FULLY BOOKED!
Now taking bookings for 2025!
Join us for our second Pottery retreat in France! Spend seven days, including four days of tutored time, in a beautiful studio where you will explore hand building, decoration and glazing workshops, together with spectacular outdoor firings drawing the week to a close. With free time to be at relax, swim, walk and enjoy the French country way of living, this is a truly creative and relaxing week in rural France.
Your ceramics tutor for the week will be Helen Ashton - a teacher from The Clay Studio, East Sussex, specialising in Raku techniques, and also a ceramic artist in her own right. She has over a decade of experience in outdoor alternative firing techniques, guiding Raku and Obvara workshops, together with weekly classes and sculptural courses. With her scientific background she developed a fascination for the interaction of glaze components and the raw surface of clay. Her pieces are hand built, thrown and sculpted, both decorative and functional.
Your time at The Mill will include:
Hand building techniques, coiling, pinching and kurinuki.
Experienced support through all processes and outdoor firings
Japanese Raku gas firing method, an ancient technique producing colour from fire
Obvara firings for a fiery finale
In addition to the course activities led by Helen, you will be looked after at The Mill by our wonderful host Nathalie Edwards. The beautifully restored historic flour mill provides a variety of styled rooms from French rustic charm to quirky industrial comfort. Plenty of communal areas, including the stunningly peaceful Library, and outdoor seated areas along the river bank.
Rustic Mediterranean inspired meals, featuring locally sourced produce are served outdoors under a shady Pergola or in the communal dining area within the Mill, can be requested.
River swims on the doorstep, yoga and plenty of walking/ hiking trails directly from The Mill into nearby hills and medieval villages with various restaurants, cafes and of course the local boulangerie!
You will also have the opportunity to visit the Farmers Market in the bustling Medieval heart of Millau Town Centre, Roquefort for cheese , or visit the Millau Viaduct Centre for those of you who have an interest in Norman Foster's magnificent Masterpiece.
