Introduction to French Pastry Part 1
with Jenn Davis
in Gascony, France
April 19-25, 2027
French baking intensive with Jenn Davis in the south of France!
5 days, 6 nights
April 19-24, 2027
Maximum 6 bakers
Jenn Davis is the baker, food photographer, and writer behind Two Cups Flour and My French Table. She is also the author and photographer of “The Southern Baking Cookbook”, a compilation of 60 recipes inspired by her life living in the southern US. Now living in Bordeaux, she brings together her American Southern roots and her love of France. Her baking style is shaped by years of recipe development and formal pastry training in France.
In this intimate workshop you’ll bake classic French pastries and leave with the confidence to bring a little French magic to your own kitchen. Step inside a French fairytale with daily hands on classes at Relais de Camont, an enchanting 18th-century French farmhouse nestled along the Canal de Garonne in Gascony. Bakers will stay nearby in the beautiful town of Agen, with private transport.
Agen is just a little over an hour from Bordeaux and three hours from Paris. For those that want to plan a visit to neighboring French cities before or after their week of baking.
Come enjoy France in the Spring, when fresh strawberries are abundant everywhere and the gardens are overflowing with flowers. Wander through the outdoor marché in Nerac, learn about local ingredients, bake, eat, linger around the table, and settle into the slower rhythm of life in the French countryside. And, of course, there will be plenty of butter, pastry, local wine, and long conversations along the way.
Evening Arrival| Monday April 20, 2027
Welcome to France! Monday afternoon arrival in Agen, check into Hotel Serra and join me for an intimate and welcome dinner at the hotel.
Schedule:
1:00 – 5:00 pm |Arrive in Agen and hotel check-in
7:00 -9:00 pm | Welcome Dinner
Day Two | Tuesday April 20, 2027
Welcome to Gascony! At 9am, a private taxi will whisk you from your hotel in Agen to Relais de Camont by 9:15am, an enchanting 18th-century French farmhouse along the Canal de Garonne. We’ll enjoy a few light bites before beginning our pastry workshop at 10am, break for lunch at 12:30, then return to the kitchen from 2–5pm. At the end of the day, a shuttle will bring you back to Agen, where you can explore the town, wander the shops, or enjoy a leisurely French dinner. Dinner is not included this evening, but I’ll have plenty of recommendations for you.
Schedule:
9:15-10am | Welcome and Tour
10am-12:30pm | Baking Techniques
12:30pm – 2pm | Lunch Provided
2:00 – 5:00 pm | Madeleines, Financiers, Canelés
5:00 – 7:00 pm | French Apéro at Camont
7:00 pm | Shuttle Return to Agen
Day Three | Wednesday April 21, 2027
After enjoying a French breakfast at the Hotel! The same private shuttle will bring you back to Relais de Camont, arriving in time to begin our pastry workshop at 9:30am. We’ll spend the day baking, with a leisurely lunch provided before returning to the kitchen for an afternoon of French pastry. We’ll finish the day with an apéritif hour at the farmhouse, raising a glass and enjoying a little time to linger before the shuttle brings you back to Agen for the evening. A perfect day of baking, eating, and savoring the French countryside.
Schedule:
9:15am -12:30pm | Bake Canelés, Pastry Cream, Fillings, Pâte à Choux
12:30pm – 2pm | Lunch Provided
2:00 – 5:00 pm | Cream Puffs, Eclairs, Paris Brest
5:00 pm | Shuttle Return to Agen
Day Four | Thursday April 22, 2027
Laminated pastry day! Today you’ll learn how to easily make puff pastry at home to recreate your favorite boulangerie treats. There will be lots of butter, chocolate and pastry cream!
Schedule:
9:15am -12:30pm | Quick Puff Pastry
12:30pm – 2pm | Lunch Provided
2:00 – 5:00 pm | Pain aux Raisins, Savory Apéro Pastry
5:30 – 7:00 pm | French Apéro at Camont
7:00 pm | Shuttle Return to Agen
Day Five | Friday April 23, 2027
Friday is tart day! Learn to make the base doughs for all you tart needs. We’ll line pastry rings, whip up flavorful fillings, and decorate our masterpieces.
Schedule:
9:15am -12:30pm | Pâte Sucrée, Pâte Brisée, Almond Cream
12:30pm – 2pm | Lunch Provided
2:00 – 5:00 pm | Tartlets, Ganache, Meringue
5:00 pm | Shuttle Return to Agen
Day Six | Saturday April 24, 2027
Saturday is market day! At 9am, a private shuttle will pick you up from your hotel in Agen and take us to the bustling Nérac Saturday market, where we’ll wander the stalls, discover local specialties, and soak up the sights and flavors of Gascony. After the market, we’ll return to Relais de Camont for lunch, followed by our final afternoon in the kitchen. We’ll wrap up our workshop with a farewell dinner at the farmhouse, raising a glass to new friends, full bellies, and a few wonderful days of baking in the French countryside. Bon appétit—and until we meet again!
Schedule:
9:00am| Travel to Nerac Market
9:30 – 11:30am | Explore the Marché, Coffee and Pastries
12:00pm | Return to Relais de Camont
12:30 – 2:00pm | Lunch Provided
2:00 – 5:00pm | Strawberry Fraisier Cake
6:00 – 8:00pm | Farewell Dinner
8:00pm | Shuttle to Agen
Farewell| Sunday April 25, 2027
Goodbye dear friends! Thank you for sharing your love of baking with us and spending a little time in the south of France. Until we meet again.
What’s Included?
Included
- Tuesday Welcome dinner at Hotel Serra in Agen!
- Private door-to-door transfer from the Hôtel Serra to Relais de Camont and back each day
- Daily baking workshops with Jenn and all the materials needed
- Printouts of all the recipes!
- Lunch served daily at Relais de Camont
- Wednesday & Thursday night Apero in the French countryside
- Saturday night farewell dinner
NOT Included
- Airfare to and From France
- Dinner for 2 nights
- Lodging in Agen
- Personal shopping
- Additional excursions
- Passport and baggage fees
FAQs
Not at all! All activities are taught in English. A love for French baking is all you need.
No changes to the baking recipes will be made due to dietary restrictions, as the recipes have been well tested for success. However, we will offer vegetarian options for lunches and hosted meals. If you have a dietary or allergic restriction please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
We’ll send you a tailored packing list before departure based on the season and kitchen requirements.
A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure booking. This ensures that we are able to host this small and intimate baking experience.
The remaining balance is due 90 days before the experience begins. If you book within 90 days of the start date, the full balance is due at the time of booking.
Due to the logistics of the experience, which requires advance payments to accommodate hosts, venues, and supplies, 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 policy below.
30% Deposit: non-refundable
More than 6 months: 50% of amount paid after deposit
3-6 months prior to retreat: 30% of amount paid after deposit
Within 90 days of the retreat: No refund
Travel insurance is required for all guests. We’re unable to make exceptions to the cancellation policy for illness, including a positive COVID-19 test, family emergencies, or other last-minute circumstances. Travel insurance is your best option for reimbursement in these situations.
If a retreat does not reach the minimum number of guests required, we reserve the right to cancel the retreat. If this happens, all guests who have booked will receive a full refund.
Getting to Agen
Plane
Fly into France either direct to Paris, or into another European Hub like Bordeaux or Toulouse which are closer to Agen.
- Paris (Paris – CDG ): Fly direct to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and take a train to Agen.
- Toulouse or Bordeaux: You can also book a flight into a Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS) or Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD), which are much closer to Agen, then take train.
Train
- From Paris: Leave from the Paris train station Gare Montparnasse. Catch a direct SNCF TGV inOui high-speed train to Gare de Agen. The ride takes about 3 hours and 25 minutes.
- From Toulouse: Take the airport shuttle bus to the Toulouse Matabiau train station (about 20–30 minutes). Catch an SNCF regional train or a FlixBus to Agen. The trip takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes
- From Bordeaux: Take the airport shuttle bus or tram to the Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station. Catch a direct SNCF train to Agen. The journey takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes.
Lodging
- Hotel Serra in Agen: Rooms are available to book at a reasonable rate in Agen at the four star Hotel Serra.
- Other Options: If you plan to book a room at a different hotel or an airbnb, please let us know.
Workshop Location
- Relais de Camont is a creative residency in Southwest France countryside perfect for writers, artists, photographers, and other creatives. Owned by the legendary culinary instructor and food writer Kate Hill.
- Daily transportation to and From Agen and Relais de Camont will be provided
Questions?
- Please reach out with any questions.
- Email: jenn@twocupsflour.com
French Pastries Part 2 Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for Fall 2027 Dates on more advanced French pastries.
