Tag: Luberon

The Art of Networking and Story telling

Published on by Rebecca Ronane

Network Provence met and explored a new location this week at Cafe de la Gare in Bonnieux. After seeing a photography exhibition here, we thought it might be a good meeting space, and fortunately, the management agreed. So we have a new, beautiful space to gather, connect and share! Admiring the view, plenty of parking and easy access were big perks! Some ladies even came early to sample the lunch, which was generous, reasonably priced and reportedly delicious. Access to the bar for a cafe (or a carafe!) was also great.  

 

Sabine Copinga of Carefree En Provence was our presenter. Sabine gave a very informative talk about telling our brand story, highlighting things she has learned in her various experiences as a storyteller in her businesses and working for huge humanitarian organisations like Save the Children. Her helpful tips and tricks highlighted some aspects that a busy boss lady might overlook but are essential to getting your brand known and trusted. Authenticity was a key polishing point and especially vital to us here in Provence, who have come to seek an ideal while staying true to ourselves and our brands.  

 

It was wonderful to stand back and take in the incredible diversity of the gathering. Women of more than a dozen nationalities and varying ages coming together in discussions on a myriad of topics is a powerful source of inspiration. Did we witness connections being made- indeed, we did! Sometimes, the connections are surprising chain links that lead to incredible projects and circle us back to NP in unexpected ways. Having people together in person is such a tonic and allows one to ask questions, put names to faces and be remembered. Re-igniting acquaintances, new introductions, and a significant, powerful lifting of each other is exactly what a Network Provence meeting is about. The most amazing energiser is coming together safely and knowing you will be appreciated for contributing to the group. Being a business owner, artist, and entrepreneur can be a lonely endeavour. For women who are also working to support family and trying to fit into personal well-being, it can be challenging to source like-minded listeners who get it. Network Provence is that solution. 

 

The next gathering at Cafe de la Gare will be on March 29th. If you have not discovered the meetings, please come along and see them yourself. The next presentation will be with Helen Puillandre of Moss and Branches, who will demonstrate her brilliant flower arrangements in time for spring blooming. Helen is a long-time member of NP and one of my favourite introductions from Network Provence. With her humble presence and jolly love of plants, she is a master of arrangements, and you have probably seen her creations in some of the most beautiful locations in the region.  

Perhaps you have something you would like to present to the group? Get in touch with Rebecca Ronane to find a date. As a presenter, you will share with a fabulous group of women who will appreciate your time and welcome your contribution. We all benefit from these gatherings and hope to see you at Network Provence soon! 

Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence

Membership of Network Provence

Published on by Rebecca Ronane

Membership In Network Provence

Network Provence is starting a new way to be a MEMBER in 2024. Instead of paying a one-off fee for the year, you can now have a monthly subscription membership, which can start and end anytime. The cost of this is extremely reasonable at 7 euros per month!

Click Here to Join

The benefits of being a member are numerous! 

  • You may attend all meetings for the cost price. Extra charges for refreshments are payable and variable depending on the venue. Often we are offered a special reduced price.
  • You may attend all online meetings for free.
  • You may do a mini-presentation(20 minutes) either at a live or Zoom meeting to showcase your business, skills and talents to the Network Provence audience.
  • You may have an advert on the website! An invaluable addition to helping other like-minded women discover what you have to offer. Specs are 300px X 250px, and your advertisement can click through straight to your website or social media when you include your URLs.
  • Be on the Meet the Members Page for extra publicity. Meet the Members is like a directory of the incredible women who make up Network Provence and a real go-to guide when others are searching for product and service suppliers in Provence. 
  • You will receive the monthly newsletter. 
  •  You can be featured in the newsletter with your story and photos. Please send your article and photo to me.
  • You may post and promote on the Network Provence Facebook page.
  • You can be part of the new Network Provence Podcast.
  • You can also be interviewed and featured on our Instagram and YouTube channels.

It would be wrong to think that membership is all about coming to meetings. 

Even for those who cannot attend regular meetings, there are many great ways to promote yourself through NP membership!  

The meetings are fantastic for socialising and learning and a great way to be inspired by women who, like you, have made Provence their choice of place to live and work. It is always a convivial time to get to see and speak with other members in person, and as we all know, these sorts of meetings keep people in our minds when we are searching for connections. However, the non-meeting connections can be just as fruitful for those wanting others to know they are out there with services, projects, products and businesses to share. 

With the membership subscription at only 7 euros monthly, there is tremendous value in being a member. Current members can take advantage of a special price as well. Please contact Rebecca to find out if you need to renew now.  

Non-members can attend three meetings with a fee but must join after three times. It is a much better value to join and be a part of this special group while having access to all the benefits.  

Network Provence is a safe, inclusive space for women in the region who are interested in business, travel, networking, food, art, culture, local happenings, and so much more. One does not have to run a business to belong and have something to gain from the group. We are proud of the inspiring and supportive way NP has evolved. Through membership, we will be able to continue to provide a warm and welcoming space for the International English-speaking community of women in Provence.

Let us know if you have more questions, OR you can click HERE to sign up for your membership.  

Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence 

Two Top Places to Discover In Provence

Published on by Rebecca Ronane1 Comment

The past few days have positively swirled with Network Provence energy, and two major events have shown the actual value of connections made through our network, with upward spirals of collaborations in play all over the place.  

On Thursday evening, Ruth Ribeaucourt of Faire Press and founder of Mira Menerbes and Faire Residency hosted a book launch for her formidable collaboration on the Antoinette Poisson “A Year In the French Style” Interiors and Entertaining with Jean-Baptiste Martin and Vincent Farelly. This book, the papeteries and fabrics alongside as well as all the Antoinette and Poisson accessories, are heart-stoppingly beautiful, of course, but also unique and far away from the “look” we usually are served as French style, while all at once presenting such a marriage of antiquities and glorious colours and design of right now. Ruth captures magic in photographs and sends it straight to hearts like no other. The words, the images and the glimpse into the possibilities of their collaborative book are jaw-dropping.

They may become a bible of striving towards the ultimate beauty of living a French-styled life. The celebration at Mira was sublime, with sponsorship by Victoria at Maison Victoire to provide wine from Racines in Bonnieux, served up by Jess and Pierre with mini-lessons about their delectable vintages on offer. We had a sumptuous table of treats from the authors themselves. Many women of Network Provence were present, and the sparkling community of creatives and connoisseurs were an absolute delight. You can visit Mira Menerbes to see the world of Antoinette Poisson until November 26th. 

Following this on Friday, we met again at the vernissage of Janice Jaquet‘s exhibition “Landscapes in Chromatic Abstract” Ode To Provence, at Le St Hubert in Saint-Saturnin les Apt. Long-time member Janice presented her beautifully executed, ethereal and dreamlike paintings that graced every wall of the restaurant. The canvases in this collection represent Provence’s skyscapes, landscapes, and colours, echoing the rich glow of light that causes the viewer to see in paint the views we imagine we are looking at in the dawns and golden hours, which nature treats us to here. The turnout of guests was formidable, and the only negative was the brevity of time allowed before the restaurant hosted a private dinner with the artist. Again, many of the audience were NP ladies, always an inspiring mix of personalities and talents. One could have spoken for hours with all the guests; however, time was limited as we were seated to enjoy a delightful meal inspired by Janice’s Caribbean, Indian and Scottish heritage. St. Hubert did a fantastic job interpreting this fusion to make the meal delicious. Ode to Provence will be showing at Le St Hubert through December 24th. As Lise has recently announced new hours (and menus!), we highly recommend visiting to view Janice’s heavenly paintings and experience the restaurant’s hospitality.

We are fortunate to have this community and these outings to meet our fellow Provence lovers in person. Even at such high-profile events, it is certain that you will feel not only inspired but included with Network Provence. Of course, not everyone can attend the daytime meetings, but going out together allows us to speak, dream up future collaborations, and see what is happening in the region.

By Maryna Fontenoy for Network Provence