SUMMER IN PROVENCE LIFESTYLE, LAVENDER, AND PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
JUNE 20TH TO JUNE 27TH, 2026
JOIN INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST, RAINA STINSON LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF PROVENCE, FRANCE, FOR AN INTIMATE AND TRANSFORMATIVE WEEK-LONG PROVENCE EXPERIENCE.
EXPLORE THE PROVENÇAL LIFESTYLE AND THE HIDDEN TREASURES WHILST LEARNING NEW SKILLS TO IMPROVE YOUR TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
IT’S THE PROVENÇAL LIFESTYLE tour AT ITS BEST!
Experience the Provencal lifestyle and photography tour during the famous lavender season. Provence will forever be captured not only in your artistic eye but also in your heart. From hilltop villages, medieval architecture, cafes, vineyards, wine tasting, french cooking classes, and the stunning lavender fields, you will have a sensory experience each day and an opportunity to learn how to document your vacation in new ways. This is your opportunity to rediscover (discover) your creative talent in one of the most inspiring lands in the world.
This tour is designed for daily outings to experience the stunning lavender fields, and off-the-beaten-track locations typically known only by locals, eat local in-season French cuisine, explore markets, antique markets, and regional art, and learn how to tell the story of your adventures through photography. Summers in Provence can be quite hot, so you will have plenty of time to rest each day at the pool and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. You will also have time to take hikes just minutes from our villa.
This tour is the perfect experience for travelers who love to immerse themselves in the local culture and avoid the tourist traps. With long-time locals Raina and Denis, you will experience the real French provencal lifestyle. You will also learn how to use photography to document your experience and how to slow down to open your artistic eye by integrating a mindfulness/mediative approach to photography.
WHEN:
7-night, 7-day tour
June 20th to June 27th, 2025
WHERE:
Velleron, France, La Fontaine B&B ( 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:
All skill levels and cameras, from mobile phones to DSLRs, are accepted. Wherever you are in photography, from beginner to professional, I will teach to your level and help you acquire new skills and confidence.
PRICE:
All-inclusive except your airfare and transportation to our meeting place in L’isle sur la Sorgue
Private room with private bathroom €3950 per person
Private room with shared bathroom, in a private cottage at the villa €3950 per person
*Please note our retreat is limited to a max of 5 guests to ensure you have a personalized boutique experience
LODGING
AN UNFORGETTABLE COUNTRYSIDE VILLA AWAITS YOU IN PROVENCE…
7 nights at La Fontaine, the private villa of your hosts Raina and her husband Denis.
Here is a taste of what you will see on our tour!
Daily Excersions
With Raina’s vast knowledge of the area, she has curated daily outings to photograph and experience the real provencal lifestyle through the amazing cuisine, a cooking class, markets, historic villages, historic chateaus, pristine landscapes, and ruins.
What you will learn
Raina will guide you through the picturesque landscapes and charming villages of Provence, sharing her expertise to help you capture the essence of this timeless region. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned photographer, Raina’s insights will elevate your skills and your creative eye.
Accomodations
La Fontaine is a private countryside villa 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.
Meals
Scheduled meals breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Wine is included at lunch and dinner. Extra wine and cocktails are not included. There is an honesty bar on site.
Your host, guide and instructor
About Raina
Raina Stinson is an internationally award-winning photographic artist known for her evocative storytelling through imagery. Originally from the United States, she has spent the past seven years living in Provence, France, and is a full-time resident.
With a deep passion for visual narratives, Raina’s work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and the human experience. In addition to her photographic art, she teaches week-long photography workshops and day photography tours in Provence, sharing her extensive knowledge of the region and photographic skills. She incorporates her many years as a meditation and mindfulness teacher into her courses. She loves uncovering Provence's unique and hidden treasures, sharing an intimate and authentic experience of its beauty, culture, and history with her clients.
Raina and her husband, Denis, also run an artist-in-residence program from their villa, providing a peaceful and inspiring retreat for creatives to immerse themselves in their work. Through her photography, teaching, and residency program, Raina fosters a space where artistry and inspiration can thrive.
Over the years she has received numerous awards in recognition of her work and has exhibited around the world. For a full list of awards and exhibitions click here
Photography courses
On this tour, you will be using photography to capture magical moments, artistic flair, and the Provencal way of life. Raina will teach you to open your eyes and enhance your skills.
Learn to see and understand the use of natural light and shadows to create more depth in your imagery.
Learn to take compelling photos of landscapes, people, and more, by learning simple composition rules.
Enhance your photos using photo editing apps on your phone and or computer.
Learn how to tell unique stories of your travels through your imagery.
Learn how to slow down and create more artful images through centering techniques to increase your awareness and center your mind, body, and soul.
Learn principles and the practice of mindfulness and meditation to help you slow down, be more present in your environment, and open your artistic eye to create unique and interesting photographs of your experiences.
Create beautiful digital photographs with your mobile phone, learning more about the photographic features of your mobile camera.
Instruction will deepen your visual awareness while imparting skills to make your photography more satisfying and fun.
All skill levels are welcome.
You do not need a fancy camera to participate. Mobile cameras are very welcome, in addition to DSLR cameras.
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.
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants to slow down and experience the real Provence with fresh eyes. This experience is for all levels of photography from beginner to professional.
© Raina Stinson
More details about this Provence Lavender Photography Tour Experience:
INCLUDES
All transportation – pick-up at L’Isle Sur la Sorgue train station or hotel.
7 nights lodging at La Fontaine
All breakfasts (7)
All lunches (7)
All dinners (7)
Local wine is provided with lunch and dinner
There is an honesty bar at our villa with wine, beer, sodas, and sparkling water
Raina as your guide and photography mentor & instructor for the full tour (workshop sessions at B&B and out in the field)
DOES NOT INCLUDE
All transportation to/from Isle sur la Sorgue
Before and/or after dinner drinks (wine is included during the meals)
ACTIVITIES & SITES INCLUDED
Photography mentor & instructor for the full tour (workshop sessions at B&B and out in the field)
Provencal cooking lesson by a trained French chef, followed by lunch in a beautiful garden surrounded by vineyards
Lavender distillery & farm tour, lavender museum
Regular outings will take you to chateaus, villages, photography exhibitions, and secret locations throughout the region where you can photograph, shop, eat, and explore.
Provencal antique market and the famous night village market of Velleron
Time to relax, unwind, and enjoy the pool and Provencal summer life at our private countryside villa
Time to take a hike along the beautiful canal that is steps away from the villa if you would like to explore a bit on your own.
PLACES VISITED
L’isle sur la Sorgue
Velleron
Pernes les Fontaine
St Didier
Gordes
Goult
Lacoste
Bonnieux
Oppede les Vieux
Menerbes
Beaumont de Pertuis
And many scenic routes passing through other Provence villages and beautiful countryside
CANCELLATION POLICY
A 50% retainer of the total cost is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. The balance is due by April 15th, 2025. 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 problems, and other unforeseen events in your life or the world.
**Please know 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.
For more information on our itinerary for the week please contact us below
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 was always interested in photography, but Raina's Mobile Phone Photography Workshop was the first one I ever took. I enjoyed learning from a confident teacher together with a small group where all our questions were addressed and answered. Raina is a generous and inspirational teacher and the photos I produced by the end of the workshop were much better than any of my photos before. Strong recommendation! “
Mimi Pillsbury, France
