A week on the wheels, with Sophie Moran

Toulouse, September 2026

September sunshine, clay ready, and a new group settling into life in Toulouse, our pottery retreat with Sophie Moran was underway.

Coming all the way from Australia, Sophie shared her own journey and passion for pottery, but most importantly, she took the time to listen.

Each guest arrived with her own story, experience and creative ambitions, and Sophie was genuinely curious to understand what everyone hoped to explore or improve during their time together.

Connections formed naturally around the table, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere that followed the group from the studio to every moment in between.

Once hands met clay, the studio quickly became a place for experimenting, learning and finding confidence. Sophie's generous and encouraging approach gave everyone the freedom to work at their own pace while benefiting from her guidance along the way.

Throughout the week, an incredible variety of pieces took shape: bowls, mugs, plates and beautifully textured creations, each carrying a little of its maker's personality. And when the aprons came off, retreat life had its own rhythm.

Warm September afternoons meant dips in the pool and time to unwind in the spa, while evenings often turned into board games, long conversations and plenty of laughter, with a glass of champagne rarely too far away...

Creativity followed us beyond the studio, too. In Giroussens, the group discovered a charming village with a wonderfully bohemian, artistic soul. Meeting local artists, stepping into their creative worlds and discovering their work made the visit particularly memorable, and almost everyone returned with a little artistic treasure to take home.

Our final outing took us to beautiful Albi, a stunning UNESCO villahe where one last day of exploring together brought the week's adventures beyond the pottery studio to a lovely close.

Then came the reveal. For the first time, all the pieces created throughout the week were brought together on one table. Bowls, mugs, plates and textured creations filled the space, a beautiful collection of individual styles and a wonderful reminder of everything that had been learned, attempted and achieved.

Seeing it all together brought pride, excitement and more than a little emotion. The final evening continued around the dinner table with Dalila's incredible leg of lamb, a beautiful red wine and glasses raised together.

After days of clay-covered hands, artistic discoveries, poolside afternoons, champagne, games and laughter, there was plenty to look back on as the retreat came to an end.

Sophie, thank you for sharing your energy, generosity and passion so wholeheartedly. And to our wonderful guests, thank you for bringing your curiosity, creativity and laughter to every part of the week.



This is not a "Au Revoir, this is a "À bientôt"! 🤍

Our Toulouse Memories