Let Them Bake Cake! Baking Retreat with Reece Hignell in the Loire Valley, May
Dates: May 25th to 30th, 2026
Location: Loire Valley, France
Indulge in the decadence of 18th-century France with “Let Them Bake Cake”, an exclusive « pâtisserie retreat » set in the heart of the Loire Valley. Inspired by the elegance and extravagance of Marie Antoinette, this five-night experience invites you to master the art of French pastry while luxuriating in your "Château for the week".
Over four days of hands-on workshops with Reece Hignell, you’ll create exquisite French cakes, from the delicate Opéra to the perfectly glazed Raspberry Petit Gâteau. Each session builds towards the grand finale: a glamorous « Let Them Eat Cake » champagne soirée, where you’ll assemble and showcase your creations in true royal fashion.
Between baking sessions, explore the charm of the Loire Valley, home to world-renowned vineyards, fairytale Châteaux, and rich culinary traditions. Please note the entire retreat and the baking classes are held in English.
- Accommodation: Enjoy a 6-day, 5-night stay at The Château de Minière, a beautifully restored 14th-century château with all the Marie Antoinette vibes you imagined… and with an added bonus: a heated swimming pool... Where history meets modern luxury!
- Room Options: Choose between a luxurious private single room or a shared room, each thoughtfully appointed in elegant 18th-century French style to ensure a comfortable and immersive stay. A special welcome gift awaits you upon arrival.
- Gourmet Experience: All meals and drinks are included. Enjoy a daily feast of French culinary delights, from breakfast to dinner, crafted with the finest local ingredients. Savour select meals prepared by our talented chef and indulge in a curated selection of wines, beverages, and Champagne, of course!
- 15 hours of hands-on baking classes with Reece Hignell (@CakeBoi): Personalised guidance in an intimate, small-group setting. Get ready to dive into the art of French-inspired cake making! Over four hands-on sessions, we’ll bake and build stunning gâteau-style creations from scratch, mastering sponge layers, silky fillings, glazes, and beautiful decorations. Think rich Opera cakes, zesty Tarte Citron, layered Honey cakes, and delicate Raspberry glazed petit gâteaux. Please note the entire retreat and the baking classes are held in English.
- Host: A dedicated Madame Voyage host will be on hand throughout the week to coordinate activities, answer questions, and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
- Train Station Transfer: Private transfer to and from Saint PatriceTrain Station for your convenience.
- On-Site Transportation: Chauffeur-driven transport for all scheduled activities.
Activities
- Château & Wine Day: Explore the renowned vineyards of the Loire Valley & enjoy private tastings of exceptional local wines, followed by the visit of a stunning Château.
- Gourmet Tour in Tours: Savour the flavours of France on a 2.5-hour guided food tour through the historic city of Tours.
- Local Market Visit: Explore the flavours of the region with a visit to Les Halles de Tours, a renowned local market, where you’ll discover the freshest produce, artisanal cheeses, and gourmet specialties, a true feast for the senses.
- Boat Ride on the Loire River: Experience the beauty of the Loire with a Private Boat Ride on the Loire River, complete with an apéro to sip and savour as you take in the breathtaking views.
ITINERARY
Monday 25th of May: Arrival Day
- Arrivals: A pick up from Saint PatriceTrain Station will be organised around 2pm
- Afternoon: Guests arrive at the Château, welcome glass of Champagne, bienvenue!
- Evening: Welcome dinner at the Château with Reece
Tuesday to Friday: Daily Routine
- Morning: French breakfast at the Château followed by a baking class with Reece (3h30)
- Lunch: Enjoy a well deserved lunch
- Afternoon: Various activities scheduled for guests to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, & activities listed in the inclusions
- Evening: Dinner at the Château (and of course a Marie Antoinette Party on the last day!)
- Night: Guests are free to relax and socialise
Saturday 30th of May: Departure Day
- Morning: Final French breakfast at the Château
- Check-out: Guests departs at 10am, farewell to a memorable retreat experience
- Departures: A transfer will be organised back to Saint Patrice Train Station at 10am
GETTING THERE
For your convenience, Madame Voyage will organise a private transfer from Saint Patrice train station directly to the château and back.
INCLUSIONS
From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, absolutely everything is taken care of.
Your transport, your meals, your experiences — it’s all included, so you can fully relax and soak up the magic of your retreat.
Start your mornings with buttery croissants, pains au chocolat, and the classic tartine au beurre — plus a few savoury options if that’s more your style. Every meal is lovingly prepared by our private chef, using fresh, local ingredients to celebrate the flavours of the region. Expect long, generous lunches and cosy, shared dinners that feel like home — just with better wine.
Speaking of which… yes, wine is always included. From crisp local rosés to rich Burgundy reds, each glass is thoughtfully paired with your meal. And to kick things off in style, we’ll welcome you with a glass of Champagne on arrival.
You’ll enjoy a curated program of unforgettable activities, too — all organised for you. No extra costs, no logistics to juggle. Just bring your appetite, your curiosity, and a love for beautiful things. We’ll take care of the rest.
Dietary needs? No problem — we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other preferences with care and creativity.
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfares and other transportation fares to and from the retreat
- Anything not explicitly listed above
- Travel Insurance: For complete peace of mind while travelling, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance. Australian guests can view our recommended partner here, and guests from other countries can find suitable options here.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the retreat be confirmed?
Please note that we require a minimum number of participants for this adventure to take place. We recommend that you wait until we confirm the retreat before making any travel arrangements, including booking flights. In the event that the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will notify you as soon as possible, and any payments made will be fully refunded.
What’s included in the retreat?
From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, everything is included, accommodation, all meals (prepared by a private chef), wine, activities, excursions, local transfers, and surprises along the way. The only things not included are your flights and travel insurance. (We do have a travel insurance partner – contact us for details!)
Do I need to speak French?
Not at all! All activities are led in English unless otherwise stated. A love for French culture is all you need.
What if I have dietary requirements?
No problem! We cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other common dietary needs. Just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely! Many of our guests join solo. Our retreats are designed to be warm, welcoming, and inclusive, you’ll feel part of the group from day one.
How do I get to the retreat location?
We’ll send you clear travel instructions ahead of time, including suggested trains or flights. Transfers from nearby stations are included. If you're unsure, we're happy to help with your travel plans.
How active are the retreats?
Our retreats blend culture, relaxation, and light activity (such as walking tours or market visits). You won’t need to be super fit, but expect to be gently on the move.
What’s the accommodation like?
We handpick unique, charming places, from countryside châteaux to boutique villas. Rooms are comfortable, beautifully styled, and often with private bathrooms.
What should I pack?
We’ll send you a tailored packing list before departure based on the season and retreat style. Think comfortable clothes, a touch of chic, and a good pair of shoes.
How many people will be on the retreat?
Most of our retreats are small and intimate, usually between 10 and 14 guests. This allows for a more personalized and relaxed experience.
Do I have to participate in every activity?
While we hope you’ll be excited about the itinerary, all experiences are optional! This is your retreat, feel free to skip an activity and enjoy some downtime whenever you like.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?
Due to the nature of our tours, retreats and experiences, which require advance payments to accommodation providers, hosts, venues, guides, and other suppliers, we are only able to offer refunds for change of mind or other reasons other than emergencies or events outside of our control in accordance with the table below.
Months prior to the retreat or tour Refund payable More than 6 months 50% of any amount paid More than 4 months until 6 months 30% of any amount paid 4 months or less No refund To learn more about our cancellation policy please read our Terms & Conditions
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Merci beaucoup, you are now part of the waitlist!
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What you will learn and discover
Step into a world of buttercream dreams and royal indulgence! Over four hands-on workshops with Reece Hignell, you’ll learn to create iconic French pâtisserie—from silky Opéra cakes to raspberry-glazed petits gâteaux.
Each technique is broken down step by step, giving you the confidence to recreate these showstoppers at home.
But this retreat is more than baking: it’s an immersive journey through the Loire Valley. You’ll taste your way through local markets, sip wines at historic vineyards, and visit storybook châteaux.
By the end, you’ll not only master new baking skills—you’ll have lived a sweet little slice of French history.
A few snaps of our Belle Époque Château:
Oui! The price listed is all inclusive.
Rooms & Pricing
"The service Madame Voyage provided blew my expectations away! The food was amazing, the wine was flowing, and the hosts were friendly and ready to take care of any need"
Kiki D., Chicago
"What I loved about the retreat is the relaxation. It truly is a retreat. The scenery was amazing, I had the best view. La cuisine, was excellente! The weather, perfect timing. Madame Voyage picked the excellent time just to have everyone here in Provence."
Patricia, US
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
"It’s been absolutely amazing. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this trip, but every single detail has been so thoughtfully curated, from the beautiful locations to the food, the people, the activities… I’ve just felt so welcomed and inspired the whole time. It’s been the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone—just do it!”
Sarah Gleason, US
French language immersion, French Alps, January 2025
"We had a very good time. I really appreciated the fact that even the tours were in French! The Truffeiere, The wine tastings, The Château, and beautiful French villages. Everything was very well organized and very well thought of. The balance between learning French in class and going on tours in French was just amazing."
Zainab, Dubai,
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
“We booked the Lyon package in July 2023, and it was 5 stars all the way. Everything about it was amazing and life changing. You designed and orchestrated a very bespoke and tailored experience for us, like a maestro. Bravo and MERCI. »
Mona & Chris Hope, from Melbourne VIC
“Our chalet stay in January 2023 exceeded all our expectations. We don’t ski and yet we had a great time in the Alps. We loved the fully catered service of the chalet, specially the fact that the owners were driving us to the village or the slopes every day. Thank you Madame Voyage for such a perfect trip. »
Darius Watson, UK
"What an extraordinary experience we had thanks to the masterful organization of Madame Voyage in this magnificent place! The energy of the participants and the generosity of Laima (potter artist) also contributed to the success of this memorable week!"
Annie T., Montréal
"The pottery retreat was absolutely amazing. It exceeded any expectations I had and was so cohesive with meals, social time, studio time, and excursions. They really thought of everything to make it a luxurious week. When we first arrived, they let us know we can ask for anything - and they literally meant it. So above and beyond! Also, the food was delicious. I will 100% do another retreat in the future."
Elyse S., Seattle
"The service Madame Voyage provided blew my expectations away! The food was amazing, the wine was flowing, and the hosts were friendly and ready to take care of any need"
Kiki D., Chicago
"What I loved about the retreat is the relaxation. It truly is a retreat. The scenery was amazing, I had the best view. La cuisine, was excellente! The weather, perfect timing. Madame Voyage picked the excellent time just to have everyone here in Provence."
Patricia, US
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
Get to know your host
Meet Reece Hignell, beloved contestant from MasterChef Australia and passionate baker known for his nostalgic, heartwarming desserts and classic French techniques.
Reece brings a joyful, down-to-earth energy to the kitchen — and on this retreat, he’ll guide you through his favourite recipes, stories, and secrets behind the sweets we all adore.
Get ready to bake, laugh, and indulge with Reece in the most delicious setting imaginable.
Join us!
Contact Us
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