This trip is a creative journey into the heart of Provence. Enjoy fabulous farm to table French cuisine, local wines, and earthy landscape vignettes to get your soul ready to create!

Since we’ll be surrounded by Vineyards, we’ll also be surrounded by glass bottles!!!! Mary Hong will lead our group in daily workshops using a unique mosaic technique she’s developed that allows glass to be suspended in resin on painted canvas. We will incorporate the use of found objects, including glass, metal, shells, (pretty much anything that’s not plastic!), in our art. We will use our time at markets and while exploring the region to collect goodies to honor in our art. She will also demonstrate the many, many things that can be made with just good ol’ wine bottles! Check out her website MaryHongStudio.com for ideas and inspiration.

No experience in art or mosaics is necessary for this workshop.

During our week Ken Jourdan, our host and chef, will lead us on excursions to the inspiring markets of Uzes, a small town on the edge of the Languedoc Roussillion region. The market sprawls through the cobblestone streets with bounties of color and scents. We will also visit UNESCO’s World Heritage site, Pont du Gard, an amazing example of the role that Roman’s played in the history of our region. We’ll explore the quaint village of Goudargues, and a morning hike away from the gate’s of the Rhone Retreat, is l’Oppidum, the remnants of a Roman officer’s bath house. These are just a few of the treat’s that we have in store for you while you visit this region rich with history, architecture, culture and lifestyle.

Ken is also a 20 year veteran masseur and all willing workshop participants will receive a 60- minute massage during their stay. Born in the Seychelles Islands, Ken, owner and proprietor of Rhone Retreat, grew up on islands throughout the world. His diverse childhood experiences gave him an appreciation for all cultures and for a lifestyle that promotes health and well-being on an individual basis. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.

Leading the creative side of our journey, Mary Hong, will fill our days with creativity that flows out of her! She is a veteran world traveler (retired international flight attendant) and creative glass freak. She has been a professional artist for over 20 years, working with glass for the last 15 years. This award winning artist has shown her work in the US and France. Her sold out classes in Florida and Alabama give her workshop experience to bring to Provence. She is pictured here (on right) with Ken Jourdan (left).

The Rhone Retreat will house all workshop participants and all meals included in the tour will be offered there. It is a gorgeous property with two separate cottages and a main house, and a sparkling pool! Each cottage has two bedrooms and one full bath. It was built in the early 1800’s and offers a glimpse of life in a quaint village surrounded by vineyards and historical sites, in the South of France.

This workshop is a wonderful opportunity to explore a gorgeous region of France and nurture your creative soul. You’ll leave France feeling content because you not only had a wonderful experience seeing Provence like a local and eating like a royal, but you’ll take home the experience of a learning a new technique for making impressive art.

This workshop and tour is the perfect combination of relaxed studio time, insider sightseeing, and food/wine to rave about.

Cost

Cost of the 7 day / 6 night tour / workshop is $3500 USD per person double occupancy (sharing one bedroom). For a single room (one bed in one bedroom with shared bath), the cost is $4500.00 USD. A deposit of $1200.00 USD will secure the workshop participant’s place and registration. The balance will be due no later than 60 calendar days from the start of your workshop. There is a limit of 8 people per week.

There is no refund or discount for staying less than 6 nights. Tour attendees that do not wish to participate in the art workshops but are accompanying / rooming with a student in the workshop, may join our excursions and all planned tours, meals, etc for the full tour price less $500.00. (ie $3000 pp/do or $4000 pp/single)

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