Workshop
Weekly residential pottery courses with one-to-one tuition.
Spend a week in a 17th century mill, in the Dordogne countryside and improve your skills in, throwing, glazing, decorating and firing stoneware and porcelain. Courses tutored by Sylph Baier, a professional potter with more than three decades’ experience, in a creative and fun environment.
The mill is in an area which is accredited as a bird sanctuary and is situated in a valley with extensive woodland walks.
Included with the Courses
- Bergerac airport or Mussidan train station transfers by arrangement.
N.B. during the winter months there are no flights to Bergerac; arrivals are via Paris or Bordeaux airport followed by a one hour train journey to 24400 Mussidan. - Full board and lodging. Continental buffet breakfast (students make their own breakfast in their own quarters with the food provided at a time of their own convenience; that lessons start at 9am), a 3 course lunch will be taken at 5 different local restaurants, or at the Moulin, with mainly organic vegetables from the garden and a light buffet supper at 6pm, wine included. Note: vegans and vegetarians can be catered for.
- Up to 5kg of finished and fired work in Limoges porcelain or 10kg of stoneware clay. (Additional work can be made and is charged separately at Euro 12 per fired and glazed kg of Limoges porcelain and Euro 6 for stoneware and can be shipped at cost price)
Tuition
Workshop tuition runs from Monday to Friday, 9-12h and 14-17h and would suit students with some throwing experience but total beginners can also be catered for, as well as other production techniques from hand building to slip-casting, decorating techniques, glazing and firing in an electric or reduction gas kiln.
Some recent feedback from visitors/students
- September 2022. I had the most wonderful and magical time throwing pottery with Sylph at her fairytale farmhouse in the French countryside. I came with my friend, Gina, in the Fall of 2022. Gina is an intermediate potter. I am a beginner.
Not only is Sylph incredibly knowledgeable about ceramics in all forms, she was also terrific at tailoring this experience to me and Gina. In addition, Sylph is a patient instructor and very generous with her time. She was with us at least 12 hours a day, every day, thoughtfully answering any and every question we had.
The 17th century mill we stayed at was very charming. We had hot chocolate croissants for breakfast and fresh eggs from her hens. Sylph cooked lovely dinners for us every night and also booked us lunches at French restaurants that ran the gamut from casual country bistros to fancier old chateauxs with unbelievable views. We loved every meal.
Sylph helped take my throwing to new heights. Literally. I threw 2 lbs of clay which was more than I had ever done before and made a berry bowl which I am very, very happy with. Sylph’s attention to detail and her fine finishing processes will forever stay with me and Gina and inform the ceramics we make from here on out.
Our time with Sylph has reinvigorated our creativity, fed our souls, and left us hungry for more pottery.
She is a dynamic woman and my time at her mill was truly a dream. I will stay in touch!
Jennifer Koman, San Francisco, USA
Jenn has also produced two videos of her stay with Sylph. See them HERE
- September 2022. What a lovely retreat. I'd long dreamed of having an opportunity to do a residential pottery class and had discovered Sylph online through my research.
I have been looking forward to this trip for the last several years, as we’d had to delay our visit due to COVID. I haven’t been throwing for very long before COVID struck; and had a long hiatus during the lockdown. I was able to quickly recapture the basics – and then progress even faster – thanks to Sylph’s instruction. I had hoped to learn to center larger lumps of clay, to make bigger bowls and also lids, spouts, and plan and create consistent/matched sets. I learned all of this and more…
Sylph has incredible attention to detail and helped me train my hands and my eyes to create much finer pots with a more professional finish. I’m absolutely thrilled with what I learned and my final wares as well. If you’re so inclined Sylph will also work with you to mix and create your own glazes and understand more about the firing process. I’m heading home so inspired and ready to take my pots to the next level.
Outside of the studio, Sylph also offers a fantastic experience. She’s a warm and gracious hostess. The mill is a gorgeous old building and the gite is a cozy and comfortable home to relax in each evening. The midday meals were thoughtfully chosen, we visited five different local restaurants, allowing us to see a lot of the surrounding countryside. We also met some other potter friends and visited their studio as well as a local nut mill, market and shops. Dinners at Sylph’s table are beautifully prepared with local produce (much of it from her garden) and there’s great conversation and an opportunity to read from her pottery library or watch videos together. In all, a beautiful holiday in the French countryside which stimulated my creativity, nourished my soul and fed all of my senses. Highly recommended.
Thank you Sylph!
Gina Pelucca, New Orleans, USA
- April 2022. We just had the pleasure of attending a week-long pottery course with Sylph Baier. Sylph is a wonderful creative teacher who was very open to what we wanted to do and learn. She goes above and beyond in terms of service not only with the pottery but the accommodation, food and transport. Her place is so relaxing with wonderful birds, wildlife and her pet dog, cat, chickens and sheep.
We just had the pleasure of attending a week-long pottery course with Sylph Baier. Sylph is a wonderful creative teacher who was very open to what we wanted to do and learn. She goes above and beyond in terms of service not only with the pottery but the accommodation, food and transport. Her place is so relaxing with wonderful birds, wildlife and her pet dog, cat, chickens and sheep. There are lovely walks in the valley and forest, if you can pull yourself away from the pottery that is. All in all this was one of our best and most creative holidays ever and the memories will be relived daily as we use our mugs and bowls produced during our blissful weeks work.
Pottery Heaven
Sylph is an amazing instructor who is flexible to cater for what the student wants to achieve. We had completed a pottery throwing course prior to our visit which really got us off to a great start. Sylph took us through every stage of the process from clay preparation to final glazing and firing. We even got to make our own glaze. Her enthusiasm for pottery is infectious and many evenings after dinner we sat watching videos and looking at her excellent collection of ceramics books for inspiration. The creative freedom she allowed us to have really made the holiday. I got to indulge in many decorative techniques whereas my husband could indulge more in the technical and functional design he loves. I think for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in pottery, this is the ultimate paradise. The fact that we got to bring home our pottery means we will be reminded daily of the holiday as we use our mugs, bowls colander etc. of our wonderful holiday. What more could you want.
Excellent Accommodation
The accommodation in the gite is fabulous. Sylph had everything laid on. Tea (regular, herbal), coffee, fruit, a selection of juices, milk and fresh bread, croissants, etc. Everything you need for the week-long course is there from the TV with all the channels to hairdryer towels, etc. Numerous mornings Sylph delivered freshly baked bread presented in one of her many baskets. The gite is decorated with many pieces of beautiful ceramics, paintings and sculpture. The firewood is piled up at the fireside and there was nothing nicer that sitting down by a big fire at the end of a fun filled creative day.
The stairs are quite steep up to the bedrooms which could be an issue for some but the ensuite bedrooms are beautifully decorated and most importantly the bed is really comfy.
Outside there are numerous areas to sit and chill in the sun, not only outside the gite but around the 4-acre site, by the river, in the woods etc. We really enjoyed our stay.
Amazing Food
The pottery week-long course includes all your meals including wine. Breakfast (bread, cereals, fresh eggs from Sylphs chickens, yoghurt, fruit juice, croissants, etc) is provided in the gite and you just help yourself. Sylph took us to a different local restaurant each day to sample the 3 course Plat du Jour and local Bordeaux wines.
In the evening she cooked amazing wholefood meals, salads, pasta, risotto with many of the ingredients coming from her organic garden. Desserts were to die for and included many of Sylphs own recipes for semolina cake, tarts etc. Each meal was prefaced with a different local aperitif, and wine during the meal.
If all the above was not enough there was also a tea/coffee break mid-morning and afternoon and a cool refreshing G&T at the end of the working day by the table outside the studio.
- October 2021. Sylph is an amazing teacher, who motivates to find your own way with the clay and grow in independence and consciousness on the wheel. I had a lovely time during classes and enjoyed the company, good talks and amazing food. I can only recommend a stay at the mill.
I stayed with Sylph at the mill for a week during my pottery course. I did not have much experience before I arrived, but during the week I learned to understand and manage techniques both in throwing, trimming and glazing. Sylph is an amazing teacher, who motivates to find your own way with the clay and grow in independence and consciousness on the wheel. I had a lovely time during classes and enjoyed the company, good talks and amazing food. I can only recommend a stay at the mill.
And in Danish!
Jeg havde ikke meget erfaring, inden jeg tog på en uges keramikkursus hos Sylph. Men efter mit ophold mestrer jeg nu teknikker både i drejning, trimning og glasering. Jeg havde ikke forventet at lære så meget på så kort tid. Sylph er en dygtig underviser, som guider til større forståelse af arbejdet med ler, så man opnår større selvstændighed og så jeg nu er i stand til at fortsætte med at lave keramik på egen hånd. Derudover nød jeg selskabet, gode snakke og fantastisk mad. Jeg kan kun anbefale et ophold hos Sylph.
Once again, thank you for a lovely stay!
All the best
Rebekka
- September 2021. Well what an amazing week! Thank you to Sylph for your care and attention, thank you for the delicious home-grown food, and mostly thank you for the teaching and the inspiration that allowed me to make beautiful pots!
Accommodation & Prices
Blue room (en-suite shower & toilet)
Double (the Blue Room) with en-suite shower and toilet: € 1450 per student (course fee and full board and lodging).
Double (the Red Room) with en-suite shower and toilet: € 1450 per student (course fee and full board and lodging).
Partners are welcome for a holiday only at € 725 each for full board and lodging without the tuition fees.
If you wish to book, a deposit of 20% secures your booking and is non refundable should you wish to cancel.
The balance is due one month prior to your arrival.
We ask guests to use only environmentally friendly products.
Please note 1: The staircases in the mill leading to the first floor bedrooms are steep and unsuitable for people with walking difficulties and small children and toddlers. We also have uneven flagstones on the entrance of the property which date from the 17th century and access to all parts of the property is at visitors own risk.
Please note 2: We follow permaculture principles and try to live sustainably by conserving water and electricity, growing our own food, and recycling as much as we can. We ask you to support us in this endeavour.
Other Information
Transfers are included from and to Bergerac airport which has flights coming in from Stansted and Southampton. I will need to know your flight number, details and time of arrival and departure, so I can be there to collect you. N.B. During the winter months there are no flights to Bergerac, arrivals are via Paris or Bordeaux airport followed by a one hour train journey to 24400 Mussidan.
You will need to book your flight well in advance arriving on the Sunday and departing on the Saturday.
We stock a good selection of local wines, mainly from the Bergerac and Bordeaux region.
You will need to let me know if you have any special dietary requirements.
There is WiFi but in this rural location it has to be via satellite which can be intermittent.
Please get in touch if you have any additional questions or if you fancy a chat. I can ring you on a landline after 8pm English time.
Further information or if you wish to book, please contact Sylph Baier at info@sylphbaierceramics.com