Cooking in the Languedoc region of France
. . . a feast for all the senses with goholidayfrance cooking holidays

The Languedoc is one of the most fascinating areas of Europe, blessed with a wonderful climate, rich wildlife, a spectacular coast and beautiful scenery . . . mountains, rivers and lakes, ancient cities, towns, villages, thermal springs, abbeys, cathedrals, châteaux and castles. It is a wonderful holiday destination with its long sunny days. An area rich in history with wonderful French regional food specialities and Languedoc wines to enjoy.

The Languedoc region is bounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the east, the Pyrenees to the south, the region of Midi-Pyrenees to the west and the Massif Central to the north. The Mediterranean is in the south of the region and to the east is the Rhône River. Montpellier and Toulouse are the main cities. The southern portion of the region, known as Bas Languedoc, is a limestone plain where almost half of all French wine is produced.

The Languedoc is divided into two distinct areas, the plains of the Bas Languedoc and the rugged terrain of the Haute Languedoc, towards Provence and the Alps. The Haute Languedoc is a sparsly populated, mountainous area which includes the Parc National des Cévennes. The weather in the region is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers, rainy winters and pleasant springs and autumns making it an ideal wine growing area. You can expect to get three hundred days of sunshine a year in the Languedoc!

Domaine du Puits es Pratx

Situated in Ginestas, between Carcassonne and Narbonne, in the Minervois wine region of the Languedoc, is the Domaine du Puits es Pratx Chateau Hotel which provides Bed and Breakfast and self catering accommodation, as well as having its own restaurant . . . what is more, it is in these delightful surroundings that you can further develop your cooking skills and and get away from the hustle and bustle of Twenty-first century life and completely relax.

The Domaine, with its Napoleon III Chateau, family restaurant and four cottages, is situated in the medieval Occitania, land of the ill fated Cathars, slaughtered in the brutal Albigensian crusade. It is located in the beautiful wine growing region of the Minervois, between the stunning slopes of the Montagne Noire and the Mediterranean Sea with a magnificent natural back-drop of the majestic Pyrenees.

This amazing area has unrivalled rural countryside filled with many vineyards, divided by the majestic Canal du Midi and the river Aude, after which the area takes its name. It is an area with an exceptional quality of light and peacefulness. Time stands still in the mountains, yet the Domaine is within easy reach of bustling market towns and the coast, with long beaches and harbour villages. With miles of quietly ripening grapes, fields of majestic sunflowers and medieval castles, contrasts abound and so can your imagination. Surrounded by peace, spoil yourself and relax in luxury.

From two to five days of tutorial is offered, specialising in the cuisine of the region which has influences from Spain, Africa and the Far East. The courses are 'hands-on' lessons, not just demonstrations of cooking techniques. We specialise in the art of presentation and principles of cordon-bleu cuisine. The courses are run on the first two weeks of every month and do not have to run concurrently, it is quite possible to have a two week or ten day holiday with say four days of a cookery course and two days of wine tours and several days of relaxation.

What makes these cooking holidays so special is that an individual itinerary will be created for you, to take into account all of your interests. It means you can have however many days of cooking as you like interspersed with days for sightseeing or just relaxing and enjoying your surroundings and the tranquil French way of life.

Sasha Hazael has been a cook and food stylist for photography, advertising, design companies and editorial for fifteen years. Because of that, she has a very wide experience of different styles and cultures of cuisine. She guides students through the practical skills involved in preparation, but also the presentation of the finished dish. You can also elect to take a combination course with the emphasis on wine as well as food, tours and a lot of hands on lessons.

The menus tend to be based on the gourmet regional cuisine of the area with plenty of fresh fish, cheese, vegetables and meat. Because the location is near to Spain and only a short distance across the Mediterranean is Africa so the influences on the cooking are exciting and stimulating. Of course being located within the biggest wine growing region of France, being only three to four hours away from Bordeaux there are also wine tours, excursions and wine degustations deep into the Corbieres and Minervois wine regions available. Courses are created for groups as well as for individuals, whether professional or amateur.

Learn to create the perfect Gourmet Dining Experience!

Please email the owner for prices of courses and accommodation <click here>

Example of a cooking course itinerary

Please email the owner for prices of courses and accommodation <click here>

Chateau Accommodation

The Domaine provides Bed and Breakfast accommodation with five bedrooms in the Chateau. Self-catering rentals are available in five cottages and the Chateau garden apartment suite. The accommodation is set within four acres of peaceful gardens, with a large heated swimming pool, in the sunny Languedoc region of the South of France. All the bedrooms have extremely comfortable, large beds and charming decor. Delicious gourmet food is served in the family run restaurant that is only open to guests. he restaurant cater for all dietary needs and has a child-friendly menu as well. Dining is in the elegant dining room or by candlelight on the terrace, under the magnificent trees in the garden.

Large heated pool - covered in the low season Trampoline Table tennis Netball Badminton . Children's videos available Bicycles for adults and children Barbecue facilities Televisions Hairdryers Air conditioning units in bedrooms Internet access and computer available Laundry facilities Bath and Swimming towels provided Bedrooms cleaned daily Picnic hampers available Large living room with Sky television Cots and highchairs available Babysitting available Drinks and bar service available Family Restaurant available to all guests Airport transfers organized for you at cost Welcome drinks

The Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the Chateau sleeps twelve and the house hasa main dining room which can seat eighteen and a smaller dining room opposite, which can seat ten. There is a comfortable and stylish living room for relaxation with Sky television and sterio music. The accommodation in the Chateau is made up of one self-catering apartment and five bedrooms.

Self-Catering Rental Accommodation

Self-catering facilities include:

Large heated pool - covered in the low season Trampoline Table tennis Netball Badminton Children's videos available Bicycles for adults and children Barbecue facilities Televisions Laundry facilities All bed linen and kitchen towels All bath towels provided Cots and highchairs available Family Restaurant available to all guests Airport transfers organized for you at cost Welcome pack

.

The Courtyard cottages - the cottages sleep from two to twelve people, together or cater for a couple in a small cottage or big families or groups in larger cottages .They are within an enclosed historic courtyard belonging to the Chateau's old wine Domaine. All have sun-patios and barbecue facilities and lead to the orchard, vineyard, gardens and swimming pool beyond.

Creative courses in gourmet cooking and dining, wine appreciation, photography and painting are available, balancing tuition with tours discovering the lovely countryside, tragic history, village fetes, markets and the French way of life.

Wine tours and Wine Appreciation courses are available, visiting the some of the most distinctive regions in France.

Combination courses are held regularly, which combine a variety of activities along side Sightseeing and Wine tours from the Domaine discovering Carcassonne, Montpellier, charming fishing villages, the Black Mountains, Minérve, Abbaye de Fontfroide, Lagrasse and more. The Combination courses can be tailor made for you to encompass all of the activities and sightseeing that you are interested in taking part in and allowing enough time for relaxation as well.

Have fun learning undiscovered skills, capture your imagination
and return home refreshed and invigorated.

Walking or biking and guided tours are organized for tours along the Vermillion coast, beside the sea etangs and through the Pyrenees and Corbiéres Mountains, climbing to Cathar castles and visiting medieval villages.

The Pyrenees and the Black Mountains are ideal locations for both the experienced and the novice in Mountaineering and Rock climbing. In the winter the Mountains are ideal for Snow Shoeing, Skiing and off-piste guiding. There is also Kayaking and White River Rafting in the mountain gorges, canoeing and Swimming in the Mountain Rivers and Horse Riding in the hills.

For more relaxation, daily Canal boat trips are included in combination courses, which gently cruise along the Canal du Midi stopping for wine degustasions and a buffet lunch on the way. The long, hot, sandy beaches of the Mediterranean are only twenty minutes away offering perfect wind-surfing and Para-gliding. There are also many water sports on the many inland lakes in the area. There is swimming in the sea, golf on the coast and plenty of relaxation as well, in four acres of private gardens with a large heated swimming pool; there are extensive children's activities on site as well and a baby-sitting service is available.

Discover new places and greater challenges; enjoy a combination outdoor activity holiday individually designed for you.

Airport and rail transfers can be organised, for more information and help with travel, please contact the owner.