La Gonette Summer Season
Bonjour from Château de la Gonette!
Provence in June is a sensory delight, filled with long, sun-drenched days and the hazy sound of the bumblebees over the lavender fields. As we welcome the warmer weather, we are also taking time to reflect on the remarkable time that was spring at La Gonette and our inaugural month-long immersion program in April. Our April guests shared with us an extraordinary array of skills and passions, teaching us about the science of medicinal herbalism, guiding us in the art of clay sculpture, and crafting exquisite meals and tablescapes from locally foraged plants. In addition to time spent cultivating our gardens and restoring our beautiful aqueduct, our guests participated in meditation and reflective writing classes, morning dance sessions, a dry stone wall building workshop, and several incredible community meals in our orangerie. We are so grateful for threads they have woven into the evolving tapestry that is life at La Gonette and we look forward to welcoming our next cohort in October!
April guest Rohit creating a tomato chandlier in the Orangerie.
Learning the art of dry stone walls at l’Abbaye de valsaintes
April guests Jenny, Kristian and Romy in the main garden.
The Art and Science of Compassion
In April we also hosted a weekend workshop on the art and science of compassion, led by Amy, which was an intimate and nurturing experience for all.
Amy Finlay-Jones' workshop on the art and science of compassion would have to be among the most profound experiences of my life. Both provocative and deeply consoling, the workshop helped me to examine various aspects of my relationship with myself and with others in a powerful and enlightening way. The skilful interweaving of reflection exercises, meditations, and experiential learning with the fascinating content delivered made this such a stimulating and valuable experience. Amy is a gifted teacher and facilitator who is able to create a space of safety and invitation for all participants, no matter where they are on their journey. I hope to attend more of her workshops in the future.
If you missed out on this workshop, bookings for October are now open. Bookings for our October month-long immersion will re-open soon, alongside a range of other exciting events we have planned.
Welcoming June
As the sun graces Provence with its warm embrace, we are excited to bring you a season of special experiences at Château de la Gonette. Here's a glimpse of what's in store:
Chefs in Residence
This June, we are delighted to welcome Jeni Glasgow and Harriet Davidson as our esteemed Chefs in Residence. If you follow us on instagram you will have already seen the magic that is created when these two remarkable women are in the kitchen! Their culinary creations are a delightful fusion of artistry and whimsy, each dish a playful yet sophisticated masterpiece. With a deep reverence for local ingredients, their food not only celebrates the flavors of the region but also tells a charming, imaginative story on every plate.
June Chefs in Residence Jeni Glasgow and Harriet Davidson
Still life with tomatoes by Harriet
Gildas by Jeni and Harriet.
Summer Events
Our summer season kicks off with three very special events:
On June 25th, we are hosting a Cueillette Sauvage Foraged Dinner with celebrated local chef local Marie Bossee. Marie will present an extraordinary selection of dishes that she has created with plants foraged from the surrounding fields and woods, and seasonal ingredients supplied by local growers. Celebrating the bounty of our terroir, and the philosophy of food as medicine and as art, Marie’s cuisine has garnered acclaim throughout the region for its inventiveness and refinement.
On June 27th, you’re invited to join us in the gardens of Chateau de la Gonette for an illuminating evening as we delve into the heart of artistic creation with Michael Cunningham and Alice Nelson. This special ‘In Conversation’ event promises an engaging dialogue on the intricacies, challenges and complicated pleasures of the writing process, the way that novels can expand and multiply complexity, and how the particular tools of fiction can help us to inhabit a bewildering world.
On June 29th, Michael Cohen, sommelier extraordinaire and founder of Artizan Wines, will be joining us for the evening to lead a tasting of a range of natural wines from the surrounding area. He will give an overview of the philosophy and practice of natural wines, and provide fascinating insights into the world of natural winemaking.
To register for these events or to find out more, please head over to our website or join us on Instagram. We can’t wait to celebrate the summer with you!
À bientôt!
