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Guest Post: How to Practise Speaking French While Travelling: The Moment You Stop Just Visiting France
Discover how to practise speaking French while travelling in France and why immersion experiences can transform your confidence with the language.
16 hours ago8 min read


What Actually Happens During a French Immersion Retreat
Considering a French immersion retreat? Here's what a week of living and learning French at a Dordogne château looks like in practice, from market conversations to chef-prepared meals.
Mar 317 min read


Things to Do in the Dordogne: A Local's Guide to All Four Périgords
The Dordogne is divided into four historic regions, each named for a colour. Most travel content focuses exclusively on the Périgord Noir (the area around Sarlat). That's a mistake, because each Périgord has its own character and its own reasons to visit.
Mar 235 min read


What Is a Skillcation? (And Why French Immersion Is the Perfect One)
A skillcation combines vacation with skill mastery. Learn why French immersion at a Dordogne château is the perfect way to finally speak with confidence.
Jan 233 min read


What Are Bespoke Château Experiences? A Complete Guide to Custom Creative Retreats in France
What are bespoke château experiences? Fully customised creative retreats at Manor & Maker's Dordogne château with personalised excursions, cuisine, and accommodation for writers, artists, and makers.
Aug 9, 20257 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Creative Retreats in France
Discover the transformative power of creativity in a 500-year-old French château. Manor & Maker's Creative Adventures retreats in the Dordogne are designed for adults seeking creative renewal—no artistic experience required.
With just 8-10 participants and up to 6 dedicated facilitators, you'll explore visual arts, writing, photography, and culinary creativity in an intimate, supportive environment. Professional Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs create exceptional meals using loca
Jul 5, 202515 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Reading Retreats in France
Discover why France offers the perfect setting for literary escapes, and how to choose the ideal reading retreat for your next transformative vacation.
Jun 29, 20258 min read
Member Offer: Free month to move to Patreon
Bonjour all - Wix is becoming less and less viable to maintain for the membership, and we're finding the community is more engaged over...
Dec 17, 20241 min read


5 Gastronomic Specialties of the Perigord
The Périgord is the non-administrative region in which we live (think of it like the Lake District, or Okanagan, or Algonquin), and it's...
Sep 4, 20222 min read


TFW You Find Your People
Someone asked me at the Jubilee Party last week if I'd had trouble finding really good friends - as some say, your 'best mates' - as an immigrant to France. I explained that feeling - that 'being with your mates', the people that really get you - that's what we're building at Manor & Maker.
Jun 13, 20221 min read
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