Learn a new skill on an upholstery course in France with an expert – and enjoy a relaxing break in a gorgeous mansion in the Loire Valley.

May 2025: your date with a new hobby

There’s a particular joy you get from an experience holiday that lasts much longer than the time you were away. Indulge yourself on a residential Upholstery Skills Retreat and you’ll have skills that stay with you long after your vacation, enabling you to take on a whole range of projects and broaden your upcycling horizons. This five-day retreat runs from Saturday 18th May to Thursday 22nd May 2025, and it’s a great way to combine learning with relaxation, working in small groups and a laid-back atmosphere.

Learn upholstery skills from an expert

This exclusive retreat is taught by Jacqui Jackson, an expert in traditional upholstery who specialises in French antique furniture. After gaining her qualifications at the London College of Furniture, Jacqui pursued her upholstery passion and now has 25 years’ experience to share with like-minded enthusiasts.

A respected professional in the industry, Jacqui repairs, upholsters and sells French furniture via her website, and her expertise is in demand from private clients and interior designers across the world. Her company, Essentially French, specialises in sourcing unique items from brocantes and village fairs in France, then bringing out the best in each piece, restoring, reupholstering and painting them so that they can enjoy a new life as a treasured piece in someone else’s home.

If you’re a fan of French elegance, shabby-chic, vintage gems and stylish upholstery, Jacqui is sure to be a source of wisdom and a great inspiration for you.

The programme of this upholstery residential also includes a trip to a fabulous French Flea market in Chinon, where you’ll get an introduction to ‘how to shop at a brocante’, particularly when it comes to sourcing items to reupholster. And you’ll be able to browse the stalls and look for a few new – or possibly very old – pieces to fall in love with.

Upholstery course in France – the details

Whether you’re a first-timer fresh to the world of upholstery or you have some knowledge and want to improve and finesse your existing ability, this residential workshop will be a haven of hands-on teaching. The small, exclusive groups mean that you can get one-to-one guidance, boosting your skills in a short time while surrounded by supportive individuals.

The retreat is designed to be suitable for all levels of upholstery, from complete beginners to those who are more experienced. Jacqui is also happy to speak with you beforehand to discuss your skill-level and your current project so that you can get the most from your time.

An inspiring location

The location for this retreat is La Maison Trumeau, a period property dating from the 1850s. This elegant townhouse feels like a château inside, thanks to its impressively high ceilings, tall windows and grand proportions. It has been lovingly restored by Mandy Murphy, your hostess, and is decorated with beautiful pieces of furniture and architectural details such as marble fireplaces, wainscoting and cornices, enhanced by chandeliers, fabulous bedsteads and flowing voile drapes. In such a setting, you can’t help being creatively inspired!

La Maison Trumeau is in the heart of the stunning Loire Valley, which has earned a global reputation for delectable wines. While you’re here, you can take a trip to the nearby vineyards to enjoy a wine-tasting or two (Mandy jokes that this holiday could be called “sip and stitch’), visit some French châteaux and soak up the photogenic landscapes.

Your accommodation is located right in the heart of the city of Saumur, within walking distance of boutiques, shops and superb restaurants. No doubt you’ll be tempted to extend your stay so that you can spend time strolling along the banks of the famous River Loire, sipping an espresso in one of the pavement cafés or tracking down your own antiques in one of the brocantes.

This area is also famous for significant historical sites, from the 14th-century Château du Saumur to the neolithic standing stones that date back to prehistoric times. In the surrounding areas, you can also tour the fascinating maisons troglodytes, houses built into the rocks that are still lived in today.

A relaxing break

When you arrive on Saturday, you’ll have time to unpack and unwind from your travels, settling into your elegant surroundings. On Saturday evening, you’ll meet your fellow guests and enjoy a 4-course meal that will set the tone of relaxation and enjoyment for the rest of your stay.

Every morning you’ll be served a healthy and hearty breakfast inspired by French traditions, and you can look forward to a good lunch to reward your morning’s work. For those who truly enjoy feeling immersed in French culture, you’ll have the option of a glass of wine to accompany your daily lunch, and an apéritif each evening: a glass of sparkling wine served with delicate snacks.

With its balance of learning, socialising and exploring, previous participants have especially appreciated the hands-on teaching, the fabulous food, and the conversation and laughter that flows through every day’s activities.

Visit La Maison Trumeau’s website and check out the details of this unique upholstery retreat in the Loire Valley: lamaisontrumeau.com

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It’s no surprise that countless artists have been inspired by the natural beauty of southern France. You’re surrounded by undulating vineyards, shady olive groves, dazzling sunflowers and fresh-scented lavender. Imagine spending a few weeks here at an international artist residency in Provence, as the golden sunshine and stunning landscapes seep into your soul, boosting your creativity.

Whether you’re an artist, photographer or any creative type, you’ll know that inspiration can flow freely when you’re in the right place, in a space where you can feel completely at ease, so you can relax enough to let go and let the muse move you. If you have ever dreamed of being in a space where all you need to do is simply open up and create, then this little corner of Provence may well be your dream come true.

An idyllic setting

Tucked away inland from the Côte d’Azur, the rural village of Velleron (5 miles from the beautiful town of l’Isle-sur-ls-Sorge), is as charming as a film set, with historic buildings, a 12th-century castle and a famous local market. Five minutes from this traditional Provençal village you’ll find La Fontaine, a unique holiday home that has been designed with artists in mind – the rooms are spacious and filled with light, the décor is fresh and welcoming, and the furnishings are authentic and comfortable. You’ll have the inspiration from the surrounding countryside, the tranquillity of a peaceful, contemplative location and the comfort of a home from home where the only thing you need to do is to tune in to your creativity.

Whether you’re a painter, writer, photographer or musician, this part of France is an endless source of inspiration and delight. Walk through the vineyards, listen to the birdsong, watch the sunrise over the lavender fields or simply stroll through one of the many ancient, picturesque villages nearby: this is a timeless landscape that pulls you in and fills you with calm energy.

International artist residency in Provence

La Fontaine is the brainchild of Raina Stinson, an award-winning American photographer who has lived in this part of France since 2018, drawn by Provence’s unique light and stunning natural beauty.  As well as hosting photography workshops, Raina has designed a holiday home that is a haven of relaxation where you can work in undisturbed peace.

What artist or writer hasn’t wished for their own little pied à terre, a hideaway in a foreign land where they could forget all the everyday stresses and live in a bubble of creating? This is La Fontaine: a comfortable retreat in the countryside of southern France, a place where you can escape for weeks at a time, unwinding and enjoying the simpler, slower pace of life.

Set in secluded grounds, the cottage has two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, its own private entrance and courtyard, plus air-conditioning. There’s also a veranda with fantastic light, making it ideal for use as a studio, and there is also a pool, perfect for cool dips.

Imagine waking up to the sound of the birds in the trees, opening the shutters on your windows to be greeted by the soft morning breeze and the early warmth of the day, padding through to the little kitchen where you can prepare your first coffee or tea to start your day, then stepping into the courtyard so you can sip your drink in the shade or the sunshine, taking the time to contemplate the day ahead. There’s no rush, there are no outside pressures and your time is your own: set up your equipment when you’re ready, get into the flow and lose yourself for hours at a time – this is the ideal place.

Whether you come alone, with a partner, or with a fellow creative, La Fontaine offers comfortable accommodation where you’ll feel at home straight away. And the gentle pace of life in the French countryside will certainly help you to tune in to your values and priorities, taking the time to notice your surroundings and to nourish all your senses.

Guidance from a fellow artist

Being in a place designed for creative spirits makes a huge difference to let the inspiration flow, particularly as you can call on your host, Raina, for inside info. Having lived here for many years, she can offer advice on the quaint local villages that will meet your creative needs, the most stunning viewpoints for photography and the best times of day to catch the light in a particular landscape.

“We provide all our visiting artists with a list of the best places to visit that will boost their creativity,” explains Raina, “and I can also connect artists with other creatives and professionals in the area, including local French models who are bilingual. For those who would like to learn more about photography, I can offer an additional service of mentoring, day tours and photo-review sessions; and for those who simply want to retreat and immerse themselves in this beautiful setting to enjoy the creative process, you will have all the space and time you need.”

Gift yourself with the space to create

If you’re reading this and thinking how wonderful it would be to spend a few weeks in such a setting, and being your very own artist in residence at La Fontaine, the information you need is right here: rainastinsonphotography.com/lafontaine

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Join a fabulous memoir writing workshop in France guided by an accomplished author and instructor. Enjoy gourmet cuisine and pampering in a stone gîte or Belle Epoque manor in a sunny village known as “Paradise in the French Pyrenees.” This is the perfect spot for honing your writing skills, teasing out that book in you or taking a pause from the world to reflect.

Memoir writing workshop in France

“Memoir writing is about gaining clarity. Where have you been? Where are you going? How can you clear the path so that your next step will bring you what you desire and deserve in life?”

This is how Judith Reitman-Texier describes her Memoir Writing Workshop. An award-winning journalist and author of three acclaimed, non-fiction books, and founder of Creative France Workshops, Judith says that writing a memoir is a lot like investigative journalism. The aim of both is “getting to the truth. In memoir writing it is about getting to your personal truth.”

Her workshops accomplish this with prompts and sensory exercises that stimulate the imagination and produce remarkably powerful results. Some participants have called the process ‘magical.’ And, says Judith, “It is, in fact. It’s about discovering the magic of who you are.”

Everyone has a story, Judith says. “The moment you take your first breath, your story begins. In memoir writing, you will rediscover this story and find the words to tell it.” Whether you are planning to publish or want to produce a written legacy, or whether writing is part of your healing journey, this workshop will give you the encouragement, confidence and practical tools to help you find your authentic voice. It is, Judith says, “a process that can be life-changing.”

An inspiring location for writers

Vernet-les-Bains in the Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie, is the perfect backdrop for self-discovery. This charming village framed by the lower French Pyrénées is known for its healing sulfurous waters and pure mountain air. Writers including Rudyard Kipling and Hans Christian Andersen, and painters like Raoul Dufy have found inspiration here. Take walks, soak in thermal baths, wander the flower-filled markets of this luminous, 12th century village that boasts over 300 days of sunshine. Everything you do in this magical place supports your well-being.

A few miles away is the famed Abbaye St Martin de Canigou. With its spectacular views, this working monastery invites reflective walks along its cloisters and paths of its scented herb gardens. If you are drawn to the sea, the Mediterranean beaches are an hour away.

Memoir writing course

The day begins with a sumptuous breakfast at the Belle Epoque manor, followed by two to three hours of writing. Workshops cater to a range of abilities. After a garden buffet lunch of regional delicacies, you’ll have several options: a one-on-one session with Judith, a local excursion, or wine and pastry “degustations” (samplings).  By 6:30 it’s time for an aperitif at the manor—except for one evening on the terrace of le Chateau de Reill, a breath-taking 5-star Relais & Chateau castle.

Dinner follows at one of Vernet’s terraced restaurants that feature local organic fare. The village turns off its streetlights at 11 o’clock. Yes, it is a different world, quite apart from what most of us know, where life has a quieter rhythm.

You may spend your mornings writing or choose to mix and match by slipping in a cooking or painting workshop. Judith is eager to tailor your experience so that you have one of the best weeks of your life.

At the end of the workshop, you will have gained the foundation for continuing your writing. You will be given a reading list that will support your efforts as well as access to a Facebook group of participants so you can share your stories and stay in touch. You can continue making progress during online, individual coaching sessions with Judith. She can help guide you along your writing journey or onto the path to publication.

Creative France Workshops host small group creative workshops which include meals, accommodation and excursions. The workshops cater for a range of abilities from beginner to intermediate and you can found out more and book at: creativefranceworkshops.com

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Find your joie de vivre on a magical retreat in southern France. Discover wellness, relaxation, gastronomy and art retreats in a historic chateau in gorgeous countryside in the Ossau Valley in the heart of the Pyrenees – surrounded by glorious nature, a truly uplifting location.

Welcome to Château de Gère, a 14th-century château with a breath-taking mountain backdrop in southwest France, tucked inland between Biarritz and Toulouse. In this largely undiscovered area, it’s a secret treasure you can retreat to. Majestic yet charming.

Themed retreats in France

You can enjoy the very best of Château de Gère and this amazing location thanks to regular stays offered throughout the year. Your stay includes activities organised with local professional partners, comfortable accommodation and delicious meals that showcase local produce and ingredients. All of this in the type of picturesque historic property that you would normally only see in the movies – by coming here, you get to wake up within this incredible setting and experience life in a French château.

Which event might you choose?

You could choose a weekend that celebrates one of the traditional events in the region, such as the cheese festival or the unveiling of this year’s new wines, making the most of the opportunity to explore the local villages and soak up the French culture and centuries of history. Alternatively, how about a holiday that also gives you the chance to try a new hobby or improve your skills? For instance, wellness, hiking, photograph and watercolour painting breaks led by experienced artists, and culinary retreats where you can learn to cook French cuisine featuring locally-grown produce. The advantage of these retreats is that you’re learning in small groups, so you get personal, individual feedback and plenty of opportunity to hone your skills in a supportive, encouraging atmosphere.

Wellness retreats in France

Of course, this setting lends itself to true relaxation, so it’s no surprise that pampering and wellbeing escapes are popular. The local spa welcomes you for your choice of facials, relaxing treatments and massages, as well as a sauna and steam room, and once all the tension of everyday life has slipped away and you feel completely pampered, you can return to your spot in the château to enjoy a sumptuous dinner in the ancient dining room.

Outdoor activities

There’s also plenty on offer if you’re more energetic by nature. As the château is located at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, it’s a wonderful base from which to head to the peaks and enjoy skiing or try sledding led by huskies, as the château is just 30 minutes from the ski resort of Gourette and its snowy slopes. Outside the winter season you can go hiking, climbing or canyoning, or of course enjoy the sport that is France’s national passion: cycling! From family-friendly routes on former railways to challenging trails for mountain bikers, there are superb cycling options in this fantastic countryside, framed by mountains and blue skies.

For day trips, you can explore the historic town of Pau, filled with classic French architecture and a funicular railway, or head to Lourdes – under an hour from the château – a town filled with medieval buildings, fountains and spiritual destinations that have drawn pilgrims here for centuries.

About the Château de Gère

Built in the late 1300s, this château was originally a fortress, as evidenced by the number of arrow slits strategically placed across the property so it could be defended. During its long and impressive history, it was used as a hunting lodge for King Henri IV, and you’ll also see several curious features outside, including gargoyles and a plaque above the main entrance that reads, ‘Wisdom begins with the fear of Jean de Gère – 1388’.

Today’s château is surrounded by gentle sheep. You can hear their tinkling bells as they graze in nearby pastures or, occasionally, in the large field next to the château grounds. You’ll also notice the restful background noise of trickling water thanks to a small stream that runs from the mountain above, through the 5-acre grounds and cascades over the embankment below, so the combination creates a soundscape that invites you to unwind and relax from the moment you arrive.

While the property is centuries old, it has modern conveniences that include underfloor heating, an outdoor pool available for guests, and four comfortable bedrooms that are occasionally available for B&B stays. American owner Trish Jasinki’s adventures, renovating and updating the Château de Gère have featured in the Channel 4 series, Chateau DIY, and she strives to achieve maximum sustainability from composting and recycling to sourcing local products and services.

For more details

To find out more about upcoming retreats, hiring the château for your own events or simply coming to stay, visit: chateaudegere.com

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The south of France is a dream destination, with its pastel sunlight, romantic landscapes and rich heritage that has inspired artists throughout the centuries. Imagine yourself in a little-known gem of a village situated beneath the sacred Canigou mountains, where you can indulge your creative spirit. Here in a place known as “Paradise in the Pyrenees” you can write, paint, take photos or cook authentic french cuisine and Catalan dishes under the guidance of an international artistic team!

Live, learn create!

In the village of Vernet-les-Bains, sought out by Victorian royalty for its healing thermal waters, creativity flourishes. At this little-known destination in the “other” south of France, Creative France Workshops is debuting small-group workshops in a setting that is truly magical. Choose your art and your lodging – from a splendid Belle Epoque villa or stone eco-gite with a stunning pool, to a hand-hewn tiny village home, and everything else – gourmet meals and picnics, tastings, and excursions – is arranged!

Cook French and Catalan

A marriage of ancient cuisines dating back to the 12th century, with recipes touted in Renaissance literature, Catalan cooking is a Mediterranean fare that will delight the senses and is easy to replicate when you get home. This farm-to-table cuisine features ultra-fresh locally grown vegetables, humanely raised local beef, and seafood from the nearby Mediterranean. Choose vegetarian, meat or fish and learn how to create mouth-watering tapas, soups and rich, warming stews eaten with crusty breads from the village boulangeries. Desserts are prepared with milk from the local creameries and fruit from village orchards.

Renowned Chef Dimitri Vasnier travelled the globe with his culinary expertise, founding his own restaurant in New York City before setting up La Table des Amis in Vernet-les-Bains. Here in the restaurant’s modern, spacious kitchen you’ll chop, sautée, and bake in the tradition of mountain cuisine. You will also learn how to make classic French pastries since Dimitri is also a pastry chef! When the meal is ready, you’ll sit on the terrace together, sip local wine and enjoy the mouthwatering fruits of your labor.

Writing, Painting, Photography

If cooking doesn’t call to you, how about “finding your voice” under the guidance of award-winning American author and journalist Judith Reitman-Texier who now lives in Vernet-les-Bains? Gain clarity about your life, discover your next path, or leave your family a beautiful written legacy. You have a story only you can tell, and Judith will coach you through the process of this self-discovery which is what memoir writing is all about!

Even if you’ve never picked up a paint brush, consider a watercolor or oil painting workshop in a village that is your perfect canvas. Polish painter Weronika Kacperski takes a Zen-like approach to watercolor that echoes Japanese minimalism. Oil painting instructor Sophie Rajau, who won the 2023 French Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters Silver Medal, will hold a once-a-year workshop in composition, perspective, and pigments for an intimate group for a maximum of four participants.

Finally, there’s an opportunity for photographers in a Photo Essay workshop, where you will learn the narrative structure which will enable you to tell a powerful visual story.

Channel your inner artist

Each workshop typically runs for six days, and the cost includes your tuition, fabulous meals, excursions, wine and pastry tastings and charming accommodation. Choose from a stately manor house, a converted stable or a hand-hewn stone house, or a luxury gite surrounded by spectacular gardens. Whatever your lodging you will be warmly welcomed and serenely comfortable.

Imagine waking in your cozy room in the Belle Epoque Villa Delphina, lingering over fresh pastries, fruits and fragrant coffee, to the sound of birds and cowbells. In the various workshop spaces – Delphina’s garden, along the Cady River, or in the cobblestone village square – you’ll learn and laugh. In the afternoon, enjoy a wine or pastry tasting, take an excursion to a Benedictine abbey within 15 minutes of Vernet, or unwind on a leisurely riverside walk. You might head further afield to a breath-taking coastal village along the Mediterranean with the hills of Spain just beyond. In the evening, gather for an aperitif and a group dinner at a gourmet restaurant in the village.

Whichever workshop you chose you will find the authentic south of France, discover or perfect a talent, make lifelong friends and cherished memories.

Find out more and book your space at Creative France Workshops: creativefranceworkshops.com

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12^th century Vernet-les-Bains is in one of the most inspirational and beautiful parts of France and it’s known as Paradise in the Pyrenees for good reason. At the foot of Mount Canigou and within the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, the village is surrounded by valleys and mountains, Medieval abbeys and walled cities, ancient fortresses and some of the prettiest villages in France. It has long attracted artists and writers, inspired by the beauty and atmosphere, it’s the perfect haven for creative workshops in France.

An inspirational backdrop

There is nothing quite like the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the echo of history and footsteps past to inspire creativity. And in Vernet-les-Bains, you can immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine and still take time to nurture your creativity with one of a number of inspired workshop experiences.

Picture yourself for a moment, writing your memories, or painting in watercolours or oils in the courtyard of a Belle Époque manor or the garden of a traditional stone gîte tucked away on a mountain path. Or perhaps you want to explore the cobbled backstreets and brightly coloured houses of the town with your camera at hand, hoping to capture that poignant and memorable shot or learning the art of visual storytelling.

Judith Texier, award-winning journalist, author, the founder of Creative France Workshops says “The scent of roses, astonishingly clear air, the sounds of church bells, tinkling cowbells and crowing roosters. Excellent inexpensive dining that is truly farm to table. 300 days of sun, even the narrow car-free side streets are sunny, no dark medieval corners despite its ancient history. This atmosphere makes Vernet a wonderful open-air studio for painting, photography and writing.”

A chance to explore your own creativity

Creative France Workshops offer a range of creative workshops that include memoir writing, watercolour and oil painting, scenic photography and photo essays where images capture those moments to tell a visual story.

Run over the course of six days (and five nights) Creative France workshops are a combination of individual sessions with your instructor and small group workshop sessions. Your instructors have all been chosen for both their own skill and experience and also their ability to help and inspire others. And they are always on hand to help teach you new skills as well as to help hone those skills that you already have.

If you’re writing your memoir, you’ll get help finding and refining your voice and really understanding the significance of your story. If it’s watercolour painting, you’ll learn different aspects of light, movement, color and texture as your instructor guides you around the theme of flora and fauna. In the oil painting workshop, you’ll develop your landscape painting as you deepen your understanding of composition, perspective, proportion and pigments.

Whilst for photographers, you’ll be guided in those all-important skills of composition, focus, lighting and symmetry, as well as learning the secrets of landscape photography.

Feed your soul

Whichever workshop you choose, you’ll also have a choice of charming accommodation from grand manor houses and villas to a quirky artist’s house or a luxurious gite. You’re greeted with local cheese and wine and can enjoy lots of local produce at breakfast and lunch before feasting your senses on evening meals prepared by the fabulous chef. And for the creative foodies, a Relais meal at a 5-star Château is the perfect way to round off your stay before you head home.

Because creativity doesn’t happen in isolation, there is plenty time to explore this beautiful corner of southern France and excursions are organised for you. Take inspiration from the local market where you may hear the sound local Catalan folk music and where you can explore the bustling streets of this historic town and fill your basket with local wines, cheeses and bread. Or take a break from creativity with wine tasting at the Cave du Mas Llossane and a visit to the Le Convent, named the Best Boulangerie in France.

For slightly longer excursions, head up into the mountains to the stunning Molitg-les-Bains, a small village and spa built in the rocky face of the Gorges de la Castellane, head to the birth place of Fauvism, Collioure, on the shores of the Mediterranean or walk in the footsteps of creative giants like Pablo Picasso, Marck Chagall and Jean Dubuffet in the elegant town of Céret.

Exploring Vernet-les-Bains

The village of Vernet-les-Bains gently climbs the hillside to the Medieval castle that overlooks it, with Mount Canigou looking on. It’s a spa town with health and wellbeing at its heart, but it’s also known for its stylish Belle Epoque architecture. Its beauty has inspired great writers like Rudyard Kipling, Hans Christian Andersen and painters such as Raoul Dufy and George-Daniel de Monfreid. But it’s also a great place for walking and exploring, with the 11^th century walled city of Villefranche de Conflent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nearby. Climb up the steps to the Liberia Fortress or take the distinctive yellow train and discover the mountains.

In such a rich landscape, good food and wine are always going to play an important role in life, and you’ll find a blend of French, Catalan and Mediterranean influences in local dishes that include seafood, local meats and intriguing flavours. There are dozens of top-quality local restaurants, perfect for al fresco dining and lingering lunches, and look out for their speciality dishes like picoulat of mushrooms, escalivade or even snails Catalan-style.

Creative France Workshops host small group creative workshops which include meals, accommodation and excursions. The workshops cater for a range of abilities from beginner to intermediate and you can found out more and book at: creativefranceworkshops.com

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The sublime landscapes of Provence are achingly beautiful: warm sunlight floods the vineyards, lifting the fields of lavender and sunflowers, and highlights the cobbled streets in the many historic towns. It is said that one visit will stay with you forever, but imagine being able to capture the essence of this breath-taking region and take it home with you…

Week-long art retreat Provence

This September, you can join a week-long art retreat with two award-winning photographers who will show you how Provence can be the perfect backdrop for portrait photography. During the week, you’ll be taken to locations that you’d expect to see in glossy magazines and you’ll learn all the technical tricks you need to create unique, professional-standard portraits. This goes way beyond a holiday: it’s like a guided tour of hidden spots whilst learning a new skill that you can continue to develop long after you return home. And it’s all run in English!

One of the two professionals running the course is American-born Raina Stinson, who moved to Provence in 2018 having been seduced by its incomparable light and endless beauty. Winner of several awards, Raina specialises in fine art portraiture and conceptual photography, finding boundless inspiration in her surroundings, which she continues to explore and discover with every passing year, saying that moving to the region was one of her best life decisions.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have fulfilled a lifelong dream by moving to Provence,” says Raina. “I love teaching about photography and how it has changed my life. When I’m running a course, I can share everything from the exquisite colour and light you find here to the equally exquisite gourmet food and fresh croissants, and all those secret corners where you can get amazing shots.”

Portrait photography course

From 7th to 14th September, Raina is teaming up with fellow professional, Fritz Liedtke, to run a week-long creative retreat dedicated to portrait photography. Join a handful of other like-minded artists near the pretty rural village of Velleron, in a private residence with its own pool, surrounded by acres of gardens and fabulous views. From this base, you’ll be led to the region’s most beautiful backdrops, finding locations that will truly enhance your work, not only the natural landscapes but Roman ruins and secluded. Raina and Fritz will teach you how to hone your photography skills through technical tricks and fresh perspectives, heightening your creativity and inspiration.

Through group discussions, on-location demonstrations, and time to experiment by taking photographs of local models, you’ll learn about planning projects, wardrobe considerations and how to select your location and models. As well as the practical, technical elements of modern photography, Raina and Fritz will also teach you how to see light, textures, colours and reflections so you can create portraits with immediate impact.

One on one photography workshops

Any holiday in this region is a great experience, but this particular package takes it to another level. Thanks to one-on-one coaching and knowledge of locations that are otherwise inaccessible, you’ll have the chance to fine-tune your skills to create powerful portraits, framed by dreamlike lavender fields, elegant châteaux and quaint Provençal villages.

“Whatever your starting level,” says Raina, “you’ll finish the week feeling confident in fine art portraiture, returning home with a whole new portfolio of work, a new set of skills, and unforgettable memories.”

If you can’t make the portraiture event in September, Raina also offers a range of opportunities throughout the year, from day tours to week-long tours with a specific theme. One common theme through her work is meditation and mindfulness, which Raina believes can truly help to bring forth your creative potential and help it to flourish.

“For many people who join my workshops, learning about mindfulness is as important as all the technical tips and tricks,” she adds. “What differentiates this experience from a more conventional photography course is its holistic approach. Any creative person will tell you that there’s more to a piece of art than simply getting the right composition or equipment, you need to tune in to that intangible inspiration. Mindfulness helps you to slow down so that you can be fully present to your experience and fully aware of even the smallest details. It opens up your innate creativity, and I believe that it enables you to see and capture the world around you in a completely different way.”

Combining mindfulness with the settings of Provence is a heady internal-external combination, bringing the very best from your inner spirit and using that creativity in some of France’s most stunning external locations. As well as secret chapels and ancient sites, Raina can take you to elysian fields of rolling lavender, vast vineyards and the running waters of L’isle sur la Sorgue that you can explore in the languid southern sunshine. If you’re an architecture or history buff, let yourself be guided to the majestic châteaux, the terracotta rooftops of Gordes and Menerbes, Lacoste and the charming Luberon villages or the astonishing perched village of Oppède le Vieux.

Beyond the ordinary

Even through her shorter workshops, Raina encourages participants to engage in mindfulness, connecting your heart and your eye in order to see beauty beyond the ordinary and expand your innate creativity.

At the very least, taking a photography course will elevate your holiday photos to another level, sending you home with far more than just a suntan and a few French phrases, but learning alongside Raina will help you to see the world in a different way, and quite possibly develop your inner focus, too.

For more information on the September retreat and Raina’s other tours, visit rainastinsonphotography.com

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Capture beautiful memories with a photography workshop or photoshoot on location in glorious Provence. Whether you want to explore pretty villages and colourful markets or the lavender and poppy fields and spectacular scenery of Luberon, international award-winning photographer Raina Stinson’s one-day and half-day tours are a brilliant way to capture precious memories. You’ll visit stunning locations that would be hard to discover on your own, off the beaten track and secret parts of Provence as well as some of the most famous locations. These form the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot of you and your loved ones, or the ideal place to hone your own photography skills as Raina teaches you techniques to take superb photos.

Hone your skills

Whatever your photography level, and whether you use a mobile phone or a DSLR camera, the tours help you enhance your skills and find the perfect and most photogenic locations to create beautiful images.

“You don’t need a big camera to take great photos, the camera on a mobile phone works perfectly” says Raina. “I love to teach people how to get the best images from their mobile, from beginners to advanced photographers. And if guests have DSLR cameras, that’s great too. It’s all about what you prefer and feel comfortable with.”

“I get a mix of different clients, from beginners to experienced photographers,” Raina explains. “Some of the more experienced photographers want me to take them to the secret and picturesque locations, at the best time for the light at sunrise or sunset, so that they can create fantastic and unique images. For the less experienced I offer tips and tricks for photography so that your photos come out perfect.”

As a trained meditation teacher, Raina incorporates mindfulness into her tours to help photographers to make the most of the sessions. “It’s a means to help you see and capture your vacation in a different way and to open you up to your inner creativity. I show you how to see light, textures, colours, reflections and to delve more deeply into what you’re experiencing overall, slowing down to notice details that you might otherwise miss.” Raina also teaches different ways of composing a photo by shooting at different angles and explains composition rules, as well as how and when it works to break those rules.

The beauty of Provence

You couldn’t have a better canvas to work with than the luminous landscape of Provence. With its hilltop villages, fragrant lavender fields and panoramic views, it’s the perfect destination to create beautiful memories, landscape and family portraits or to perfect the art of photography for yourself and capture your own stunning images. The tours take place around the Luberon Valley including the picturesque hilltop villages of Lacoste, Bonnieux, Oppéde-le-Vieux and Gordes, as well as Goult, Menerbes and L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.

Discover the hidden treasures of the Luberon Valley

“From medieval and Roman architecture to croissants, café, and gourmet food experiences, of course, the authentic hilltop villages, the Luberon Valley of Provence is really inspirational.” Raina says. “Some of my favourite places include ancient stone lavoirs, used in the past for laundering clothes in public. Distinctive stone building known as bories, make another interesting subject or backdrop for photos. Built to store tools, harvested crops or even animals, they have a distinctive shape and are very typical of this area. Colourful vineyards and small chapels that most visitors would never find also make a great destination. During lavender and poppy season, I take visitors to fields that have incredible views.”

Added extras

American-born Raina speaks French and really knows the area and what it has to offer, which is a huge bonus for her clients, most of whom are English-speaking. For visitors on the day tour, Raina offers the optional extra of a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at a beautiful, hidden location deep in the Provençal countryside to enjoy the traditional French fare. You can also request specifically tailored tours that fit your interests and you can even add on a mini-portrait session for your own personal photoshoot.

Practicalities

You can use your own transport to travel with Raina. Tours are offered all year round, offering a chance to experience not only the summer lavender fields, but the vineyards bursting with ripe grapes ready for harvest and the Provençal winter landscapes and fresh spring colours.

Find out more at rainastinsonphotography.com

The post Half-day and day Photography Tours in Provence appeared first on The Good Life France.

Take care of your body, soothe your mind, or just indulge in some rest and relaxation with a unique and inspiring wellness retreat break in beautiful Provence, southern France…

“It’s all about recharging” says Emily Durand of Your Private Provence “using our senses to reconnect with our mind, body and spirit” adding “the richness and diversity in Provence makes it a perfect place for rediscovery”.

A cultural and Customised Wellness Holiday

A one-off, unique, week-long break that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired with genuinely scrumptious meals – this is Provence after all – and none of the tasteless, boring, it’s good-for-you-but- it-tastes-vile stuff.

“Sometimes we just need to stop, step back and retreat to find ourselves again…to re-engage in the simple pleasures in life that once fuelled our energy” says Emily. She has created the perfect programme, one that will help you get on the recharge and rejuvenate road in just one week.

Provence is a place of joie de vivre, so stunning that the heart naturally rejoices at its beauty and it is the perfect place for a wellness retreat. Emily, who runs Your Private Provence tour company has lived there for twenty years and is an expert on the locality, a place of fresh air, lavender fields, orchards and fruit trees, vineyards and olive trees, marvellous markets and picturesque towns and villages, and of course, sunshine and warmth.

What you will enjoy at your  wellness retreat in provence:

Healthy meals with regional specialties, a real foodie experience with gluten free and vegetarian options and an important aspect of the art de vivre in Provence.
Wine discovery classes (aroma and taste learning)
Wellness massages and spa afternoon at the luxurious Spa Ventoux
Fitness (stretching, toning) classes on the sun deck
Daily walks through the countryside
Private and group coaching sessions with accredited coaches
Cultural excursions in Provence

The course is limited to just eight people and every day will focus on an all aspects of well-being. Everything has been meticulously designed to ensure that guests feel relaxed, stress-free and chilled out.

The coaches are person-centred and will help guests with several areas of their lives from career and personal development, learning and affirmation, tools for getting to where you want to be. There are private as well as group coaching sessions.

Accommodation is in a charming B&B. All meals are of exceptional quality and include fine wines. The cooking here is a real foodie experience in its own right and is guaranteed to leave you feeling nourished as well as nurtured.

Private tours of Provence are included, as well as all transportation. You’ll indulge in wine discovery workshops, a vineyard tour and lunch, plus lots more.

Most important of all, you’ll leave feeling  fabulous and blissfully balanced…

Find out more and book your brilliant wellness break at: Yourprivateprovence.com

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