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France: 50 Shades of Purple in Provence
$3850.00 / $2,000.00 deposit
10th - 16th Jul, 2021
Join Thierry Bornier, one of the most awarded international landscape photographers and Provence native, as we embark on a photographic tour in this famously beautiful region of France to learn, share and improve your skills in photography.
This workshop will also offer great opportunities for drone photography.
PROVENCE
It’s lavender season! This is the most magical season in Provence and offers a magnificent display of natural beauty that is simply a joy for photographers: the air is filled with a relaxing lavender aroma, the bees are relentlessly making their amazing lavender-infused honey, the violet colors contrast with the golden wheat fields and the deep azure blue sky. The place to view lavender fields in their full glory is most definitely the Haute Provence region’s famed, Plateau de Valensole. Each year, starting from mid-to-late-June through mid-July, this plateau of 800 meters in altitude blooms into brilliant life with unbelievable landscapes. Countless photo opportunities are offered by the natural beauty of summer in Provence.
- SAULT
The pretty town of Sault sits on a rocky outcrop to the south east of Mont Ventoux and is at the heart of local lavender production. It sits above the valley that bears its name and offers incredible views across the southern flank of Mont Ventoux, which in June and July is shaded in various tones of purple when the Lavender fields are in full flower. It hosts a weekly market, which has been held in the town since 1515 (one of the oldest standing markets in Provence).
Day 1 - Marseille
Our workshop starts at noon at the Marseille Provence Airport, from where we will transfer to our hotel.
Please note that to meet our schedule, we must leave the airport at noon sharp, so it would be best to book morning flights or stay in Marseille overnight.
We will meet at Arrivals Hall 1, then transfer directly by car (1.5 hrs) from the airport to our hotel in Provence, which is surrounded by lavender fields.
Late afternoon, we will have our first photographic session in the lavender fields.
Day 2–6 - Lavender fields of Provence
During the 5 days in Provence we will capture sunrises and sunsets in amazing locations among the fragrant and purple lavender fields which only Thierry and some of the locals know, far away from the tourist spots. Daytime will be devoted to post-production workshops, relaxing and a visit to the museum and factory of L’Occitane (where you have the option to purchase some gifts from Provence), as well as some other historical and natural landmarks in the area.
We will then visit the towns of Gordes, the Abbaye de Sénanque and its lavender fields, other quaint little towns and the ruins of Oppède-le-Vieux.
Bonus: Aerial photography sessions with drones
The beautiful lavender fields, the sunflowers and the iconic lonely trees offer an incredible opportunity for aerial photography. The fields create a stunning mix of colors and shapes that we will learn to observe and capture from above. During our workshop we will have a dedicated session with drones to offer you an immersive experience with this new discipline that allows you to observe and admire our world from an unusual point of view. There are so many new possibilities to explore from above!
Day 7 - Marseille
After our last shoot in the lavender fields and breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive back to Marseille Provence Airport before noon, where we shall say our goodbyes.
We strongly recommend you take out a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance policy after booking your trip. If you cancel and your place on the workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and your place on the workshop is not then filled, you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the workshop:
More than 90 days before the start date of the workshop: full refund minus $300 service fee.
75 days or more: 75% refund.
60 days or more: 50% refund.
Less than 60 days: no refund.
Refunds will be paid by the same method the original payment was made.