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Jewellery Making and Cooking Holiday

Highlights

  • Design and create your own beautiful jewellery to take home.
  • Fun hands-on cookery classes and excursions to local producers.
  • Stay in a picturesque farmhouse with a large swimming pool.
From £1890 pp*
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7 Nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Combine learning two unique skills with beautiful accommodation, delicious food and wine, expert tuition and picturesque landscapes on this remarkable 7 night jewellery making and cooking holiday in the heart of Gascony set in a 19th Century farmhouse with swimming pool.

During this 7 night jewellery making holiday, you will be introduced to the wonders of glass and glass fusing techniques with talented artist Caroline and discover the secrets to French cooking with passionate cook Adam, all set in a beautiful 19th century farmhouse sitting in 50 acres of countryside, ensuring your holiday is a relaxing haven.

Alternatively, learn to make your own beautiful polymer clay jewellery and small pieces. Caroline will begin with an introduction to the basic techniques. This course is suitable for complete beginners so don’t worry if you have never tried anything like this before! You will be amazed at the beautiful pieces you make to take home with you at the end of your trip.

Your final choice is to try your hand at crafting metal clays. Metal clays are a new jewellery making product which are easy to mould and shape – just like clay – so you’re not limited to what you can design. Watch as the metal clay is fired and turns to pure silver before your very eyes, ready to be made into unique pieces of jewellery.

As well as making jewellery, you’ll also learn to cook tasty French cuisine and explore the delights of French cuisine with culinary guided excursions. And what better place to learn to cook? Famously a gourmet’s paradise, Gascony is famed for its delicious duck to succulent wild boar and charming local wines, not forgetting the allure of Gascony Armagnac, which will tickle your taste buds.

Enthusiastic cook Adam will accompany you on a range of culinary excursions, which can be anything from visiting a local Armagnac producer and tasting to visiting a butcher to learn all about charcuterie. You will learn real knowledge about real food, with Adam showing you how to cook proper homemade French meals served with just a little show and a lot of passion, all accompanied by some spectacular wines and Armagnac from local boutique producers.

Stay in a stunning renovated farmhouse in the glorious region of Gascony in South West of France with its own swimming pool and 50 acres of land. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind and your hosts Adam and Caroline will be on hand at all times to ensure your stay is as enjoyable as possible. There are also no single supplements for solo travellers, making this a fantastic holiday for singles.

2024 dates

29 August
5 September
21 September
3 October
10 October
26 October
2 November
14 November

2025 dates
27 March
5 April
17 April
26 April
8 May
17 May
29 May
7 June
19 June
28 June – SOLD OUT
30 August
11 September
20 September
2 October
11 October
23 October
1 November
13 November

*From price based on two people sharing a twin room

 

Arrival

Arrive at Agen train station in the afternoon to be greeted by your friendly hosts before being driven to the farmhouse where your holiday will begin

Settle into your delightful room before getting to know your fellow students over delicious aperitifs

Enjoy a social evening with a 3 course gourmet dinner served in the farmhouse kitchen along with a short introduction from your hosts about what to expect over the next few days

 

 

Hollow forms and syringe workshop and wine tasting

This morning after breakfast you will go to a local delightful village market to explore the area to discuss your first project designs with the rest of the group and your tutor Caroline

You will then return home to begin your first jewellery making class

Today you will learn the technique of making hollow forms, which is perfect for creating hollow forms such as classical silver ball earrings or a beautiful textured bead pendant for earrings

Caroline will teach you the basic techniques with using precious metal clay (PMC) to give you maximum freedom to develop your own designs.

You will also learn syringe work with bronzes, and use stones and semi-precious beads to create your unique designs.

A delicious lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen.

This afternoon, you will learn about the processes of designing, creating and finishing your pieces, including how to use tools such as kilns and torch burners, sanding and polishing tools.

Once your fine silver piece is finished you will be taught to add findings and beads if chosen so that your jewellery is ready to wear.

Late afternoon you will visit a beautiful chateau famous for its aperitifs and wines for an afternoon of wine tasting.

Dinner will be served back at the farmhouse giving you time to relax in the lounge or by the swimming pool firstly, or to take advantage of one of the onsite activities such as table tennis or cycling.

Naturals and fingerprinting jewellery making workshop and Armagnac tasting

After a leisurely breakfast, you will choose something natural of your choice, such as a leaf, to influence your fine silver jewellery designs today

Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen with views of the countryside all around to help inspire your creative side

After lunch, you will create a your own personal fingerprint jewellery.

Fingerprint jewellery is when you set the prints of loved ones (or even pets!) into fine silver.

This is a unique process and the perfect gift or memento to keep for yourself.

Early evening, you will visit a family run Armagnac distillery (which Gascony is famous for) and learn how it is made and the history behind it and, more importantly, tasting the Armagnac and local produce.

Enjoy a 3 course gourmet meal will then be served back at the farmhouse kitchen accompanied with local delicious wines.

 

Free Day

Today is a free day for you to spend at your leisure

Choose to spend more time perfecting your metal clay techniques and working on your jewellery in the studio, or take time to relax by the swimming pool with a good book

All meals are included today, and enjoy a well-earned rest before your cookery experience begins!

Culinary excursion and first cookery lesson

After breakfast, it’s time to enter the kitchen and begin your culinary experience!

Your host and chef Adam will be on hand at all times to ensure you learn as much as possible during informal and fun cookery lessons and culinary excursions.

Today Adam will accompany you on a culinary excursion which will be confirmed upon arrival depending on the group’s preference and the season.

You visit may include any of the following: visits to a local duck farm, butcher, boulangerie/patisserie, vineyard, Armagnac producer, cheese maker, chocolatier, prune producer, organic farm or charcuterie.

You may also take an accompanied tour of the cultural and historical sights surrounding the school including Auch Cathedral, Chateau Henri IV, Collégiale at La Romieu or the art gallery at the Abbaye de Flaran.

After returning to the farmhouse, enjoy a leisurely lunch before your first cookery lesson.

Adam will teach you how to create a delicious 3 course French menu today.

After your lesson, you will enjoy a group dinner of the dishes you have prepared in the kitchen with a well-deserved glass on wine.

 

Culinary excursion and second cookery lesson

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning.

Adam will then accompany you on another culinary excursion to awaken your senses, introduce you to local life, and ignite your passion for fresh, local food.

You will then return to the farmhouse to enjoy a light lunch before reentering the kitchen for your second cookery course.

Learn to cook delicious country meals with Adam, with just a little show and a lot of passion as you learn about real French food, how to prepare it, cook it, and serve it.

Tonight’s dinner will be tasting the delicious French dishes you’ve learnt to cook and you will have a discussion about where to go tomorrow for your day excursion around this beautiful area.

 

Day group excursion

Relax with a delicious breakfast this morning before heading out on a fun excursion for the day.

Today you’ll enjoy an excursion to a location of your choice!

Your hosts will take you to either Bordeaux or Toulouse city, depending on the groups preferences.

Explore the stunning scenery and relax on your final day, and enjoy lunch whilst you out.

This evening you’ll return home for your final dinner, where you’ll reflect on the week and how much you have learnt.

 

Departure

After breakfast, guests are asked to check out by 10am.

You are welcome to relax and enjoy some free time if your flight is not until later in the day, before being taken to the airport or train station for your return journey.

You will return home with fantastic memories, fabulous cookery skills, beautiful unique glass jewellery and memories and new skills to last you a lifetime.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation in a private twin/double room
  • 2 jewellery making workshops (on days 2 and 3)
  • 2 cookery lessons (on days 5 and 6)
  • 2 culinary excursions to local villages or towns
  • 1 day excursion to either Dune de Pila, Bordeaux city, the Pyrenees mountains or Biarritz, depending on the groups preferences
  • Vineyard visit and wine tasting session
  • Armagnac distillery visit and tasting session
  • Access to the jewellery studio daily to work on your pieces
  • All materials and equipment for jewellery making
  • Tips on how to start your own jewellery business
  • All cooking materials, ingredients and notes
  • Transport to and from all excursions
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and 3 course gourmet dinners daily
  • All refreshments (including wine etc)
  • Pick up and drop off from Agen train station
  • Check in any time after 4pm on day 1 and check out by 10am on day 8

Accommodation

Baron-Figués

You'll stay in a gorgeous 150-year-old farmhouse with three beautifully appointed guest en-suite twin/double bedrooms, and one of the main attractions of this farmhouse is its large open plan traditional kitchen. Guests can sit around the homely table, that seats 14 guests, and share delicious meals prepared by Caroline’s husband.

Attached to the farmhouse is a recently renovated gite. The gite has been sympathetically restored to a very high standard and also contains two twin/double bedrooms.

Features
- Set in 50 acres of parkland, an area of incredible natural beauty famous for its gastronomy and wines
- Outdoor swimming pool (12m x 6m)
- All twin/double bedrooms have private ensuite bathrooms
- Open plan farmhouse kitchen and large living area with TV
- WiFi available

Your local host

Caroline & Adam

Caroline is a qualified teacher from the UK and her husband Adam is a passionate cook. They moved to South West France looking for a change of lifestyle and now run their hugely successful jewellery making and activity holidays from Baron-Figués, where you will be staying. Caroline has been a qualified teacher for over 25 years and has experience in setting up and running training centres teaching practical skills. She is a senior instructor in both PMC and Art Clay and has experience in using a wide range of clays and other materials. Adam is a serious gastro enthusiast, as much in love with the local seasonal produce as the Gascons, and entirely committed to cooking the most incredible traditional dishes for guests as well as providing wonderful cooking courses. For Adam, cooking is a journey through all the senses and you won't just spend time sampling the local produce but understand how it is made and the traditions behind it. Adam blends a simple Irish approach to cooking with flavours and skills acquired from travels across the world. From conception to plate, Adam will teach you how to prepare and serve fantastic meals that will seem to magically appear in front of your guests, allowing you to enjoy the party too! For the painting course, they are joined by passionate local artists with huge knowledge and experience of the area as well as art to ensure you are taken to the right places to inspire your paintings.

Caroline is a qualified teacher from the UK and her husband Adam is a passionate cook. They moved to South West France looking for a change of lifestyle and now run their hugely successful jewellery making and activity holidays from Baron-Figués, where you will be staying. Caroline has been a qualified teacher for over 25 years and has experience in setting up and running training centres teaching practical skills. She is a senior instructor in both PMC and Art Clay and has experience in using a wide range of clays and other materials. Adam is a serious gastro enthusiast, as much in love with the local seasonal produce as the Gascons, and entirely committed to cooking the most incredible traditional dishes for guests as well as providing wonderful cooking courses. For Adam, cooking is a journey through all the senses and you won't just spend time sampling the local produce but understand how it is made and the traditions behind it. Adam blends a simple Irish approach to cooking with flavours and skills acquired from travels across the world. From conception to plate, Adam will teach you how to prepare and serve fantastic meals that will seem to magically appear in front of your guests, allowing you to enjoy the party too! For the painting course, they are joined by passionate local artists with huge knowledge and experience of the area as well as art to ensure you are taken to the right places to inspire your paintings.

Caroline & Adam image

Location

Set in the heart of Gascony surrounded by 50 acres of private unspoilt meadows, the your farmhouse accommodation is tucked away in the Gascon countryside. Although the farmhouse is a rural retreat, the bustling picturesque towns of Nérac and Condom are within easy reach.

Nearest airports:
Toulouse (1hr 40min), Bordeaux (1hr 40min), Pau (2 hours) or Bergerac (2 hours)

Complimentary pre-booked train transfers:
Return transfers to and from Agen train station (30 minutes) are included in the course price.

Trains run to Agen from across the SNCF network from where you can take advantage of the free transfer. Optional private airport transfers can be booked for an additional cost.

What our travellers are saying...

Everybody involved made this a trip that will never be forgotten and forever treasured! The 'teaching' was informal and friendly and Caroline and Adam simply couldn't do enough to make sure we had an amazing time. The surroundings, the pool and activities were an added bonus although we were busy wine-tasting, eating local delicacies, completing jewellery projects and visiting Bordeaux! We loved every minute of it and I would wholeheartedly recom

Deborah & Claire

Caroline and Adam were warm, kind and generous hosts. The tuition of both the jewellery and cooking classes was first rate. I was very very pleased with the pieces of jewellery that I produced and Adam made the cookery class great fun and I came away with lots of ideas. Their school is in an idyllic, peaceful setting with beautiful views. I can thoroughly recommend this course. Lots of laughs, fun, sun and good food.

Angela

Best French Holidays is so aptly named. Of all the trips we have made to France this was the best. Nothing is too much trouble for Caroline and Adam and from the time they picked us up until the time they dropped us off, everything was perfect. Gourmet meals were provided every lunch time and evening with as much amazing French wine as we could mange ! The tuition we received in art was second to none and we loved learning to cook and also e

Anon

Caroline and Adam were warm, kind and generous hosts. The tuition of both the jewellery and cooking classes was first rate. I was very very pleased with the pieces of jewellery that I produced and Adam made the cookery class great fun and I came away with lots of ideas. Their school is in an idyllic, peaceful setting with beautiful views. I can thoroughly recommend this course. Lots of laughs, fun, sun and good food.

A Smith, Marlow, United Kingdom

A brilliant holiday. Caroline and Adam are excellent hosts. I came back with several pieces of jewellery to many compliments. The cooking experience was fun and there was much wine tasting and laughter. It is a beautiful part of France and I was taken to some of the little villages nearby, to markets and Toulouse too. I made new friends. It was one of the best holidays I have had. I hope to go back again!

B Marie, Bromley, United Kingdom

The classes were fun and well taught; the food was excelllent; the mix of classes and tours made for a lovely experience.

D D Wakeman, New Orleans, United States

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

Suitable for all cooking levels from beginners to advanced with a minimum age 18. Your hosts and tutors speak English and French, and lessons will be taught in English. Dietary requirements will be catered for if these are communicated in advance of booking.

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

These holidays make great singles holidays as there are no single supplements and you will have your own private room for no additional cost. There is a discount for 2 people travelling together and sharing a room.

When can I start?

This holiday starts on Sundays and runs on set dates from March to November. Holidays run for 7 nights / 8 days.

Is there restricted mobility access?

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

We generally do not recommend this location for those with restricted mobility.

This holiday is based in the countryside, and does include some walking.

The accommodation has no bedrooms or bathrooms on the ground floor, therefore one must be comfortable with stairs.

What can I do in my free time?

During your free time, there is plenty to do at your farmhouse accommodation including relaxing by the swimming pool (May-September). The accommodation offers a range of extracurricular activities onsite which are free of charge including table tennis, basketball, shooting, archery, cycling and board games to name a few!

There are numerous fêtes, music festivals and exhibitions in the surrounding areas through the year and your host Caroline will be happy to advise you during your stay. The closest towns are Nérac and Condom, and your host will be happy to suggest activities and transport should you wish to explore these during your stay.

Are transfers included?

Yes, Return transfers to and from Agen train station (30 minutes) are included in the course price.

Trains run from Agen from across the SNCF network from where you can take advantage of the free transfer. Pickup is only available after 15:30 due to the 16:00 check in time.

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