Name: Clay & Petals: A Pottery and Floral Retreat in Toulouse Countryside
Price: 1035.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

Dates: June 1st to 6th, 2027

Location: Toulouse, South Of France

Discover a refined creative retreat in the South of France, thoughtfully designed around Janae Paquin-Bowden's dual expertise in pottery and florals. Set within a beautiful estate near Toulouse, this immersive experience brings together four dedicated workshop days in clay and flowers, balanced with curated cultural moments.

Across the week, you will take part in intensive pottery sessions, including glazing and preparation for firing, alongside a full flower farm experience with harvesting, floral crown and table arrangements, and a signature bouquet workshop. The program also includes a visit to the ceramic village of Giroussens, time to enjoy the villa’s spa and pool, and a final day exploring Toulouse’s art scene.

Limited to just 12 guests, the retreat is structured to ensure depth, intimacy, and personalised guidance, positioning you at the centre of a high quality, creative and culturally rich experience.

Inclusions

Accommodation: Domaine d’en Maury is a beautifully restored country estate set around a peaceful courtyard surrounded by gardens and woodland. Offering individually styled bedrooms with private bathrooms, generous communal spaces, indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities, and lounge areas with fireplace and bar, it combines comfort with Southern French character.
Room Options: Participants will choose between a private single room or a shared room, each thoughtfully appointed to ensure a comfortable stay. A special welcome gift awaits them upon arrival.
Host: Three dedicated Madame Voyage hosts will be on hand throughout the week to coordinate activities, answer questions, and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Airport Transfer: Private transfer to and from Toulouse Airport and Train station for your convenience.
On-Site Transportation: Chauffeur-driven transport for all scheduled activities.
All meals and drinks are included, and every bite is a taste of the region: Begin each day with buttery croissants and sun-ripened fruit, and end it with generous dinners. Chris, Janae's husband will be our private chef for the week! He will take care of all apéritifs, lunches, and evening meals, so guests can fully relax outside of class time. Every menu is crafted with fresh, local ingredients, fragrant herbs, seasonal vegetables, and the rich flavours of the South. Lunches are long and relaxed, dinners are warm and convivial. A glass of Champagne awaits on arrival. Vegetarian or gluten free requirements are seamlessly accommodated, with the same attention to flavour and presentation.

Activities (yes, also included!)

Pottery Immersion

Two dedicated pottery sessions, including intensive studio time and preparation of Janae’s signature vase

Flower Farm & Floral Design

Visit to a local flower farm with seasonal picking experience
Floral crown, table arrangement, and final bouquet workshop using Janae’s signature vase

Giroussens Ceramic Discovery

Guided visit of the ceramic village of Giroussens, including the ceramic centre and museum
Exploration of the historic convent with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside

Toulouse Experience

Visit to Toulouse and selected art galleries and garden
Lunch in the city

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Welcome to Toulouse

We will pick you up from Toulouse airport or train station from 3:00 PM for a 4:00 PM arrival at the villa. Settle into your room, where a small welcome gift will be waiting for you. We ease gently into the week with your first hands-on pottery session, getting familiar with the studio and materials. In the evening, we gather over a glass of Champagne, followed by a relaxed welcome dinner prepared by Chris, Janae’s husband, who will be looking after us all week in the kitchen.

Day 2 - Pottery Day

A full day dedicated to pottery. You’ll spend the morning and afternoon creating alongside Janae, with time in between to enjoy a long lunch at the estate, lovingly prepared by Chris. In the late afternoon, everything slows down with some free time before dinner together at the villa, again prepared by Chris.

Day 3 - Flowers and Slow Living

After breakfast, we head to a local flower farm for a seasonal picking experience, a beautiful and creative moment in nature. The afternoon is yours to relax at the estate, by the pool, in the spa, or simply enjoying the calm of the countryside. In the evening, we come together for dinner prepared by Chris.

Day 4 - Ceramic Heritage

We begin the day with glazing your pieces before sending them off for firing. In the afternoon, we explore the charming village of Giroussens, discovering its ceramic heritage, local studios, and artistic atmosphere. We return to the villa for dinner, once again prepared by Chris.

Day 5 - Toulouse and Final Creations

A day out in Toulouse, wandering through the city, visiting galleries, and enjoying a city lunch. Back at the villa, your finished pottery pieces will be ready. We end the day with a floral workshop and a final dinner together, prepared by Chris.

Day 6 - Au revoir

A slow final morning with breakfast together before we say our goodbyes. You’ll leave with your creations, beautiful memories, and a week that felt both creative and restorative.
GETTING THERE
For your convenience, Madame Voyage will organise a private group transfer from Toulouse Airport &Toulouse Train Station around 3PM.
INCLUSIONS

From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, absolutely everything is taken care of.

Your transport, your meals, your experiences — it’s all included, so you can fully relax and soak up the magic of your retreat.

Start your mornings with buttery croissants, pains au chocolat, and the classic tartine au beurre — plus a few savoury options if that’s more your style. Every meal is lovingly prepared by our private chef, using fresh, local ingredients to celebrate the flavours of the region. Expect long, generous lunches and cosy, shared dinners that feel like home — just with better wine.

Speaking of which… yes, wine is always included. From crisp local rosés to rich Burgundy reds, each glass is thoughtfully paired with your meal. And to kick things off in style, we’ll welcome you with a glass of Champagne on arrival.

You’ll enjoy a curated program of unforgettable activities, too — all organised for you. No extra costs, no logistics to juggle. Just bring your appetite, your curiosity, and a love for beautiful things. We’ll take care of the rest.

Dietary needs? No problem — we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other preferences with care and creativity.
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfares and other transportation fares to and from the retreat

- Anything not explicitly listed above

- Travel Insurance: For complete peace of mind while travelling, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance. Australian guests can view our recommended partner here, and guests from other countries can find suitable options here.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s included in the retreat?

From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, everything is included, accommodation, all meals (prepared by a private chef), wine, activities, excursions, local transfers, and surprises along the way. The only things not included are your flights and travel insurance. (We do have a travel insurance partner – contact us for details!)

Do I need to speak French?

Not at all! All activities are led in English unless otherwise stated. A love for French culture is all you need.

What if I have dietary requirements?

No problem! We cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other common dietary needs. Just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Can I come alone?

Absolutely! Many of our guests join solo. Our retreats are designed to be warm, welcoming, and inclusive, you’ll feel part of the group from day one.

How do I get to the retreat location?

We’ll send you clear travel instructions ahead of time, including suggested trains or flights. Transfers from nearby stations are included. If you're unsure, we're happy to help with your travel plans.

How active are the retreats?

Our retreats blend culture, relaxation, and light activity (such as walking tours or market visits). You won’t need to be super fit, but expect to be gently on the move.

What’s the accommodation like?

We handpick unique, charming places, from countryside châteaux to boutique villas. Rooms are comfortable, beautifully styled, and often with private bathrooms.

What should I pack?

We’ll send you a tailored packing list before departure based on the season and retreat style. Think comfortable clothes, a touch of chic, and a good pair of shoes.

How many people will be on the retreat?

Most of our retreats are small and intimate, usually between 10 and 14 guests. This allows for a more personalized and relaxed experience.

Do I have to participate in every activity?

While we hope you’ll be excited about the itinerary, all experiences are optional! This is your retreat, feel free to skip an activity and enjoy some downtime whenever you like.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?

Due to the nature of our tours, retreats and experiences, which require advance payments to accommodation providers, hosts, venues, guides, and other suppliers, we are only able to offer refunds for change of mind or other reasons other than emergencies or events outside of our control in accordance with the table below.

Months prior to the retreat or tour	Refund payable
More than 6 months	50% of any amount paid
More than 4 months until 6 months	30% of any amount paid
4 months or less	No refund

To learn more about our cancellation policy please read our Terms & Conditions

Working with clay, step by step

Over the week, you’ll spend time in the studio with Janae, learning her approach to hand-built ceramics. You’ll explore techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab-building, and slowly create your own pieces from start to finish. It’s a very hands-on and relaxed way of learning, where you can go at your own pace, enjoy the process, and build confidence as you go.

Flowers, nature and creative moments

Beyond the studio, the experience opens up into the surrounding landscape. You’ll visit a local flower farm, gather seasonal blooms, and work with them in a gentle, creative way. There’s also time to explore the region’s ceramic heritage, from small villages to local artists, offering inspiration that naturally feeds back into your work.

A week to slow down and enjoy

This retreat is as much about the rhythm of the days as it is about what you create. Long lunches, dinners prepared by Chris, quiet afternoons by the pool, and simple moments shared together. It’s a space to step away, reconnect with your creativity, and enjoy a slower, more intentional way of being.

Janae Paquin-Bowden is a ceramic artist and flower farmer based in Lyonville, Australia, where her days are shaped by both clay and flowers. Her studio sits amongst the flower fields she runs with her husband Chris, and this connection to nature flows through everything she creates.

Originally trained in Visual Arts at Deakin and La Trobe University, Janae specialised in ceramics before continuing to deepen her practice through travel across Europe. It was there, wandering through old villages and historic streets, that she fell in love with the details that now define her work, the curves of French urns, the texture of time-worn pottery, and the quiet beauty of everyday objects.

Together with Chris, she founded their flower farm in 2016, a space that has become central to both their lives. While Janae will create with us, Chris will brings his own craft to the table through food, preparing beautiful, seasonal meals throughout our retreat. Their partnership is at the heart of our experience... thoughtful, creative, and deeply grounded in a shared love of slow living.

Janae’s work has since evolved beyond the studio, including a collaboration with Australian brand Nancybird, and is now stocked across Australia and the UK. But at its core, her approach remains simple, to create with intention, inspired by nature, history, and the beauty of taking things slowly.