Echoes of France at Cal-a-Vie
Last week I had the absolute joy of stepping into what felt like a little pocket of Burgundy, nestled in the hills of Southern California. I was invited as a guest speaker for Garden Week at Cal-a-Vie, a luxury health spa and retreat center, which I can say was truly unlike any other. I was honored to have the opportunity to offer floral design demonstrations and hands-on workshops with the wonderful guests who share the same love of flowers! I honestly couldn’t wait to tell you about the experience.
But first, let me paint the scene…
de Bourgogne
Cal-a-Vie is a 200-acre property which has been lovingly transformed over the past two decades. It has a deep connection to France, with several centuries-old buildings that were actually imported from Dijon (Burgundy), and meticulously reconstructed on the property. Even the interior spaces were designed with furniture and decor flown in from Europe and France!
Historic Buildings
On the expansive property, there’s a 16th-century chapel where guests meditate, a 400-year-old orangerie* that now hosts events, a 16-acre vineyard, and a historic parish house that serves estate wines. It’s like someone transported the romantic soul of the French countryside straight to California. I’m not exaggerating when I say every corner of it was breathtaking.
*An orangerie is a building similar to a greenhouse or conservatory, used to protect citrus trees grown in cooler climates.
Floral Workshops
During Garden Week, we hosted multiple floral demonstrations, book signings, and floral design workshops. One of the highlights was a beautiful luncheon where I designed an arrangement in an antique yellow French confit pot!
The surrounding energy throughout my experience was calm yet inspiring, offering the perfect environment for creativity. There’s something magical about arranging flowers in a space where the architecture and atmosphere naturally set the mood, whispering stories of history and beauty.
I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of the elegance and beauty at Cal-a-Vie. To learn more about the spa and its amenities, visit their website at cal-a-vie.com.
À bientôt,
Sandra
