Women in, and on, Provence
with Lindsey Tramuta
September 28 to October 04, 2026
Join us for a very special week with travel and culture journalist and bestselling author, Lindsey Tramuta. A week of discovering the women shaping Provence, and discussing those who found inspiration and solace in the place.
Women like M.F.K. Fisher, who wrote artfully about food and taste; Dora Maar, the French photographer who retreated to the Luberon after the collapse of one life and quietly rebuilt another; and Elvire Van Hyfte, the Belgian-Congolese model-journalist who came south for the warmth and found herself at the center of Matisse’s final great paintings — all moved within the orbit of this particular environment. Agnès Varda, the photographer, artist, and pioneer of New Wave cinema, set up her creative refuge in the untamed beauty of the Luberon mountains with her daughter Rosalie, hosting exhibitions and plays. And perhaps most closely connected to the south of them all is the late, great Julia Child, who spent her winters and springs recipe testing and cooking at La Pitchoune, her house near Grasse.
Our week together will be shaped by many of the same conditions that have made this region generative for so many before us. There will be readings from carefully chosen short works and writing exercises designed for every level of experience, from the novelist to the committed journaler. We will share stories, discuss how a place can serve as a powerful muse, and gather around the table with some of the people shaping this community, from winemakers and chefs to artists and makers. Food will anchor our days, rest will be built in, and the evenings will take care of themselves. I hope you will join us!
— Lindsey Tramuta
To learn more about the retreat, please download the Program Brochure here.
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Please read the Program Brochure and complete the Application Form.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a brief interview for us to learn more about each other and for you to ask any further questions you might have about the program.
Following the interview, successful applicants will have one week to pay to secure their place in the program.
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Wander into the country for a week at La Gonette with Lindsey Tramuta to explore the region and its brilliant women. But that’s only the beginning.
The cost per person for the week is 7000 euros, fully inclusive of transport to and from Marseille, the program, accommodation, all food and alcohol, as well as all activities.
It’s an all inclusive week. What, exactly, is included?
Six nights accommodation in the historical home, La Gonette
Six breakfasts, lunches, apéros and dinners prepared by in-house cooks
Wine, cocktails, after dinner whiskey (all alcohol)Daily session with Lindsey Tramuta
Visits and excursions to artist’s homes and ateliers; to local producers and a neighbouring vineyard; to produce markets and local villages.
Lunch at Saint Hubert in Saint-Saturnin-lés-Apt
Time at the historic home of La Gonette just to be, or to get involved in activities like a madeleine workshop with one of our cooks
Transfers to and from Marseille (airport or train station)
For more details, please download the Program Brochure here.
Please note that we encourage that you have travel insurance as the places are non-refundable given our limited spaces.
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Where is La Gonette located?
The estate sits at the base of the medieval village of Simiane-la-Rotonde in the Haute-Alpes of Provence in the south of France. A traditional farming region, it is surrounded by lavender fields and olive groves.
How do I get there?
The nearest major train stations to La Gonette are Avignon and Marseille (approximately 90 minutes drive). High-speed trains from Paris run regularly to these stations, and the journey takes around three hours. You can also fly into Marseille, which has an international airport. We will arrange group transfers from Marseille airport and train station, which is included in the program cost.
What facilities will I have access to?
Guests have access to the house and grounds of La Gonette, including gardens, terraces, pool and hammam. All utilities, including wifi, are provided.
Do I need to speak French?
While it is useful if you can speak any French, it is not necessary. Our program is run in English and fluency in English is needed to participate.How do meals work over the week?
Our in-house team of creatives and cooks will take care of all culinary needs. Breakfast, lunch, apéro and dinner are provided each day at La Gonette, as well as a lunch excursion in the area. All food is included in the program cost. Dietaries can certainly be catered for.
