As Julia Child would say, “Bon appétit!”

From the perfumed hills above the Riviera to the sun-drenched vineyards in the heart of Provence, this seven-night luxury baking retreat offers a rare invitation into the South of France that Julia Child so loved, where she once cooked, wrote, and fell under the spell of French country life.

In an exclusive evening few will ever experience, Makenna Held, founder of Okay Perfect, will open the doors of La Pitchoune, Julia’s beloved Provençal home, for an apéro dînatoire in one of the most storied kitchens in culinary history. From there, each day unfolds with intention: seasonal strawberry baking and a wood-fired farm lunch at Hundred Petal Farm, a day of culinary discovery with food writer Rosa Jackson, a morning at a Provençal village market, and a sweet introduction to the region’s beloved nougat.

Between candlelit dinners, a treasure hunt through a village brocante, and slow afternoons in the Provençal sun, this retreat invites you to savor the rhythms of southern France and deepen your baking craft in truly unforgettable surroundings.

Accommodations are provided at two exceptional properties: Le Mas Candille, an elegant estate in the hills above Cannes, and Crillon le Brave, a five-star hotel set within a cluster of restored stone houses at the pinnacle of a hilltop village in the heart of Provence. We’re thrilled to bring our bakers to Crillon le Brave from our Paris partner Maisons Pariente, the family behind Le Grand Mazarin. Just unveiled in 2026, its newest addition, Maison Tilleul, is a beautiful shared kitchen created for cooking classes and gatherings, and an inspiring setting for our final days in Provence.

This retreat is limited to 16 bakers and is designed for those who love baking, beauty, and thoughtful travel.

Le Mas Candille

Set among pine and olive trees just a short stroll from the medieval village of Mougins, Le Mas Candille is a restored 18th-century Provençal estate with views across the hills toward the pre-Alps. Recently reimagined by architect Hugo Toro, the hotel pairs Provençal charm with a warm, contemporary elegance, and its gardens, pools, and spa offer the perfect retreat between our days of baking and discovery.

Crillon le Brave

Perched at the pinnacle of a tiny hilltop village in the Vaucluse, Crillon le Brave is a five-star hideaway from the Maisons Pariente collection, the family behind Le Grand Mazarin in Paris. Made up of honey-hued 17th- and 18th-century stone houses connected by winding cobbled lanes, the hotel recently unveiled Maison Tilleul, a new house devoted to cooking classes and culinary retreats, where our Provençal baking workshop will take place. Rooms are filled with antiques and time-worn treasures, and the heated pools, newly redesigned spa, and terrace of La Table du Ventoux all look out over vineyards and Mont Ventoux.

Guests should plan to arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) on Wednesday, May 26, when the retreat begins. NCE offers daily nonstop flights from several U.S. cities, and private transportation will take you from the airport to Le Mas Candille, about 35 minutes away.

On Wednesday, June 2, guests may choose from three departure options from Crillon le Brave:

• Option 1: Transportation to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS)
  MRS is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Crillon le Brave. There are no nonstop flights from Marseille to the U.S. on June 2, so guests flying home from MRS will connect through Paris or another European hub, such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, or London.

• Option 2: Transportation to Avignon TGV train station
  Avignon TGV is about 35 to 50 minutes from Crillon le Brave. High-speed trains run directly to Paris Gare de Lyon and to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (about 3 hours), making this a great option for guests continuing on to Paris or flying home from CDG.

• Option 3: Group transportation to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)
  Group transportation will depart Crillon le Brave on the morning of June 2 for Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Since the drive takes about 3 hours, please plan to book a return flight departing that afternoon. Exact departure and arrival times will be shared closer to the retreat. NCE offers nonstop service to New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, though some of these flights depart in the morning, so be sure to confirm your flight time when booking.

Please let us know which option you’ll choose by March 1, 2027 so we can arrange transportation.

The Bake from Scratch team is at your disposal to help you navigate travel. Email events@bakefromscratch.com for assistance.

• A 50% deposit is due within 48 hours of confirmation, along with signed travel waiver and cancellation policy acknowledgment

• The remaining 50% balance is due December 15, 2026

• Bookings made after December 15, 2026 require payment in full at the time of booking

• Payments accepted: ACH direct deposit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club, and Union Pay

• All prices are listed in U.S. dollars

• 7 nights in luxury accommodations (4 nights at Le Mas Candille, 3 nights at Crillon le Brave)

• Daily breakfast

• Welcome wine reception at Le Mas Candille

• Hands-on strawberry baking class and wood-fired farm lunch with Makenna Held at Hundred Petal Farm

• Culinary and cultural exploration with Rosa Jackson

• Multi-course wine dinner at Detour Restaurant & Wine Bar

• Apéro dînatoire at La Pitchoune, Julia Child’s beloved Provençal home, hosted by Makenna Held

• Optional apprentice perfumer workshop at Fragonard

• Visit to a village brocante and group lunch.

• Morning at the Bédoin Provençal market

• Hands-on Provençal baking workshop and lunch at Crillon le Brave

• Optional guided foraging walk

• Provençal nougat experience in Saint-Didier

• Private group transportation to all scheduled retreat activities

• Private arrival transfers from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) and departure transfers to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), Avignon TGV station, or group transportation to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)

• One-year Bake from Scratch or other Hoffman Media subscription of your choosing

• Gift bag with curated favorites

• Airfare to and from France

• Some meals

What's Included: Non-Baking Guests

• 7 nights in luxury accommodations (4 nights at Le Mas Candille, 3 nights at Crillon le Brave)

• Daily breakfast

• Welcome wine reception at Le Mas Candille

• Culinary and cultural exploration with Rosa Jackson

• Multi-course wine dinner at Detour Restaurant & Wine Bar

• Apéro dînatoire at La Pitchoune, Julia Child’s beloved Provençal home, hosted by Makenna Held

• Visit to a village brocante and group lunch.

• Optional apprentice perfumer workshop at Fragonard

• Morning at the Bédoin Provençal market

• Private arrival transfers from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) and departure transfers to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), Avignon TGV station, or group transportation to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)

What's Not Included: Non-Baking Guests

• Airfare to and from France

• Some meals

• Baking classes, workshops, and some activities

• One-year Bake from Scratch subscription

• Gift bag with curated favorites

Trip Cancellation & Travel Risk Policy

All bookings for this retreat are final and nonrefundable under all circumstances. For this reason, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, interruption, illness, and other unexpected events. You agree that you will not initiate a chargeback or payment dispute for amounts properly charged in accordance with this policy.

If you choose not to purchase travel insurance, you understand and agree that you are responsible for all costs or losses related to trip interruptions.

Changes, Cancellations & Unforeseen Events

This retreat requires a minimum of 16 participants to proceed. If fewer than 16 guests have registered by two months prior to the retreat's start date, we reserve the right to cancel the retreat. We will email all registered participants to confirm once the minimum has been met. If we cancel due to low enrollment, we will refund all payments made.

If we must cancel the retreat for any other reason beyond our control, our liability is limited to a refund of amounts paid or a credit toward a future retreat, at our discretion. In all cancellation scenarios, we are not responsible for additional expenses incurred by participants, including airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.

We are also not responsible for expenses related to travel delays, cancellations, illness, injury, or other events beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, government actions, and airline or transportation issues.

Health & Travel Risks

Travel involves inherent risks, including the risk of exposure to communicable illnesses. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge these risks and agree to assume responsibility for your own health and safety during the trip.

If you become ill during the retreat, particularly with a suspected or confirmed contagious condition, the group leaders may require you to modify or end your participation if they reasonably believe your presence poses a health or safety risk to other participants. In such cases, no refund or credit will be provided.

Program Changes

Due to circumstances beyond our control, certain activities, instructors, services, or amenities may be modified, substituted, or unavailable. Such changes do not constitute grounds for a refund, but we will work tirelessly to make sure you have the best experience possible.

Acknowledgment

By booking this retreat, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to this Trip Cancellation & Travel Risk Policy.

Do single travelers attend your retreats?

We always have single travelers on our retreats, and many make plans in advance for dinners and free time. We will connect you with all travelers ahead of the retreat via WhatsApp.

What airport should I fly into?

You’ll fly into Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), with private transportation provided to Le Mas Candille. For departure, guests may choose transportation to Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), Avignon TGV station, or our group transportation to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), about a 3-hour drive from Crillon le Brave. We recommend booking afternoon flights if departing from Nice. See "Travel To and From the South of France" for details.

Is breakfast included?

Yes, daily breakfast is included.

Are the baking classes hands-on?

Yes, all baking sessions are fully hands-on.

Are children allowed?

All participants must be 18 years or older.

What should I wear?

Smart casual attire is recommended. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

Is this retreat suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! Retreats are designed for passionate home bakers of all skill levels.

Will we have free time?

Yes. Leisure time is thoughtfully built into the itinerary.

Can I extend my stay?

Email events@bakefromscratch.com if you’d like to extend your hotel stay before or after the retreat.