Provence in Clay with Sarah Glass
Dates: September 7th to 12th, 2027
Location: Grignan, Provence, France
Come spend six days with us in the beautiful village of Grignan, in the heart of Provence, for a week of pottery, good food and French living. We’ll be staying together at La Maison, a gorgeous 18th-century golden stone house right in the village, where you’ll spend plenty of time at the wheel learning and creating alongside Sarah Glass. With just 12 guests, it’s a chance to really immerse yourself in pottery, connect with like-minded people and enjoy everything we love about Provence.
- Accommodation: Enjoy five nights at La Maison, a beautifully restored 18th-century residence located right in the heart of Grignan village, a rare find in Provence. Step outside the door and you’re immediately amongst the village cafés, restaurants and shops. The house features eight spacious bedrooms, beautiful communal spaces, a swimming pool, peaceful terraces and a stunning rooftop overlooking the Château de Grignan, giving us the perfect private home for the week.
- Room Options: Choose between a private room or a shared room, both featuring a king-size bed. Shared rooms must be booked by two guests travelling together who are happy to share one king-size bed. A thoughtfully curated welcome gift from Madame Voyage will be waiting for you 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.
- Station Transfer: Private transfer to and from Montélimar Train Station are organised for your convenience.
- On-Site Transportation: Chauffeur-driven transport for all scheduled activities.
- Meals & drinks: All meals and drinks are included. Expect vibrant, generous dishes, long shared lunches, and warm evenings around the table. A private cheffe will take care of all meals and dietary requirements are always thoughtfully accommodated.
- Wine & Champagne will of course be flowing all week!
Activities (yes, also included!)
- Pottery Immersion: Roll up your sleeves for 12 hours of immersive wheel-throwing classes with talented ceramic artist and teacher Sarah Glass. Across four 3-hour workshops, you’ll have your own pottery wheel and plenty of hands-on time to learn, practise and create with Sarah’s guidance.
- Discover Grignan: Explore the picturesque village of Grignan and visit its magnificent Château, perched above the surrounding Provençal countryside. Enjoy free time to wander through the village, browse its charming boutiques and soak up the relaxed local atmosphere.
- Wine Tasting: Discover the wines of the region during a guided tasting and learn more about the terroir and winemaking traditions of Provence.
- Provençal Truffle Experience: Visit a local truffle producer for an introduction to one of Provence’s most celebrated delicacies, followed by a relaxed apéritif and tasting.
- Memorable Dining Experiences: Celebrate your arrival with cocktails and dinner on the rooftop overlooking Grignan. Throughout the retreat, enjoy relaxed meals at La Maison, dinner in local village restaurants and a festive final evening at a traditional guinguette.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Welcome to Provence
Your Provence adventure begins! Meet your fellow guests for a 4:00pm group transfer from Montélimar train station to our home for the week in Grignan.
Settle into your room before joining us on the rooftop for cocktails and a beautiful welcome dinner, overlooking the village and Château de Grignan.
Day 2 – A Day at the Wheel
It’s time to get your hands in the clay. Spend the morning with Sarah for your first 3-hour wheel-throwing workshop, with your own wheel to work on throughout the class.
After lunch at La Maison, we’re back in the studio for another 3-hour pottery session.
In the evening, we’ll step outside our front door and head into Grignan village for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 – Pottery, Château & Wine
Begin the day with your third 3-hour pottery workshop with Sarah, continuing to develop your skills and pieces on the wheel.
After lunch at La Maison, we’ll visit the impressive Château de Grignan, followed by a local wine tasting.
Dinner tonight will be at a restaurant in a nearby village.
Day 4 – Clay & Truffles
Your final 3-hour pottery workshop takes place this morning, bringing your total studio time with Sarah to 12 hours across four classes.
After lunch at La Maison, enjoy some downtime before heading out to visit to a local truffle farm, followed by an apéritif.
We’ll return home for dinner together at La Maison.
Day 5 – A Day to Enjoy Provence
Today is yours to enjoy. Sleep in, relax by the pool, wander through Grignan, browse the local shops or join an optional activity.
We’ll come together for lunch at La Maison before another free afternoon.
For our final evening, we’re heading out for a fun guinguette-style dinner, the perfect way to celebrate our last night together.
Day 6 – Au Revoir
Enjoy your final morning at La Maison before saying au revoir to Sarah and your fellow guests.
Our group transfer will depart at 9:30am for Montélimar train station.
GETTING THERE
For getting from Paris to Montélimar, we highly recommend the train, it’s a comfortable and scenic way to travel. We will pick you up at Montélimar Train Station on Day 1.
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, and all week long!
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
When will the retreat be confirmed?
Please note that we require a minimum number of participants for this adventure to take place. We recommend that you wait until we confirm the retreat before making any travel arrangements, including booking flights. In the event that the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will notify you as soon as possible, and any payments made will be fully refunded.
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
Désolée, this retreat has now sold out
Merci beaucoup, you are now part of the waitlist!
Please try again later.
What you will learn and discover
With over fifteen years of experience at the wheel, Sarah brings a hands-on and thoughtful approach to teaching. Across more than 12 hours of pottery classes and with a small group, you’ll receive personalised guidance as you develop your skills and explore the art of vessel making. All levels are welcome, whether it’s your first time at the wheel or you’re looking to refine existing skills. Please note the entire retreat and pottery classes are held in English.
- Explore vessel making on the wheel, working with different shapes, proportions and forms.
- Develop your throwing, trimming and finishing techniques.
- Learn how to create thinner, more considered vessels while maintaining balance and structure.
- Explore Sarah’s minimalist approach to form, influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian ceramic traditions.
- Experiment with surface, texture and finishing to give your vessels their own character.
- Create functional pieces that are both beautiful and made to be used.
Beyond technique, Sarah will share her own creative process and approach to vessel making, including:
- Finding inspiration in nature, place and everyday life.
- Developing your own style and artistic voice at the wheel.
- Thinking about proportion, form and function when designing a vessel.
- Creating with intention while still allowing space for the unexpected.
Most pieces created during the retreat will be low-temperature fired, a quicker firing process that allows your work to be completed in time for you to take it home. Each guest will leave with at least three fired pieces, a very special souvenir from your week in Provence.
A few snaps of our stunning Village House
Rooms & Pricing
Oui! The price listed is all inclusive.
"Booking a retreat through Madame Voyage is an absolute must! They provide the highest quality experience and surround you with wonderful cultural experiences"
Katie S, Chicago
"What I loved about the retreat is the relaxation. It truly is a retreat. The scenery was amazing, I had the best view. La cuisine, was excellente! The weather, perfect timing. Madame Voyage picked the excellent time just to have everyone here in Provence."
Patricia, US
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
"It’s been absolutely amazing. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this trip, but every single detail has been so thoughtfully curated, from the beautiful locations to the food, the people, the activities… I’ve just felt so welcomed and inspired the whole time. It’s been the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone—just do it!”
Sarah Gleason, US
French language immersion, French Alps, January 2025
"We had a very good time. I really appreciated the fact that even the tours were in French! The Truffeiere, The wine tastings, The Château, and beautiful French villages. Everything was very well organized and very well thought of. The balance between learning French in class and going on tours in French was just amazing."
Zainab, Dubai,
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
“We booked the Lyon package in July 2023, and it was 5 stars all the way. Everything about it was amazing and life changing. You designed and orchestrated a very bespoke and tailored experience for us, like a maestro. Bravo and MERCI. »
Mona & Chris Hope, from Melbourne VIC
“Our chalet stay in January 2023 exceeded all our expectations. We don’t ski and yet we had a great time in the Alps. We loved the fully catered service of the chalet, specially the fact that the owners were driving us to the village or the slopes every day. Thank you Madame Voyage for such a perfect trip. »
Darius Watson, UK
"What an extraordinary experience we had thanks to the masterful organization of Madame Voyage in this magnificent place! The energy of the participants and the generosity of Laima (potter artist) also contributed to the success of this memorable week!"
Annie T., Montréal
"The pottery retreat was absolutely amazing. It exceeded any expectations I had and was so cohesive with meals, social time, studio time, and excursions. They really thought of everything to make it a luxurious week. When we first arrived, they let us know we can ask for anything - and they literally meant it. So above and beyond! Also, the food was delicious. I will 100% do another retreat in the future."
Elyse S., Seattle
"The service Madame Voyage provided blew my expectations away! The food was amazing, the wine was flowing, and the hosts were friendly and ready to take care of any need"
Kiki D., Chicago
"Oh what an amazing experience. Everything was planned perfectly. The accommodations, food, and everything in between. They didn't miss a single thing. It was an experience of a lifetime. The friends that we made and the fun that we had was beyond all our expectations. I highly recommend this retreat and any Madame Voyage retreat. These women really know how put together a fantastic itinerary that works for everyone!!"
Stacy B, US
"I have just returned from the Madame Voyage cooking Retreat with Geraldine and I have to say it is one the best weeks I have ever spent. Thank you, it will always stay in my heart"
Gary C, Stockholm
"The cooking retreat with Géraldine was amazing! The days were organized with events with room to rest. I had so much fun meeting new people and bonding over our love of food. I cannot say enough about our hosts, they were all so kind. I would attend another Madame Voyage retreat in a heartbeat."
Sandra V. Fort Worth, TX
"Booking a retreat through Madame Voyage is an absolute must! They provide the highest quality experience and surround you with wonderful cultural experiences"
Katie S, Chicago
"What I loved about the retreat is the relaxation. It truly is a retreat. The scenery was amazing, I had the best view. La cuisine, was excellente! The weather, perfect timing. Madame Voyage picked the excellent time just to have everyone here in Provence."
Patricia, US
French Language Immersion, Provence, October 2024
Get to know your host
Sarah Glass is an American ceramic artist and teacher based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With more than fifteen years at the wheel, she is known for creating beautifully thin, functional ceramic vessels inspired by the natural environment around her and influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian ceramic traditions.
Teaching is also a big part of Sarah’s practice. From her Fort Lauderdale studio, she has built a community around pottery, sharing her experience and encouraging others to develop their own relationship with clay.
Her work is simple, thoughtful and made with intention, and we’re so excited to bring Sarah and her approach to the wheel all the way from Florida to Provence for this very special week.
Join us!
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