Culture & cookery tours

Culture & cookery tours in Provence Cooking classes with chefs in their homes where you’ll cook authentic French dishes. Shop at the enchanting street markets with chefs and dine at the most scrumptious restaurants in beautiful towns of Provence on this fully escorted delicious and cultural trip of a lifetime. goutetvoyage.com on two wheels… Loire Brakes guided tours are relaxing (e-bikes provided), you’ll stay in a fabulously renovated comfortable and cosy farmhouse and visit the very best of the Loire Valley with local guides Denise and Kevin. A superb slow travel experience for those who like to discover real France and enjoy the most fabulous food and wines… loirebrakes.com Tailor made tours and itineraries to suit you Bespoke itineraries for visits all over France including Normandy, Paris, the French Riviera and Bordeaux. Your route is planned based on what you want to see and do, with recommendations (confirmed bookings if you prefer) for your dream hotel, apartment, villa as well as restaurants, guided tours and attractions. All the hard work and uncertainty of where to go and where to stay is removed. You just have to relax and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. RNItravel.com Cognac No. 22 SUPERB STAYS Cognac no. 22 – luxury farmhouse in Charente-Maritime In a charming village, surrounded by fields of golden sunflowers, lush green vineyards and truffle forests, Gite No. 22, a beautifully restored 19th century traditional farmhouse with a luxurious heated pool, is utterly lovely. Ideally situated for the historic towns of Cognac, St Jean d 'Angely, Saintes, Angoulême and the Atlantic Coast beaches – if you can tear yourself away from the Moulin sur Célé irresistible local delights. Quintessentially French markets, traffic free cycle routes (with bikes provided for guests), cosy cafés, delicious bistros, distillery visits (this is Cognac country after all), glorious countryside – what are you waiting for… Cognac-no22.com The ultimate getaway in the most beautiful part of France In the Lot region, southwest France you will find a magical place – the Moulin sur Célé, a spectacularly restored 14th century water Champagne House, Gers mill in 25 acres of glorious countryside in the Célé Valley, one of the most beautiful parts of France. The restored Miller’s House and The Tower, with gorgeous gardens and pool offer luxurious relaxation at its best. Surrounded by landscapes of hypnotic beauty, activities galore, pickled in the past postcard-pretty villages and close to historic Cahors, famous for its marvellous Malbec wine and world class gastronomy. France at its very best and most authentic. Lemoulinsurcele.com Pinch-yourself-pretty luxury boutique B&B in the Gers We love this stunningly restored mansion house, now a Champagne themed elegant luxury boutique B&B, or full house rental in the heart of historic Condom in glorious Gers. Champagne House also hosts writing and photography retreats plus themed stays. This is the perfect base for touring the area with its endless sunflower meadows, vineyards, chateaux and magnificent fortified towns. And of course, a glass of bubbly will be served with a warm welcome. Champagnehouse.fr Loire Valley Tours – the very best way to travel Surely the best way to visit the castles, vineyards, pretty little villages, historic towns and gorgeous gardens of the Loire Valley is Gorgeous chalets, villas and apartments in the Alps and beyond The French Alps are a fabulous place to visit outside year-round. Unbelievably beautiful, a rich natural playground with flower-filled meadows in spring and summer with a backdrop of snow-tipped mountains. OVO Network’s exclusive, handpicked and frankly gorgeous chalets, villas and apartments in stunning locations turn a holiday into a dream – you won’t want to leave… ovonetwork.com Sweet gite in a wine making village in Burgundy La Maison des Chaumes is a charming gite in the winemaking village of Villers-la-Faye in the Côte de Nuits. It’s minutes away from Burgundy’s crown jewel - historic Beaune, and just up the hill from the famed vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Aloxe-Corton. lamaisondeschaumes.com Majestic B&B near Bergerac, Chateau Masburel With honey-toned stone walls and sagegreen shutters, the 18th century Chateau de Masburel wine domain and award-winning B&B, and gorgeous gite opening this year, has a timeless, unhurried feel to it. It’s a working winery producing award winning wines. Close to Bergerac, Saint-Emilion and ten minutes from the bastide town of Sainte-Foy-la- Grande on the banks of the River Dordogne in the Gironde. it’s the perfect base to explore the area and enjoy a delicious and relaxing break. Chateau-masburel.com 96 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 97