Parlez-vous Francais?

When the fear of foreign languages keeps you from planning a holiday in the real France, far from the usual tourist haunts, Les Mimosas in the South of France has all the answers - in French and English.

Accommodation is an elegantly-restored 19th-century guest house run by French-speaking New Zealanders, and on offer are five-day immersion courses in French wine and food, en famille style.

Owners, Sarah and Denis Touche, bought the house in the village of Roquebrun nine years ago and have written The Les Mimosas Cookbook.

Participants will visit local food and produce markets, butcheries, wineries, restaurants and cafes. A full programme for accompanying partners is also optionally available. Cook School dates for next year include March 31 to April 6; April 29 to May 4; June 2 to 8 and July 7 to 13.

Contact: Les Mimosas