$6,500 single occupancy (1 baker/1 hotel room)
$5,750 each double occupancy (2 bakers in 1 shared hotel room)
$8,000 baking participant plus non-baking guest (1 baker/1 non-baking guest/1 hotel room)
Join us for our first-ever Lyon and Provence Baking Retreat, where we’ll dive deeper into the regional baking cultures of France. This retreat will commence in Lyon, a city known for its lively boucheries and Lyonnaise specialties such as pâté en croute. Next, we’ll head to Aix-en-Provence, where the smell of lavender wafts through the air and the local wine is Côtes de Provence rosé. In Provence, we’ll learn more about the iconic baked items of this southern France destination, including our favorite gibassier.
Please note all 16 spots of this baking retreat must be filled by May 1, 2022 for the retreat to take place. Don’t wait! Register today.
Have a question about this baking retreat? Contact us.
Friday, September 16, 2022
Arrive in Lyon, France, and get settled into Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa, a five-star hotel located steps away from Place Bellecour, the Vieux Lyon district, the Basilique de Fourvière. We’ll have an early evening welcome reception at the hotel so you can meet our team and your fellow bakers. Dinner will be on your own.
Saturday, September 17, 2022
We’ll head to Plum Lyon, where we will split into two groups. Group A will do fieldwork (visiting bakeries) on pâté en croute in the morning followed by a three-hour pâté en croute workshop in the afternoon. Group B will have fieldwork on les religieuses in the morning, followed by a three-hour les religieuses workshop in the afternoon. A light lunch will be provided, and class will run from 9 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m. We will walk to/from each establishment during the morning fieldwork. Dinner will be on your own.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
We’ll head to Plum Lyon, where we will split into two groups. Each group will do the opposite baking as the prior day. Group A will have fieldwork on les religieuses in the morning, followed by a three-hour les religieuses workshop in the afternoon. Group B will do fieldwork on pâté en croute in the morning, followed by a three-hour pâté en croute workshop in the afternoon. A light lunch will be provided. We will walk to/from each establishment during the morning fieldwork. Dinner will be on your own.
Monday, September 19, 2022
Enjoy the morning at your leisure exploring Lyon before an afternoon train to Aix-en-Provence. Once we arrive in Aix-en-Provence, we’ll settle into the lovely Villa Saint-Ange. This five-star hotel has magnificent gardens, beautiful Provençal rooms, and lavender blooming all over the grounds. Transportation in a private coach will be provided to and from the train stations/hotels. Dinner will be on your own.
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Enjoy the morning free to discover the large and fabulous Aix-en-Provence market. You’ll find vendors selling their local wares, from lavender products to linens and soaps, all throughout the streets and down the iconic Cours Mirabeau. After enjoying market day, we will head for an afternoon of baking at Provence Gourmet. We’ll finish baking around 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be on your own.
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
We’ll start the day at the farmers’ market, where we will select our produce and fruits for our day of cooking and baking at Provence Gourmet. But before we get into the kitchen, we’ll stop at Chateau Henri Bonnaud for a wine tasting. We’ll bake and prepare a lovely lunch that we’ll enjoy while taking in the sights and smells of Provence. In the evening, we will have a group dinner at the hotel’s fabulous restaurant.
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Departures on your own.
Accommodations in Lyon and Provence
The Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa is a five-star hotel located steps away from Place Bellecour, the Vieux Lyon district, the Basilique de Fourvière.
In Provence, the lovely Villa Saint-Ange will be our home base. This five-star hotel has magnificent gardens, beautiful Provençal rooms, and lavender blooming all over the grounds.
Booking
Half of the retreat cost (50%) is due at booking. The second half of the retreat cost (50%) is due July 1, 2022. We accept payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. Trip prices are in US dollars.
Travel to and from Lyon and Provence
Guests are responsible for getting themselves to Lyon and to the Boscolo Lyon Hotel & Spa on Friday, September 16, when the retreat commences. Flights and trains are available from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. Guests will be responsible for getting themselves from Villa Saint-Ange to their departing airport or next destination on Thursday, September 22. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is located about 100 miles from Aix-en-Provence, with flights serving the US.
The Bake from Scratch team is at your disposal to help you navigate travel to Lyon and from Provence. Email events@bakefromscratch.com for assistance.
Costs
The price of the trip includes all hotel accommodations, all baking classes, some meals, wine tasting, train transfer from Lyon to Aix-en-Provence, and a private coach transfer to/from some scheduled retreat activities.
Single-occupancy, double-occupancy, and baking participant plus non-baking guest rates are available.
Your credit card will be charged by Hoffman Media, the parent company of Bake from Scratch.
Cancellation
Since the trip is nonrefundable, we suggest buying trip insurance. You can also check with your credit card company to see if they provide travel insurance.
If you don’t purchase travel insurance, you agree to indemnify us against any charges that might otherwise be covered by your insurance. You further agree that we are not responsible for any costs of cancellation or costs related to COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, there may be limitations relating to activities. Certain services and amenities may be reduced or unavailable as a result of changing circumstances. Please know that we are working closely with our partners to plan and execute a safe baking retreat for our guests, but there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 when traveling. By booking this baking retreat, you acknowledge and assume these risks associated with travel.
If a mandatory quarantine for visitors is in effect for travel to France during the retreat, the retreat will be cancelled, and your money will be refunded in full. If quarantine is required of you due to not meeting entry standards such as a COVID-19 vaccination, you are responsible for adhering to the France’s quarantine regulations and will not be offered a refund. You are responsible for following all travel protocols to enter France. This may include proof of vaccination, a health visa, and negative COVID-19 test. (We will help you navigate this process, don’t worry.)
We reserve the right to cancel this retreat if fewer than 16 participants have signed up by May 1, 2022. We will send an email confirmation to all participants when this number has been met. If Bake from Scratch initiates the cancellation, we will refund all payments. Please note that we will be monitoring travel advisories related to the COVID-19 pandemic closely.
Have a question about this baking retreat? Email events@bakefromscratch.com.
Can I extend my stay at the hotels?
If you’d like to inquire about additional nights at either of the hotels, please email events@bakefromscratch.com.
Is breakfast included?
Daily breakfast is included.
Are children able to attend this retreat?
All participants must be 18 years old or older to attend this baking retreat.
What should I plan to wear during baking classes?
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Long hair should be pulled back. Aprons will be provided.
Are the baking classes hands-on?
Yes, all baking classes will be hands-on.
If I book a double-occupancy package, will the hotel room have two beds?
Due to the uniqueness and European charm of this hotel, double-occupancy rooms do not have two beds. Two sets of linens for one bed can be provided upon request.
Is this retreat better suited for professionals or home bakers?
Our retreats are geared for passionate home bakers, but professionals are always welcome.
What will we be baking?
Les religieuses and pâté en croute in Lyon, with Provençal breads and local specialties to follow in Provence.
Will we have any free time?
You will have some free time in Lyon and Aix-en-Provence to explore these cities on your own. We will equip you with our list of favorite bakeries, restaurants, and activities.
I want to bring my travel companion, but they don’t want to participate in the baking classes. What can they do?
We offer a baking participant plus non-baking guest package for this very reason! This package allows you to bake and participate in all retreat activities while your travel companion explores Lyon and Aix-en-Provence on their own. As a part of this package, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, welcome wine reception, and transportation to/from the train station for group transfer is included for your non-baking companion.