South of France
16 – 21 June 2024
The work began in La Maison Montessori outside the small village of La Motte, situated in southern Provence, France on Sunday night 16 June 2024. Our guide for the week, Jacqueline Hendriksen, had prepared a beautiful space for us and with a pantry and fridge full of good things to eat and drink, and a programme to keep us thinking and wondering, I knew we were all in for a great time.
We were blessed with daily maximum temperatures (average) - around 28C/ 83F.
Warm days, cool nights, clear skies. All perfect for any adventure in the South of France.
Our wonderful chef, Monique, delivered three delicious and nutritious meals a day. We enjoyed fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, breads, croissant, cheeses, interesting and fabulous dishes, THE best chocolate cake, local wines, organic juices, tea, coffee.
Every dish was prepared with positive feelings and love.
Before breakfast each day we started with a meditation in the shade by the pool.
Most days we had ‘siesta time’ after lunch where everyone could do their own thing – sleep, rest, swim, talk, take it easy…
Every afternoon there was time for a swim in the pool before dinner and we all contributed to completing the ‘Habits of the House’ on a daily basis.
Monday’s work - FREEDOM
After alone time to read articles and writings of Montessori, we joined together to discuss aspects of ‘Freedom’ that touched us during our reading time. One member then ‘presented’ something that had been prepared and relevant to ‘Freedom’.
We discussed ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ and the different types of ‘freedom’. We shared our experiences.
After lunch a good 4km hike (approx.) saw us at Château Des Demoiselles, a 75 hectare vineyard which sells around 400,000 bottles of wine a year. Their wine is sold to hotels and restaurants and much of it goes to Canada. The hot temperatures and soil type makes this region a high producer of Rosé wine. I could not resist trying the Sparkling Rosé and declared, ‘I love it!’. Unfortunately for me this sparkling wine is not available in Australia. The production of this wine uses the same process as the production of Prosecco.
Tuesday’s work - OBSERVATION
The highlight of this morning was observing at the École Montessori L’Eclaireuse in Draguignan. This small school offers Montessori from 3-11 years.
We were all deeply impressed with what we saw…concentration, peaceful environment, happy staff, social cohesion, children working, happy children.
Lunch with the staff was delightful. We were warmly received, enjoyed foods of the region, cheese made by the principal’s mother and cakes that were so delicious.
The highlight of this afternoon was time to chill, time to swim, time to sleep, time to be.
So far so good…We were all in the groove..
Wednesday’s work - THE CHILD
Time to read, time to reflect, time to discuss…. How best can we serve the child?
An unscheduled afternoon meant time to choose for oneself. A walk to the small village of La Motte, purchasing some items ‘Made in Provence’ and a drink at the bar satisfied my curiosity about small villages in the South of France.
Thursday’s work - COSMIC
After morning discussions, we bundled into two cars for the drive to St-Maxime followed by a short ferry ride to the diverse St-Tropez.
The rich rubbed shoulders with the not so rich, high-end shops sat beside small family run businesses, a fruit vendor sold me the largest and sweetest fig I’d ever eaten with no English from him and limited French from me, and there was so much more to see.
Time to roam and wander.
We wanted more time.
A fascinating place to mooch around, observe, wonder, learn.
Dinner at a local small restaurant back in La Motte ended our fabulous day.
Friday’s work - THE FUTURE
Where to from here?
How can we continue to best support the child?
What plan do each of us have?
There were sad goodbyes as we farewelled La Maison Montessori, as well as our hostess and our chef for the week.
What a wonderful international experience. People from Sweden, USA, Australia and The Netherlands came together to share and learn, relax and discuss, eat and enjoy the delights of the region. We all learnt much. We considered and reflected on more. The experiences added to our journey together.
Next stop Roma, Italy…… Au revoir France. À bientôt.
We were blessed with daily maximum temperatures (average) - around 28C/ 83F.
Warm days, cool nights, clear skies. All perfect for any adventure in the South of France.
Our wonderful chef, Monique, delivered three delicious and nutritious meals a day. We enjoyed fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, breads, croissant, cheeses, interesting and fabulous dishes, THE best chocolate cake, local wines, organic juices, tea, coffee.
Every dish was prepared with positive feelings and love.
Before breakfast each day we started with a meditation in the shade by the pool.
Most days we had ‘siesta time’ after lunch where everyone could do their own thing – sleep, rest, swim, talk, take it easy…
Every afternoon there was time for a swim in the pool before dinner and we all contributed to completing the ‘Habits of the House’ on a daily basis.
Monday’s work - FREEDOM
After alone time to read articles and writings of Montessori, we joined together to discuss aspects of ‘Freedom’ that touched us during our reading time. One member then ‘presented’ something that had been prepared and relevant to ‘Freedom’.
We discussed ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ and the different types of ‘freedom’. We shared our experiences.
After lunch a good 4km hike (approx.) saw us at Château Des Demoiselles, a 75 hectare vineyard which sells around 400,000 bottles of wine a year. Their wine is sold to hotels and restaurants and much of it goes to Canada. The hot temperatures and soil type makes this region a high producer of Rosé wine. I could not resist trying the Sparkling Rosé and declared, ‘I love it!’. Unfortunately for me this sparkling wine is not available in Australia. The production of this wine uses the same process as the production of Prosecco.
Tuesday’s work - OBSERVATION
The highlight of this morning was observing at the École Montessori L’Eclaireuse in Draguignan. This small school offers Montessori from 3-11 years.
We were all deeply impressed with what we saw…concentration, peaceful environment, happy staff, social cohesion, children working, happy children.
Lunch with the staff was delightful. We were warmly received, enjoyed foods of the region, cheese made by the principal’s mother and cakes that were so delicious.
The highlight of this afternoon was time to chill, time to swim, time to sleep, time to be.
So far so good…We were all in the groove..
Wednesday’s work - THE CHILD
Time to read, time to reflect, time to discuss…. How best can we serve the child?
An unscheduled afternoon meant time to choose for oneself. A walk to the small village of La Motte, purchasing some items ‘Made in Provence’ and a drink at the bar satisfied my curiosity about small villages in the South of France.
Thursday’s work - COSMIC
After morning discussions, we bundled into two cars for the drive to St-Maxime followed by a short ferry ride to the diverse St-Tropez.
The rich rubbed shoulders with the not so rich, high-end shops sat beside small family run businesses, a fruit vendor sold me the largest and sweetest fig I’d ever eaten with no English from him and limited French from me, and there was so much more to see.
Time to roam and wander.
We wanted more time.
A fascinating place to mooch around, observe, wonder, learn.
Dinner at a local small restaurant back in La Motte ended our fabulous day.
Friday’s work - THE FUTURE
Where to from here?
How can we continue to best support the child?
What plan do each of us have?
There were sad goodbyes as we farewelled La Maison Montessori, as well as our hostess and our chef for the week.
What a wonderful international experience. People from Sweden, USA, Australia and The Netherlands came together to share and learn, relax and discuss, eat and enjoy the delights of the region. We all learnt much. We considered and reflected on more. The experiences added to our journey together.
Next stop Roma, Italy…… Au revoir France. À bientôt.
The house was great, the pool was great, the food was amazing, it was an awesome time. Practical and theoretical.
The inaugural group, Montessori Méditeranée Experience
