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A JOURNEY OF LIGHT AND SHADOW WITH IDA VON AVES

THE MYTHIC SELF

€5,200 - € 5,900

September 18 - 24, 2025

€5,150- €6,250

THE MYTHIC SELF | A Fantasy Photoshoot Retreat w/ Ida von Aves

Step into a world of myth and legend, where personal discovery is nurtured, and catharsis is embraced.

 

This six-night immersive photoshoot retreat at Château de Puy Vidal is a journey into the myths and archetypes within you, a journey toward embracing your strength and vulnerability, grief and joy, beauty and pain. Guided by the visionary Ida von Aves and her expert hair and makeup artist, Celine Wilkes, this retreat invites you to uncover and celebrate a self-image rooted in both strength and compassion.

 

With her masterful command of light and shadow, and endless inspiration from classical art, Ida will guide you to unearth your inner villain, queen, knight and goddess. Become a living masterpiece under her gaze, evoking the drama of the Medieval, the beauty of the Renaissance, and the romanticism of the Pre-Raphaelites.

The Lady of the Château team has designed a fully immersive program around these photoshoots - yoga classes, journaling exercises, vision boards, regional explorations, and themed evenings where the inspirations of the day come to life. This is an experience unlike any other—a unique blend of rest, relaxation, self-exploration, play, beauty and connections with like-minded fantasy lovers, set in the ancient, knowing atmosphere of this 13th-century château. All this, while creating and participating in transformative fine art photoshoots, ensures you will leave with an utterly different connection to yourself and your fantasy worlds.

Come cross our enchanted threshold, where muses gather and myths come to life.

Mythical woman in angel wings

IMMERSIVE CHÂTEAU
6 NIGHT RETREAT

3 FINE ART
PHOTOSHOOT
SESSIONS

ALL GENDERS,
LGBTQ+ WELCOME

Rose & Urn at Chateau de puy Vidal
Labyrinth of Chateau de puy Vidal
Wall Candelabra

“I choose this incredible experience not as a want, but an actual need for my senses and well being.
In times like these, it is imaginative and creative activities that can nurture the soul.“

Fantasy Photoshoot Participant 2024

The Timeless Portrait

1st Photoshoot

We begin with something classic—a portrait inspired by the elegance of historical  paintings.

 

This 30-minute session is designed to ease you into the experience while  capturing you in a setting reminiscent of old-world artistry. Think soft, painterly light,  composed serenity, and the kind of portrait that feels as if it belongs in a grand hall.

The Story Unfolds

2nd Photoshoot

Now, we step deeper into visual storytelling—where the magic begins. This will be a full 1 hr session. 

Inspired by Vollkommen-style editorial photography, this session is more than just a portrait. It’s an unfolding visual tale, a mix of striking compositions, unexpected perspectives, and cinematic storytelling.

Whether you choose to fully embody a mythic character or let the setting shape your expression, this is where you begin to explore, feel, and transform.

 

The Grand Finale

3rd Photoshoot

For our final session, we return to the essence of Ida's signature style—bold, iconic.

 

This 30-minute shoot is all about embracing the extraordinary, with a standout outfit and a atmosphere that feels like stepping into a dream. It’s a space for creativity, a chance to  experiment with striking compositions, and an opportunity to create something truly 

timeless.

 

Unlike the second shoot, this one focuses less on storytelling and more on the  power of a singular, unforgettable image.

STEP INTO YOUR STORY

3 PHOTOSHOOT SESSIONS 

Have you ever imagined yourself as a figure in a timeless painting, a mythological muse or a legendary warrior? This retreat is more than just photoshoot sessions—it’s an opportunity to  explore different facets of yourself and bring them to life through art.

To make this experience even more immersive, your photographer Ida von Aves will be bringing a selection of costumes and accessories to help craft the perfect look for each session. Whether you dream of  flowing Renaissance gowns, regal capes, or intricate armor details, we’ll create a vision that feels uniquely yours. 

Hair and makeup will be expertly handled by Celine, Ida's trusted hair and makeup artist and an essential  part of her studio. Together, we will ensure that every detail—whether it’s an elaborate  updo, natural waves, or a perfectly styled wig—enhances your transformation. She will also  be bringing a selection of wigs for those who want to explore a completely new aesthetic. 

Before the retreat, Ida would love to connect with each of you in a chat or video call. This  will give you the chance to discuss your vision, explore character ideas, and decide which  costumes and accessories to bring along. To help you clarify your artistic direction,  you’ll also receive Ida's Intention Finding Quiz—a tool designed to guide you toward the  essence of what you want to express in your shoot. 

The Retreat Journey

Ida von Aves Photographer

MEET YOUR GUIDE

Master Photographer Ida von Aves

My work is where classical art meets photography—where the timeless beauty of old  masters blends with the immediacy of the present. With a deep appreciation for light,  shadow, and emotion, I create portraits that feel both cinematic and painterly, capturing  something beyond just an image: a story, a moment, a feeling. 

My journey began in the world of art history, where I immersed myself in Renaissance  paintings and medieval architecture, drawn to their depth, symbolism, and craftsmanship.  But I wanted more than just studying the past—I wanted to bring it into the now. After a classical photography apprenticeship and earning my master’s certification, I spent nearly a decade refining my craft before taking the leap into full-time self-employment. That moment came on April 1, 2022—a fitting date, considering that following one’s artistic vision sometimes feels like the ultimate April Fool’s joke. And yet, here I am, turning  clients into timeless works of art ever since. My studio is based in Germany, and I am thrilled to be bringing my studio and team to France for this incredible expereince.

For me, photography is not about changing you, but about revealing what has always  been there. Strength and softness, power and vulnerability, reality and myth—every  session is a chance to embody a new version of yourself while staying utterly, beautifully  you. 

At this retreat, we’ll step into a world of legends, where each image tells a story only you can bring to life.

 

Are you ready to become part of art?

MEET YOUR HOSTS

The Lady of the Château Creative Team

We are Julia and Carolina, your retreat designers and guides, and it is our pleasure to welcome you into our world. We are a couple and the founders of the Lady of the Château retreats.

 

We moved to France as a multi-generational family, from NYC and California, in pursuit of a long-cherished dream. We run each retreat is with the help of Penelope, Julia's sister, and Maruca, our mother, who is the ultimate magic maker, creating immersive atmospheres for each retreat theme. Julia's father, Robert, is also an active host during retreats, enjoying welcoming guests from around the world.

 

Together with our carefully assembled team including our Guest Instructor, Retreat Chef, and Château Staff, we create a world where living authentically and beautifully becomes inevitable - where energy is everything, and each of us connects with our purpose. 
 

We cannot wait to welcome you to an experience that will leave your cup full for months to come.