"It was awesome! You make it feel personal and I have learnt so much. I will be back. This is an amazing place. Keep it up!"
Jason Orr - Queenstown, New Zealand

At Le Calabash we offer transport between, le Relais 'Manor House', les Frippieres, and Le Calabash Petit Conservatoire de la Cuisine as well as transport for all your course visits to wineries and scheduled activities. Should you want to splash out and experience something to add to your experience, we can arrange for a classic car to be waiting for you at the Airport, Station or at the accommodation. See www.sterlingdays.co.uk for more information.

Relais 'Manor House'

Pasted Graphic 4

Pasted Graphic
Relais 'Manor House' is a Charming 18th Century Coach Inn, just 3 minutes from Le Calabash that has been renovated to the most modern standards of comfort to provide one of the regions finest hotels. However the owners have ensured it has retained its charm and character.

Set in the small tranquil French village of Yzeures sur Creuse on the river Creuse in the Loire Valley it overlooks the village square and church, which includes a 15th century shrine and the Museum of ‘Mado Robin,’ France’s famous Opera Soprano as this is where she was born.

The beamed bedrooms are all of a superior standard and decorated in period style, with en suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, wifi and flat screen TV. The bar and lounge offer a comfortable area to relax with a Grand fireplace, or enjoy the calm of one of the two picturesque gardens with a glass of Loire wine. You also have one of the regions finest restaurants here, where you will also enjoy your breakfast.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you have a swimming pool, tennis court and you are provided with canoes to explore either the Creuse or la Gartempe Rivers, or discover the area by bicycle on the numerous cycle routes which are also provided.

DSC_0094DSC_0081Pasted Graphic 6

You may also indulge in a game of boules with the locals on the village square. The river is rich in Pike, Carp and Trout for those who enjoy fishing.
Here you are based in the ideal spot to explore the Chateaux, Wine lands, Medieval Cities of Loches, Tours, Chinon, Poitiers just to name a few where you can step back in time and walk in the footsteps of Joan of Arc, Richard The Lionheart, Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

You are on the doorsteps of the Brenne, famous for its bird life, lakes and endless walks.


Les Frippieres

Pasted Graphic 7

Pasted Graphic
Just 10 minutes away from the cookery school, Ken and Liz Mason the resident owners of three 350 year old stone cottages with beamed ceilings and terra cotta floors, set in an acre of award winning gardens nestling on the edge of a lovely hamlet surrounded by open fields in the heart of the Loire Valley. To maintain the tranquillity of the setting and to ensure total relaxation during your holiday with us we only accept adults.

Our local villages of Le Grand Pressigny and Preuilly sur Claise can provide you with all the usual French treats such as the Boulangerie for fresh breads and tarts to the Charcuterie and Boucherie for meats, both have weekly markets.

Pasted Graphic 1
Each cottage has its own private area of garden, the gardens include lawns, an orchard with plum, pear, apple, cherry and walnut trees and we also have a herb garden. We have tried to broaden the range of plants in the garden so that no matter what time of the year you chose to visit there will be plenty to look at. There are too many flowers and shrubs to mention but we do have many types of clematis, honeysuckle, rose, grape vines, jasmine, sweet pea, laveteria and lavender. If you enjoy home cooking, our herb garden provides you with parsley, basil, coriander, chive, dill, lemon balm, mint, tarragon, thyme, rosemary, bay and sage.

Pasted Graphic 3
Set in a quiet part of the gardens with views over open fields you will find our 10 x 4 metre heated swimming pool, for sun worshipers this part of the garden has sun from early morning until nearly sunset. Our aim is to help you to relax by providing you with quiet and romantic surroundings with excellent accommodation in this beautiful unspoilt part of the Loire Valley. All three cottages which still retain many of their original features and rustic charm, have been equipped to a very high standard and are lovingly and tastefully furnished.


"Fabulous food and great company. What a lovely way to holiday in France, so many ideas to take home and try. Thank you and we will be back"
Graham and Elizabeth Warby - Oxford, England