I forgot on Monday to mention I’m running off next day (6:00 am/TGV) toVilleneuve les Avignon, In fact I overslept (a first) and woke up at 5:01! Oh la la la la
Somehow I made it to the train, just.🤸♂️Villeneuve is a stunning, small, medieval Provencal village you never heard of, just 10 minutes outside Avignon .
I am here for a 5-day chocolate
And jam retreat. And yes, it is a religious experience. I lost count of the times I died & went to heaven this week.
I am trying hard to remember what croissants look like. Practice makes perfect🥐🥐🥐
Across the street Shannon explains about les herbes de Provence and the famous Provençal garrigue.
We will infuse our tempered chocolate with thyme, menthe & jasmin Shannon hand-picked herself.
Such pretty place settings Shannon set out for each of us!
We attack the chocolate.
We try desperately not to give into dipping into the Valrhona melted chocolate 🍫 with our fingers. Some of us succumb. Oscar Wilde said, “ The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it”.
After much blood, sweat and tears over the melting chocolate
We go back to the hotel’s outdoor garden for an l’apero and grignote/snacks)
Then a strawberry tarte (4 different kinds of berries) Shannon threw together. Oh la la la
Meet Gemma on the team. I am allowed to walk her as much as I want, though she flirts with everyone equally and not as discriminating as she might be.
This village looks idyllic! I am certain you are having another “time of your life”!!! Years ago I had a short visit to Avignon visiting the Popes Palace and wandering around the old city streets. Did you get to keep that neat red string bag that was used as a place mat? I hope so. Have fun!🗼❤️🇫🇷
All of the above is true and more so. We need more jam & chocolate retreats in this world. A very happy experience in an exquisite site.
Every one is falling hard for Gemma. She goes with the person with the most tidbits. I have hardly eaten a thing here. A great new kind of diet/regime. At her most insistant she puts her full body weight on one of your toes! One can not say no to Gemma.
Thank you Carol, yes we are indeed having lots of fun, having you around with our other guest is a pleasure, and Gemma gets spoiled by everyone and especially you ahahah. She will go running with me next week to get back in shape.
I can’t think of a better vacation…chocolate making…and jam? Yes, please! Everything looks absolutely delightful. The food looks irresistible and the hotel looks lovely. Enjoy your stay, Carol. ❤️
I am lucky to call Shannon and Wlady as my friends. Kind souls and adorable together! I think I stayed in the room just below yours facing garden. What a treasure L’Hotel de L’Atelier. Lovely photos and sweet watercolors (literally!) Enjoy! Bonne dégustation!
just a quick note to say how much I liked your post. I went to Shannon & Wlady’s website...so interesting! I would love to do their workshop in Burgundy. We’ve been to Auxerre before. Close to Chablis. That area is foodie heaven!
looks like a great place. I'd live there in a heartbeat. I love the city and I did love Paris, but I don't want to live in the city--I love the countrysides better. Never thought I'd be that way, but it turns out I'm more content living there.
This is a delightful post and I did so enjoy the trip through your words. Fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteFun, fun, fun. And all we got to do is make wine.
ReplyDeleteThis village looks idyllic! I am certain you are having another “time of your life”!!! Years ago I had a short visit to Avignon visiting the Popes Palace and wandering around the old city streets.
ReplyDeleteDid you get to keep that neat red string bag that was used as a place mat? I hope so.
Have fun!🗼❤️🇫🇷
Green with envy.Green..Cascade green.☺️☺️☺️
ReplyDeleteCan I kidnap Gemma? Sigh … Enjoy the chocolate, sounds heavenly. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAll of the above is true and more so.
ReplyDeleteWe need more jam & chocolate retreats in this world.
A very happy experience in an exquisite site.
Every one is falling hard for Gemma. She goes with the person with the most tidbits. I have hardly eaten a thing here.
A great new kind of diet/regime.
At her most insistant she puts her full body weight on one of your toes!
One can not say no to Gemma.
Looks like a beautiful place. Found myself singing “sur le pont d’Avignon, l’on y Danes, l’on y danse…”
ReplyDeleteHoly cow…heaven…def stay on! 🍓❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol, yes we are indeed having lots of fun, having you around with our other guest is a pleasure, and Gemma gets spoiled by everyone and especially you ahahah. She will go running with me next week to get back in shape.
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely! An exquisite place in which to learn and taste and experience such joy😍 Enjoy, dear Carol😊
ReplyDeleteI can’t think of a better vacation…chocolate making…and jam? Yes, please! Everything looks absolutely delightful. The food looks irresistible and the hotel looks lovely. Enjoy your stay, Carol. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI am lucky to call Shannon and Wlady as my friends. Kind souls and adorable together! I think I stayed in the room just below yours facing garden. What a treasure L’Hotel de L’Atelier. Lovely photos and sweet watercolors (literally!) Enjoy! Bonne dégustation!
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteLucky you!
Fabulous post!!!!!! Just lovely!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLoving your chocolate & jam retreat. I feel I have joined you in my favorite Provençal town.
ReplyDeletejust a quick note to say how much I liked your post. I went to Shannon & Wlady’s website...so interesting! I would love to do their workshop in Burgundy. We’ve been to Auxerre before. Close to Chablis. That area is foodie heaven!
ReplyDeletelooks like a great place. I'd live there in a heartbeat. I love the city and I did love Paris, but I don't want to live in the city--I love the countrysides better. Never thought I'd be that way, but it turns out I'm more content living there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I just spent way too much time on Hotel de l’Atelier’s website. Great choice, Carol. It will be difficult to leave the hotel…or to go home!
ReplyDeleteAll my favorite things in one post - chocolate, berries, France, croissants, cute chien and you, dear Carol! Thank you for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteLooks dreamy! I keep adding more and more ideas to my Paris/France travel notes from your wonderful stories. Thanks for inspiring us!
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the cheese board and the grignote had me. Must have been a brilliant time.
ReplyDelete