Join me in Provence this year!

A creative week of reading, writing, and food with La Gonette Sept 28-Oct 4

Something in the unfamiliar seems to unlock a part of the mind that ordinary life keeps tightly closed. I learned that firsthand last June when I spent a week at a comfortable remove from my daily life at La Gonette, in Simiane-la-Rotonde. It could have been the way the light hit the terrace or the slower pace, or maybe even the absence of obligation, but it was the kind of restorative and stimulating retreat that creative life requires.

For my first retreat as a participant, I was in the company of fellow city dwellers, among them Michael Cunningham and Ruth Reichl, who, like me, found themselves moved and inspired by the grand house called La Gonette, lovingly restored and transformed into a creative community gathering space by the novelist Alice Nelson. The conditions were right for reflection of all kinds.

For one week, the only words that required my attention were on the page— first others’, then my own. Meals were generous and nourishing, and, most importantly, prepared by Harriet and Jeni, who gave new meaning to the idea of feeding people as a form of care. The opportunity to just be during that week brought about several emotional breakthroughs, among them a reset in my focus and a desire to observe my surroundings more closely. I learned from men and women who traveled everywhere from Vermont to Melbourne — some of them writers, all of them avid readers and brilliant thinkers—to pore over short works of fiction, the technique of writing, and the flavours of Provence in a home that, it must be said, carries some kind of magic. (Don’t just take it from me, Ruth Reichl walked away with a similar impression!)

It is not for nothing that this house and this experience exist in Provence. For generations, the painterly light, sensuously rich landscapes, and sun-drenched southern produce of Provence have fed the imaginations of writers, artists, and chefs from all over the world. Here, they could see and think differently, at a comfortable remove from their routine. With dry heat and sharp winds, time slows. The mineral scent of limestone warmed in the afternoon sun, and the dusty chalk of a country path, runs beneath each day. Above it, a choir of cicadas rises, growing into a reassuring, reliable Provençal sound.

Naturally, I was delighted when Alice and Harriet at La Gonette offered me the opportunity to lead an experience of my own with them later this year. Those of you following my work for some time know how much I value women’s stories and while we tend to focus on the women who have been influenced by Paris, there are nearly as many who have found their calling and passions in Provence. (You can read about some of those women in the retreat brochure, here.)

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 I had the chance to spend time with last summer. Food will anchor our days, rest will be built in, and the evenings will take care of themselves.

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Applications for this week are now open! Read through the brochure, get an idea of who you’ll meet along the way, and project yourself to Provence in autumn! There are other FAQs addressed on the retreat website but a few others below:

FAQs
Who is this for?
Book lovers, writers (though not a requirement at all!), creatives, deep thinkers, food lovers. The goal of this week is to sharpen our focus, create community, and learn! There will be a smattering of writing prompts but they can just as easily inspire a journal entry as an essay or piece of fiction one wishes to publish. Women will be front and center here but men are, of course, welcome.

Do I have to think about meals and getting around?
No! That’s actually what proved to be a massive gift for my brain last year: every meal was generous and thoughtfully taken care of, even those outside of La Gonette. Once you get to the train station in Marseille, you get in a van and the rest unfolds. Bliss!

What if I’m a bit of an introvert?
That’s okay! There will be group sessions and activities but if at any point in the afternoon you prefer some alone time to take a dip in the pool, read on the terrace, or go for a stroll in the village, you can. There is plenty of free time woven in for this reason.

Will you review my writing?
I’d be happy to review and discuss your work! We can schedule 1:1 sessions throughout the week.

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