Culinary Retreats » Château de Jalesnes

Culinary Retreats at Château de Jalesnes

Coming in 2026, Château de Jalesnes will host a series of chef- and expert-led culinary and gastronomy retreats, created in collaboration with celebrated chefs and culinary specialists.

Set within our historic Loire Valley château, these retreats are designed as immersive escapes — unhurried, elegant, and thoughtfully curated. They are not cookery courses, but shared experiences shaped around exceptional food, meaningful conversation, and the pleasure of spending time in a remarkable place.

A Different Kind of Culinary Experience

Our culinary retreats are conceived for guests who value time, comfort, and craft.

Rather than tightly scheduled programmes, each retreat will follow a natural rhythm: shared tables, informal demonstrations, conversations with the chef, and gentle exploration of the region’s vineyards, markets, and artisan producers. There is space to participate — and equal space to simply observe, relax, and enjoy.

Every retreat will be intentionally small, allowing for a sense of intimacy and ease that larger events cannot offer.

The Setting

Château de Jalesnes sits in the heart of the Loire Valley, surrounded by forests, vineyards, and traditional villages. Guests stay on site in spacious château rooms and suites, with time to enjoy the gardens, pool, and surrounding countryside between shared meals and excursions.

The château provides a discreet, comfortable backdrop — a place where guests can settle in quickly and feel at home, while enjoying a level of care and attention that allows the experience to unfold effortlessly.

The Chefs

We are working with a small number of renowned chefs and culinary specialists, each selected for their approach, reputation, and ability to host as well as cook.

Each retreat will be shaped around the chef’s individual style and interests, whether that is classical gastronomy, pastry or chocolate, regional French cuisine, or a particular culinary philosophy. No two retreats will be the same.

What to Expect

While each retreat will be bespoke, experiences may include:

Chef-prepared evening meals, with opportunities to observe, engage, and ask questions
Informal demonstrations or masterclasses, depending on the chef
Visits to local vineyards, distilleries, markets, or artisan producers
Shared tables, conversation, and unstructured time to relax
A small group atmosphere, designed to feel personal rather than performative

Most retreats are expected to run over three to five nights, with full details shared in advance.

Designed With Our Guests in Mind

Our culinary retreats are created for guests who appreciate:

High-quality food and thoughtful hospitality
Relaxed, well-paced experiences rather than packed itineraries
Small groups and meaningful interaction
Comfort, discretion, and attention to detail

They are ideal for couples, friends, or solo travellers seeking a refined escape centred around food, place, and time well spent.

Register Your Interest

Our culinary retreat programme is currently in development, with dates and collaborations to be announced.

Places will be intentionally limited. We invite those who are curious to register their interest and be among the first to receive details as our programme unfolds.

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