Creative Retreat with Resident Artist Rob Ryan 9th - 16th May (Week 1)

We are super excited to welcome back Rob Ryan for his second year as our Artist in Residence in May 2026.

This is your chance to recharge your creative batteries alongside the super-friendly & very talented paper-cut artist Rob Ryan! Explore your creativity, be inspired, try something new or hone your existing skills..This is an opportunity to give yourself time away from your everyday life to spend in a creative environment alongside other artists & makers and everyday folk who want to explore their inner creative self in an inspiring artistic environment. We welcome experienced artists & novices alike. No experience necessary.

Rob will be here for two weeks. Choose which week you prefer (you can stay for both).

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• Retreat details

  • Dates: Saturday 9 May 2026, 21:00 - Saturday 16 May 2026, 15:00

  • Location: The Mill, Aveyron, France

  • Theme / Focus: Creativity & Making — explore, experiment, try something new or deepen an existing practice. You’ll also enjoy a talk & demonstration from Rob Ryan, plus a Raku pottery firing (weather permitting).

  • Who it’s for: Open to artists, makers, writers, beginners, and anyone craving time and space to create. No experience necessary — just curiosity and a desire to make.

  • Group size: 4-8

  • Your host: Nathalie Edwards, founder of The Mill France

  • What to expect: A week of creative focus, gentle structure, and time to rest, reflect, and create.

  • Cost: Mezzanine Nook €975 Millers Nook €975 Hillview Room €1100

  • RiverVIew Rom €1200

  • Artists Loft €1200

  • Canal View Apartment single occupancy €2050

  • Canal View Apartment Shared occupancy €1000 per person

  • Reserve your room with a €250 deposit

• A bit about Rob

  Living and working in London, Rob Ryan creates highly ornate paper-cut pieces, combining charming human and animal figures, fairy-tale landscapes and lyrical, touching and often humorous texts. The heartfelt, romantic stories told through his poignant images have gained him a huge following.

  Rob Ryan’s success is built on decades of hard work and careful artistic evolution. Although today he is particularly famed for his paper-cuts, he originally studied printmaking, a technique which remains at the centre of his work. Find out more about Rob and his works.

• What's included

  • Accommodation at The Mill
    Choose from one of our seven private bedrooms — your own peaceful base for the week.

  • Creative time that’s truly your own
    Rob and Nathalie will be around throughout the week, working on their own practices and available for informal conversation.

  • Meals during your stay
    Daily self-serve breakfast and lunch, plus five home-cooked evening meals.
    This gives everyone the chance to eat out locally or prepare something simple in the large communal kitchen on the remaining two evenings.
    Tea & coffee are available throughout your stay — just help yourself.

  • Studios, materials & creative facilities
    Free access to both studio spaces for your own creative exploration

    A talk and demonstration by Rob on his methods of working
    A Raku pottery firing demonstration by Nathalie (weather permitting)
    Basic art materials provided (list below if needed)

  • Communal & outdoor spaces
    Enjoy full use of all shared areas, including:

    The Mill Library — a calm, wifi-free space filled with inspiring books

    The Mill Salon — with projector facilities for film nights

    All gardens and terraces

    Access to the river and canal for wild swimming

    Plenty of indoor/outdoor nooks for reading, writing or resting

  • Optional group activities

    A guided walk to see the local dinosaur footprints
    Free time to explore local hiking and walking routes

  • Exploring Millau
    There are regular local buses if you’d like to visit the town of Millau.
    Market day is on Friday mornings — always worth a trip.

  • Practicalities
    Free Wi-Fi
    Free on-site parking

• What’s not included

  • Flights / travel to and from France

  • Travel insurance (required)

  • Optional excursions or meals out

  • Materials beyond the basic supplies provided

  • Alcohol other than wine with meals

• How to get here

  • Our nearest airports are: Rodez 1hr 15, Beziers 1hr 20, Montpellier 1hr 30

  • For trains & buses and more in-depth travel information, check out our How to get here page

  • Arrival : 3pm - 6pm
    Depart: 10.30 am

  • Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the property built across four floors, we are unable to accommodate persons with mobility issues.

  • Check our FAQ’s for all other information contact us.

• Payment & Policies

  • Secure your space with a deposit of 250€

  • Pay the remaining balance 60 days prior to your arrival. An automated reminder will be sent to you

    Or

  • Pay in full at the time of booking for a 10% discount on your booking

  • Get in touch if you require a payment schedule

  • Check out our Cancellation & Refunds Policy‍

  • All payments will be made via our secure payment platform/ pay with PAyPal/ ApplePay/ Google Pay /Klarna also available ADD IN LINK HERE ONCE ITS CREATED

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The Accommodation

What people say

“Once you arrive, you never want to leave. So much creativity flows within the magical Mill. It is the perfect place to relax, reset, create, and transform.”

Danni- London

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Further Information

• Accommodation - A closer look at the rooms and spaces

• Cancellation Policy - Our T’s & C’s

• How to Get Here - Travel routes, nearest airports, and local transport

• Gallery - See the Mill, studio spaces, and past retreats.

• Testimonials - Read feedback from previous guests and residents.

• FAQs - Practical answers to common questions

Reserve My Place!