8 days
Join internationally renowned medieval embroidery specialist Dr. Jessica Grimm for a week of artistic focus and historical exploration in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Provins, just over an hour from Paris.
This retreat is specifically designed for intermediate to advanced stitchers who are ready to expand their skills and delve deeper into the techniques, materials, and traditions of medieval embroidery. With five full days of tuition (30 hours), you’ll receive expert instruction rooted in the historical practices of ecclesiastical embroidery—perfect for those looking to refine their craftsmanship and deepen their knowledge.
Our base for the week is the elegant Aux Vieux Remparts, a historic hotel located within the fortified heart of Provins. With peaceful gardens, a welcoming spa, and panoramic views over the medieval town, it provides the perfect retreat setting.
Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy daily lunches at the hotel’s brasserie and evening dinners with wine, offering time to relax and share inspiration with fellow embroiderers. On two evenings, we’ll step outside the hotel to dine at carefully selected local restaurants in Provins’ historic square, adding variety and a taste of authentic regional cuisine to the experience.
A highlight of the retreat is our curated excursion to the Musée de Sens, home to one of France’s most important collections of medieval embroidery. You'll view richly embroidered copes, chasubles, and altar frontals—some associated with Saint Edmund of Abingdon and Thomas Beckett,—offering rare insight into the materials and motifs that continue to inspire Jessica's work.
We’ll also enjoy a short guided tour of Provins, known for its historic merchant fairs and well-preserved medieval architecture, from watchtowers to subterranean passages.
Retreat Highlights
Every detail of your retreat has been thoughtfully curated to provide a seamless and enriching experience. From medieval French charm to inspiring excursions and expert tuition, this package includes everything you need for a week of creativity, culture, and connection in the heart of Provins.
Accommodation Seven nights at the welcoming Hotel Aux Vieux Remparts in the UNESCO-listed town of Provins. This atmospheric hotel combines historic architecture with modern comfort and features a lovely spa with Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room, along with elegant dining in the heart of the medieval city.
Meals Daily breakfast and dinner served at the hotel or at selected local restaurants, with wine included during dinner. Most lunches are also included on teaching days. Please note that meals taken away from the hotel during excursions are not included in the package.
Excursions & Entry Fees A curated programme of guided excursions, including transport and entrance fees – from a visit to the Museum of Sens to a walking tour of Provins' medieval old town and its iconic ramparts.
Studio Access Access to a dedicated creative studio space within the hotel, offering natural light and a calm, focused environment. The studio is equipped with magnifying lamps and everything needed for detailed hand embroidery.
Tuition Fees Five full days (30 hours) of expert embroidery tuition with Dr Jessica Grimm, delivered in an intimate setting with a maximum of 15 guests. Jessica’s approach ensures both personal growth and shared inspiration throughout the retreat.
While we aim to provide an all-encompassing retreat experience, the following items are not included in the package price:
Travel to and from the retreat venue Guests are responsible for arranging their own travel to Hotel Aux Vieux Rempartsin Provins, including flights and transfers. Airport transfers can be booked during the booking process for a fee.
Travel Insurance Personal travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen events such as cancellations, illness, or travel disruptions.
Beverages outside of studio and mealtimes Drinks ordered outside of included meals or the studio environment (e.g., bar service or room service beverages) will be charged separately.
Meals away from the hotel Lunches and dinners taken off-site during excursions are not included in the package, allowing guests the freedom to enjoy authentic local cuisine.
Gratuities Gratuities for hotel staff and guides are not included. However, a pre-paid gratuity option is available during the final booking process should you wish to contribute in advance.
Project Kit The embroidery project kit is not included in the tuition fee and must be purchased directly from Dr Jessica Grimm. All participants will receive details and pricing from Jessica in advance of the retreat.
Your journey to Hotel Aux Vieux Remparts offers the perfect introduction to the history and charm of northern France, with rolling countryside and medieval towns welcoming you along the way.
By Air The nearest major airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), located approximately 90 minutes from Provins by car or train.
By Train Provins is easily accessible from Paris Gare de l'Est via direct SNCF train, with a journey time of around 90 minutes. The train station is a short walk or taxi ride from the hotel. Travel from London is extremely easy using the Eurostar to Gare du Nord, which is just 200 metres from Gare de l'Est, making for a convenient connection.
By Car If you’re travelling by car, Hotel Aux Vieux Remparts offers on-site parking. Provins is located approximately 90 km southeast of Paris and is well connected by road.
Pre-Arrival Support Closer to the retreat date, we’ll send you detailed arrival information and directions. We’re always happy to assist with coordinating your travel plans to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
Your comfort and enjoyment are at the heart of this retreat. From satisfying French meals to welcoming accommodations, every detail has been arranged to ensure a restorative and enriching experience.
Food Meals are served either at the hotel’s restaurant or carefully chosen local venues, showcasing the best of the region’s seasonal cuisine.
Your package includes:
Dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice to ensure every meal meets your needs.
Accommodation Guests will stay in elegant, well-equipped rooms at Hotel Aux Vieux Remparts. Each room features comfortable bedding, air conditioning, and a modern en-suite bathroom. Room upgrades may be available upon request after booking – please contact us for details.
Learn more about the hotel: www.auxvieuxremparts.com
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay in Provins during August, when the weather is typically warm to hot with occasional summer showers, we recommend packing the following essentials:
Embroidery Supplies Bring your preferred embroidery tools such as scissors, magnifiers, needles, and any equipment you like to work with. Dr Jessica Grimm will provide full details about the project kit separately.
Comfortable Footwear Provins is best explored on foot, especially through its medieval centre. Bring supportive, closed-toe shoes suitable for cobbled streets and inclines.
Light Clothing & a Light Rain Jacket August weather in northern France is usually warm, so pack lightweight, breathable clothing. A light rain jacket is also useful for occasional summer showers.
Sun Protection A sunhat, sunglasses, and sun cream are recommended for time spent outdoors.
Travel Adapters France uses European standard plugs (Type C and E). Bring a universal adapter if needed. Charging facilities will be available in the studio if you have trouble locating the correct adaptor.
Camera or Smartphone To capture the medieval beauty of Provins and your stitching journey.
Small Day Bag Useful for carrying essentials on excursions, such as a water bottle, wallet, phone, and a light scarf or umbrella.
We want every guest to enjoy a safe, comfortable, and fulfilling experience during their time in Provins. Given the historic setting, we kindly ask you to review the following information before booking:
Our team is here to support your participation and wellbeing. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any concerns or questions.
Join internationally respected embroidery historian and goldwork specialist Dr Jessica Grimm for an immersive and focused retreat in the medieval town of Provins.
This exclusive class offers a rare opportunity to work closely with Jessica on a brand-new, historically inspired design taken from the beautiful or nué embroidery on the dalmatic of the vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece (c. AD 1425-1440) kept at the Imperial Treasury in Vienna, Austria. The design measures 28 x 13 cm. (image included in the gallery)
In this advanced-level course, participants will learn full-design or nué, silk-shading and pearl embroidery. All instruction will be delivered via a visualiser (live camera projection), allowing every student a clear and uninterrupted view of each stage of the process. This enhanced format supports a larger group while maintaining the high standard of individual instruction that Jessica is known for.
Please note: This class is limited to a single design, developed specifically for this retreat.
To ensure a rewarding experience for all, this course is not suitable for beginners. You must be able to:
This retreat is ideal for experienced embroiderers seeking to deepen their practice under expert guidance while immersing themselves in the heritage-rich setting of Provins.
A full materials kit and design will be shared closer to the retreat date.
Dr Jessica Grimm
Jessica holds a doctorate in archaeology from the University of Groningen, Netherlands. After a career in archaeozoology, she embarked on an embroidery adventure in 2010 with the Royal School of Needlework Certificate and Diploma. She became an RSN-tutor and taught at Hampton Court Palace, in the US and led the Rotterdam-Satellite in the Netherlands. She’s also taught for various needlework stores in the Netherlands, ArtTextil in Dachau, Germany and the National Silk Museum in Hangzhou, China.
After visiting a major medieval goldwork embroidery exhibition in her native Netherlands in 2015, Jessica started studying and recreating these stunning embroideries. She currently compiles a database of all surviving medieval goldwork embroideries in order to answer research questions regarding the origin of or nué and the geographical origin of certain diaper patterns. Her classes cater for determined beginners through to the seasoned stitcher.
Welcome to Provins! Today marks the beginning of a week rich in exquisite embroidery, cultural immersion, and lasting friendships.
Guests are invited to check in to Aux Vieux Remparts Hotel from 15:00. For those arriving earlier in the day, the hotel can securely store your luggage so you can take a stroll through the cobbled lanes of the old town, browse boutique shops, or unwind in one of the cafés near the historic square.
In the evening, we’ll gather at 18:30 in the hotel’s brasserie for a welcome drink—an informal moment to meet fellow guests and be personally welcomed by Dr Jessica Grimm, your expert tutor for the week. A delicious dinner with wine will follow at 19:30, offering a warm and convivial start to our retreat.
To ensure a smooth arrival, private transfers from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport to the hotel can be arranged during the registration process.
Highlights:
After a leisurely breakfast in the hotel’s brasserie, we begin our first full day of stitching.
Jessica Grimm, an expert in medieval embroidery, will lead us through setting up our slate frame and transferring the angel orphrey panel design using the medieval method of prick and pounce with iron gall ink.
Designed for intermediate to advanced stitchers, the workshop offers in-depth instruction, individual support, and inspiration drawn from the or nué embroidery on the dalmatic of the Order of the Golden Fleece (c. AD 1425-1440) Jessica will provide the historical context for this outstanding set of liturgical vestments, now housed in the Imperial Treasury in Vienna, Austria.
The calm studio setting encourages focus and creative flow.
We’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch at the hotel and continue working through the afternoon.
Dinner will be held at the hotel, with wine included.
Highlights:
After breakfast, we return to the calm and creative atmosphere of the hotel’s dedicated stitching space for another enriching day with Dr Jessica Grimm.
Today, we dive deeper into our embroidery project. We start stitching the design we transferred yesterday. Jessica will explain working with passing threads and flat silks. There will be opportunities for one-to-one feedback and demonstrations throughout the day.
The day follows a relaxed and inspiring rhythm, with both morning and afternoon sessions designed to provide ample time for focus and flow. A light lunch will be served in the hotel’s brasserie to keep you nourished and energised.
In the evening, we’ll step out together to enjoy a group dinner at a local restaurant just a short walk from the hotel—an opportunity to soak up the historic charm of Provins and enjoy delicious regional cuisine in a relaxed and social setting.
Highlights:
Today is our curated excursion day. After breakfast, we’ll board our private coach and head to the historic town of Sens, one of the earliest Gothic cathedral cities in France.
We begin with a guided visit to the Musée de Sens, which houses an outstanding collection of medieval embroidery, including finely embroidered vestments associated with Thomas Becket. This visit offers a rare opportunity to see pieces that directly relate to the techniques and inspiration behind Jessica’s teaching.
Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a light lunch in the old town, followed by free time to explore Sens. Guests may wish to visit the Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Sens, admire its stained glass windows, or browse the quaint streets and shops.
We’ll return to Provins in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time to freshen up before reconvening for dinner at the hotel.
Highlights:
Refreshed and inspired from our day out, we return to the studio today to build on your project. We will continue working on the design to make sure that the intricate technique of or nué is understood and students gain confidence in working the technique and using the high-end materials.
Lunch will be served in the hotel, and in the evening we will dine at a carefully selected local restaurant in the heart of Provins. This is a lovely opportunity to experience regional cuisine and enjoy the historic surroundings of the town’s main square.
Highlights:
Today marks one of the most immersive days of the retreat, as participants continue their embroidery projects while also delving into the rich historical fabric of Provins itself. Jessica will be available throughout the morning and early afternoon to advise on stitching the silk shaded face and hands of the angel.
The workshop session will run until 16:00, giving guests plenty of time to advance their piece while enjoying the shared studio atmosphere. The pace of the day will be relaxed, yet purposeful, as participants learn another technique.
At 16:30, we will gather in the hotel lobby for a guided walking tour of Provins, led by a local expert. This captivating experience will take us through the cobbled lanes and hidden corners of the town, exploring its towers, ramparts, underground tunnels, and medieval merchant homes. You'll gain insight into Provins' historical role in international trade and cultural exchange during the Middle Ages.
We’ll return to the hotel in the early evening to unwind and enjoy a convivial dinner with wine served in the hotel’s elegant dining room—a perfect close to a day of creativity and discovery.
Highlights:
On our final day together, Jessica will show how to stitch the sumptuous pearl-embroidered columns framing the angel.
Guests are encouraged to take their time, revisit earlier stages of their project if desired, or discuss future plans for applying their new skills. Jessica will be available for final feedback, tips for preservation and display, and one-to-one support as needed.
The detailed instruction booklet provided will ensure that students can finish the project at home. There will also be time to photograph your progress and share it with fellow guests.
In the evening, we’ll gather one last time for a farewell dinner at the hotel. With delicious food, fine wine, and heartfelt conversation, it’s a warm and memorable way to mark the end of a week filled with creativity, learning, and community.
Highlights:
After a rich and inspiring week of stitching, learning, and cultural discovery, it’s time to say farewell to Provins.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast with your fellow guests, perhaps exchanging contact details and photos before departing. Check-out is by 12:00, and optional private transfers can be arranged for a smooth onward journey.
Highlights:
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Deposits
For any holiday, we require a non-refundable deposit of 20% of holiday cost. If your deposit payment is not received within 7 days, the holiday may be offered to other interested parties.
Payment of holiday cost
The balance of your holiday cost must be settled 8 weeks prior to the commencement date of your holiday. If your holiday booking is made within 8 weeks of commencement, payment must be made in full immediately on booking. If payments are not made in accordance to this schedule, bookings will be treated as cancellations and deposits will not be refunded.
Insurance
Every person for whom a holiday is booked with Creative Experiences must have adequate insurance cover and must be able to show us proof of insurance upon request.
Cancellation by the client
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Alteration by Creative Experiences
If in the unlikely event that there have to be any alteration made by Creative Experiences, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you one of the following options.
We will not be liable for refunding any expenses, which have been occurred as a result of the booking.
Our holidays require a minimum amount of guests to be able to to continue with the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the holiday in case the minimum number has not been achieved.
Changes
Should you wish to change your booking, Creative Experiences will endeavour to accommodate any changes subject to any differences in price and availability, but cannot guarantee that changes can be made. Creative Experiences will make an administration charge of £50 for any change in booking. Bookings cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the start of your holiday.
Responsibility
Creative Experiences will not be liable for any loss or damages occurred to any client as a result of:
Any event or circumstance which could have been avoided if the client had taken reasonable care.
Any circumstance or event which Creative Experiences or its suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented even with all due care and attention.
Circumstances out of the reasonable control of Creative Experiences such as strikes, wars, civil or political unrest, quarantine restrictions, terrorism, government actions, natural or nuclear disaster adverse weather conditions including injury or illness to staff thus reducing level of service.
Injury, illness or death due to any activity at any time during your holiday, except where such injury or death is caused by the negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences.
Loss of, theft of or damage to any of your belongings at any time of your holiday, whether within the chalet, in the neighbourhood or otherwise.
Injury, illness or death associated with the consumption of any food or drink we may supply except where such illness, injury or death is caused by the wilful negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences or its directors, officers or employees.
Excursion days
We do not accept responsibility if an artisan or person does not show up or cancels private booked excursion such as walking tours, artisan lessons, cooking lessons, wine tastings etc. Should this situation arise, Creative Experiences will try their very best to book another excursion and find an alternative at no cost to the client.
Our suppliers
Creative Experiences is working with third party suppliers such as hotels, villas, transfer companies and others. We are more than happy to discuss any of your requirements such as food allergies with hotels, specific room allocations, pick and drop off times with transfers companies, however we cannot guarantee that your request can be fulfilled. In case of special client requirements not being accepted by the third party, we will be contacting you at our earliest convenience to let you know.
Complaints and Problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday, you must immediately inform the Creative Experiences representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to solve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to your home country giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we do not accept any liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with this clause.
Website Accuracy
Please note that the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices, regrettably errors occasionally do occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. The website is the sole responsibility of Creative Experiences. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.
Emergency
Creative Experience will provide you with assistance in case of emergency during your holiday with us. We can help you bringing you to health services, working with local authorities and international consulate in case you lost your passport or important papers.
If you have an emergency because of your own negligence, Creative Experiences may ask you for a fee occurred during the process such as extra transfers, missed bookings with third parties and more.
Conduct
When you enjoy your holiday with Creative Experiences, you are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. In case of damage in a hotel or villa (third party supplier), the client has to pay the damage charges directly to the supplier.
We do reserve the rights to cancel your holiday, in case you put others in danger through your actions, verbal abuse and by causing significant distress to other holiday makers who are joining that group. We do not tolerate violence or abuse in any form to our clients or staff members.
Deposits
For any holiday, we require a non-refundable deposit of 20% of holiday cost. If your deposit payment is not received within 7 days, the holiday may be offered to other interested parties.
Payment of holiday cost
The balance of your holiday cost must be settled 8 weeks prior to the commencement date of your holiday. If your holiday booking is made within 8 weeks of commencement, payment must be made in full immediately on booking. If payments are not made in accordance to this schedule, bookings will be treated as cancellations and deposits will not be refunded.
Insurance
Every person for whom a holiday is booked with Creative Experiences must have adequate insurance cover and must be able to show us proof of insurance upon request.
Cancellation by the client
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Alteration by Creative Experiences
If in the unlikely event that there have to be any alteration made by Creative Experiences, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you one of the following options.
We will not be liable for refunding any expenses, which have been occurred as a result of the booking.
Our holidays require a minimum amount of guests to be able to to continue with the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the holiday in case the minimum number has not been achieved.
Changes
Should you wish to change your booking, Creative Experiences will endeavour to accommodate any changes subject to any differences in price and availability, but cannot guarantee that changes can be made. Creative Experiences will make an administration charge of £50 for any change in booking. Bookings cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the start of your holiday.
Responsibility
Creative Experiences will not be liable for any loss or damages occurred to any client as a result of:
Any event or circumstance which could have been avoided if the client had taken reasonable care.
Any circumstance or event which Creative Experiences or its suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented even with all due care and attention.
Circumstances out of the reasonable control of Creative Experiences such as strikes, wars, civil or political unrest, quarantine restrictions, terrorism, government actions, natural or nuclear disaster adverse weather conditions including injury or illness to staff thus reducing level of service.
Injury, illness or death due to any activity at any time during your holiday, except where such injury or death is caused by the negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences.
Loss of, theft of or damage to any of your belongings at any time of your holiday, whether within the chalet, in the neighbourhood or otherwise.
Injury, illness or death associated with the consumption of any food or drink we may supply except where such illness, injury or death is caused by the wilful negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences or its directors, officers or employees.
Excursion days
We do not accept responsibility if an artisan or person does not show up or cancels private booked excursion such as walking tours, artisan lessons, cooking lessons, wine tastings etc. Should this situation arise, Creative Experiences will try their very best to book another excursion and find an alternative at no cost to the client.
Our suppliers
Creative Experiences is working with third party suppliers such as hotels, villas, transfer companies and others. We are more than happy to discuss any of your requirements such as food allergies with hotels, specific room allocations, pick and drop off times with transfers companies, however we cannot guarantee that your request can be fulfilled. In case of special client requirements not being accepted by the third party, we will be contacting you at our earliest convenience to let you know.
Complaints and Problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday, you must immediately inform the Creative Experiences representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to solve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to your home country giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we do not accept any liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with this clause.
Website Accuracy
Please note that the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices, regrettably errors occasionally do occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. The website is the sole responsibility of Creative Experiences. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.
Emergency
Creative Experience will provide you with assistance in case of emergency during your holiday with us. We can help you bringing you to health services, working with local authorities and international consulate in case you lost your passport or important papers.
If you have an emergency because of your own negligence, Creative Experiences may ask you for a fee occurred during the process such as extra transfers, missed bookings with third parties and more.
Conduct
When you enjoy your holiday with Creative Experiences, you are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. In case of damage in a hotel or villa (third party supplier), the client has to pay the damage charges directly to the supplier.
We do reserve the rights to cancel your holiday, in case you put others in danger through your actions, verbal abuse and by causing significant distress to other holiday makers who are joining that group. We do not tolerate violence or abuse in any form to our clients or staff members.