Cookery courses in France © Pille@flickr CC-BY
There are some great ideas for working holidays in France. This gives people the opportunity of improving their French and finding out more about the country in a really nice way. In the past both my son and my daughter spent some time in France working for different people and they thoroughly enjoyed their experiences. They loved the work they were involved in as well as the good food they were offered during their stay by the people they worked for and they met many young people of their own ages. They certainly improved their French and now love travelling back to France for summer holidays with the family or under their own steam.
Young people these days can find a multitude of jobs in France both during the winter and summer months and they range from chalet work right through to cooking jobs in family homes or established restaurants and hotels.
But if you are looking for a working holiday which caters for older people, then there are some fantastic options which are both educational and great fun. A good friend of mine enrolled into a cookery course which was organised in the Dordogne. She spent two wonderful weeks in a gorgeous location learning about la cuisine du Périgord. The course was very thorough and the best part was all the food that was cooked during the day was served up as evening meals to all the people who had prepared the sumptuous courses. She learnt a great deal and had a really good time doing the cookery course and now has great knowledge of French cuisine and makes some of the best desserts I have ever tasted.
French Wine Adventures © Filtran@flickr CC-BY
Another wonderful working holiday option in France is to get in touch with one of the many vineyards who organize practical hands on experiences. These are often called French Wine Adventures, which I think is a very apt name for this type of educational holiday. These courses are organized in some of the most beautiful regions of France. The locations are superb and often the houses and chateaux are extraordinarily beautiful. The wonderful thing about French Wine Adventure holidays is that you can opt for a day course or a longer one if you want to really get to grips with how wine is produced in France. You are certain to come away with a good deal more knowledge of French wines no matter which region you choose to visit for your adventure.
French pottery © Walt Hubis@flickr CC-BY
If you are planning a trip down to the south of France then you will find some great pottery making courses in the region. Mediterranean pottery is known the world over and I adore the bright colours of the gorgeous traditional bowls and crockery that is produced here. There are a multitude of ‘ateliers’ in Provence who open their doors to people who would like to learn the secrets of how this lovely ceramic pottery is made. The courses are held in some of the most beautiful villages in Provence so not only do you learn about this lovely tradition but you get to visit areas of outstanding beauty.