Provence Baking & Culinary Retreat

Location: Provence, France

Join us in the heart of Provence for six days of baking, cooking, and living the French way. Set among rolling hills and sun-drenched countryside just outside Aix-en-Provence, this immersive retreat invites you to slow down, connect, and experience the rhythms of life in southern France.

Designed around the philosophy of L'atelier, this experience goes beyond the classroom. Together, we'll explore the traditions, techniques, and ingredients that define French baking and cuisine, from flaky breakfast pastries and artisan breads to seasonal dishes inspired by the markets and kitchens of Provence.

Throughout the week, you'll participate in a series of hands-on workshops focused on French pastry, bread making, and regional cooking. Working in a beautiful farmhouse kitchen, you'll deepen your skills, gain confidence in your technique, and learn the stories behind the recipes that have shaped French culinary culture for generations.

Between classes, we'll wander through bustling village markets, share long meals around the table, discover local producers, and savor the simple pleasures that make this corner of France so unforgettable.

What's Included

Accommodation

Enjoy a six-day, five-night stay in a beautifully restored Provençal estate surrounded by olive groves and countryside views. The property features elegant guest rooms, spacious indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, multiple kitchens, and a swimming pool, creating the perfect setting to learn, relax, and connect.

Room Options

Choose between a private room or shared accommodations, each thoughtfully appointed for a comfortable and memorable stay. A curated welcome gift featuring French specialties and thoughtful surprises will be waiting upon your arrival.

Transportation

Private transfers from Marseille Airport and the Aix-en-Provence TGV Station are included, along with transportation for all scheduled activities throughout the retreat.

Meals & Drinks

Every meal is an opportunity to experience the flavors of the region.

Begin your mornings with freshly baked pastries, artisan breads, seasonal fruit, and rich French coffee. Enjoy leisurely lunches inspired by local markets and convivial dinners shared under the Provençal sky. Outside of workshop hours, meals will be thoughtfully prepared so you can fully enjoy the experience.

Expect vibrant seasonal produce, fragrant herbs, exceptional olive oils, regional cheeses, fresh seafood, and the warm hospitality that defines southern France. Wine will be served with select meals — just let us know about any dietary needs when you book, and we'll make sure you're taken care of.

Workshops & Experiences

French Pastry Workshop

Master the techniques behind some of France's most beloved pastries. Through hands-on instruction, you'll learn professional methods for creating beautiful, elegant desserts and viennoiseries while building skills you can recreate at home.

Artisan Bread Baking

Explore the craft of French bread making, from mixing and fermentation to shaping and baking. Learn the principles behind exceptional baguettes, country loaves, and other regional specialties.

Provençal Cooking Class

Discover the ingredients and traditions that define this cuisine, drawn from local markets, family recipes, and the simple elegance of everyday French cooking.

Market Day in Provence

Stroll through one of the region's renowned open-air markets, meet local artisans and producers, and experience the vibrant culture that inspires so much of the local cooking.

Wine & Local Producers

Enjoy guided tastings that showcase the agricultural heritage of the area, including visits to local wineries and artisan producers where you'll discover the flavors that make this part of France unique.

Aix-en-Provence

Spend a day exploring the charming streets, cafés, boutiques, and food shops of Aix-en-Provence. Enjoy free time to wander at your own pace while soaking in the beauty and culture of one of France's most beloved cities.

A Week to Savor

This retreat is designed for passionate home bakers, curious cooks, and anyone who dreams of experiencing France through its food. Whether you come to refine your technique, deepen your culinary knowledge, or simply spend a week immersed in beauty and good company, you'll leave with new skills, meaningful connections, and memories that linger long after the last slice of bread has been shared.

What to Expect

  • Day 1 – Welcome to Provence

    4:00 PM: Pick-up from Marseille Airport or Aix-en-Provence TGV

    We'll take you to the villa, where your Provençal experience begins. With a glass of Champagne in hand, you'll settle in, meet your fellow guests, and ease into the slower rhythm of the countryside.

    A small welcome gift will be waiting for you in your room.

    We'll gather for a brief introduction to the week ahead before sitting down together for a beautiful welcome dinner with Julie and the L'atelier team — the perfect start to our time in Provence.

    Day 2 – Discovering Aix-en-Provence

    Morning: Pastry workshop at the villa 

    Lunch: Enjoyed together at the villa

    In the afternoon, we'll head into Aix-en-Provence, one of the region's most charming towns.

    We'll wander through its lively streets, discover local specialties on a guided food tour, and enjoy time to soak in the atmosphere of this quintessential Provençal city.

    Dinner will be enjoyed at a local restaurant before returning to the villa for the evening.

    Day 3 – Vineyards & Countryside

    Morning: Bread-baking class at the villa 

    Lunch: At the villa

    In the afternoon, we'll venture into the Provençal countryside for an afternoon of wine tasting among rolling vineyards and beautiful landscapes.

    It's a day filled with sunshine, scenic views, and the opportunity to discover some of the region's exceptional wines.

    Dinner back at the villa.

    Day 4 – A Day to Unwind

    Morning: Final cooking class at the villa

    The afternoon is entirely yours.

    Relax by the pool, explore the surrounding countryside, curl up with a good book, or simply enjoy the peaceful setting of the villa.

    In the evening, we'll gather for another memorable dinner together.

    Day 5 – Market Day in Provence

    Morning: Exploring one of Provence's beloved market villages, where colorful stalls overflow with seasonal produce, local crafts, and regional specialties.

    After lunch in the village, we'll continue our discovery of the region with a visit to a local olive oil producer and tasting experience.

    Back at the villa in the afternoon for another cooking session.

    Dinner at the villa.

    Day 6 – Au Revoir

    A final breakfast together before we say goodbye.

    10:00 AM: Transfer to Marseille Airport and Aix-en-Provence TGV

    You'll leave with new skills, wonderful memories, new friendships, and recipes you'll treasure long after returning home.

  • On day one, we'll welcome you at Marseille Airport (3:30pm) or the Aix-en-Provence TGV station (4:00pm) with a private group transfer to the Villa, arriving around 4:30pm.

    Once everyone's settled in, we'll gather for an apéro with drinks and light bites; the perfect way to unwind after travel and get to know each other before the week begins.

  • From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, everything is taken care of.

    Your transport, your meals, your experiences, it's all included, so you can fully relax and soak up the magic of your retreat.

    Start your mornings with buttery croissants, pains au chocolat, and the classic tartine au beurre... plus a few savory options if that's more your style. Every meal is lovingly prepared by our private chef, using fresh, local ingredients to celebrate the flavors of the region. Expect long, generous lunches and cozy, shared dinners that feel like home, just a little more elevated.

    Speaking of which, yes, wine is always included. From crisp local rosés to rich regional reds, each glass is thoughtfully paired with your meal. And to kick things off in style, we'll welcome you with a glass of Champagne on arrival.

    You'll enjoy a curated program of unforgettable activities, all organized for you. No extra costs, no logistics to juggle. Just bring your appetite, your curiosity, and a love for beautiful things, and we'll take care of the rest.

    Dietary needs? No problem, we're happy to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other preferences with care and creativity.

  • - Airfares and other transportation fares to and from the retreat

    - Anything not explicitly listed above

Join Us in Provence

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