Deposit €500

Today

June Culinary Retreat

5 Days Of French Countryside Living

September Culinary Retreat

5 Days Of French Countryside Living

Near Illiers-Combray, France

Deposit: €500

Sept 28-Oct 2, 2025

Group Size: 12

Nogent-le-Roi in the French Countryside

June 15-19, 2026

Group size: 14 max

About this retreat

Live the authentic French slow life with a blend of rest, renewal, and culinary adventure.

Next summer in 2026, join us for a retreat where cooking becomes a mindful, nourishing experience. Our classes highlight sustainable, seasonal ingredients, rooted in traditional French techniques and inspired by global flavors.


Wander scenic trails, tour charming medieval towns, and float peacefully on a boat ride through historic moats. Enjoy a curated mix of immersive activities—including cooking with local ingredients from the farmer's market, dining at an indulgent fine-dining restaurant, visiting a local honey farm, savoring a private wine tasting, and unwinding with a luxurious one-hour massage.

This retreat is the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and calm—set in a picturesque setting where slow living takes center stage.

Inclusions:

  • Exclusive Accommodation: 4 nights in the picturesque countryside on the grounds of a beautiful old French mill that has been renovated into this gorgeous vacation home.

  • Meals: All meals are included, starting from 11 am on the first day to a hearty brunch on the final day before the group departs at 10 am. You'll enjoy filling breakfasts and meals made either by Chef Katrina or made by you during one of our three cooking classes together!

  • All transportation and activities during the retreat are included

Workshops & Activities:

  • 3 Cooking Classes with Katrina. All classes are hands-on, fun and engaging! We focus on traditional French cooking techniques and make classic, practical and several more elevated dishes. We'll make a starter, main dish with sides and a dessert in every class.

  • 1 Hour Massage

  • Visit to a honey farm and honey tasting

  • Visit a local farmer's market and pick out the ingredients for our cooking class!

  • Private wine-tasting with local French sommelier who pairs wines for our cooking class that evening

  • Dinner out at a high end restaurant in Chartres and time to walk around the city

  • Boat Ride on an electric boat around a moat of a quaint medieval village (In case of inclement weather we will find an alternative activity.)

  • Relax in the jacuzzi

  • Free time to relax and unwind (Perhaps even without your phone)

Bonuses!

  • Printed copies of all the delicious French recipes we make during our three classes together

  • 4 passes to Katrina's online cooking classes that happen twice a month as a part of The Cooking Circle (4 passes last for 1 year after the retreat)

  • So much fun and memories that will last a lifetime! New skills and confidence in French cooking, so you can wow your friends and family back home!

  • Newfound, like-minded friends from around the world

  • A chance to put down your phone and unplug without social media and the distractions of technology for a week. Immerse yourself in our beautiful surroundings and go back in time for the week.

What’s not included

  • Flights and travel insurance.

  • Transport to and from the retreat venue. Once you register, Katrina will offer guidance on the address, taxis, trains or other logistics to help you easily reach the retreat location. It's a 90 minute drive from Paris or a 90 minute train ride from the Montparnasse train station in Paris to the Maintenon train station. Then my driver will pick you up and take you to the retreat location.

Lanzarato-Canary Islands

May 9 - 11, 2025

About this trip

Live the authentic French slow life with a blend of rest, renewal, and culinary adventure.

This September, join us for a retreat where cooking becomes a mindful, nourishing experience. Our classes highlight sustainable, seasonal ingredients, rooted in traditional French techniques and inspired by global flavors.


Wander scenic trails, tour charming medieval towns, and float peacefully on a boat ride through historic moats. Enjoy a curated mix of immersive activities—including cooking with local ingredients from the farmer's market, dining at an indulgent fine-dining restaurant, visiting a local honey farm, savoring a private wine tasting, and unwinding with a luxurious one-hour massage.

This retreat is the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and calm—set in a picturesque setting where slow living takes center stage..

Inclusions:

  • Exclusive Accommodation: 4 nights in the picturesque countryside on the grounds of a beautiful old French mill that has been renovated into this gorgeous vacation home.

  • Meals: All meals are included, starting from 11 am on the first day to a hearty brunch on the final day before the group departs at 10 am. You'll enjoy filling breakfasts and meals made either by Chef Katrina or made by you during one of our three cooking classes together!

  • All transportation and activities during the retreat are included

Workshops & Activities:

  • 3 Cooking Classes with Katrina. All classes are hands-on, fun and engaging! We focus on traditional French cooking techniques and make classic, practical and several more elevated dishes. We'll make a starter, main dish with sides and a dessert in every class.

  • 1 Hour Massage

  • Visit to a honey farm and honey tasting

  • Visit a local farmer's market and pick out the ingredients for our cooking class!

  • Private wine-tasting with local French sommelier who pairs wines for our cooking class that evening

  • Dinner out at a high end restaurant in Chartres and time to walk around the city

  • Boat Ride on an electric boat around a moat of a quaint medieval village (In case of inclement weather we will find an alternative activity.)

  • Relax in the jacuzzi

  • Free time to relax and unwind (Perhaps even without your phone)

Bonuses!

  • Printed copies of all the delicious French recipes we make during our three classes together

  • 4 passes to Katrina's online cooking classes that happen twice a month as a part of The Cooking Circle (4 passes last for 1 year after the retreat)

  • So much fun and memories that will last a lifetime! New skills and confidence in French cooking, so you can wow your friends and family back home!

  • Newfound, like-minded friends from around the world

  • A chance to put down your phone and unplug without social media and the distractions of technology for a week. Immerse yourself in our beautiful surroundings and go back in time for the week.

What’s not included

  • Flights and travel insurance.

  • Transport to and from the retreat venue. Once you register, Katrina will offer guidance on the address, taxis, trains or other logistics to help you easily reach the retreat location. It's a 90 minute drive from Paris or a 90 minute train ride from the Montparnasse train station in Paris to the Maintenon train station. Then my driver will pick you up and take you to the retreat location.

Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Welcome

Please know this is an example itinerary. We will do these same activities, but not necessarily in the same order listed for each day.
  • Retreat begins at 11 am. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at 12:30 made by Katrina and get to know your new friends and fellow retreaters.
  • Time to relax in the jacuzzi or walk around the property and get to know your home for the next few days.
  • Massages happen today
  • Wine tasting with a French wine expert.
  • Cooking class with Katrina! We’ll make a full 3 course meal with fresh, local ingredients.
    Wine and dine the night away!

Day 2

  • Enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your day!
  • Visit Katrina’s family’s honey farm and do a honey tasting!
  • Picnic Lunch
  • Then we’ll visit the incredible Notre Dame de Chartres Cathedral. It’s not to miss! You’ll have free time to wander around Chartres and shop in the little boutiques.
  • Eat out tonight at one of the best restaurants in Chartres and enjoy the beautiful illuminations of the Cathedral and the town lit up at night.

Day 3

  • Enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your day!
  • Visit a beautiful regional Farmer’s Market to buy food for our cooking class tonight. Have the real Julia Child experience!
  • Picnic lunch with local delicacies.
  • Afternoon electric boat ride through a picturesque medieval village
  • Cooking class with fresh ingredients from local farms, followed by a leisurely dinner together!

Day 4

  • Enjoy a hearty breakfast to fuel your day!
  • Excursion to local farmer's market to buy ingredients for our cooking class!
  • Light lunch of Soups and Salads<
  • Surprise local foodie visits!
  • Free time to relax!
  • Cooking class with fresh ingredients from local farms, followed by a leisurely dinner together!

Day 5

Thanks for coming! Au revoir!
  • Hearty Homemade Brunch with French Delicacies
  • 10am - End of the retreat! – Au revoir! See you next time

Available Packages

PRIVATE ROOM FOR 2

Private room for 2 with private bathroom. If you're traveling solo or in a pair, and would like this option, contact Katrina before booking to see what sleeping arrangements are still available.

[email protected]

Price: €1,800 per person

€1,800

Deposit:€500

PRIVATE ROOM FOR 1

Private bedroom for 1 person with private bathroom.

Price: €2,300 per person

€2,300

Deposit:€500

PRIVATE COTTAGE FOR 2

This cottage has a cute little kitchen, private bathroom and bedroom for two. The twin beds can be put together to make a queen-sized bed.

Price: €2,500 per person

€5,000

Deposit:€500

Location

Location

28120 Saint-Avit-les-Guespières, France

Frequently Asked Questions

How to register

Always email Katrina before paying for your spot so she can answer any questions you have and to make sure spots are left, and that the accommodations will work for you or your group. Once you confirm with her, she’ll send you the waiver to sign electronically, and you can put down your deposit or pay in full. Then your spot is secured for the retreat. [email protected]

What do we cook?

In each cooking class we make a starter, main dish with sides, and a dessert. You’ll learn some practical and some more elevated French cooking techniques and recipes to take home to wow your friends and family!

I’ve had beginner cooks and experienced chefs attend the retreat. It’s mostly geared towards intermediate cooks, but everyone ends up having a great time cooking in the kitchen together and inevitably takes away some new tips and tricks. We make a lot of vegetable dishes and some dishes with poultry, fish, seafood and rabbit. Upon registration Katrina will send a food survey to learn your food preferences prior to the retreat.

All classes are hands-on and we're a family for the week, so we all pitch in for dishes and to set the table.

When should I arrive in France?

I highly recommend arriving in Paris at least one day before the retreat so you have time to get over jet lag and settle in. It gives you a buffer in case you have any travel delays.

How to get to the retreat

The location is about 90 minutes from Paris by car or by train. It's a ten minute drive from the town of Illiers-Combray. We will pick you up at the local train station and bring you the 10 minutes to the retreat location.

If you’re going to extend your vacation, you can always rent a car and Katrina will give you the address. 

Another option is to hire a private driver to drive you from Paris to the retreat location.

Who attends these retreats

All ages have attended, from 18 to 84! Men and women are welcome. Sometimes couples attend, parents with older children, friends, and of course SOLO travelers are more than welcome to attend! Teenagers that love cooking are welcome as well! 

What time should I arrive at the retreat location and what time should I plan to depart? 

Arrival time is 11 am on the first day, followed by a hearty lunch provided by Katrina. Departure time is 10 am on the final day, after you enjoy a big brunch! 

Deposit and payment plans

€500 deposit for the retreat is non-refundable. The balance is due at least 30 days prior to the retreat start date.If you cancel your booking 60 days prior to the retreat, any further payments are refundable, but not the deposit.

You're welcome to pay your balance in any increments. Ask Katrina for personalized payment links.

Waiver and travel insurance

Katrina will send a retreat waiver for you to agree to sign electronically.

It's your responsibility to purchase your own travel insurance.

I have Celiac’s. Can I attend a retreat?

I’m sorry, but I cannot ensure a gluten free environment for you. Every morning I go to the bakery to buy croissants and baguettes that I serve at breakfast, and there’s often gluten used in the recipes we make. 

Vegetarians welcome!

I can easily accommodate vegetarians, as long as you’re okay that we’ll be cooking meat during the retreat for other guests. It’s more difficult for me to accommodate vegans, as we use a lot of eggs, honey, and dairy products during the retreat. 

I'm lactose intolerant

We can substitute non-dairy cream, milk, and butter for those who are lactose intolerant. I do serve cheeses and we make some recipes with cheese, but we can leave it out of your portion.

Your Organizer

THE EMPOWERED KITCHEN RETREAT Leader


Katrina is an experienced culinary instructor and passionate cook based in Eure-et-Loir, France. Fluent in English and French, she brings over a decade of teaching experience and a love for creating unforgettable culinary experiences near her home in the French countryside.

Katrina specializes in sustainable, plant-forward cooking with flavors inspired by cuisines from around the world. We do use some seafood, poultry, and sometimes rabbit on the retreats.

Vegetarians are welcome to attend, and she's happy to provide alternatives for you.

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