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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, healthy plant-based favourites.
• Instant Pickles: Quick tangy, non-processed 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 companion and 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 Vegan Cooking Retreat Activities
Beyond our structured workshops, your retreat includes 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 surrounds, connect with fellow guests over food and drink, or simply rest and reflect.
Excursion days also include unstructured time to explore historical villages, visiting markets, cafes, boutiques, brocantes and scenic viewpoints.
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, view the full itinerary →
Ready to Cook, Create & Connect in the French Countryside?
Join our Vegan Cooking Retreat in South West France 2027 and discover the joy of hands‑on plant‑based cooking, tastings and French market excursions. Gain confidence, creativity and culinary inspiration in a warm, small‑group setting surrounded by scenic countryside charm.
From €1,550 per person | Limited to 15 Guests
Common Questions About Our Vegan Cooking Workshops
Q: I’m new to vegan cooking. Will I feel out of my depth?
A: Not at all! These workshops are designed for complete beginners and curious cooks alike. You’ll learn step‑by‑step techniques in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Q: Do I need to join every workshop?
A: Participation is entirely optional. While we encourage guests to take part in each session for the full experience, you’re always free to rest or explore instead.
Q: What kind of recipes will we make?
A: Expect a variety of practical, flavourful dishes—from sauces and cheese substitutes to desserts and savoury mains—all created with simple, accessible ingredients.
Q: I’m not a confident cook. Can I still take part?
A: Absolutely! Our workshops focus on fun, creativity and learning by doing. You’ll gain useful skills without pressure—this is all about enjoyment and discovery.
Q: Can I receive one‑on‑one cooking support?
A: Yes. Sophie and Lee provide plenty of individual guidance and are available throughout the retreat for questions, tips, and practical help.
Tips for an Amazing Experience
Vegan Cooking Retreat
Before You Arrive:
• Try a few new vegan recipes or ingredients at home to spark curiosity.
• Bring your favourite apron or notebook if you love jotting down ideas or recipes.
• Pack comfortable clothes and shoes—you’ll spend time both cooking and exploring French villages.
• Brush up on seasonal produce in France if you’re interested—it’ll make market visits even more fun.
During Your Retreat:
• Embrace experimentation—this retreat is about learning by doing and enjoying every bite.
• Don’t worry if something doesn’t go perfectly; creativity thrives in a relaxed kitchen.
• Engage with your fellow guests—shared meals and laughter make the experience memorable.
• Stay hydrated and take time to rest between workshops and excursions.
• Capture memories but also take moments to simply be present in the experience.
After Your Retreat:
• Recreate your favourite dishes at home and share them with friends and family.
• Keep exploring new plant‑based ingredients and local produce wherever you live.
• Stay in touch with the Rossignols, Art de Vivre community and continue your culinary journey together.
Ready to Experience This Culinary Adventure?
Join us for an inspiring week of creative vegan cooking, tastings, discussions and French cultural discovery in the heart of South West France.
Limited to 15 guests