BON VOYAGE!
The Walnut Grove Cookery School is looking forward to welcoming you to France! Below please find the contact and other pertinent information for your stay - including train schedules & driving directions.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any additional questions. I can be reached at the number or email address noted below.
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Have a wonderful trip!
Chef Eric
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Our Street Address
The Walnut Grove Cookery School
9 Allée de l'aire
53380
Saint Hilaire du Maine
Mayenne - France
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Getting Here
Whether you are taking a train from Paris or Driving to the Farm on your own, we highly recommend these helpful websites::
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If you are arriving by train from CDG Airport, you may find this link helpful.
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If you have not yet booked your train tickets and need to, we recommend this website. Gare Laval AKA Laval Station is the station nearest us.
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If you are driving from Paris, you may find this link helpful.
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If arriving by car, kindly note:
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The Walnut Grove is in the department of Mayenne, part of the Pays de la Loire. The property is situated between the village of Saint Hilaire du Maine and Ernée, on the D514 road. You drive through Saint Hilaire du Maine and it is 3km on the right hand side of the road. Follow the driveway down it is the 2nd house. Complimentary Guest parking is provided on site.
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Checkin / Arrival Times
For all guests, arrival time / check-in time is 5pm.
Please schedule yourselves accordingly. We are a small business, we may be organizing last minute details and unable to welcome you if you arrive before the designated check-in time.
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Check-out / Departure Times
For all guests, arrival / departure time is 10am.
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Chef Eric's Phone & Email Address
Mobile: + 33 6 95 52 72 36
(Phone Number (France’s Country Code is 33)
Contact Email (Eric Duvin) contact@thewalnutgrove.fr
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Our Website Address
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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What to Wear
As far as clothing is concerned, you will not be needing cocktail dresses and high-heel shoes, nor suit and ties. Additionally, although aprons are provided for the cooking sessions, you should be wearing comfortable clothes that you don’t mind staining (it happens!). Closed toed shoes are required when in the kitchen. In case of rain, your shoes might get muddy if we visit a farm, so choose your footwear accordingly. Lastly, for health & hygiene, persons with long hair will be asked to tie their hair back or up when we are working in the kitchen.
There is no real dress code for the evenings, people often freshen up a little before dinner, but because you are cooking and learning the presentation of the food there is no point being too dressed up.
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Coursework & Recipes
You will be given a folder with all the recipes, Most people do take some notes for themselves. So feel free to bring a pen/pencil and notebook of your liking with you on the first day of class. All recipes and course materials are printed in English. We invite you to view our sample itineraries and menus prior to arrival.
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Banking
Remember to bring your ATM bank card, as this is the best way to get Euros.
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