Raku Pottery Workshop and Hiking in the Heart of the Alps in Bessans
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelAll levels
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DestinationVanoise Massif / Bessans
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AgeUp to a 90imum of years
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CO₂-Emissions55.12 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Raku , a spectacular pottery firing technique that originated in Korea and was developed in Japan in the 16th century for making bowls used in the tea ceremony . This trip invites you to discover or deepen your understanding of this ancient art, where fire, earth, and the present moment become one.
Guided by a professional potter , you'll receive attentive instruction and all the necessary equipment to design and fire your own creations. Whether you're a beginner or already experienced, you'll create several unique pieces, shaped and fired using the Raku method, which you can take home at the end of your stay.
The experience alternates seamlessly between six half-days of ceramic workshops and five half-days of hiking , offering an ideal balance between creativity and immersion in nature. These hiking sessions allow you to draw inspiration from the surrounding landscapes and enrich your artistic process.
An authentic stay, combining traditional craftsmanship , sharing of know-how and rejuvenation, to fully experience the intensity and magic of Raku.
The highlights
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An extraordinary activity at the foot of the mountains
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An experience combining pottery and hiking
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Unleash your creativity and take your creations home with you at the end of your stay.
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
Management
French
Activity supervised by a professional potter
Program
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Arrival at the holiday village
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: Arrival and check-in at the holiday village.
1:45 pm: Welcome meeting in the Charbonnel room.
Afternoon: Presentation of the Raku activity and the techniques used for the manufacture of the pieces (3 per student: 1 round box, 1 square box and a flower pot).
Beginning of shaping the pieces (no turning, slab work with the stamping technique on plaster molds and modeling).
Day 1 -
Morning Raku Pottery and afternoon Hiking
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: Continuation of the manufacturing of the parts and putting the finished parts out to dry.
Afternoon: Hiking.
Day 2 -
Morning Raku Pottery and afternoon Hiking
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: Finishing the pieces, continuing the drying process and possibly starting a first biscuit firing in the gas oven.
Afternoon: Hiking.
Day 3 -
Morning Raku Pottery and afternoon Hiking
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: Continued drying and baking of biscuits.
Production of raku enamel, decoration of already fired pieces.
Afternoon: Hiking.
Day 4 -
Morning Raku Pottery and afternoon Hiking
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: Continuation of the decoration of the pieces and first raku firings (smoking of the pieces), until 7:30 p.m. to present the raku activity to the other groups of the center.
Afternoon: Hiking.
Day 5 -
Morning Raku Pottery and afternoon Hiking
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Holiday Villages
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning: End of raku firings and tidying up of the workshop.
Afternoon: Hiking.
Day 6 -
Departure
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
Important: The program is provided as a guide only. It is recommended that you bring your own hiking equipment. The Haute-Maurienne valley is full of trails, each more beautiful than the last. To keep things interesting, the guides are free to use their imagination and suggest alternative routes! Circumstances beyond our control may also lead us to modify the day's itineraries and activities (weather, participants' fitness level, group safety, etc.).
Accommodation
You will be staying at the La Bessannaise holiday village.
The establishment offers 95 rooms, spread across three buildings, which can accommodate from 1 to 3 people depending on their configuration.
By staying at the centre, you have access to all the spaces available.
Access
Rooms are available from 5pm on the day of your arrival.
They must be vacated before 10am on the day of departure.
The stay ends after breakfast.
Go to the starting point
Modane TGV station (Paris-Modane 4h30 by TGV), then bus journey (45 min) to the stop in front of La Bessannaise*
Bus booking online: www.altibus.com or 04 79 68 32 96.
We invite you to purchase your return ticket as soon as your reservation is confirmed.
*Pay attention to train and bus connections when planning your journey.
A43 motorway towards Turin (Fréjus Tunnel, Italy), Exit No. 30 – Modane/Haute Maurienne, departmental road D1006 (ex-RN6) then D902 (35km) towards Bessans.
Consider sharing your journey by carpooling: www.blablacar.fr.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation according to the chosen package
- Full board (including wine) from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- One hot drink per day
- Bed linen and towels are provided in the rooms for the duration of your stay.
- Access to the spa and fitness area
- The Raku Pottery activity is led by a professional potter.
- Activities are supervised by our mountain guides according to the formula
- Activities from Monday to Friday in July and August
- Local transfers for hikes according to package
The price does not include
- Tourist tax: €0.85 per person (over 18 years old) per night
- The ANCEF membership fee (mandatory for supervised stays) including membership and mountain passport (insurance): €25 for adults, €13 for young people under 16, €50 for the Family offer (1 or 2 adults + children under 16)
- Toiletries (shower gel, soap, etc.) and a towel for access to the spa.
- Drinks at the bar and extras (shop purchases, additional activities not included in the program…)
- Return travel expenses to and from the holiday village
- Picnic boxes, cutlery and water bottles
- The equipment required for certain themed workshops (see technical specifications)
Options
- Child discount (ages 3-6) : CHF-375.07 / person
- Youth discount (7-13 years old) : CHF-225.04 / person
- Early arrival : CHF61.29 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Water bottle holder and water bottle (minimum 1L capacity)
- A pair of highly protective sunglasses (CE rating 3 or 4 is essential)
- Sunscreen tube and lip balm stick, with a high sun protection factor
- Shoes with Vibram-type soles and ankle support
- Telescopic walking poles are recommended.
- 30-litre backpack for day essentials, picnic and water
- Cutlery, picnic box and reusable cup for picnics
- A large plastic bag or a rain cover to protect your backpack. (In case of a storm)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Clothing to bring
- Lightweight and flexible clothing for activity
- Cap or hat
- Warm pants + lightweight pants
- Several pairs of socks
- Anorak, waterproof rain gear, a windbreaker, and a fleece jacket or thick sweater
- Swimsuit and bath towel (or bathrobe) required to access the wellness area
For your comfort at the center, please bring casual clothing and indoor shoes or slippers. Important: In the mountains, temperature variations can be significant if the wind picks up or a storm is approaching.
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