Forage + Feast + Photography
July 3-7 2019, Saignon, Provence
with
Valentina Solfrini Annabelle Hickson Aimee Twigger
Gillian Bell & Mapie Lamy
With special guests Olivia Rubie of Adelaster Food Textures and Kate Hill of Camont
‘Secret Garden’ photography workshop with Valentina Solfrini. credit Aimee Twigger
Annabelle Hickson hosted a Foraged Florals masterclass, Photo Credit Aimee Twigger
‘Creating a ‘gateau d’emotion’ – a love story to Provence’ with Gillian Bell which evolved very poignantly into a moving discussion about creating with intention.
Aimee Twigger created in collaboration with our guests beautiful still life set ups using foraged florals and antique props.
‘A Bountiful Feast’ - Still Life chiaroscuro photography workshop with Aimee Twigger, photo credit Ruth Ribeaucourt
The steps of Maison Dora Maar, Credit Ruth Ribeaucourt
Four wonderful teachers from across the world, photographer Valentina Solfrini (Hortus); Florist (+writer+photographer) Annabelle Hickson; baker extraordinaire Gillian Bell; photographer Aimee Twigger; and led this very special creative visual storytelling retreat.
A five day all-inclusive retreat with a focus on visual storytelling, foraging florals and feasting set in the beautiful medieval village of Saignon in the Luberon region of Provence.
Wild gardens of La Moliere, Credit Annabelle Hickson
The heart of our retreat was the ancient 17th Century farmstead, La Moliere, with ten hectares of olive groves, lavender fields and wild flowers to play in. La Moliere is one of the oldest buildings in the region and is noted on the very first map of France, the ‘Carte de Cassini’, the farm is owned today by landscape artist Corinne Detroyat.
Invited guest Olivia Rubie of Adelaster Textures who shared her knowledge and passion so generously with everyone. Credit Elena Guereta
Summer supper with installation by Aurore Pelisson, Photo credit Valentina Solfrini
French chef Mapie Lamy created farm to table feasts, with picnics for lunch and candlelit alfresco dinners in the heart of an ancient farmhouse with foraged and wild flowers on the table.
Special guest Kate Hill cooking up a storm in the kitchen with Gillian Bell
“I stumbled across the forage feast photography retreat when I was looking for a standard course on how to properly use my camera. I was on the fence, wondering if this course would be worth the investment, but decided to take part and make it a holiday in the Provence. This was absolutely the best decision I could have ever made.
This course has given me so much more than your basic camera knowledge. Ruth is a People lover and connector and understands the business side to creative work so well. It’s a very intimate retreat with highly professional teachers that you interact with on a very personal and lovely level. I have kept in touch with most of the women I have met and I am so grateful for this unforgettable experience. “
“Dear, Ruth, Several months after my return from your Forage Feast and Photography workshop, I can still close my eyes and feel the magic, smell the lavender, taste the delicious food, hear the laughter, get inspired by the creative energy, and be moved by all the amazing women from around the world you brought together. Those few days in Provence were truly memorable and will forever fill my heart through my creative journey. For all of it, I am truly grateful… I would come back in a heartbeat…”
All my love, Marie Florence
Photo Olivia Rubie
“
La Provence. This setting says a thousand words of too bright sun, shaded nooks, ochre stone, and storied blue skies. I am surrounded by lavender fields and vineyards. Old oaks tell their stories as the night falls and the sound of running water, a cliche in these hot villages, tattoos a cool beat. Provence remains magical and is the perfect setting for this gathering of creative women. Merci @ruthribeaucourt”
“Attending Ruth Ribeaucourt's bespoke retreat last July in Provence was like walking out of real life and into a French arthouse film. The house and garden brought the real Provence to life, every mouthful we ate was an exploration of a Provencal garden at the height of summer, and every meal was like a memorable dinner party. All the while, there was Ruth as the creative director and a team of accomplished artists and experts at her right hand, each doing what only they could do, to complete the masterpiece….
….I made friends, including the wonderful Ruth, whom I feel I will know and admire forever. I had entry to people and places that in a hundred visits to Provence I would never have found on my own. And all this as well as acquiring new perspectives on photography, foraging, art, food and friendship. Bravo Ruth. An experience not to be missed.”
Photo Credit Olivia Rubie
“Ruth has created a magical adventure of gathered creatives unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. A bit like being plopped into an endless fairy tale, as the adventure lives on well after you have returned home. It is Ruth’s undeniable generosity of spirit that is interwoven into these beautiful, rare encounters that she uniquely creates for her guests that makes for an absolutely unforgettable experience.”
Debbie Wisdom
Photo Olivia Rubie
“.…”Beauty, in other words, lifts life out of the anaesthetizing effects of the pedestrian and gives us reason for going on, for being, for ranging beyond our boundaries, for endeavouring
always to be more than we are. It enables us to pause in time long enough to remember that some things are worth striving for, that some things are worth doing over and over again until they become their breathless selves”, wrote Sister Joan Chittister who is so wise she almost makes me want to believe in god…
…And these are the words that are on my mind after last night’s dinner under an oak tree adorned with silk lanterns made by Aurore Pelisson as part of @thefrenchmuse workshop.
Aurore is a super chic French artist who dyes silks and linens with plants and then makes the sublime fabric into floating lanterns like this, but also dresses and scarves and other lovely things.” Annabelle Hickson
photo credit Valentina Solfrini
“ My week with Ruth in Provence with an incredible group of women was unforgettable. Getting to know the most talented and kind women is something I'll always be grateful for, in addition to the incredible scenery, imaginative experiences and new skills I took home with me.”
Megan Madaris
Credit Olivia Rubie
"I never cease to wonder at the incredible energy that ignites, when kindred creative women get together. You couple this with the fairyland vibes of the Luberon, the delicious food and the carefully selected artists and teachers, and you are pretty close to heaven."
Credit Olivia Rubie
"Ruth’s generosity, joie de vivre and deep knowledge and love of Provence is what made this retreat so special for me. Add to that exceptional mentors, gathered from around the globe. The foraging and feasting was beyond anything I could have imagined, and the photography, which had slightly terrified me, was a highlight. Learning more about Ruth since the retreat has only increased my admiration for her. She pours so much of herself into nurturing and supporting creatives. I often think back on my time there and the people I met. If you have the opportunity, this is an experience not to be missed."
Cathy Cameron
Stories
…Shared by our guests and mentors during the Summer gathering
Remerciements
We are so grateful for the immense support from all our sponsors and collaborators.
Click on the images below to find out more information about these exceptional companies
Valerie Casado
Provence, france
