The environment you enjoy food and drink has a profound impact on how much you enjoy it. Think about how much nicer seafood tastes if you eat it overlooking the ocean, or how a glass of wine feels that extra bit special if you’re in the region it comes from. Where we eat or drink something is almost as important as what we’re eating or drinking – which is exactly why culinary retreats are becoming more popular each year.

Château de Jalesnes, nestled within the idyllic countryside of the Loire Valley in central France, offers just such a retreat. But these retreats are something truly special. Intimate, bespoke and with serious remember-it-for-life itineraries, the château is launching a quartet of occasions throughout 2026 hosted by truly legendary chefs and culinary specialists.

Each retreat spans four days, with small, intimate groups of guests in attendance to allow for true interaction with the hosts. Being in the heart of the Loire Valley means a slower, more relaxed pace of life – and the retreats embrace that approach to the fullest. There’s no strict itinerary or intense cooking courses to power through; instead, there are informal demonstrations, visits to local vineyards, markets and producers and plenty of time to relax. Guests can get as involved as they like, talking to the hosts and getting involved with the cooking, or simply observe and enjoy seeing true culinary masters in action.

A chef who truly needs no introduction, Marco was the youngest chef ever to win three Michelin stars and is responsible for transforming the British food scene. His culinary skills are unmatched, and his stories and tales from working at the upper echelons of fine dining are fascinating.

From the Franche-Comté region of France, Daniel has won Michelin stars at a slew of restaurants throughout his career and his knowledge of classical French cookery is encyclopaedic. A natural teacher and storyteller, he’s also written several cookbooks and knows how to turn even the simplest of ingredients into something showstopping.

A chef who truly encompasses everything brilliant about fine dining, Alex runs his eponymous two-Michelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Café Royal in London. A master of intricate, deeply complex classical cookery, his signature style has set the bar with this type of almost alchemical cooking.

A very familiar face on TV screens, Matt is a national treasure and a fantastic host. His skill in the kitchen and knowledge around food is not to be underestimated, however. Before his TV career he ran an award-winning restaurant and trained under some of the greatest chefs in the UK (including one Marco Pierre White).

Each retreat is a bespoke experience with its own itinerary, but guests can always expect the following:

All this and more within the grounds of France’s most stunning château – these are some very special occasions for those who truly love gastronomy.

Options available for single guests to groups of 4+ travelling together. For more information and to book visit chateaudejalesnes.com/culinary-retreats.