In the heart of the Alpilles just outside St. Remy is the lovely country house hotel Domaine Valmouriane. One hundred years ago it was a farmhouse. Today it offers guests charming, antique-filled rooms, a sun-drenched swimming pool, vineyards, and olive groves. Its restaurant attracts travelers and locals alike with spectacular Mediterranean and Provencal dishes.

This is the perfect location for a culinary and cultural discovery of Provence. We invite you on a five or eight-day journey, learning to cook authentic Provencal cuisine as you explore the towns and meet the people who make the region so culturally rich.

Cooking lessons will be hands-on; each participant will have his or her own work station. Owner Philippe Capel will translate as Chef Pascal Volle takes you through the process of preparing a Provencal meal. Excursions to nearby villages and food artisans complete the culinary experience. Accommodations are at the Domaine Valmouriane, a stone's throw from the ancient Roman town of St. Remy.

Day One (Saturday)

Afternoon arrival on your own at Domaine Valmouriane. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at the domaine's gastronomic restaurant, Le Saint Georges.

Day Two (Sunday)

Today enjoy a guided tour of St. Remy, renowned for its Roman ruins. It has also been home to many writers and artists, including Vincent Van Gogh who completed some of his most important works here. Lunch will be in a local restaurant.

Return to Domaine Valmouriane for dinner.

Day Three (Monday)

This morning join Chef Pascal Volle for a hands-on cooking lesson featuring regional dishes. Some of the dishes you may prepare include lobster cannelloni, Provencal rack of lamb in an herbal crust, red snapper stuffed with mushrooms, medallions of foie gras, truffles, feuillete of asparagus with salmon. Lunch follows the lesson.

Afternoon tour of Les Baux, an amazing little village sitting on a rock and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Dinner at the domaine.

Day Four (Tuesday)

Morning cooking lesson followed by lunch. In the afternoon, you will visit the only olive mill on the northern side of the Alpilles where you can see how it is produced and taste the local production. Then tour some of the wineries of the AOC Les Baux de Provence.

Dinner at Valmouriane.

Day Five (Wednesday)

This morning, go to the St. Remy market with Chef Volle to buy the ingredients for today's lesson. Lunch follows the cooking session. For those participating in the four night program, departure after lunch.

For those staying, you will go on a guided walk in the Alpilles (easy going).

Dinner at Valmouriane.

Day Six (Thursday)

Today you will spend the entire day exploring the Luberon and its villages which author Peter Mayle made so famous. Lunch will be at an auberge.

Return to Valmouriane for dinner.

Day Seven (Friday)

Morning check out and departure after breakfast.