LEISURE
Never too old to learn! Here we shine the spotlight on hobbies and courses in our region It’s never too late to pick up a new skill or hobby and our part of France is bursting with activities to try. From its world-renowned culinary scene to the scores of talented crafters and artisans who call the region home, there are a huge number of options. Here we offer some suggestions.
VINICULTURE We are fortunate enough to be right on the doorstep of some of the world’s greatest wines, but there is much to learn beyond being able to recognise particular châteaux, grapes, and vintages. Alongside the usual range of guided tastings and vineyard tours, you can get right back to the soil itself with oenology, the science and study of wine. There are many courses available that explore the terroir of a particular area, the processes of cultivation, harvesting, fermentation, production, bottling, and even marketing and consumer habits.
COOKING Whatever your culinary ambitions, there’s bound to be a cooking course for you in this part of France. Explore our regional flavours by learning how to make your own duck confit or travel to the Far East by crafting handmade nems or gyozas. Vegans and vegetarians will find themselves well catered for, and it would be remiss to not mention the many patisserie schools that can teach you how to make beautiful desserts that taste as good as they look. Yummy!
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BEES AND HONEY Whether you are interested in dipping into the world of honey or aspire to build and maintain your own hives, there is a vibrant apiculture scene throughout the region. You can discover the healing properties of honey and how to cook with it or, at the other end of the spectrum, there are courses available that can teach how to identify and raise queen bees, harvest your honey, tackle illness in your hive, and help to prepare the hive for the challenging winter months.
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