psychologist, therapist

The Art of Living Well in Provence
with Elitsa Velikova & Stanimira Yanakieva
28 September - 4 October 2026
Les Domaines de Chabran, Provence
Art de Vivre is a boutique program that reveals the philosophy and practice of the art of fine living.
There are places and people that make you feel at home.
We have chosen Southern France to offer carefully curated, beautiful experiences for all participants. For these programs, we host you in the architectural masterpieces of Les Domaines de Chabran, Provence, France.

At the heart of these estates, you enter a world that fully meets every need - time to savor everything around you.
To immerse yourself in the beauty and elegance of your surroundings—and your own inner radiance—and to make this way of being a way of life.
We want to speak about beauty, experience it, create it, and embody it.
Beauty is a synthesis of many qualities: harmony, inspiration, presence, wisdom, sensuality, nobility, authenticity, and kindness.

Throughout the retreat, Stanimira Yanakieva will guide practical classes that immerse us in the world of French style:
Every detail is curated to embody the philosophy of Slow Living and refined taste, at the core of the Art de Vivre concept.
Elitsa Velikova’s sessions will focus on inner beauty - approached with ease, depth, and insight. We will explore the arrangement of our inner voices, the ordering of our inner space, and the radiance that comes from authenticity and an open heart.

Through the pleasure of each moment, you arrive at that place within yourself you have always longed for.
Beauty is a selfless pleasure—a moment when the transient touches the infinite, allowing you to sense your own boundlessness.
Art enables us to cultivate our understanding of beauty.
It leads us toward truth and wholeness.
It helps us become Beauty.
Arrival & Check-in
Welcome at Les Domaines de Chabran
19:00
The Art of Aperitivo
Cocktails, delicate flavors, and small sensory pleasures. A welcoming ritual inviting relaxation and connection.
20:00
Welcome Dinner at Les Domaines de Chabran
A Provençal dinner with the feeling of “coming home.”

08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30 Practice with Elitsa Velikova
Qualities of Beauty: Presence
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at Les Domaines de Chabran
14:00 – 16:30 Free time: pool, walks, journaling
17:00 – 19:00 Art de la Table à la Française with Stanimira Yanakieva
The ritual of beauty, harmony, and detail
20:00 Dinner at Les Domaines de Chabran

08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30 Practice with Elitsa Velikova
Qualities of Beauty: Authenticity
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:30 Free time
16:00 – 17:00 Visit to Carrières des Lumières with Stanimira Yanakieva
Art projections within the stone galleries of Provence
17:30 – 19:30 Walk in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
20:00 Dinner at a local restaurant in Saint-Rémy
08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30 Practice with Elitsa Velikova
Qualities of Beauty: Happiness
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:30 – 16:00 Rest & journaling
16:30 – 18:30 Pétanque & Pastis Moment with Stanimira Yanakieva
A light afternoon in the garden—laughter, connection, and the soft Provençal light.
The smallest pleasures are the greatest.
20:00 Candlelight Dinner at Les Domaines de Chabran

08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
10:30 – 13:00 Visit to the local market in Eygalières. Outdoor assignment with Elitsa
Quality of Beauty: Meaning / Inspiration
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch in Eygalières
15:00 – 16:20 Free time
17:30 – 19:30 Flower Arranging with Stanimira Yanakieva. Provençal floral compositions
20:00 Dinner at Bistrot de Paradou
08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
10:30 – 12:30 Creative closing session with Elitsa & Stanimira
13:00 Au Revoir Lunch at Les Domaines de Chabran
Free time for guests

08:30 – 10:30 Provençal Breakfast
11:00 Departure to the airport
Until our next return
Director of the Institute for Art & Therapy in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Psychologist and expressive arts therapist with diplomas from Switzerland and London, UK.
Honorary Art Therapy lecturer at New Bulgarian University.
Facilitator of workshops, trainings, and therapeutic groups internationally.
Specialized in childhood trauma, holistic counseling, family therapy, self-development groups, creative therapies, and expressive arts.
She has led workshops in China, the USA, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and more.
Since 2004, she has worked with adults, children, and couples in individual and group settings.
Lifestyle and fashion expert specializing in etiquette and refined living.
She dedicates her work to inspiring elegance and confidence in everyday life.
Creative force behind numerous fashion, lifestyle, and advertising projects; former fashion stylist and editor; event curator; university lecturer; author of two books on etiquette and lifestyle.
Her philosophy of Slow Living emphasizes quality over quantity and the enjoyment of life’s small pleasures.
Since 2025, she has been Art de Vivre Brand Ambassador at Les Domaines de Chabran.
ABOUT THE LOCATION

Nestled in the heart of the Alpilles, Le Mas de Castillone invites you to discover its unique charm in the soul of Provence, revealing the elegance, comfort, and timeless beauty of this luxurious retreat.
From the thoughtfully designed interiors to the breathtaking outdoor spaces, every corner has been created to evoke a sense of warmth and tranquility. Spacious bedrooms feature king-size beds, walk-in wardrobes, and beautifully appointed bathrooms that blend modern comfort with authentic materials such as lime plaster finishes and wooden floors.
The outdoor areas are equally captivating—lush gardens framed by olive trees and lavender offer a serene and harmonious setting for rest and relaxation. The terrace opens onto spectacular views of the Alpilles, making it the perfect place to enjoy glowing sunsets or quietly contemplate the star-filled sky.
Location: Les Domaines de Chabran, Provence
Dates: 28 September – 4 October 2026
Accommodation: Double room
Price: €3,950 per person
Includes:
• 6 nights accommodation
• All practices and classes
• Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• Transfers from Marseille Provence Airport
Not included:
• Flights
• Personal expenses
(Participants book flights individually; assistance available upon request)
Registration:
60% non-refundable deposit
Remaining balance due by 28 August 2026