The French Muse Experience
Created by Ruth Ribeaucourt in 2015 as a way to share Provence with travellers, a very intimate insiders experience of the Provence she loves, including meeting and connecting with the finest artisans, creatives and makers and soaking up history and heritage at her favourite flea markets and through exclusive visits to exceptional private homes, living heritage companies and exploring private collections.
During the global pandemic, the French Muse travel experiences and creative retreats were temporarily put on pause but we are pulling together some unique, immersive travel experiences for Autumn 2023.
In the meantime we are finding ways to connect and collaborate with our community of creatives and some exciting projects include:
Creative Director & Editor in Chief of FAIRE Magazine
Launched April 2021, FAIRE magazine is a luxury print magazine which celebrates stories of process, place and creativity.
Issue 1-8 are currently on sale in newsstands across the world (26 countries and counting); in select boutiques internationally and online.
Find out more on the FAIRE website.
Special Vintage & Antique Sales
Monthly special pop up sales of vintage and antique treasures over on @the_bouquiniste.
Forage Feast Photography
Throughout the year we create very special creative workshop retreats with invited artists, including photographers, writers, floral designers, ceramicists, natural dyers, and fiber artists.
POSTPONED DUE TO COVID19!!!
‘Storyteller’
A summer gathering in Provence
with
Betty Binon Marnie Hawson
Lynda Gardener Ali Heath
Plus Special Guests
Aimee Twigger Olivia Rubie Valentina Solfrini Kate Hill
Hosted by Ruth Ribeaucourt
Delicious food by Mapie Lamy
Foraged Florals by Laetitia C of Fleurs d’Ateliers Fleurs
We have been working hard behind the scenes to bring everything together for a very special summer retreat. We have an exceptional team of creative mentors confirmed which includes Canadian photographer Betty Binon (of Stems & Forks); Australian photographer Marnie Hawson; Australian stylist Lynda Gardener and British writer Ali Heath.
Many of the details (especially the surprises, collaborations and special guests) will be announced as the weeks roll out but here are the details at a glance.
We will offer a five day all-inclusive retreat with a focus on storytelling through photography and creative writing, with the beautiful village of Lourmarin in Provence as our backdrop. As is tradition we also love to welcome special guests and friends to be a part of the magic and this year we will be joined by my friends, Aimee Twigger (Twigg Studios), Olivia Rubie (Adelaster Food Textures), Valentina Solfrini (Hortus) and Kate Hill.
Workshops will rotate in small groups (5 guests per group max) with plentiful practical workshop time PLUS creative business sessions about writing and editing content for editorial; the business of editorial photography; with discussions on how to weave your personal creative story into an original voice and harness the power of storytelling, across social media platforms and the press.
This retreat is perfect for anyone who is interested in creating lifestyle, interiors and food photography but also suitable for creatives with an interest in writing, travel and cooking. It is also for anyone who needs a creative kick, maybe you are finding yourself stuck in a creative rut or perhaps you want to start a new project or take off in a new direction?... Many of us, mentors and team alike on this retreat, have hit a major career reset at some point, to feel and navigate our way towards more nourishing creative careers and we will lift, support and gently mentor you with a maximum amount of heart!
NEW DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!
PAST RETREATS
July 2019
with Valentina Solfrini , Annabelle Hickson, Aimee Twigger, Gillian Bell & Mapie Lamy
January 2019
with
Aimee Twigger , Valeria Necchio, Elodie Love, Nora Jaccaud and Giuseppina Mabilia
French Muse Experience
Our week long bespoke Experience
….is crafted to let you connect with Provence in all its beauty; the landscape; the colourful texture of the regions; Provencal meals to swoon you to the next mouthful; visits with the creatives and artists who call Provence home and to our famous flea markets (brocantes), where history is unrolled through linen, pottery, paint, nail, wood with abundant creative style.
NEW DATES for 2024 Coming soon!
For more information on our bespoke retreats click here..
Mini Muse
An aMuse Bouche of our Favourite things to do in Provence
For those of you already planning to come to Provence on vacation, perhaps you are in need of a little help in organising a special day of activities? Then why not try a Mini Muse experience ?
Perhaps you would like to spend a day learning how to ‘brocante’ like an expert, or you need help planning a special gathering, a picnic in a cherry field, or a vintage themed luncheon? Or perhaps your would like an invitation to discover the hidden worlds of important local makers and artists?
To find out more about the options available click here
No. 1 in Cara Magazine’s Top 10 Experiential Breaks Worldwide
Issue Dec 2018-Jan 2019
What our clients are saying about The French Muse...
Meet the founder,
Ruth ribeaucourt
Every day lived in Provence is a day of beauty, filled with tantalising flavours and enduring inspiration. I founded the French Muse as an invitation to delve deep into the soul of this beautiful country, soaking up the history, colour and light; and of course meeting and connecting with its finest artisans, makers and collectors.
For me, The French Muse is about travelling deeper, seeking thoughtful and intimate journeys that get to the heart of Provence and its culture.
In 2015, I felt this need to create a more authentic and exclusive travel experience, which was focused on nourishment; creatively and physically. It's genuinely exciting to be the conduit that brings people together from different generations and backgrounds, to create an experience which is essentially about meaningful human interactions and connections.
Take a leap and join me!
Ruth x
Follow along for a daily French Muse adventure
