Spring in Provence: A Creative Women’s Retreat, May, 2027
Art * Cuisine * Culture
Hosted by photographic artist Raina Stinson & PHYLLIS BROCK
May 16th to May 22nd, 2027
Roussillon, France
Limited to 8 participants
Provence: An Artist’s Paradise
Ground into wellbeing, awaken your creativity, and connect in the beauty of Provence with likeminded women.
Join us for a truly special week-long creative retreat in the heart of Provence. This inspiring experience is designed for artists, creatives, and adventurers alike—whether you’re picking up a camera, learning new art processes, or simply soaking in the beauty around you.
You will stay in a private Provencal villa nestled in the countryside of the Luberon Valley, surrounded by vineyards. Imagine waking up to the birdsong, bathed in the golden light of Provence, where the quiet valley whispers peace into your soul.Step into the magic of springtime in Provence and immerse yourself in a soulful retreat designed for women seeking restoration, inspiration, and meaningful connection.
Ground into wellbeing, awaken your creative spirit, and experience the tranquil beauty of the Provençal countryside—from blooming landscapes to authentic local culture and cuisine.
This is your space to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and share in genuine moments with like-minded women.
Ready to Create, Eat, and Explore? Spaces will be limited to ensure a deeply personal and immersive experience. Only 8 spots are available for this exclusive retreat.
Join our waiting list and be the first to receive an invitation to apply for this special May 2027 retreat.
Your Hosts:
Five years ago, Phyllis took a mindfulness photograph course with Raina, and they became fast friends.Phyllis was enthralled with Raina’s approach to mindful photography, seeing Provence through the lens of an iPhone, an ideal way to deepen the experience and beauty of Provence! From that friendship, this retreat was born! As a team, they radiate warmth, humor, and a shared love for exploration and creativity. Their combined energy sets the tone for a retreat that’s as joyful and enriching as it is inspiring.
Raina stinson
Raina Stinson is an internationally award-winning photographic artist known for her powerful, personal visual storytelling. Originally from the United States, she has been a full-time resident of Provence, France for the past eight years, where she leads creative retreats that immerse participants in mindfulness and photography. Through her insider perspective, she introduces you to the hidden treasures of Provence and invites you to experience the region like a local.
A multimedia artist, Raina also teaches alternative processes such as collage, handmade books, lumen prints, and encaustic photography, encouraging experimentation and self-expression. Drawing on her background in mindfulness and meditation, she guides students to slow down, observe deeply, and create more intentional, authentic work.
Passionate about community, especially among women in midlife, Raina fosters meaningful connection, creative growth, and renewed purpose through shared experience and artistic practice. experience..
Phyllis Brock
Phyllis Brock loves bringing women together to share beauty, laughter, and discovery. Originally from Montreal, Canada, she has lived in Silicon Valley for more than thirty years, where she had an exciting career in high tech and is currently a University Professor. Her true joy has always been connecting people and creating experiences that spark friendship and inspiration.
A lifelong traveler, Phyllis has traveled to over 50 countries and has been passionate about organizing retreats and memorable journeys for friends for over four decades. Eight years ago, she fell in love with Provence — the magnificent light, stunning hilltop villages, treasured markets, and leisurely pace of life. Phyllis has returned to Provence each spring for a month, getting to know the region extremely well.
Phyllis brings her background as an MBA professor in Leadership and Global Business to her retreats, adding personal growth and meaningful connections. What Phyllis treasures most is the magic that happens when women come together in a beautiful place — sharing stories, exploring new paths, and finding moments of joy and reflection. Friends describe Phyllis as warm, curious, and endlessly adventurous — someone who sees beauty everywhere and delights in helping others do the same.
Enjoy more photos to be inspired!
Testimonials
I have recently returned from the Provence Lavender Photography Tour. I highly recommend this tour! We visited lavender fields, explored medieval villages, gazed at the moon and stars. We feasted on fresh produce and French bread from the village markets as well as gourmet fare at restaurants with breathtaking views. We drank in the perfume of the lavender and the Spanish broom. We foraged for herbs and flowers on the steep hillsides of the stunning medieval village of Brantes to make a delectable lunch that we savored on a terrace built into the rocky slope overlooking spectacular Mont Ventoux. We reveled in the stimulating conversation spurred by the incredible kinship we developed with fellow travelers--new-found friends. And in every part of our amazing adventure, under Raina’s expert tutelage, we experimented with different ways to document in photographs the story of our journey. On reflection, I am reminded of a quote from Marcel Proust: "The real voyage of discovery consists of not seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes." Merci beaucoup to Raina for giving me the opportunity to see with new eyes!
Anne Newtown, Houston, Texas
I just returned from a small-group tour lifestyle and photography tour in Provence. I’ve traveled to France often and this is, by far, the best-guided experience I have ever had there The focus of this tour was lavender in bloom and photography, but I’m very confident that touring with Raina in Provence would be EXCEPTIONAL no matter what the focus was. Here are some highlights of the experience:
- All logistics, accommodations, and meals were handled from arrival to departure. That’s a real treat! Nothing to worry about!
- Beautiful, charming B&B that felt very private, had perfect owner/hosts, lovely breakfasts, and great views.
- FANTASTIC choices of restaurants (and a chef’s private home) for our lunches and dinners, exposing us to the cuisine of different villages in the area, some restaurants with breathtaking mountain landscape views from our table! Each meal was unique and highlighted local, in-season elements, and EVERY menu selection exceeded my expectations.
- Unique, local daily experiences, foraging in a quaint village for fresh herbs, veggies, fruits and flowers for a private, Chef-prepared lunch in the chef’s home, a private tour of a lavender farm and distillery, and much more!
- Extraordinary photo-taking venues on our schedule every day, with continuous hands-on guidance from Raina about looking for great shots, framing shots, setting our cameras and iphones (yes, iphones!) for the best shots, and then using editing apps to maximize the impact of our photos. My confidence in my ability to take exceptional photos has grown exponentially!
Carol Abott, Colorado, USA