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Vegan Cooking Retreat Workshops & Activities
Taste, Nutrition and Creative Confidence
Expand Your Culinary Confidence with Creative Vegan Workshops
This vegan cooking and gastronomy retreat goes beyond recipes to transform how you think about food, flavour and everyday meals. Carefully curated workshops, tastings and market excursions in South West France help you swap processed foods for vibrant whole ingredients, explore plant-based protein sources and gain confidence veganising dishes you already love.
Designed for beginners, curious food lovers and those cooking for vegan friends or family, this intimate retreat blends hands-on cooking challenges with relaxed discussions and sensory tasting games. You will experiment with sauces, cheeses, yoghurts, seitan and chocolate desserts, while truffle hunting and village market visits connect your kitchen creativity with an authentic French cultural experience. Along the way, expect plenty of laughter, discovery and joyful moments that make this retreat both educational and delightfully fun.
Our meals focus on simple, wholesome preparations—designed to help you quickly create healthy, delicious dishes without the extra time or complexity often associated with whole food or plant-based cooking. We share the shortcuts we discovered through our own journey from processed to plant-based eating.
Whether you are new to plant-based cooking or already comfortable in the kitchen, you will discover practical, science-informed techniques to build satisfying, colourful meals at home—without relying on ultra-processed products. All workshops and activities are included in your retreat package, with recipes, ideas and notes to take away.
With a small group (maximum 15 participants), you can expect individual guidance in our well-equipped kitchens and cosy indoor spaces, with selected tastings and discussions held outdoors in the gardens or on village days for an authentic South West France experience.
Vegan Cooking Retreat Workshop Schedule at a Glance
• Hands-On Cooking Challenges: Burgers, kebabs, seitan, instant pickles (small groups, all levels welcome)
• Flavour Mastery Sessions: Herbs/spices, vegan cheeses & sauces, chocolate desserts
• Sensory Tasting Games: Deconstruct yogurts, desserts, sauces to build palate and cooking confidence
• Daily Nutrition Circles: Protein sources, antioxidants, ethics discussions
• Cooking Demonstrations: quick and healthy variations on dips, desserts and cheeses
• Excursions: French cultural immersion with village market visits and truffle hunting
All vegan cooking workshops, recipes, and tastings included in your retreat package.
Daytime Talks and Light Evening Discussions at your Vegan Cooking Retreat
Whole Food Ethos: Plant-Based Cooking Foundations
In this talk, the hosts share their whole food ethos, with cooking secrets that go beyond just veganising dishes. At our vegan cooking retreat in South West France, you’ll learn to transform dishes with small tweaks that optimise health, nutrition and flavour. Swap processed foods for nutrient-packed whole ingredients. Learn about healthy salt and sugar substitutions, and powerful health boosting ingredients for flavourful, balanced vegan meals. Simple everyday changes that are transformational for health and wellness.
Herbs & Spices: Vegan Flavour & Wellness Secrets
Our plant-based cooking workshops, set in the heart of Occitanie, engage participants with research-led nutritional information put simply, with take-home tips that work with everyday meals. In this talk, you’ll learn the secrets of spices for health and taste–antioxidant rich with anti-inflammatory benefits, master creative seasoning with botanical superfoods that elevate every vegan recipe.
Vegan Journey Sharing Circle
Connect with fellow participants during the opening evening of your vegan cooking holiday in France. Here, we get to know each other, share vegan journeys and motivations, building community and inspiration in a relaxed discussion setting.
Plant Protein Mastery
In this light evening discussion, discover abundant vegan protein sources and easy meal integration—perfect for our hands-on vegan cooking retreat beginners and family cooks.
Rainbow Foods: Antioxidants & Phytonutrients
Discover and celebrate the benefits of colourful fruits and vegetables–packed with protective phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Smart Carbs for Vegan Energy
In this light evening discussion, learn about carbs, what’s good, what’s not, how they can alter your physical and mental state. We reframe whole grains, legumes and roots and vegetables as vegan diet essentials, with evidence-based information.
Vegan Ethics & Environment
A motivator for many people moving towards veganism or a vegan diet is ethics and the environmental impact of food. Explore the planetary impact of plant-based choices through thoughtful light discussions at our Occitanie vegan retreat.
Hands-On Vegan Cooking Demonstrations and Challenges
Build kitchen confidence, vegan cooking know-how and inspiration as you experiment with vegan recipe challenges at our retreat in South West France. Demonstrations with accompanying small-scale challenges include:
• Vegan Burgers & Kebabs: Craft juicy plant-based favourites.
• Instant Pickles: Quick tangy additions for any meal.
• Vegan Yogurt Making: Savoury and sweet homemade varieties.
• Vegan Cheese & Sauces: Creamy staples without dairy.
• Plant-Based Chocolate Desserts: Decadent guilt-free treats.
• Seitan Mastery: Versatile vegan meat alternative packed with protein.
Our key aim is to grow your confidence, knowledge and cooking creativity during the week, in preparation for an end-of-week cooking challenge and life beyond the retreat. You’ll be fully supported in creating a meal of your choice, alongside other participants in a non-threatening, safe environment.
Sensory Tasting & Deconstruction Games
Sharpen your palate with competitive spoon tastings of homemade yogurts, desserts and sauces. Practise decoding ingredients to hone your skills and recreate healthy meals. This is key to our vegan cooking workshops in France, but helpful beyond the retreat to confidently veganise meals and reconstruct healthier versions of your favourite dishes.
Group Sauce Creation Project
Collaborate on creating custom vegan sauces. Perfect real-world practice from our plant-based cooking retreat in Occitanie.
Cheese and Wine Tasting
Enjoy a selection of vegan cheeses and wines that are perfectly paired.
Vegan Cooking Retreat Excursions
Local Truffle Hunting Talk
Visit Marie and Nouchka, her truffle hunting canine, to immerse yourself in the world of truffle cultivation. Led by truffle research findings, generational family experience and decades of her own discovery, Marie shares explanations and demonstration surrounding cultivating and discovering truffle treasure! Later in the day, you’ll get to sample the distinct truffle taste in components of our evening meal.
Village Market Excursions
Towards the end of the week, to source fresh ingredients for your vegan cooking challenge, we’ll take time out to visit three authentically French village markets. We’ll visit three beautiful medieval Occitanie villages across two days, where you’ll have time to shop, explore and absorb quintessential French culture. Fuel your vegan cooking challenges in France with authentic local ingredients.
Vegan Sandwich Fillings for Excursion Packed Lunches
Our vegan retreat in South West France, solves the vegan lunch dilemma with our simple take-home recipes. Packed-lunches for vegan retreat excursions include creative sandwich fillings, packed with taste and nutrition.
Ready to Experience This Vegan Adventure?
Ready to ignite your vegan cooking creativity in the heart of South West France? Join our immersive vegan cooking retreat to learn hands-on techniques, explore local markets and build confidence in plant-based cuisine. Secure your spot today and take the first step toward vibrant, delicious vegan cooking at home!
Additional Walking Retreat Activities
Beyond our structured workshops, your retreat includes plenty of opportunities to relax, explore and recharge:
🏊 Pool Access for Relaxation (Weather Permitting)
Take a refreshing swim in our outdoor pool. The perfect way to relax while enjoying the peaceful French countryside. Pool towels provided.
✨ Nighttime Star Gazing (Weather Permitting)
End your evenings under the vast Occitanie sky. Far from city lights, Belvèze offers spectacular views of the Milky Way and constellations—simply lie back and soak in the wonder.
🌿 Free Time Exploration
Each day includes unstructured time to:
Explore the property and locality
Explore historical villages, visiting markets, cafes, boutiques, brocantes and scenic viewpoints
Relax in the gardens with a book or a picnic
Take scenic walks through the surrounding countryside
Connect with fellow guests over coffee or wine
Simply rest and reflect
Optional Add-On (Arranged in Advance):
Potential extended stay before or after the retreat for independent exploration (subject to existing bookings)
All activities are entirely optional—you're free to participate as much or as little as you like. This is your retreat to design according to your needs.
For the complete day-by-day schedule showing when workshops occur, view the full itinerary →
Meet Your Workshop Leader
Sophie -Mindfulness & Breathing Workshop Leader
MSc(Dist) Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis
Former Professional Artist (Ceramics & Wood Carving, 15+ years)
Sophie's career began as a professional artist, spending over 15 years specialising in ceramics and wood carving. During this time, she created commissions for museums and galleries, ran workshops and received multiple awards, with sculptures still held in Wolverhampton Art Gallery's permanent collection. Following her artistic career, Sophie transitioned into the field of nonverbal communication, completing a master's degree and becoming a specialist in embodied cognition and behaviour analysis.
Now combining her artistic sensibility with scientific understanding, Sophie explores how the body directly influences mental and emotional states—a principle she applies to help guests harness mindfulness practices for greater focus and well-being. Her approach to mindfulness breaks away from traditional meditation stereotypes, offering accessible, varied techniques that work for busy lives and active minds.
Sophie's breathing workshops draw on neuroscience research, showing how intentional breathwork activates specific neural pathways to regulate stress, sharpen focus or boost energy. With her warm, engaging teaching style and dual expertise in creative expression and body-mind connection, Sophie ensures everyone—from complete beginners to experienced practitioners—gains valuable tools that enhance both reading immersion and everyday well-being.
Ready to Wander Through Medieval Villages & Countryside?
Join our Scenic Medieval Village Walking Retreat in Southwest France in 2026. Experience peaceful walks through breathtaking hilltop villages. Secure your spot today and transform your wellness journey with culture, mindfulness and stunning vistas!
From €1,350 per person | Limited to 15 Guests
Common Questions About Our Workshops
Q: I've never done mindfulness/breathing work before. Will I feel lost?
A: Absolutely not! Sophie designs her workshops for complete beginners. No prior experience needed.
Q: Are the workshops mandatory?
A: While we highly recommend them, all workshops are optional. You're free to rest or explore instead.
Q: What is the creative workshop?
A: The creative workshop will be announced closer to the retreat date. It will be either a creative art workshop or a creative culinary tasting experience, depending on the availability of external suppliers.
Q: What if I'm not artistic? Can I still enjoy the creative workshop?
A: Absolutely! The creative workshop is designed for everyone, regardless of artistic experience. It's about exploration and self-expression, not creating masterpieces.
Q: Can I get one-on-one support?
A: Yes! Sophie is available throughout the retreat for personal questions and guidance about mindfulness, breathing techniques and creative expression.
Tips for an Amazing Experience
Before You Arrive:
Train with some hill walking if possible (but don't stress if you haven't)
Practice 5km distance walks
Pack comfortable walking shoes and break them in well before arrival
Bring a journal or notebook if you enjoy reflecting on your experience
Don't forget comfortable clothes for relaxing and casual creative activities
During Your Retreat:
Stay hydrated—bring your water bottle everywhere
Embrace the workshops with an open mind—even if you're new to mindfulness or creativity
Connect with fellow walkers—friendships are part of the magic
Take photos but also put the phone down and be present
Feel empowered to slow down, take time for yourself to rest, pause activities, or enjoy a rejuvenating afternoon nap
After Your Retreat:
Continue the mindfulness and breathing practices at home
Share your experience (tag us @rossignols.artdevivre)
Stay in touch with your walking retreat community
Consider booking your next retreat adventure with us!
Ready to Experience This Adventure?
Join us for an unforgettable week of walking, mindfulness, creativity and medieval village exploration in the heart of South West France.
Limited to 15 guests