Welcome to
La Creuzette
“These are the keys to paradise” were the welcoming words when Château de la Creuzette was handed over to hosts Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Hardy Olivier in 2001. This idyllic estate prospered over the years into an acclaimed and sought-after luxury holiday destination. A wide range of themed breakaways are on offer every year: rouse your inner artist, awaken the writer in you or become the chef you always wanted to be. Or join one of our experiences specially tailored for lifestyle enthusiasts and Francophiles.
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Experience La Creuzette with our
holiday packages
At La Creuzette, we offer a creative collection of exciting seasonal itineraries. These ever-evolving week-long courses are constructed with experts presenting hands-on, interactive classes and lifestyle experiences. Every holiday is carefully planned and built around guests’ expectations. Exquisite attention to detail makes each La Creuzette package a unique and stimulating event, often referred to by guests as life changing.
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Book a
Short Stay
We introduced short-stay visits to the La Creuzette itinerary by popular demand. Guests may visit La Creuzette as a tranquil getaway for a few days, add on extra days after their La Creuzette experience, or just stop over for an overnight stay en route to the south of France. These options are offered on a bed-and-breakfast basis, but can also be customised.
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Cooking, painting and lifestyle experience
Packages
A wonderful Autumn Cooking holiday at La Creuzette 15 Oct 2019 - 20 Oct 2019
At La Creuzette we take cooking seriously and we have built a healthy reputation for being a frontrunner on the culinary scene without disregarding the rich and valuable aspects of traditional French cuisine. We share our kitchen secrets with you and show you all the tricks of the trade: some molecular gastronomy, we take you to harvest saffron and show you how to cook with it and we teach you foolproof recipes that you will replicate with ease and confidence.
Botanical Art Course at La Creuzette: An Analysis of the Iris 10 May 2020 - 15 May 2020
In the springtime the countryside comes to life, the irises are in bloom and the fresh produce is abundant. Join Louis Jansen van Vuuren in the La Creuzette studio, where the varied creative explorations will focus on diverse interpretations of spring flowers in aquarelle, acrylic and pastel techniques. The guests that will not be painting will join Hardy in the summer kitchen and get a new appreciation for cooking according to the seasons.
A Potpourri of the Most Beautiful Summer Gardens of Central France 06 Jun 2020 - 12 Jun 2020
Spring has changed to summer and the glorious gardens are in fragrant bloom. Experience a magnificent overview of French traditional and contemporary botanical garden styles with Penny Dobbie. From the spectacular gardens of Courances just outside Paris to the world-renowned garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. Join us on this remarkable expedition.
Exploring French Garden Styles with Keith Kirsten and La Creuzette 15 Jun 2020 - 21 Jun 2020
Experience a magnificent overview of French garden styles with Keith Kirsten, the guru of gardening and world-renowned horticulturist. From the wonderful garden of Monet just outside Giverny, and the incredible gardens at Chateau de Courances to the world-renowned garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire. At La Creuzette we focus on the variety of garden styles of Central France and in the evenings we sit down at beautiful tables and enjoy delectable meals.
A Portrait Painting course and Bastille Celebrations at La Creuzette 12 Jul 2020 - 17 Jul 2020
Louis Jansen van Vuuren presents this creative approach to portrait painting. Explore an exciting range of new techniques in pastel, chalk, ink, and acrylics. Work in different formats and on a wide selection of substrates. We arranged a series of classical recitals performed by celebrated musicians and guest chefs will prepare some of the sumptuous dinners. On the evening of the 13th July, a seductive feast will take place in the shimmering park.
La Creuzette Summer Shopping Affair 25 Jul 2020 - 30 Jul 2020
Twice a year Paris goes on sale: Winter and in the Summer. La Creuzette chooses the July summer sale session to present our guests with the shopping time of their lives. Hardy Olivier and Louis Jansen van Vuuren will inspire and advise you on our stylish shopping sprees. Together we shall be exploring some of the best-kept shopping secrets in the City of Lights.
Summer Abundance: A Wine Master Tour 16 Aug 2020 - 21 Aug 2020
A gastronomical highpoint in the La Creuzette calendar features wine tastings in Sancerre, Chateaumeillant and in Saint Pourçain-sur-Sioule. Delectable dinners with excellent instruction on wine pairing and of course, cheese tasting. We share our kitchen secrets with you and show you all the tricks of the trade: some molecular gastronomy and we teach you foolproof recipes that you will replicate with ease and confidence.
A Special Tailormade Holiday at La Creuzette: Van Schalkwyk group 06 Sep 2020 - 11 Sep 2020
Autumn is here – the leaves have turned to ochre and gold and the French countryside is the place to be. La Creuzette becomes your luxury base from where we visit several castles, gardens, markets, etc. In the evenings we gather around beautifully set tables and feast on the abundance of good food, wine, and friendship.
Autumn Harvest. A French Culinary Dream 05 Oct 2020 - 10 Oct 2020
Autumn is here. The program starts with an exciting day in Paris visiting the Poilâne bakery for a bread-making session and Pierres Hermé for macaroon tastings. On our way to La Creuzette we visit the famous Rungis market where the world’s leading chefs, restaurants, and hotels shops for fresh French produce. At La Creuzette guest chefs join the group in the kitchen to celebrate the abundance that autumn has to offer.
Tickle your tastebuds with our
Food and dining offerings
Pull up a chair, unfold your napkin, take a bite and close your eyes: at La Creuzette we take the art of dining seriously. When you sit down at an imaginatively prepared table, you are in for a festive treat. The crockery, crystal and flatware are never used twice during your stay.
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Host your event at
La Creuzette
The magnificent park at La Creuzette is the perfect location for a festive celebration, be it a graceful wedding, a stylish cocktail party, an exquisite formal dinner or even a music concert! We have hosted a television promotion at La Creuzette and are delighted to accommodate any special events or launches.
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Explore the French countryside around
Boussac
Boussac is a small village in the Creuse area in central France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is often referred to as La France profonde – the authentic “deep” France where time seems to stand still and inhabitants routinely stop to say a friendly bonjour to passers-by. The village, with its stone houses on the banks of the Petit Creuse river, has been a tight-knit community since Roman times. Join us for unforgettable experience here in the French countryside with its booming markets and nearby historic cities and towns such as Aubusson, Limoges and Bourges.
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Take home your memories
Of La Creuzette
From time to time, we place some exceptional items in our virtual shop window: be it a set of embroidered antique French serviettes, a small pastel drawing, antique Limoges porcelain or bespoke ceramics and table cloths by Louis Jansen van Vuuren. You might even find a restored Aubusson tapestry cartoon.
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From Our
Blog
La Creuzette's Ode to Autumn
2018-11-05
A miracle in March
2018-03-09
Autumn Newsletter
2017-11-14
Special Bulletin: Maison et Objet Paris
2017-08-01
A Bulletin in June
2017-06-30
Spring at La Creuzette
2017-05-04
The glow of Hanukah and Christmas lights
2016-12-20
Autumn at La Creuzette
2016-11-18
From Our
Guestbook
Words just aren't enough. Every aspect of our week here exceeded expectation. We sincerely hope to be back before long. Thank you, thank you.
Sandra & Ray Crewe-Brown May 2016
Thank you for sharing your piece of paradise in Boussac with us. We saw unforgettable gardens and enjoyed delicious food served in exquisite settings.
Laurie & Rita Chiappini 27 June 2016
The home, the food, the gardens, the champagne and the best hosts. Incroyable!
Brenda Wainwright 17 June 2015
Dankie vir al die skoonheid, gasvryheid en bederf. Dit was heerlik.
Lynette Steele 30 May 2015
Wat ’n bederf-week volgepak met kos, wyn en plesier! Baie dankie!
Mof & Reinette Terreblanche 29 June 2014
In my lewe het ek nie so ervaring gedroom of verwag nie. Dankie vir prentjies wat my vir ewig sal inspireer en aan die gang sal hou.
Therese Benade 12 September 2014
Dankie vir liefde en omgee en magic en joy en “loads of laughter”.
Isabella Niehaus 12 September 2014
’n Ongelooflike ervaring wat ek altyd sal koester! Baie dankie vir hierdie wonderlike belewenis en al julle moeite en aandag aan detail!
Cecile Baard 27 July 2014
’n Aanhaling van Carl Sandberg: “Life is like poetry – and poetry is an echo asking a shadow to dance.”
Dit het julle met my reg gekry! Baie opregte dankie – ek dans!
Annatjie Van Coppenhagen 5 May 2013
Amazing house, food, company. Can’t wait to return!
Perelandra Wait 13 October 2013
Being at La Creuzette is pure luxury and a necessity for the soul. Hope to keep returning for the company and the learning!
Sheila Kaplan 19 September 2012
“Life is so startling, it leaves time for little else.” A quote certainly applicable to La Creuzette. Every sense catered for 24/7! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Penny Dobbie