Tango holiday in the Ardèche, France
15 – 21 July 2012

After wonderful tango vacations in 2010 and 2011 we couldn't resist coming back to this lovely, restful place.

The place:

Les Costes nestles 600 m up in the mountains of Ardèche, surrounded by a forest of chestnut trees. A former hamlet dating back more than 350 years, it served as the town hall for the area around. Now the old buildings have been restored to picturesque houses with an outdoor swimming pool and a sauna to enjoy and a small campsite further up the hillside. It is a wonderful, unspoiled place, easily accessible from Lyon and Valence.

Our host Marjorie Schreuder has already lived here for more than 10 years. She has created a beautiful outdoor dancefloor, protected from the sun and rain by a canopy, giving stunning views out to the surrounding countryside. The last unrestored house has recently been converted into a second, indoor dance space.

The details:

16 hours tango lessons
Full board with all meals freshly prepared by Marjorie (vegetarian diets can be catered for)
Accommodation is in one of the renovated houses or a caravan. If you prefer to camp there is a field where you can pitch your tent and basic facilities (shower, WC) and fantastic views
Non dancers option possible (so for non–tango dancing partners or adult children who would like to join you on your holiday!)
Maximum 8 dance couples, so plenty of personal attention.
The week is designed for intermediate dancers (minimum 1 year dancing regularly)

Schedule:

Arrival before dinner Sunday 15 July and departure after breakfast Saturday 21 July 2011
Introductory workshop on Sunday, thereafter three hours of lessons each day from Monday to Friday. Afternoons free to explore the area, and there are plenty of things to do from horse riding to cherry picking.
Nightly salons

Private lessons are also possible on request.

Prices:

€ 400 – € 720 p.p. all–in incl. lessons, salons, accommodation, all meals, coffee and tea.
The price is dependent on the type of accommodation that you choose: camping, staying in a caravan (for 1 or 2 people), or sharing a house with others.

For complete information on booking and accommodation costs please make direct contact with Marjorie at Ferme les Costes. She speaks excellent English, French and Dutch.

For information about the course content please contact Siobhan

How to get there

From the UK
Fly to Lyon from Gatwick or Stanstead with Easy Jet and take the TGV from the airport (Lyon Saint Exupery) to Valence station (30 minutes). From here you can take a bus to either Le Cheylard or Lamastre. It is also possible to hire a car at Valence. If you need to be picked up please contact us before you book with your travel times. We will make one pick up and one drop off trip for everyone so we need to co-ordinate your arrival and departure times. Les Costes is around a one hour drive from Valence.

From NL
KLM have scheduled flights from Amsterdam to Lyon, from where you pick up the TGV to Valence. Or take the Thalys direct to Valence from Amsterdam, stopping in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels (does not depart on Sundays).

Further information:
Ferme Les Costes English version of Marjorie's website.
She also has a Facebook page with more photos.
For Michael Lavocah see http://www.milonga.co.uk/