toulouse with erin mcdowell
May 23 -29, 2026
Experience an enchanting week of pastry mastery with renowned baker, Erin McDowell. Immerse yourself in the beauty of southwest France for a butter-scented and relentlessly tasty week of wonder!
may 23 - 29, 2026
7 Days, 6 nights
From $4,800 USD
Erin McDowell returns for her third visit to the charming Southwest of France! Join us as we indulge in an array of natural wines and exquisite local cheeses, immersing ourselves in the divine trio of pastry essentials—butter, flour, and sugar. We’ll venture on a day trip to the enchanting city of Toulouse, culminating our week with a culinary experience at one of our favorite restaurants. Between daily chef-prepared meals and meeting your new best friends, this will be a life-changing experience you’ll never forget.
What will you do?
Erin McDowell is a standout in the baking world, and we're thrilled to announce a THIRD week of culinary exploration in Toulouse with this visionary baker in May 2026! Known as the Queen of the Sturdy Pie, Erin’s expertise will be shared through her supportive and engaging teaching style, earning her well-deserved acclaim among baking enthusiasts.
Together, we will savor the delights of her creations while enjoying some of France’s finest natural wines, all set within the enchanting and cozy ambiance of the 13th-century Château de Labusquière. This charming sanctuary, nestled in a tranquil corner of Gascony, is just a short drive to the west of Toulouse. With over 30 acres of stunning grounds, you can wander through the woods and fields or relax in the courtyard with the endearing resident peacock, Yopi, who has a penchant for pie dough.
Join us for a week of unforgettable experiences as we learn, explore, and indulge with Erin in this idyllic setting we proudly call our home away from home.
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While we hope everyone will participate, all experiences are optional! Please feel free to take time for yourself whenever you like.
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Rêverie has carefully selected activities and experiences that we believe represent the best of the region and our own expertise, aiming to provide an optimal experience for the participants.
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Eating and drinking are communal! You’ll have the opportunity to cook food, taste wines and learn from experienced teachers. We can’t wait to welcome you for our workshops!
YOUR guest host
Get to know:
Erin McDowell
Erin Jeanne McDowell fell in love with baking at a young age growing up in rural Kansas. With a little sweet talking, she landed her first job in a bakery at 16 years old. She attended pastry school at The Culinary Institute of America, with the goal of someday being able to combine her love of food with her love of writing. She started in food media first as a food stylist, but soon was writing and developing recipes for outlets like New York Times Cooking, The Washington Post, Food52, Bon Appetit, and more. She found a deep passion for teaching baking, and started to appear in videos for Food Network, Nickelodeon, Netflix, and Food52, where she hosts the award-winning series Bake It Up a Notch. She has written three baking cookbooks: The Fearless Baker, Savory Baking, and The Book on Pie, which is a New York Times Bestseller.
YOUR ITINERARY
*Please note that changes to the itinerary may occur between now and your retreat start date*
DAY ONE
SATURDAY 5.23.26
Welcome to France! As you step into the vibrant city of Toulouse, the warmth of the sun embraces you, and the air is rich with the aroma of local cuisine. From the airport, you’ll begin your week with a star at a 4-star hotel in the center of the city where you can rest up from your travels and explore the city if you wish! Your stay at the Grand Hotel de l'Opéra promises a blend of modern comfort and historic charm, perfectly situated to explore the city’s culinary treasures. After unpacking, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own. Dinner on your first night is not included, but we’ll have plenty of suggestions of where to eat (or how to order in if you’re jetlag sleepy!). all while soaking in the lively atmosphere that Toulouse is known for. Your culinary adventure is just beginning!
DAY two
SUNDAY 5.24.26
After enjoying a French breakfast at the Hotel, our drivers will escort you to your dream home for the week - the Château de Labusquière. Our team will greet you and usher you to your rooms, and then the fun begins! Picture yourself enjoying a delicious lunch in the sun-drenched courtyard, sipping refreshing cocktails by the sparkling pool, snacking away in the cozy kitchen while learning to make macarons, and wrapping up the day with a grand dinner in the magnificent dining hall. Each moment is sprinkled with joy and flavor, making this an unforgettable day of culinary exploration!
DAY three
MONDAY 5.25.26
Monday means market day! Get ready for a delightful adventure! After indulging in a scrumptious breakfast spread, we’ll set off to the charming town of Samatan, where the vibrant colors and enticing aromas of fresh local fruits and artisanal cheeses await. Once we’ve gathered our treasures, we'll return to the château for a leisurely lunch. Take your time and savor the flavors—you deserve it! The afternoon is yours to relax, and then we have a guided natural wine tasting lined up with our knowledgeable beverage guru, Esmé Curran. As the sun sets, we’ll gather at the dinner table for yet another sensational meal prepared by our stellar team of chefs. Food, fun, and fabulous moments await—let’s make this Monday one for the books!
DAY four
If we’ve played our cards right, the Château is already feeling like your second home, and today is all about embracing that cozy vibe! Erin, our baking guru, will be your guide as we tackle the challenge of perfect puff pastry. Sure, it sounds a bit daunting, but with Erin’s expert techniques and infectious enthusiasm, you’ll leave feeling like a pastry pro, ready to impress your friends back home. As you knead and fold your way to pastry perfection, don’t forget to take breaks! Dive into the refreshing pool, wander through the enchanting woods, or see what delights await in the fruit trees peppering the grounds of the Château de Labusquière. Trust us, you’ll fall head over heels for this magical spot just like we did! To top off the day, prepare for an unforgettable finale with our traditional Rêverie grill party – a blast where you can let your hair down and play hard. It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!
tuesday 5.26.26
DAY five
wednesday 5.27.26
This is our official Big Day Out in the great, beautiful city of Toulouse! After breakfast, we’ll load up in the vans and head into one of our favorite cities in France. In Toulouse, known as “la ville rose”, you will be able to wander as you like with our guide that we’ve loaded up with some of our favorite stops. There are so many historic, culinary, and cultural joys to find in Toulouse - it’s quite the city to discover. After you’ll had the day to wander the streets, we’ll head back to the château in time for cocktail hour and a final château dinner. But don’t worry - it’s not over yet!
DAY six
thursday 5.28.26
On our final day together, Erin is excited to lead a brioche workshop where you will discover the art of crafting classic brioche doughs and explore the endless possibilities they offer. Prepare to be enchanted by Erin’s signature fruit-topped buns, as she guides you through the entire process from A to Z! After a peaceful day spent at the château, we’ll cap off our adventure with dinner at the beloved local gem, La Maison Despouès. Indulge in a sumptuous final meal accompanied by breathtaking views that will make this experience truly unforgettable. Can you say “Oh la la?” *They really do say that.
DAY SEVEN
FRIDAY 5.29.26
Today, we depart from our chateau home and we soak up every last breath of the wide open air of the Gers region. Breakfast will be served and we will say our goodbyes as the vans arrive to shuttle us all away from Labusquière and toward the airport so we can all make our way to our next destinations. Bon voyage!
WORKSHOPS
French technique serves as the magical stepping stone for anyone eager to dive into the world of classic baking and pastry skills. Join us at our cozy, love-filled retreat in Toulouse, where the enchanting Erin Jeanne McDowell will guide you on this delicious journey. Picture yourself in the cutest French country kitchen, surrounded by the tantalizing aroma of fresh pastries, ready to unleash your creativity.
Our workshop spaces buzz with excitement as guests are encouraged to jump right in—watch captivating demos, roll up your sleeves, and let your inner baker shine! With Erin’s fun and bubbly teaching style, each session becomes a delightful adventure, ensuring that your time here will be nothing short of unforgettable. Get ready to mix, bake, and laugh your way through this scrumptious week filled with learning and camaraderie!
WORKSHOPS
Brioche - from start to finish, ingredient education to baking methods, shaping to fillings, Erin will take you there!
Puff Pastry - the mystery of laminated dough broken wide open for you! The nuances, the habits, the infinite possibilities of pastries that you can make with this one dough is like getting the keys to the kingdom
Macaron - dare we tempt the humidity gods of summer by making macarons!? We sure do! Erin will take you through the steps of making this beautiful and delicate cookie and you will be invincible!
* To preserve the shared culinary experience we strive to create, we’re happy to accommodate vegetarians, pescatarians, and allergies. However, we are unable to tailor meals for additional dietary preferences or restrictions. If you have specific questions about your needs, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to chat
EXPLORE
We can’t wait to show you around! There will be a trip to the Monday market in nearby Samatan for sourcing local, seasonal produce. Then, a stroll around the gorgeous plazas and old streets of Toulouse, one of France’s largest cities. We will have so many great moments at the chateau as well - from long languorous dinners in the courtyard with Yopi and the moonlight, to outdoor cooking parties (protein technique!) by the pool, to pâté and saucisson and gougère filled apéro hours. It’s made with love, we promise you that!
OUTINGS
Shopping at the open-air market in Samatan
Explore the beautiful city of Toulouse and the incredible Victor Hugo Market
Group dinner at La Maison Despouès
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Everything! Well, everything except for your big ride across the ocean to the chateau’s nearest airport. But once you arrive, we got you.
Transfers to and from the Toulouse Blagnac airport.
One night stay at the 4-star Grand Hotel de l’Opéra in Toulouse with breakfast included
Please note that dinner on your first night is not included - you can eat dinner at the hotel restaurant, or we’re happy to help you choose a place to eat in the city!
Workshops with Erin McDowell and all associated materials
Recipes galore!
Chef-prepared meals at the château for breakfast, lunch and dinner
All wine and beverages, unless you wanna have your own after hours party ;)
Dinner out on the final night at La Maison Despouès
Private coach transportation while on retreat
All scheduled outings and events during our week
Château lodging, naturally
GETTING HERE
Airplane
Several planes fly direct to Toulouse Blagnac airport (TLS) every day from Paris and other cities around Europe. We will arrange for an airport pickup on May 23rd at 3:00 p.m. for a transfer to your hotel. If you arrive before or after the scheduled pickup, the airport is a short 20-25 minute drive from the city and you can easily catch a taxi to the Grand Hotel de l’Opéra. On May 29th, our drivers will drop you off at the airport at 11:00 am. All you have to do is get to Toulouse and we’ll take it from there!
*If you choose to leave earlier than the schedule departure on the last day, we would be happy to help you arrange for a private driver for an additional fee.
*Cost of airfare to the Toulouse Blagnac airport is not included in the cost of your reservation. Please let us know if we can offer any support or guidance with your travel plans - we’re happy to help!
Car
If you’re the seasoned-traveler type and you’d enjoy having your own transportation, then please - rent a car in Paris and drive down! Have a stopover in the region of Dordogne for a foie gras tartine and make a pitstop for the wild view of the old cliffside city in Rocamadour. You could then keep your car for the week and choose your own destiny, or drop off at the Toulouse airport on the first day of the retreat and we’ll come grab you.
Train
Trains are another option for those who feel comfortable traveling around on their own! Please note that if you take the train to the Toulouse Matabiau train station, you will need to take a taxi to the Tououse Blagnac airport (20 minute drive) for our scheduled pickup time.
Travel Reservation
If you would like guidance with booking your travel to the Chateau, please reach out.
We are here to help make this part easy and smooth.
If you would like to extend your stay in France, we are delighted to partner with The French Travel, a locally owned and operated trip designer based in Paris. They are true experts who will help you perfectly plan your before and/or after Rêverie experience. Check them out for more info!
Our friends at Coucou French Classes offer some incredible online French language classes - whether you’re looking to brush up on your high school French or looking to learn a few phrases to feel more comfortable with travel, Coucou French Classes is the way! Check out their website for more information.