INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Provence where I live part-time with my husband Gilles!

This is the Var, the wilder part of Provence, with ancient stone walls, olive trees, cypress trees reminiscent of nearby Italy, and the roses of May, grown for Dior and Chanel. In the quiet perched hill villages, life can feel unchanged from decades ago. From on high, you can glimpse the turquoise Mediterranean, which so inspired Picasso and Matisse.

In this workshop, we’ll experience a truly off-the-beaten-path Provence.

We are based the whole time at La Bastide, a magnificent luxury villa with a heated pool, all en-suite rooms, numerous terraces where we can eat, and stunning views of the perched village of Callian.

We have our own private chef, the extraordinarily talented Louise Robertson, whose food is scrumptious and super-healthy.

We’ll be there end of May/early June, when the weather is absolutely perfect.

As with all my workshops, you can expect a seamlessly run, highly professional trip, with great attention to detail.

There will also be great learning with on-location guidance, educational classes, group projections, and private critiques.

All levels of photographers, including smart phone shooters, are welcome. Spouses/partners who have no particular interest in photography are welcome!

This will be a small workshop with a maximum of 8 guests. 

EXPERIENCES may INCLUDE

• Riding in and photographing vintage ‘2CV’ Citroens, then gathering with the drivers, and the village mayor, for a fun picnic lunch under the plane trees. A super fun, very unique and very French experience

• Learning about the famous artists of the region, such as Picasso and Matisse from a dynamic art expert whose knowledge and enthusiasm is unparalleled

• Photographing inside Matisse’s Chapel, where his famous stained glass windows will take your breath away - permission to shoot here is very rare

• Tasting the famous rosés of Provence, shooting, and having lunch at a highly-photogenic winery that has the largest private collection of modern art in Europe.

• Sailing in the early light of dawn on the Riviera along the rocky red coast of the Estérel - swimming too!

• Photographing a colorful local market in a perched village above a dramatic gorge, on a busy Saturday morning, enjoying a classic French lunch at the market restaurant, and a visit with an extraordinary photographer

• Learning about and shooting Dior’s exquisite chapel, covered with pastel-colored paintings.

Because our villa, La Bastide, has only five en-suite, king-bed rooms, the workshop is accepting 3 couples and 2 singles.

Cost

$9980 per person in a king-bed, en-suite room

Doubles discount $9920 per person in a shared king-bed, en-suite room
First couple to sign up will be in an elegant master suite with grand bathroom and sweeping views across the valley

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

International airfare

Travel Insurance

Airport transfers

Transportation - (we’ll all chip in for transportation expenses)

Some lunches out (max 4)

Alcohol at restaurant meals

Tips