Combining the
learning of French with the pleasure of cooking and wine, that’s the promise of our
Gastronomy & Wine program at the
Centre International d’Antibes. More than just a language course, it’s a lively and flavorful immersion into the
French art of living
.
Learning a language
through cooking allows for natural memorization of vocabulary and expressions by engaging the senses, conviviality, and emotions. By cooking, tasting, and exchanging, you not only enrich your
French
, but also your culinary culture.
Among the
recipes
you will discover:
citrus madeleines, small soft and golden delights that awaken both the taste buds and memories. Reimagined with orange and lemon zest, they add a touch of freshness to this great French pastry classic — perfect for a delightful, elegant, and decidedly French afternoon treat.
The origin of the madeleine takes us back to the 18th century in the small town of Commercy, in Lorraine. The legend tells that King Stanislas Leszczynski, exiled from Poland and father-in-law of Louis XV, regularly hosted famous figures of the time, including Voltaire and Madame de Châtelet. One day, when a dessert was missing, he asked a young maid — named Madeleine — to improvise a simple and tasty cake.
She is said to have created, with a few basic ingredients, these small shell-shaped cakes. The king, delighted, named the creation after the cook and sent it to his daughter Marie, wife of the King of France. Soon, madeleines became fashionable at the court of Versailles and quickly spread to all tables in France.
Since then, they have continuously evolved — sometimes with chocolate, orange blossom, honey... or, as here, subtly enhanced with orange and lemon zest.
Ideal for afternoon tea, with coffee or tea, whether enjoyed plain or slightly reimagined, it remains a must-have of French pastry.
That’s why today, we offer you a delicately flavored version with citrus, which brings a touch of freshness to this traditional recipe.
Easy to make, these madeleines are sure to delight you!
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk
• 31 g of milk
• 114 g of butter
• Zest of one lemon
• 83 g of sugar
• 104 g of flour
• 4 g of baking powder
• ½ vanilla pod
1. In a bowl, mix the milk, lemon zest, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and melted butter. Then add the flour and baking powder and mix until you get a smooth dough.
2. Wrap the dough tightly and let it rest in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This step is essential to achieve nicely puffed madeleines with their signature bump!
3. The next day, preheat your oven to 200°C. While it’s heating, pipe the cold dough into a greased madeleine mold. Immediately place the mold in the oven and lower the temperature to 180°C.
4. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes until the madeleines are slightly golden. Unmold them while still warm and let them cool on a rack.
And there you have it, your
citrus madeleines
are ready to be enjoyed!
Their delicate flavor and airy texture will surely delight your taste buds. Feel free to enjoy them with a good cup of tea for a sweet and comforting break.
Learning French has never been so delicious! Thanks to our Gastronomy & Wine program, you progress at your own pace while sharing moments with students from all over the world. Our French courses for adults, adapted to all levels, immerse you in a stimulating and human context, where each culinary activity becomes an opportunity to learn, exchange, and express yourself in French.
You will discover the art of food and wine pairings, explore the
Provençal markets
such as the
Cours Saleya in Nice
or the
Antibes
market, located just steps away from our school. You will taste local products, learn to speak about food like a true French... and even know how to pair a citrus madeleine with a sweet wine!
This program is for anyone who wants to experience the
French language differently,
mixing pleasure, culture, and immersion in the heart of the beautiful French Riviera.
