COOKING IN GASCONY
October 6th- 11th, 2026
Join us on this exploration of French ingredients and traditional Gascon cooking. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Gers, over 6 days and 5 nights, we will make the charming hilltop village of Lectoure our home. We will cook with local chefs, feast on regional delights, meet passionate producers and artisans, wander colorful markets, and uncover this well-kept treasure. We will find time to relax and creatively reset in our stunning accommodations, the stylish boutique hotel Le Manufacture Royale
6 Days/ 5 Nights
Starting at $4150.00
Our workshops on food, cooking, eating and discovering Gascony
October 6-11, 2026
The focus of our time together will be the exploration of French ingredients, cooking, and culture. We will enjoy daily meet ups in our kitchen workshop to explore culinary topics including cheese, wine tastings, market fruits and vegetables, and French pasteries. Classes will be conducted by local makers and experts along side your co-host, Chef Whitney Otawka. We invite all skill levels to join us around the table. Maybe you prefer to sit and watch, or maybe you have collection of carbon steel knives you want bring along. We want everyone to have a chance to experience the joy of cooking in France.
THE DETAILS
6 Days/ 5 Nights (October 6-11, 2026)
Inclusive Retreat Price Staring at $4,150. Single room supplements and variations available.
Deposit to hold the space $2000
Final payment of remaining balance due 90 days before the retreat start date. Read our full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.
Airfare is not included.
We strongly recommend purchasing travelers insurance
LOCATION/ TRAVEL
Le Manufacture Royale in located in the South West of France.
Airport Options:
Toulouse (about 55 miles away)
Bordeaux (about 100 miles away)
Train Stations:
Auch
Agen
We can answer any questions about travel you may have, just send us your questions!
INCLUDED
-Exclusive use of Hotel B&B property, including indoor swimming pool
-Accommodations (spacious bedrooms with private bathrooms)
-Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
-Transportation to/from day trips
-Daily cooking workshops
-Pétanque Lessons
-Market Visit
-Cheese Tasting/Workshop
-Wine Tasting/ Workshop
-Armagnac producer visit with tour
-Visit to a local farm
-Textile Dying Worksop at Blue Lectoure
-Visit to a Brocante Market
-A Michelin Bib Gourmand farewell dinner
-Airport transfers to and from Toulouse airport
-Taxes
Where are we going!
Lectoure, France
Welcome to the rolling countryside of France’s beloved Gascony. Know for its distinct traditions and rich agriculture. Duck, plums, and Armagnac are some of its most iconic exports. The villages of of Gascony, and their sun drenched white bricks, are dotted through thousands of acres of sunflower fields. There is a stillness, and peace to this place that feels beyond the reach of modernity. Often compared to the rolling countryside of Tuscany, the beauty of the Gers has made this region a favorite destination among the French.
Lectoure, our home during this retreat, is an ancient Gallo-Roman city and a former medieval capital. Known as a Ville d'Art et d'Histoire (Town of Art and History) it is often described as the most beautiful detour in France. The town is known for its vibrant local market (Whitney’ favorite when she lived in Gascony), famous Lectoure melons, and traditional production of bleu de Lectoure, a blue dye used for textiles that helped put Occitanie on the map and was coveted by French royalty during the 17th century.
Our Accommodations:
The Manufacture Royale de Lectoure
An 18th century historical monument and former leather tannery in a remote French village is where you will call home.
Built in 1754 by the architect Pierre Racine, it had been abandoned for 30 years before a complete renovation restored it to its present state. Thanks to its location on the famous Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route, the place was discovered by a pair of Parisians who spent four years overseeing its transformation into the elegant La Manufacture Royale de Lectoure.
The main hotel has five chic rooms characterized by sophisticated but subtle details. Co-owner Christèle, formerly a decorator and set designer, collaborated with colorists to design custom paint shades for the lime-washed walls, and rooms feature designer furnishings, vintage pieces, writing desks, and spacious bathrooms with tubs. Downstairs, the common spaces and gardens are just as aesthetically pleasing.
The Rooms
The sunniest bedroom, painted in warm shades this space has a South-facing view of the countryside, the Pyrenees and the royal porch.
Located on the 1st floor.
Bathroom on the ramparts side
Office
Bed 180 × 200 (European King)
**This room is available for Double or SIngle Occupancy.
**FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PLEASE NOTE this room has only 1 bed and is best suited for couples or friends who can share a bed.
For double occupancy, two people must sign up together and promptly notify the organizers at ambrosiabonjour@gmail.com.
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR SINGLE: $4,750.00
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE (2 people in the same room): $4,150.00-each person
To reserve your room, you may either pay in full or begin with the deposit. The full amount must be paid by MAY 15, 2026. We will contact you with payment information following your initial deposit. Please feel free to contact us for personalized payment options.
Located on the ground floor, this room looks out directly into the branches of the linden tree with a view of the northern courtyard and the city walls.
Details
Bathroom
Dressing room
Office
Bed 180 × 200 (European King)
**This room is available for Double or SIngle Occupancy.
**FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PLEASE NOTE this room has only 1 bed and is best suited for couples or who can share a bed.
For double occupancy, two people must sign up together and promptly notify the organizers at ambrosiabonjour@gmail.com.
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR SINGLE: $4,750.00
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE (2 people in the same room): $4,150.00-each person
To reserve your room, you may either pay in full or begin with the deposit. The full amount must be paid by MAY 15, 2026. We will contact you with payment information following your initial deposit. Please feel free to contact us for personalized payment options.
Located on the ground floor. Bright with a view of the South garden, consisting a small entrance lobby with a possibility of an extra bed as well as an office space.
East-facing bathroom, morning light and fireplace, 20 m2
Dressing room
Bed 180 × 200 (European King)
**This room is available for Double or SIngle Occupancy.
**FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PLEASE NOTE this room has only 1 bed and is best suited for couples or friends signing up together. Please note that the option of a bed added in is available, but it will be a smaller, single bed
For double occupancy, two people must sign up together and promptly notify the organizers at ambrosiabonjour@gmail.com.
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR SINGLE: $4,810.00
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE (2 people in the same room): $4,210.00-each person
To reserve your room, you may either pay in full or begin with the deposit. The full amount must be paid by MAY 15, 2026. We will contact you with payment information following your initial deposit. Please feel free to contact us for personalized payment options.
Offering the most beautiful view of the the sunset. The space consists of a small entrance lobby, with the possibility of a small extra bed as well as an office space. Joseph was one of the two Duclos brothers who created the tannery in the 18th century
Located on the 1st floor
East-facing bathroom, morning light and fireplace
Dressing room
Bed 180 × 200 (European King)
**This room is available for Double or SIngle Occupancy.
**FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PLEASE NOTE this room has only 1 bed and is best suited for couples or friends signing up together. Please note that the option of a bed added in is available, but it will be a smaller, single bed
For double occupancy, two people must sign up together and promptly notify the organizers at ambrosiabonjour@gmail.com.
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR SINGLE: $4,810.00
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE (2 people in the same room): $4,210.00-each person
To reserve your room, you may either pay in full or begin with the deposit. The full amount must be paid by MAY 15, 2026. We will contact you with payment information following your initial deposit. Please feel free to contact us for personalized payment options.
The most spacious room, located in one of the two towers of the house with a view of the North courtyard and the city walls. It consists of a bedroom and a living room with a possibility of an extra bed as well as a desk. Racine was the name of the architect who designed and built the manufactory in 1752.
Located on the 1st floor
Dressing room
Office
Bed 180 × 200 (European King)
*This room is available for Double or SIngle Occupancy.
**FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY PLEASE NOTE this room has only 1 bed and is best suited for couples or friends signing up together. Please note that the option of a bed added in is available, but it will be a smaller, single bed
For double occupancy, two people must sign up together and promptly notify the organizers at ambrosiabonjour@gmail.com.
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR SINGLE: $4,950
TOTAL PRICE PER PERSON FOR DOUBLE (2 people in the same room): $4,350-each person
To reserve your room, you may either pay in full or begin with the deposit. The full amount must be paid by MAY 15, 2026. We will contact you with payment information following your initial deposit. Please feel free to contact us for personalized payment options.
