Get a glimpse into some of the very special moments from past retreats here: https://chefjacquypfeiffer.com/experiences/past-retreats/

Your European adventure begins! Travel to the Alsace region and look forward to settling into the rhythm of French life, surrounded by beautiful scenery, charming villages, and wonderful food.

Morning | Arrive & Settle In

Welcome to the cottage! Take a leisurely morning to unpack, unwind, and make yourself at home. Enjoy a relaxed start to the day as you settle into the peaceful surroundings of the village of Furdenheim and begin soaking up the charm of the Alsace region.

6:00–10:00 PM | Welcome to Alsace 

This evening, we’ll gather for a warm and festive welcome to our culinary retreat. Enjoy a Amer Picon, a local aperitif or a glass of Crémant d’Alsace as we introduce the region, explore the inspiration behind our culinary atelier workshops, and share a glimpse of the experiences ahead.

We’ll then sit down to a traditional Alsatian choucroute dinner, accompanied by regional Alsatian wines followed by a traditional dessert created by Chef Jacquy. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know one another, savor the flavors of the region, and begin our culinary adventure together.

A Leisurely Morning:  Ease into the day with a delicious breakfast at the cottage. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, savor a cup of as coffee or tea, and take your time settling into the relaxed rhythm of our culinary retreat.

Culinary Atelier | Alsatian Baking & Pastry:  We’ll head into the kitchen for our first hands-on workshop, exploring the rich baking traditions of Alsace. Together, we’ll prepare a wonderful assortment of regional specialties and foundational pastry components, including kougelhopf and brioche doughs, streusel, Bienenstich, almond cream, Alsatian cinnamon rolls, pâte brisée, pastry cream, and dark chocolate sponge. There will be plenty of opportunities to practice techniques, share techniques, and enjoy the pleasures of baking together.

Lunch at the Cottage | A Taste of the Region:  Take a break from the kitchen and enjoy a traditional Alsatian dish, accompanied by local cheeses, regional beer, and wine. It’s a lovely opportunity to savor the flavors of the region and recharge before the afternoon.

An Afternoon at Leisure:  The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Return to the cottage for some well-deserved downtime, enjoy the whirlpool or sauna, go for a walk in the countryside , or find a quiet spot to relax and soak up the beauty of your surroundings.

Evening | Traditional Tarte Flambée Dinner:  As evening approaches, we’ll gather again for a favorite Alsatian tradition: tarte flambée. Roll up your sleeves as we prepare this classic regional flatbread from scratch, using only traditional ingredients -organic sour cream, bacon and onions and time-honored techniques. The highlight of the evening is baking our creations in a wood-fired oven, bringing out the wonderfully crisp crust and delicious flavors.

We’ll sit down together to enjoy our freshly baked tarte flambée, paired with regional Alsatian wines and beer. End the meal with a sweet tarte flambée version made with seasonal apples and flambeed with calvados liquor! Enjoy a relaxed, convivial evening filled with good food, shared stories, and the simple pleasure of cooking and dining together.

Morning: A Cozy Cottage Breakfast
Ease into the morning with a delicious breakfast at the cottage, featuring freshly baked kougelhopf and sourdough bread. Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before gathering for another inspiring morning in the kitchen.

Culinary Atelier | Alsatian & French Baking Traditions
Step into the kitchen for a delightful day of baking and hands-on practice. Together, we’ll explore a wonderful collection of sweet and savory favorites, including brioche, bienenstich, classic quiche Lorraine and a vegetarian quiche, and plum tart. We’ll prepare pâte sablée, make a flavorful cherry filling, and begin assembling a beautiful Black Forest cake.

Lunch: A Taste of the Kitchen
Take a well-deserved break and enjoy the fruits of our morning’s work. We’ll gather around the table for freshly baked quiches, local cheeses, and plum tarts, accompanied by regional beers and wines. It’s a lovely opportunity to savor the flavors of Alsace and share stories from our time in the kitchen.

Afternoon: Time to Unwind
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the cottage. Take a little time for yourself, soak in the peaceful surroundings, or simply put your feet up and recharge before our evening adventure.

Evening: Discover the Magic of Strasbourg
Let’s head to Strasbourg for a memorable evening filled with history, festive charm, and holiday magic! We’ll explore the city’s beautiful sights, including the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, before wandering through the famous Strasbourg Christmas Market, whose history dates back to 1570. Stroll among the twinkling lights, browse the charming stalls, and soak up the festive atmosphere of one of France’s most beloved Christmas traditions. We’ll round out the evening with dinner at the market, enjoying local specialties and the unmistakable magic of Christmas in Alsace.

Morning: A Sweet Start to the Day
Ease into the morning with a lovely breakfast at the cottage, featuring freshly baked Bienenstich and brioche. Enjoy a leisurely start before we gather in the kitchen for another day of practice.

Culinary Atelier | From Traditional Tarts to Holiday Classics
Today’s workshop brings together a wonderful mix of savory baking and festive French pastry. We’ll prepare linzer tart batter, make a traditional onion tart, and work on the dough and filling for a savory meat pie. We’ll also return to our Black Forest cake to add its finishing touches. To round out our baking day, we’ll prepare a classic bûche de Noël, the beloved French Yule log, a festive centerpiece for the holiday season.

Lunch: Fresh from the Kitchen
We’ll gather around the table to enjoy the fruits of our morning’s work, sharing a delicious onion tart, fresh salads, and our beautifully finished Black Forest cake. Local beers and wines will be available to complement the meal.

Afternoon: A Little Time to Recharge
After lunch, return to the cottage for a peaceful afternoon at your own pace. Rest, unwind, and enjoy the quiet charm of the surroundings before we head out for an evening of Alsatian holiday traditions.

Evening | Gingerbread Traditions & Obernai’s Christmas Market
Our evening begins in the charming village of Gertwiller, where we’ll visit Maison Lips and its wonderful world of pain d’épices—traditional Alsatian gingerbread. We’ll explore the Gingerbread Museum and discover the history, craftsmanship, and sweet traditions behind this beloved regional specialty. 

Enjoy a leisurely walk to the renowned Maison Zeyssolff wine caves to learn about the region’s winemaking heritage and enjoy a tasting of their wines.

From there, we’ll make our way to the picturesque village of Obernai to wander through its enchanting Christmas market. Enjoy the festive lights, browse the seasonal stalls, and soak up the warmth and charm of the Alsatian holiday season. We’ll finish the evening with a delicious meal in the village.

Morning: A Cozy Cottage Breakfast
Begin the morning with a relaxed breakfast at the cottage, featuring delicious brioche streusel, freshly baked and ready to enjoy. Take your time, savor a cup of coffee or tea, and ease into another wonderful day of baking and exploring Alsace.  

Culinary Atelier | The Flavors of an Alsatian Christmas
Today, we’ll celebrate the season through some of Alsace’s most cherished holiday baking traditions. We’ll prepare a festive Stollen, work with tart dough, and bake our savory meat pie to golden perfection. We’ll also discover berawecke, a traditional Alsatian dried-fruit bread, and fill the kitchen with the wonderful aromas of assorted Alsatian Christmas cookies. 

Lunch: A Taste of Our Morning’s Work
Gather around the table to enjoy our freshly baked meat pie served with a crisp salad, followed by a slice (or two) of Linzer tart for dessert. Local beers and wines will be available to complement the meal. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy the fruits of our labor, and share a little conversation before the afternoon ahead.

Afternoon: Time to Rest & Recharge
Return to the cottage for a peaceful afternoon at your own pace. Relax, enjoy the surroundings, or simply take a little time to yourself before we head out for a special evening celebrating the flavors and festive traditions of Alsace.

Evening: Christmas Market Magic, Alsatian Wine & a Memorable Dinner
We’ll begin our evening at the charming village of Willgottheim and its Christmas market, where festive decorations, seasonal treats, and the warmth of local holiday traditions create a delightful atmosphere.

Then, we’ll enjoy a special visit to Marlenheim, Chef Jacquy’s native village, for a wine tasting at Fritsch Vineyards. It’s a wonderful opportunity to discover the wines of the region and experience a place that holds special meaning for him.

To complete the evening, we’ll sit down to an exceptional dinner at L’Hostellerie du Cerf, the celebrated Michelin-starred restaurant. With wonderful food, regional wines, and good company, it promises to be a memorable evening celebrating the very best of Alsatian hospitality.

Morning at the Cottage
Begin the morning with a leisurely breakfast at the cottage, featuring traditional stollen and a warm cup of coffee or tea.

Culinary Atelier

Spend the morning in the kitchen preparing a wonderful assortment of Alsatian holiday specialties. Make traditional pretzels, put the finishing touches on our festive Yule log cake, bake berawecka, prepare the fromage blanc mixture, and package bredele holiday cookies to take home or share.

Lunch at the Cottage
Gather around the table to enjoy freshly baked pretzel and Mauricette sandwiches, a crisp salad, tarte au fromage blanc (Alsatian cheesecake), and a delicious slice of our homemade Yule log cake for dessert.

A Relaxing Afternoon
Return to the cottage for a restful afternoon. Take time to unwind, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, or simply relax before our evening outing.

Evening Excursion: Brasserie Meteor & Dinner
This evening, we’ll visit Brasserie Meteor, one of France’s renowned independent breweries, with a brewing history dating back to 1640. Enjoy a guided tour and tasting as we discover the traditions behind this historic Alsatian brewery. We’ll then continue to L’Oie Gourmande in Willgottheim for a lovely dinner, savoring local flavors and sharing the day’s experiences around the table.

Morning at the Cottage
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the cottage featuring freshly baked pretzels before we set off for a day of exploring the beautiful Alsace region.

A Visit to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Today, we’ll take a break from baking and step back in time with a visit to the magnificent Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle. This remarkable fortress is said to have inspired the design of Minas Tirith, the great citadel in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Perched high above the Alsatian countryside, the castle offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s rich history, along with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore a different side of Alsace and enjoy a little adventure beyond the kitchen.

Lunch & Holiday Stroll in Colmar
We’ll make our way to the charming town of Colmar for lunch, followed by time to wander its picturesque streets, admire the colorful half-timbered houses, and explore the festive holiday market. Enjoy the seasonal decorations, browse the stalls, and soak up the magic of Christmas in Alsace.

Evening in Eguisheim
As the day winds down, we’ll visit the enchanting medieval village of Eguisheim, known for its winding lanes, beautiful architecture, and festive atmosphere. We’ll finish the day with dinner in the village, enjoying delicious local flavors and a cozy evening together in the heart of Alsace.

Guests are picked up from the cottage and transported to the Entzheim Airport or Strasbourg Train station. 

Breakfast

• Alsatian Kougelhopf

• Pretzels

• Brioche crumble

• Christmas Stollen

• Chinois brioche

Traditional Christmas

• Beraweke Fruit cake

• Holiday cookies Bredele (swove, spritz, four de lin, couronnes beurre, couronnes chocolat)

• Gingerbread loaf

Desserts

• Tarte au fromage

• Linzer tart

• Black forest cake

• Holiday Yule log 

• Bee sting brioche

Savory

• Quiche a la biere

• Quiche lorraine

• Tarte flambee flatbread

• Tarte a l’onion

• Savory kougelhopf     

• Warm Alsatian meat pie

MORNING

Mornings begin with café au lait, buttery croissants, and brioche before we step into the kitchen alongside Chef Jacquy. Each session celebrates the flavors of Alsace, exploring both sweet and savory classics while building essential techniques and creating timeless regional specialties.

• Personalized access to Chef Jacquy in his native Alsatian region, where his passion for French pastry and tradition began 

• An intimate group of just 8 guests, allowing for meaningful connection and individualized instruction 

• Hands-on mastery of recipes inspired by The Art of French Pastry, with guidance from a true master of the craft 

• An exclusive preview of Chef Jacquy’s newest work, The Art of French Tarts 

• A rare cultural immersion into the traditions of French pastry, festive holiday markets, and the seasonal rhythms of Alsace 

• A truly authentic setting that celebrates heritage, craftsmanship, and the magic of the holiday season

Photography credit: Paul Strabbing Photography