Lavender Fields of Provence: A Mindful and Creative Retreat
June 27th to July 4th, 2026
7-night, 7-day tour
Velleron, France
Where lavender, light, and stillness inspire the art of deeper observation.
Join photographic artist and mindfulness teacher, Raina Stinson, for an intimate and transformative week-long retreat. This unique experience blends creativity, mindfulness, culture, and exploration into an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s most inspiring landscapes.
Experience the Provençal lifestyle during the famous lavender season, where every day offers a sensory adventure. From wandering hilltop villages and medieval streets to savoring cafés, vineyards, wine tastings, mindfulness photography, and French cooking classes, you’ll immerse yourself in the rich flavors and traditions of the region. Guided daily outings take you to stunning lavender fields, hidden corners known only to locals, lively markets, and regional art scenes.
Through it all, you’ll learn to rediscover your creative eye by approaching photography as both artistic expression and mindfulness practice. You’ll not only capture the beauty of Provence with your camera but also with your heart — telling the story of your journey in new, soulful ways.
As part of this experience, you’ll stay in our authentic Provence home where I live full-time with my husband, Denis. It is nestled in the countryside on one acre, surrounded by forest and farmland. This warm and welcoming haven, set just minutes away from charming small villages, offers the perfect balance of tranquility and connection, with easy access to local markets, cafés, and activities.
To balance exploration, you’ll enjoy restorative time at our countryside home, with space to rest by the pool, hike nearby countryside trails, and soak in the tranquility of summer in Provence.
This retreat is for travelers who long to go beyond tourist paths, immersing themselves in authentic culture, artistic discovery, and mindful presence. With Raina, you’ll experience the real Provence, while deepening your connection to creativity and the art of seeing.
This retreat is more than just photography — it’s a playful journey into creativity, mindfulness, and discovering the magic of Provence. Whether you’re a total beginner, a hobbyist, or a seasoned pro, you’re invited to slow down, explore, and see the region with fresh eyes.
Reserve your place today and give yourself the gift of time, vision, and renewal in the heart of lavender season.
WHEN:
7-night, 7-day tour
June 27th to July 4th, 2026
WHERE:
Velleron, France, La Fontaine ( 10 minutes from the famous town of L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue)
The closest airport is Marseilles (MRS) or you can take the high-speed TGV train from Paris to the Avignon TGV station. (3 hours train ride)
WHO IS THIS FOR:
This retreat is for anyone seeking inspiration, connection, and the beauty of slow, intentional travel. No photography or artistic skills required — just a love for art, food, French culture, and a spirit of curiosity.
PRICE:
All-inclusive except your airfare and transportation to our meeting place in L’isle sur la Sorgue
Private room with private bathroom €4500 per person
Private room with shared bathroom, in a private cottage at the villa €4500 per person
*Please note our retreat is limited to 6 guests to ensure you have a personalized boutique experience
LODGING
7 nights at La Fontaine, the private villa of your hosts Raina and her husband Denis.
The journeys you’ll take and the experiences that await!
Countryside Exploration
Each day is an invitation to wander and wonder—guided explorations through the Provençal countryside lead you to storybook hilltop villages, vibrant lavender fields, sun-drenched vineyards, and hidden landscapes that stir the soul. Perfect for soaking in history, capturing beauty through your lens, and igniting your creative spirit.
Embrance your inner Artist
Discover the magic of making lumen prints with foraged flowers and herbs, and unleash your inner artist! No experience required! Relax, take in the beauty of Provence, and let your creativity shine.
Mindfulness PHotogrAPY
Learn mindfulness photography to heighten your awareness and creativity as you capture the rolling lavender fields, charming hilltop villages, and sun-drenched landscapes of Provence.
Explore a historic chateau
Chateau de Thezan, a dream location for any creative soul. From its timeless charm to the magical golden light, it’s the perfect backdrop to capture unforgettable moments. During the retreat, you’ll have the opportunity to visit, learn about its rich history, and photograph this stunning site, along with many more carefully selected locations full of character, history and inspiration.
Visit an organic lavender distillery
where you’ll discover the magic behind this fragrant flower. Stroll through rows of lavender, learn how it’s harvested with care, and see firsthand how it’s transformed into soothing oils through the art of distillation. Breathe in, relax, and let lavender work its charm
Forage, Feast, Repeat!
Stroll through a quaint Provençal village with a basket in hand, hunting for wild herbs, edible flowers, and fresh local goodies. Then, roll up your sleeves in a charming village kitchen and turn your finds into a delicious homemade feast. Adventure for your senses, laughter for your soul, and tasty treats for… well, everyone
antique and Local market Adventures
Wander charming open-air markets, photograph colorful scenes, and perhaps find a treasure to take home.
Farm to table meals
Enjoy authentic meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients — both in cozy bistros and at the villa’s shared table. Wine is included at lunch and dinner. Extra wine and cocktails are not included. There is an honesty bar on site.
Accomodations
La Fontaine, our private countryside home, is located on 1 acre with surrounding forests. We offer private rooms with private bathrooms and private rooms with shared bathrooms. We have Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, a large pool and pool house, beautiful, peaceful secluded gardens, and a petanque court. There are many hiking trails from our villa which will take you along a beautiful canal and lead you to several small villages.
Your host, guide and instructor
About Raina
Raina Stinson, originally from Portland, Oregon, and now a full-time resident of Provence for the past 7½ years, is an internationally acclaimed photographer with a deep passion for storytelling, adventure, and living life to the fullest. Known for her vibrant spirit and infectious laugh, Raina brings a sense of fun, curiosity, and mindfulness to everything she does.
As a trained meditation and mindfulness teacher, she integrates these practices into her photography, guiding students to slow down, open their eyes, and capture the world with presence and intention.
Through this blend of art, mindfulness, and exploration, Raina helps participants not only create beautiful images but also cultivate awareness, creativity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
More details about our Retreat
What is mindfulness photography?
Mindfulness photography is a method to increase your awareness and reveal the magic and beauty that is normally hidden from view. It is to learn to slow down and open all of your senses to your experience. For the traveler, it is a wonderful way to see and experience each moment. It is not about focusing on the technical aspects of photography, but rather is about being present in each moment and creating images based on fresh perceptions. In this process, you will experience a deeper connection to yourself and open to a deeper level of creativity, and experience a deep sense of peacefulness and joy.
What is included
All transportation during our retreat – pick-up will be in the town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
7 nights lodging at La Fontaine
All breakfasts (7)
All lunches (7)
All dinners (7)
Local wine is provided with lunch and dinner
DOES NOT INCLUDE
All transportation to/from Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)
PLACES VISITED
L’isle sur la Sorgue
Velleron
Pernes les Fontaine
St Didier
Goult
Gordes
Saint Saturnin les Apt
Lacoste
Brants
Sault
Aurel
And many scenic routes passing through other Provence villages and the beautiful countryside
CANCELLATION POLICY
A 50% retainer of the total cost is required to reserve your spot for this retreat. The balance is due by April 15th, 2026. Due to the logistics & upfront costs of creating an exceptional workshop experience like this, we are unable to offer refunds on payments made. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance in the event of strikes, natural disasters, health issues, or other unforeseen events that may affect your life or the world.
**Please know that due to weather or other reasons, activities and locations may change. If this is the case, an equally enjoyable activity and location will be arranged.
Testimonials
“I had a truly fabulous experience with Raina!! She is a very gifted photographer and instructor. Raina is very skilled at teaching the nuances that make a great photograph and has a calm, beautiful way of empowering her students.
There were many things that stood out about Raina's photography sessions. First - she is unique in that she instructs using an iPhone! It made learning photography so easy and accessible. It is astonishing how fantastic my photos came out. Second, I loved the fact that Raina uses mindfulness at the root of how she teaches. By being mindful and noticing how you are seeing things creates an entirely new way to photograph. Third, Raina is an absolute pleasure to be with! She is fun, warm, and caring, and instructs in the most helpful of ways. Raina knows which environments create the best photos. To learn by walking in her footsteps was priceless. I would never have learned as much as I did or enjoyed myself as much as I did if it weren't for Raina.
My time with Raina was so inspiring and rewarding. I left transformed and uplifted and now have fabulous photos from our experience together. I can't wait for my next course with Raina!”
Phyllis Brock
California, USA
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
