Creative Tourism in the Charentes Region (France): Interview with Elisa Valinejad, Founder of Moulin sous la Vergne :

“Exploring Oneself Through Creative Culinary Expression”

In the Charentes (France), where creativity is increasingly becoming a way to discover the destination through meaningful experiences, certain initiatives stand out for their originality and their strong human dimension. Elisa Valinejad, manager of Moulin sous la Vergne in Nanteuil-en-Vallée, offers a unique approach that combines culinary practice, sensory exploration, and personal development.

Through her innovative Cuisine Thérapie workshops, Elisa invites participants to reconnect with their senses, unleash their creativity, and experience cuisine as a powerful medium for self-discovery. Her approach perfectly embodies the spirit of creative tourism: active participation, authentic encounters, and transformative experiences rooted in the local territory.

Photo : LorrieVallier

How does your work connect with the principles of creative tourism?

I was invited by Charentes Tourisme to join this creative tourism initiative because of the unique nature of my Cuisine Thérapie workshops. These experiences offer participants an original, playful, and creative way to explore themselves through culinary expression. Focusing on the process rather than the result, these workshops/experiences encourage personal discovery, sensory awareness, and meaningful human connections, which are at the heart of creative tourism.

What does your creative tourism offer consist of?

Cuisine Thérapie workshops are based on culinary improvisation. Participants are invited to reconnect with their five senses and explore a specific theme through the medium of cooking.

The experience unfolds in several stages. It begins with a warm-up phase designed to help participants let go of rational thinking and become more present. This is followed by a creative culinary improvisation session, during which participants freely experiment with ingredients, textures, colours, and flavours. The workshop concludes with a moment of sharing and reflection, allowing participants to observe and better understand their own creative process.

What opportunities has creative tourism opened for your practice?

Creative tourism offers greater visibility and provides the opportunity to welcome visitors seeking authentic and meaningful experiences. It allows me to develop a form of tourism centred on human connection, where people share a unique experience together rather than simply consuming a service.

Creative Tourism highlights local talents and encourages visitors to engage more deeply with the people, culture, and creativity that make the Charentes unique.

In your view, what does creative tourism bring to the territory?

Creative tourism enables the territory to differentiate itself by offering a diverse range of experiences that go beyond traditional tourism products. It highlights local talents and encourages visitors to engage more deeply with the people, culture, and creativity that make the Charentes unique.