Courses & Events

Valentine’s Weekend at Chateau La Grande Maison 14th - 17th February 2025

Fri, 9 Feb 2024 11:54:44 +0100

Whisk your loved one away to our beautiful French Chateau for 3 nights to enjoy a romantic weekend of fine dining, Loire Valley Sparkling Wine, chocolates, live music and suggested itineraries for exploring this beautiful region. Spend an intimate Valentine’s evening in the ballroom of the Chateau with a table for two, a real fire, gourmet dinner by a top French chef with live music during dinner followed a special performance by Chatelaine Billie.

Food of Love...Our guest chef on Saturday 15th has worked at four Michelin star restaurants including the legendary 3 Michelin star “Anne-Sophie Pic” in Valence. His style combines modernist cuisine with traditional french dishes with a focus on seasonal produce. Dinner includes a delicious selection of regional wines.

Our in-house team will also present evening meals on Friday and Sunday evening, including wine, in our wood-panelled dining room, following sparkling wine aperitifs in the coach house.

Music......On saturday evening you will be serenaded by an amazing french accordionist, followed by a special set by Billie, who has sung with many of the worlds greatest artists (Adele, Beverley Knight, Sir Paul McCartney, Jools Holland + more) and is also a solo artist in her own right with a growing following on Spotify and other digital platforms. (Find out more about Billie on Instagram @billie_godfrey_music).

Your Special Dedication: Send us your request for a special love song to be performed by Billie (up to two weeks in advance) and she will dedicate the song to you and your partner!

Enjoy the delights of this beautiful region with suggested day itineraries; visit Chateaux, wine makers and for antique lovers there is also a beautiful riverside Brocante to visit on Sunday along the banks of the Loire.

What’s Included*:

3 night’s accommodation with breakfast (offered in your room or dining room) at Chateau La Grande Maison,

A gift bottle of Champagne and chocolates in your room upon arrival,

Friday: Welcome drinks and Dinner served with selected local wines in wood-panelled dining room.

Saturday: Breakfast. Suggested itinerary for exploring the Loire, Valentine’s Evening of fine dining and live music.
Sparkling wine and aperitifs, 3 course dinner prepared by our Guest Chef with selected wines. Live performance by accordionist and love songs by Billie Godfrey,
Also included: A personal dedicated song of your choice for Billie to perform (please request up to two weeks in advance).

Sunday: Breakfast. Suggested itinerary for exploring local attractions including riverside Antiques Market. Return to the Chateau for Aperos and then Dinner in wood-panelled dining room served with wine.

Monday: Breakfast in the Dining room Depart 12-00

Prices per couple for the Valentine’s weekend staying in the following accommodation:

The Montespan Suite £889
The Art Nouveau Suite £944
The Garden Apartment £1069*
The Botanist’s Apartment £1069**
The Monet Suite £1099***

*Ground Floor

**If you wish to invite a second couple to join you for the weekend and to share the two bedroom Botanist’s Apartment the price is £1645 for four people.

***If you wish to invite a second couple to join you for the weekend and share the two bedroom Monet suite the price is £1679 for four people.

*Travel not included. We can advise on routes, car essential. French seaports 3 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours away.
Ryan Air flights friday to monday from Stansted to Poitiers (45 min drive) where car hire is available (book in advance with Ryan Air).

Book Club Retreats At Château La Grande Maison

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:40:34 +0100

Bring Your Book Group

A good book, the riverside or balcony in summer or a crackling fire and crystal decanters in winter, delicious french food, chocolate, wines and patisserie, the tranquility of the french countryside and some time to yourself in a beautiful french Chateau…what could be better?

Our book retreats are perfect for catching up on your reading or discovering a new author. Experience the beauty of the countryside and enjoy french cooking at Chateau La Grande Maison and local french restaurants. Meet with your group for fun and informal discussion in our beautiful newly restored library (as seen on Escape To The Chateau DIY) and wood-panelled dining room with cakes & french patisserie and of course chocolate/ Visit a local historic Chateau & winery….

Instead of your usual Book Club meeting, come to us with your chosen author’s work or explore the works of Joanne Harris with discussions led by Billie who has a BA (Hons) in literature.

Your chosen author or the works of Joanne Harris
If you would like to let us guide your group this is a great opportunity to reconnect with or discover Joanne’s novels, in particular Chocolat and Five Quarters of The Orange which is set in the Loire region and has traditional french cuisine at its heart. Joanne’s use of food (and of course chocolate) are central to the lives of her characters as well as being a vehicle for many of the books deeper themes. As well as her novels, Joanne Harris has co-written recipe books and you will be able to sample dishes from these during the informal lunches, afternoon teas and evening meals, one of which will be at an excellent local french restaurant.

Together we can explore the main themes of Joanne Harris’ works as well as particular passages from her books. The newly renovated Library with it’s raised gallery and marble fireplace or the beautiful orangery are the perfect locations to settle down with afternoon tea (or “le quatre heure” as they call it in France!) sampling chocolate recipes from Joanne Harris’ “The Little Book Of Chocolate” and enjoy sharing your passion for reading with others.

What Is Included?
The three day retreat (or longer if you prefer, just ask us!) includes three nights accommodation with breakfasts, lunches and evening meals with local wines, afternoon teas (cakes, patisserie, teas & coffees) during discussion groups, decanters and pre-dinner aperitifs of Loire Valley sparkling wines. Also included is a visit to the beautiful Chateau Oiron, once the home of Louis XIVs favourite mistress Madame de Montespan and now an art gallery.

Travel not included, airport transfers possible from designated airport depending on numbers, costs tbc.

Price
The price for the retreat is £425 per person
(minimum of 5 people)

How to get here
Plane - Our nearest airport is Poitiers (45 minutes) with Ryan air flights out on fridays & mondays Sunday to Stansted.
Train - Nearest TGV from Paris is Tours (60 minute)
Car - The ports on the French northern coast are 4 to 5 hours away depending on which one.

Itinerary
Day 1
Arrivals / check in from 1400 onwards.
Settle in, orientation, refreshments.
1830 - Welcome apero - sparkling wines & nibbles
1930 - Welcome supper - traditional french cuisine
suggested reading itinerary/topics for discussion given

Day 2
09.00 - Breakfast in dining room
a.m. Reading by fireside, (teas & coffees provided)
1300 - lunch - Joanne Harris recipe.
p.m. Reading
1630-1730 - Group discussion in library with afternoon tea (“le quatre heure”)
1730-1900 - free time
1900 - pre dinner apero (local wines)
1930 - Dinner - french cuisine

Day 3
0900 - Breakfast in dining room
A.m. - Reading at your leisure
1300 - Lunch - french rustic
1400 - Chateau visit & wine tasting in Oiron
1700 - Fireside discussion group with afternoon tea
1830 - pre-dinner drinks at La Grande Maison
1930 - French cuisine at local restaurant

Day 4
0900 - Breakfast in dining room
a.m. - reading / informal discussions with mid morning coffee
1230 - lunch - french rustic
1330 - departures

Pop-Up Restaurant Night & Foodie Break

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 11:40:41 +0100

All year
Enjoy three magical days of food discovery and exclusive dining. We invite you to explore food & wines of the Loire, culminating in a pop-up restaurant evening in our newly restored Orangery. Runs with a minimum group of six.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at La Grande Maison.
Wine tasting & Apero Boards in The Pressoir.
An introduction to the wine production and specialities of The Loire region including sparkling wine, whites & reds, served with cold & hot apero boards. A great orientation to help you make the most of the vineyard visits ahead

Day 2
Breakfast
Visit traditional food market & buy items for your lunch in nearby town of Thouars.
Afternoon: Local vineyard & wine tasting visit.
Evening: Dinner in local restaurant

Day 3
Breakfast
Suggested visit: Maison du Pays - Shop for regional produce from local artisan local food & wine heros. Lunch in their restaurant (not included in price).
Afternoon: Relax at La Grande Maison or visit other food & wine heros (chocolatier, mushroom caves, walnut oil producer, more vineyards - we can advise you!)
Evening: Sparkling Wine Aperos on the balcony.
Pop-up Restaurant Night: “The Botanist”
Inspired by the botanist who lived here and built the now restored orangery, this evening of dining which was featured on Escape To The Chateau DIY, is an exclusive dining experience and a perfect way to complete your weekend of discovering the food and wine of the Loire.

Day 4
Breakfast
Departures
Prices: £695 per couple (reduction to £585 for two couples sharing a two bedroom suite). Includes 3 nights accommodation with breakfasts and all evening meals. Does not include travel, transport or lunches (summer kitchen and BBQ facilities available for use). Wine for tasting & aperos included.
Ask us about group bookings for this event.

Wine Tasting & Wine Fair Weekend

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 10:31:36 +0100

Thursday 13th to Sunday 16st march 2022
A big weekend in our wine appellation of Anjou & Saumur! The Salon du Vins in the Orangery of the Chateau de Thouars is three days of wine tasting featuring our local world renowned Loire valley wines as well as selections from all the best appellations in france. 50 appellations are represented with 124 wine producers offering tasting. This great wine exploration weekend includes tasting and orientation in our pressoir as well as aperos & dining plus tickets to the event itself.

Itinerary
Thursday
Sparkling & Loire Wine Tasting in our pressoir - Orientation for the Salon du Vins and an introduction to wine making in our region. Arrival supper served in our elegant dining room.

Friday
Breakfast
Salon du Vins, Thouars - entry ticket enables you to taste wines from all over france. Regional food stalls and artisan products.
Evening; Aperos (sparkling wine and food boards) served in our cellar. Reservations made on your behalf at local restaurants if desired.

Saturday
Breakfast
Second day at the Salon du Vins - So many wines, so little time!
Evening; Dinner - Regional menu, served in our Orangery (or Dining room depending on weather).

Sunday Breakfast & departures

Price: £599 per couple. Includes: 3 nights accommodation with breakfasts, two evening meals, wine tasting and orientation, apero & food boards in our cellar, tickets to the Salon du Vins Wine Fair.

Vocal Coaching

Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:52:36 +0200

No music reading required. Workshops & performance based coaching.

Instruction by top music singer & vocal coach
Billie Godfrey