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landscape photography with Paul Mitchell

Our landscape photography retreats, led by Paul Mitchell, will make the most of the Spring bloom and Autumn colours in our wonderful corner of the Pays de la Loire. Time will be well spent in ancient woodlands, by wonderful meandering rivers, imposing gorges and on the Chateau grounds. You'll also spend plenty of time in our cosy Chateau, being guided through the editing and production of your work, relaxing and enjoying delicious homemade food.

Paul has had numerous exhibitions in London and the South East and has had articles and images published in many photographic magazines. Paul has also been successful in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, winning the Sunday Times Choice Award in 2013, the Urban Category winner in 2015 and being commended in 2017 and 2018. He is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, current Chair of the Visual Art Distinctions Panel and serves on the Landscape Distinctions Panel. A member of the prestigious Arena group of photographers and a founder member of the Landscape Collective UK, Paul is also a well respected photographic judge and lecturer.

Accompanying partners are welcome and will enjoy therapeutic massages, restorative treatments and yoga or pilates classes. Everyone will come together for a wine tasting excursion and trip to our local French market. All bookings in 2023 also benefit from our comprehensive Covid Guarantee.

SPRING GALLERY

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AUTUMN GALLERY

WHAT'S INCLUDED

HASSLE-FREE, PERSONALISED RETREATS WITH

EVERYTHING YOU COULD WANT, AND MORE.

Exclusive us of the entire 27 acre Chateau Estate for retreat attendees

Luxurious en-suite accommodation in the recently refurbished, 'fairytale' Chateau de la Motte Henry

Nutritious, tailored menu, accommodating all dietary requirements, including 3 meals per day, readily available snacks and all drinks (incl. beers and wine)

Wonderful health and wellness facilities - gym, 25m heated pool, treatment room, yoga studio

Great social and relaxation areas - lakeside decking, walled garden, opulent lounges and dining areas

Daily photographic shoots at varied locations around the northern Pays de la Loire, accompanied by Paul

Editing sessions and informative seminars led by Paul

Transportation to all shooting locations and excursions

Excursion to a Loire vineyard and optional excursion to a local French market

Complementary transfers from nominated airports and train stations on arrival and departure

Complementary membership to the GE Collective, giving access to special discounts and offers, our informative Blog, free live Zoom events and member competitions.

inspiring host

Born in East Yorkshire, Paul now lives in East Dorset and is a professional landscape photographer and specialist book designer.

Paul has been successful in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, winning the Sunday Times Choice Award in 2013, the Urban Category winner in 2015 and, in March 2022, Paul won the RHS Gold Medal and Best in Show at their Botanical Art and Photography Show held at the Saatchi Gallery.

Apart from his self-published book on pinhole photography “Spirit of Light” he has collaborated with four renowned photographers to publish “The Coast – a personal view of the English coastline”.

exclusive venue

Our guests benefit from exclusive use of the gorgeous, mid-nineteenth century, Chateau de la Motte Henry in the Pays de la Loire, France.

The Chateau itself, provides luxury, boutique-style accommodation and superb social spaces, decorated with period antiques. On site there are superb exercise facilities, welcoming relaxation areas and an ability to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Chateau is set within 9 hectares of beautiful woodland grounds, with a lakeside terrace, trail paths, walled garden and 25 metre swimming pool.

hassle free

Our secluded estate, is accessible from the UK and Continental Europe, close to the ports of Normandy and Brittany, with a well-served plane, train and road network. We offer complentary transfers from local airports and train stations and free car parking on the Estate.

Your Group Evolution experience is tailored to you - with rooms, menus and itineraries all adapted to each individual - so that your stay is as enjoyable, comfortable and relevant from the moment you arrive.

You will have plenty of time to explore the local area, with optional excursions included in your package. At the Chateau, you can relax by the pool or lake, join in a restorative yoga class or enjoy a massage or treatment.

delicious food

Throughout your stay all your meals and snacks are freshly prepared and served in our wood-paneled dining room. We will consult with you to ensure that your dietary preferences are catered for, even incorporating your food favorites in our menus, whilst avoiding foods you dislike. Utilising the very best in local ingredients, from the 'Garden of France', each eye-catching meal will support your lifestyle, but also be tasty, culinarily rich and exciting.

THE VENUE

Chateau de la Motte Henry is a beautiful, 19^th Century Chateau set in over 9 hectares of glorious parkland in the Pays de la Loire. Easy to get to from the UK and mainland Europe, the Chateau is equipped with first class health, fitness and leisure facilities to allow guests to relax and reenergise. The spacious accommodation remains true to the Chateau’s heritage, updated for modern convenience.

See the Venue

HEALTHY, NUTRITIOUS FOOD

LOVINGLY PREPARED

Our nutritionist and chef have designed an eye-catching, delicious menu, founded in local, organic produce. We serve the highest quality, locally sourced organic food to produce an energising and detoxifying menu throughout your stay. Vegetarians and vegans catered for.