8 Day France Wine Tasting Holidays and Jewelry Making in Lot-et-Garonne, Southwest France
Jewellery Making Holiday in France
Learn to turn clay into beautiful silver jewelry to treasure forever. Design and craft your own luxurious jewellery whilst staying in a beautifully restored 150-year old farmhouse in the heart of Gascony, South West France. It’s not all work and no play - your hosts will also make sure that you have time to relax and to sample the delights of Gascony, which is a gourmet’s paradise for food, wine, and Armagnac.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 4 jewelry making workshops
- Visit to a family-run Armagnac distillery and wine tasting
- Design your own jewelry through different techniques and materials
- Visit to the pretty market town of Condom or Nerac and chat with local artists living in the area
- Visit to a beautiful chateau famous for its aperitifs and wines for wine tasting
- Daily meals including three-course gourmet dinners
- Transfers from and to Agen train station
- 7 nights accommodation
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (US$ 207 per person)
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport (US$ 184 per person)
Accommodation
Facilities
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
- Barbeque facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lounge
- Multilingual staff
- Smoke-free property
- Special menu request
- Terrace
- Free bicycle
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Internet access
- Ironing / ironing board
- Wireless internet
During your course, you will stay in Baron-Figuès which is part of a gorgeous 150 year old farmhouse with five beautifully appointed guest en-suite twin or 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. There are also no single supplements for solo travelers to have a private room!
So if you are travelling as a group, this is ideally suited to your needs and offers the wonderful traditional French feel to it. If you are travelling solo, there’s nothing better than the farmhouse, where you will share the accommodation with Caroline and her husband and meet likeminded people who share your passion for the French way of life.
This accommodation combines the wonders of rural Gascony, modern-home comforts of a traditional French farmhouse, and unbeatable food and wine experiences that will stay with you forever.
Program
The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes. This holiday can be tailored to meet the needs of the group. Please contact France Holiday Plus to discuss your personal requirements and your holiday is ensured to be exactly as you want it to be.
Day 1 - Arrival day
Arrive at Agen train station to be greeted by your hosts before being driven to the farmhouse where your holiday will begin. Settle into your charming room before getting to know your fellow students over delicious aperitifs. Enjoy a social evening with a three-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
Day 2 - Natural jewelry making workshop
You will go to a local and delightful village market for coffee and croissants to discuss your first project designs with the rest of the group and your tutor Caroline. You will choose something natural of your choice, such as a leaf, before returning to the studio to begin creating the jewelry of your own choice. Caroline will teach you the basic techniques of using precious metal clay (PMC) to give you maximum freedom to develop your own designs.
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. Those needing guidance for ideas will be supported throughout the week. In the afternoon, you will learn about the processes of designing, creating, and finishing your pieces, including how to use tools such as kilns, torch burners, sanding, and polishing tools
Once your fine silver piece is finished, you will be taught how to add findings and beads to make your jewelry ready to wear. There will be free time to use all the on-site facilities before aperitifs are served by the pool. A three-course gourmet meal will then be served in the grounds or the farmhouse kitchen, accompanied with local delicious wines.
Day 3 - Ring design and a visit to Armagnac distillery
After breakfast, you will create a ring design and be taught the techniques for correct sizing and achieving your chosen design. There are several techniques to ring-making, which will be covered on this day from texturing, carving, and stone setting. A delicious lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen. After lunch, you will fire and polish your ring to create the finished product.
Early evening, you will visit a family-run Armagnac distillery (which Gascony is famous for) and learn how it is made, the history behind it, and, more importantly, tasting before returning for dinner back at the farmhouse.
Day 4 - Free day
You will have a free day to spend at your leisure. You may choose to spend more time perfecting your techniques and work on your jewelry in the studio or take time to relax by the swimming pool with a good book.
All meals are included for this day. You can enjoy a well-earned rest
Day 5
After breakfast, you will learn about making glass cabachons and glass fusing. Once made, these can be used in learning the techniques for setting stones and setting them in one of your own designs.
In the late morning, you will go to the pretty market town of Condom for coffee and a chat with local artists living in the area to gain an insight into their creative vision and which will help give you ideas for new designs.
Lunch will be taken out in Condom with the group, before returning to the farmhouse to relax. A three-course gourmet meal will then be served in the grounds or the farmhouse kitchen in the evening.
Day 6
Following breakfast, you will try other types of metal clay in the workshop and learn how they work and are fired.
Try your hand using bronzes and coppers, or what is available for your week.
You will have fun making your chosen designs using different clays and new techniques.
Lunch will be served by the pool or in the farmhouse kitchen depending on the season.
Late afternoon you will visit a beautiful chateau famous for its aperitifs and wines for an afternoon of wine tasting.
A three-course gourmet meal will then be served back at the farmhouse.
Day 7 - Group excursion day.
Today you’ll enjoy an excursion to the location of your choice!
Your hosts will take you to either Bordeaux city, Saint Emilion, Lectoure, or Toulouse, 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 learned.
Day 8 - Departure day
After breakfast, you will be asked to check out by 10:00. 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, beautiful unique jewelry, memories, and new skills to last you a lifetime.
Included excursions
All excursions are included in the price.
Instructors
Caroline
Caroline and her husband, Adam, have decided to leave their comfortable life in Kent and headed off for a new adventure in France with their four young children. The summers spent vacationing by the Mediterranean had instilled in them a love for the outdoor life. Looking back, this was probably madness, as they had little knowledge of France and no real idea of what they were coming to. Caroline, a qualified teacher for over 20 years, loves her work running PMC Studio France. She enjoys meeting fascinating people from all over the world who come to learn or enjoy a relaxing holiday.
Adam
After working in global consulting and finance, Adam jumped at the chance to rebalance his life more in favor of family. Adam's passion for food and wine has been cultivated during these early years and he has honed his skills over the last decade living in “Garden of France”, an area rich in gastronomic delights, fabulous wines, and amazing Armagnacs. For Adam, cooking is a journey through the senses. Next to him, you will understand how local produce is made and the traditions behind it.
Location
This holiday will take place in Gascony, France. Gascony is an undiscovered region of Southwest France, so there's no chance that you will have to wrestle with crowds when you go to sample the wonders that make this region so special. You will quickly learn why Gascony is famed for its sumptuous local produce and seasonal recipes and you will realize that the locals take their food very seriously.
If you are partial to a cheeky little treat, Gascony is one of the main producers of foie gras. It's not just mouth-watering food you have to look forward to. You can't visit Gascony without trying out the fruits of the vine. Wherever you walk, you will be able to see the many vineyards sprawling over the hills and valleys and discover that the wines are individual, full of character, and exquisite.
Food
All daily meals, drinks, and tasting are included in the total cost of this holiday. You will have the chance to enjoy a three-course gourmet dinners and wine tasting.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
- Soda
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
- Seafood
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
All extracurricular activities on your holiday are free. If you don't feel like taking a trip after your lessons, you can try on-site table tennis, badminton, shooting, and cycling, or you may just like to relax by the pool with a glass of soul-warming Armagnac. There is also a great selection of board games that will amuse you during the warm nights and let you enjoy the company of other guests.
What's included
- Gourmet dinners
- Village markets
- 4 jewellery making workshops
- All materials and equipment
- Wine tasting
- Armagnac tasting
- Accommodation
- All meals & drinks
What's not included
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
120 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 207 per person
Toulouse–Blagnac Airport
94 km
Transfer available for additional US$ 184 per person
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS), Bordeaux-Mrignac Airport (BOD), or Bergerac Dordogne Prigord Airport (EGC). Transfer from and to these airports are available upon request. This price is per car, not per person.
Arrival by train
- The closest train station is Agen train station. French Holidays Plus will pick you up from the train station. The pick-up is included in the price.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 25% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.