PARIS TEXTILE RETREAT
With Ekta Kaul
21-28 September 2025
Immerse yourself in the art of textiles in the world's most beautiful city!
Join me on this an extraordinary journey to explore the rich textile heritage of Paris while honing your needlework skills with me as your guide.
This carefully curated retreat combines hands-on embroidery workshops with me and Parisian master artisans along with visits to some of Paris's most captivating textile and art destinations. From the opulent halls of Versailles to the hidden treasures of the Paris Flea Market, this journey promises to inspire for years to come.
PARIS TEXTILE RETREAT
21-28 September 2025
THESE ICONIC DESTINATIONS AWAIT
Our journey will take us to some of France’s most inspiring cultural and creative landmarks:
– World-class museums visit my hand-picked selection of medieval and contemporary textiles at Paris's famous museums.
– Private tour of Couture Embroidery Archives – enjoy an exclusive glimpse into the artistry behind haute couture, a demonstration and hands on workshop.
– Versailles – witness the opulent textiles and exquisite embroidery of the royal court
– Toile de Jouy Museum – discover the iconic printed fabrics that revolutionised French textile arts
– Maison Sajou – browse this legendary temple to French embroidery and haberdashery
– Paris Haberdashery Tour – seek out exquisite threads, yarns, lace and ribbons in hidden gem boutiques, guided by haute couture embroiderer Rebecca Devaney of Textile Tours of Paris
– Paris Flea Market – hunt for vintage textile treasures and creative inspiration with Rebecca Devaney as your guide
– Monet’s Garden & Studio, Giverny – wander through luminous gardens and a studio steeped in quiet beauty, letting the play of light and colour awaken your own creative sensibilities, just as they once stirred his
– Drift along the River Seine, reflecting on the beauty of Paris and the inspirations it leaves behind.
EXCLUSIVE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCES
Paris Map Embroidery with Ekta Kaul at Au Ver à Soie Atelier
Enjoy privileged access to the renowned Au Ver à Soie atelier, where you'll create a beautiful Paris map illustrated by me using the exquisite Au Ver à Soie threads. We've designed a bespoke kit exclusively for retreat participants. You'll also have the rare opportunity to meet with Nathalie, the 5th generation co-owner of this institution whose history stretches back over 200 years. This is an experience not available to the general public!
Embroidery Workshop at Ecole Lesage
Learn time honoured needle techniques at the school, famed for their heritage of couture embroidery, for all the major fashion houses.
Bojagi Patchwork with Maryse Allard
Parisian artist, Maryse Allard to guide you through the delicate art of Bojagi - the Korean patchwork techqnique. This workshop will also take place in the inspiring surroundings of Au Ver à Soie. Includes a bespoke kit for your creations.
Eco Printing & Natural Dyeing with Neha Lad
Set within a sensorial backdrop of flowers, artist Neha Lad will introduce you to the magical process of eco printing and natural dyeing. Learn sustainable techniques for creating unique textile pieces infused with the essence of nature.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 7 nights accommodation in a 4 star hotel in the heart of Paris. Retreat starts at 10am on Sat 21 Sep 2025 and finishes at 10 am on Sun 28 Sep 2025.
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Transport to and from excursions to Versaille & Giverny
- Travel within Paris.
- Museum entree fees
- River Cruise
- 4 expert led textile workshops
- Bespoke material kits for all workshops
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International Airfares, travel insurance, gratuties and 1 lunch on Friday 26th Sep and 2 dinners are not included.
"My experience has exceeded everything I had hoped for. Our days were filled with a balance of lessons and lots of time to be creative, and Ekta was always available to offer advice and instruction. Ekta facilitated a positive and supportive energy in our workshops and honored our individual artistic expression. I didn't want our week to end!"
Kay LindbloomUSA"From the welcome hug upon arrival to the incredible instruction, the wonderful fellowship at mealtime, to the peaceful surroundings, and the chatting, sharing, and laughter during our stitching sessions, this was an all-round fantastic experience."
Linda BahrUSA
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Sunday 21 September :
- Hunt for vintage textile treasures and creative inspiration at Paris Flea Market with Rebecca Devaney as your guide
- Meet an expert natural dyer and explore eco printing in a beautiful setting.
Monday 22 Sept
- Be inspired by the the stunning collections at famed Dior museum.
- Special embroidery workshop with Ekta Kaul
- Enjoy privileged access to the renowned Au Ver à Soie atelier
Tuesday 23 Sept
- Enjoy private tour of couture embroidery archives, demonstration and workshop at Lesage Ecole.
- Visit world famous medieval textiles in a Parisian museum.
Wednesday 24 Sept
- Seek out exquisite threads, yarns, lace and ribbons in hidden gem boutiques, guided by haute couture embroiderer Rebecca Devaney of Textile Tours of Paris.
Thursday 25 Sept
- Witness the opulent textiles and exquisite embroidery of the royal court in Versailles
- Discover the iconic printed fabrics that revolutionised French textile arts at Toile de Jouy Museum
- Browse this legendary temple to French embroidery and haberdashery Maison Sajou.
Friday 26 Sept
- Enjoy a guided tour of fabric shops in Montmatre
- Savour an optional late evening visit to the Louvre on your own
Saturday 27 Sept
- Wander through Monet’s Garden & Studio, Giverny studio steeped in quiet beauty, letting the play of light and colour awaken your own creative sensibilities, just as they once stirred his.
- Drift along the River Seine in a boat, concluding the tour with a three course meal with local wine.
Sunday 28 Sept
- Retreat ends with breakfast.
- Depart for your destination, taking with you not only the artworks you’ve created but also the memories of a transformative week of inspiration, deeper understanding of textiles and needlework skills.
YOUR ACCOMODATION
We’ll be staying at the beautifully situated Hotel Saint-Petersbourg Opéra & Spa, located in the heart of Paris. Just a short stroll from the Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, and the grand department stores, this elegant hotel offers the perfect blend of Parisian charm and modern comfort. Its classic interiors and calm atmosphere provide a peaceful retreat after our creative explorations. With excellent transport links and iconic landmarks like the Louvre and Champs Élysées nearby, it's the ideal base for our time together in the City of Light.
TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR RETREAT PARTICIPANTS
"Such a wonderful, supportive, creative environment was created by Ekta, where ideas were given space to emerge and encouraged to flourish, in their own time. Delicieux all round!"
Kate PetersonNew Zealand"Absolute joy in joining Ekta's retreat. The stitching, learning, meeting a wonderful group of like minded friends and the experience of France with its location, food, character and hospitality was wonderful."
Rhondda MockettAustralia"Ekta is a wonderfully generous and encouraging educator. This week away in the south of France has been very inspiring and restful all at the same time. Lovely to meet people with a similar passion for textiles from all corners of the globe, share stories and stitch together."
Julie HowellsUK
PARIS RETREAT
Curated Experience with me, Ekta Kaul as your guide for 7 nights in the heart Paris including two day trips to iconic destinations
Single Occupancy with Ensuite
£6499 . 00
EUR 7760 approx
PARIS TEXTILE RETREAT INCLUDES
- Accomodation in 4 star hotel in central Paris
- Haberdashery Tour with Haute Couture expert
- Flea Market Tour
- 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 dinners
- River Cruise and 3 course dinner
- Museum entry tickets
- 1 embroidery workshop with Ekta Kaul
- 3 workshops with master artists/artisans
- Bespoke High Quality Material Kits for all workshops
- Exclusive Au Vera Soi visit
- Visit to Lesage Ecole
- Full day drip to Versaille with private transport
- Full day trip to Giverny with private transport
- Transport within Paris
NOT INCLUDED
- International Airfare
- Travel insurance
- 1 lunch on Friday 26th, 2 dinners
-
Tips, gratuities
- Personal expenses/shopping
BOOK YOUR PLACE
DEPOSIT
To book your place, please email me at info(at)ektakaul.com
25% of the fee is required to confirm your place. We will send you a payment link for this.
The remaining amount is due by 10th June 2025.
Please note all bookings are first come first serve basis. SPOTS ARE LIMITED.
REFUND POLICY
All payments including the deposit are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your spot or we cancel the retreat. We highly recommend travel insurance for your airfare and retreat fees in case you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
25% of the fee is due on registration. This is non-refundable, unless we are able to fill your spot or we cancel the workshop. Remaining payment is due on 10th June 2025.
PAYMENT
Payment can be made by debit or credit card. We will send you a payment link for the deposit upon receiving your booking request.
QUESTIONS
If you have questions about anything not covered here, please contact us by emailing at info(at)ektakaul.com and we will do our best to help you.
Send Your Booking Request
Please email us at info@ektakaul.com to reserve your spot
About Ekta Kaul
Ekta Kaul is an award winning artist and author known for her narrative maps that explore place, history and belonging through stitch. She works on public and private commissions and her work is held in several permanent collections including at the Museum of London, Crafts Council, Liberty of London, the Gunnersbury Museum, Tatter Blue Library (Brooklyn,USA) and those of private collectors. Ekta loves to inspire creativity and has been invited to teach at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, Tatter, TOAST, the Makerie and many more. She has received awards from the Crafts Council and the Arts Council England and was the winner of 2021 Cockpit Arts Textile Prize. Her work has been featured in Financial Times, BBC Radio 4, Vogue, Selvedge and Embroidery Magazine among others. Her book Kantha was published by Bloomsbury UK. She works from her studio on the fringes of West London, UK.