Taking a holiday for cooking classes in France or Italy often brings visions of Mas in Provence or a Villa in Tuscany.
There are of course many exceptions like Susan Hermann Loomis with On Rue Tatin in Normandy and Kate Hill of Gascon Kitchen in the Gers.
Provence and Tuscany might be the romantic take on a cooking vacation.
As for Mary Cadogan after making a name for herself thanks to BBC's Good Food, she relocated with her husband Mike to the rural part of Charentes and with her Tasting France program offers a combination of cooking classes with expeditions to local markets and visits to homegrown producers.
You will learn to pick and use what's in season.
Want to know more about what to expect read Short Break-Tasting France (Hub-UK).
If you like to take snapshots of food as well and want to make the most of your time off, you might try to follow your stay at Mary's with a 'digital photography holiday' at her friend's Roger Stowell close by in Vendee.
Here's a quick introduction (in their own words):
"Roger and Jenny Stowell have been running Camerahols since 2006. Camerahols aims to provide a relaxing holiday, with a strong emphasis on good food and wine, whilst helping you to improve your photographic skills.We cater for all levels of ability, from a novice who wants to understand their new camera, to an experienced photographer who wants to brush up on Photoshop skills or look at a particular area of photography in greater depth. Each course has a maximum of 4 people, ensuring individual attention."
With Roger, you will not just capture food with your camera, you will have a chance to taste it with lunch at a different spot every day and a 4 course dinner with wine at the Stowell's house each evening.
Foodies holidays off the over beaten path