A Truly Memorable Pottery Retreat with Sylph Baier – Creative, Soulful, and Uniquely French
My wife and I recently returned from a six-day pottery retreat with Sylph Baler, and we’re still glowing from the experience. Set in a charming, creeper-clad old mill in the peaceful countryside in the Dordogne, the course is a perfect blend of creativity, connection, and rural French life at its most authentic.
Sylph, with over 40 years of experience, is a remarkable teacher—passionate, knowledgeable, endlessly enthusiastic, and wonderfully patient. Whether you’re a beginner or have been throwing pots for years, she meets you where you are and lifts you up. Her joy for pottery is infectious, and her teaching style makes the whole process engaging, challenging, and deeply satisfying.
The setting is pure magic: think blossoming spring flowers everywhere, ancient stone buildings, two friendly cats, an affectionate dog, and a small family of sheep and chickens. It’s peaceful, rustic, and full of charm.
Mornings begin quietly with a self-serve breakfast of freshly laid double-yolk eggs, muesli, and sourdough bread—a nourishing and wholesome start. The days are full, with two focused three-hour pottery sessions that keep you completely absorbed in the work. For lunch, Sylph has selected a handful of excellent local restaurants where we enjoyed quick but delicious three-course meals that gave us a real taste of the region.
Dinner each evening was a highlight—beautifully simple and very tasty. Sylph cooks with care and creativity, using fresh, local ingredients to prepare a variety of dishes. Meals were relaxed and communal, always accompanied by good organic wine and a generous cheese platter to share.
Evenings wind down with inspiring films about great potters and their journeys—perfect for reflecting on the day’s work and fuelling new ideas for the next.
Sylph herself is a huge part of what makes this retreat so special. She’s a little eccentric in the most delightful way, endlessly kind, and genuinely inspiring. Her generosity—both in her teaching and hospitality—left a lasting impression on us.
This wasn’t just a course; it was a truly enriching experience that filled our hands with clay, our minds with new knowledge, and our hearts with joy. We left with newfound skills, fond memories, and a deep appreciation for both pottery and the gentle rhythms of rural French life. We can’t recommend it highly enough.
Kyall and Natasha – South Africa May 2025