not tell me…..it’s a secret”. I always answer “of course I will”. I believe cooking is a pleasure which MUST be shared and I’m going to tell you a secret. The “chefs” who do not want to give you their recipes are those who do not cook themselves!
So,
dear friends, I hope to see you one of these days to share a little of
French cooking. |
Your itineray for 7 Day Cooking Holiday
Day
1 Saturday – Arrival
Day
2 – Sunday At midday you will be taken to the Ferme Auberge Restaurant – the venue for your cookery classes - for dinner. Here you will meet Didier and Michelle, owners of the auberge, and your instructor for the week. You will also meet your course interpreter who will be able to translate in English enabling you to ask as many questions as you like. After a very pleasant “dejeuner”, you will return to La Platriere to spend the afternoon and evening as you wish, - relaxing by the pool; going for a walk; reading etc etc.
Day
3 – Monday
|
After lunch we will collect you from the Auberge and take you a local vineyard. Here you will learn about wine-making and have the opportunity to taste different wines. Should you be tempted, there will also be opportunity to purchase any that tickle your palate to take back home with you , and serve as a reminder of your holiday experience here in the heart of rural France. Around 6pm you will return to La Platriere for a well earned rest where you can relax by the pool if you wish. At approximately 8pm, we will serve you your evening meal.
Day
4 – Tuesday
After lunch you will visit the Foret de Tronçais, renowned throughout
France as the oldest and largest oak plantation in Europe, with some oaks
exceeding 400 years old. The evening again will be spent at La Platriere, where for dinner “Escaplope pannée and Gratinée de chou fleur” which you made earlier in the day will be included as the main meal. |
Day
5– Wednesday |
| Le château d'Apremont sur Allier | ||
|
Day
6– Thursday You will spend the afternoon visiting a local Cheesemaker. Here you will learn the process of making different cheeses and have a great time sampling them! Again you will have the opportunity to buy some cheese to take back home with you! . |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Returning to La Platriere for well-earned rest and dinner – something you prepared earlier???
Day
7– Friday WELL DONE!
Day
8– Saturday Is your mouth watering for more? Then don’t delay Book Now! |
Booking
the Traditional French Cuisine Cooking Holiday: Rates:
The holidays take place during June, October and November just inquire about the dates that suit you.
Prices quoted above are per person sharing. Accompanying
non-participants quoted for 7 days/nights full-board which includes meal
at restaurant Auberge on Sunday itininary and full days visit to Sancoins
market and Aprement-sur-Allier on Wednesday. Non-Refundable deposit of 150 euros required per person on booking with the balance due 8 weeks prior to holiday. |
||||||||||||||||||
* * *
|
Easter Short Break 2009 - Special Offer Wanting to relax and get away from it all - then spoil yourself and your family this Easter by booking La Platriere for a short break. Our 3 night Easter package is ideal for couples and families, and includes the following:
Package price for 2 adults/1 room - €530 Package price for Family room (up to 3 children under 12) €760
|
* * *
|
Why not spoil yourself this Christmas 2008? If you are planning a family gathering this Christmas but dreading the shopping and cooking, why not put your feet up and join us at La Platriere? |
* * *
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| Booking Form: To download our current booking form, which is available as a Word document or Adobe document (Adobe Reader required), right-click on the corresponding icon then select Save As or Save Link As or Save Target As to save the file to your computer. You can then either email or mail us the completed form. |
| Booking Form | ||