France
September 17th - 23rd, 2026
A Creative Retreat in the French Countryside
with ALLY + PAULA
Limited Places
Join us for a 6 night intimate retreat experience in a beautiful 14th Century Priory set near the medieval hamlet of Poitier and beautiful St. Loup, surrounded by stunning gardens, vineyards and vibrant sunflowers.
Nourish your creativity. Reconnect with yourself. Create something deeply personal and alive.
During this retreat, you are invited to slow down, breathe deeply, and nourish every part of yourself.
Together, we’ll explore the marks, colours and shapes that resonate with you, learning how to translate what you feel into something expressive and uniquely yours.
As the days unfold, you’ll gather what you notice - moments, textures, colours, and impressions, capturing them within a handmade concertina journal that becomes a layered reflection of your time here.
This is about creating art that feels authentic and alive, a response to your surroundings and the journey you are on.
Be inspired by the history and the incredible medieval architecture that surrounds you.
Away from the distractions of everyday life, you’ll find space to think differently, see more clearly, and create more freely.
This magical, fourteenth century medieval Priory near Poitier will be your home for the week.
Relax, Recharge
Laugh and learn together
How it works
At the time of booking, you pay a AUD$500 non-refundable deposit.
The remaining balance is split into half.
The first half is due 30 days from the date of booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days after that (60 days from the date of booking).
Talk to Ally about instalments if required.
What to Expect
A gentle pause from the pace of everyday life. Set in the quiet beauty of the French countryside, this is a space to reconnect both with your creativity and with yourself.
❋ Creative Expression
Together, we’ll explore the marks, colours and shapes that resonate with you, learning how to translate what you feel into something expressive and uniquely your own.
❋ Shared Experience
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll be part of a small, supportive group where ideas are shared, inspiration flows, and confidence gently grows.
❋ Open Space
Whether you come alone or with a friend, you’ll feel held in a space that encourages openness, curiosity, and creative freedom.
❋ Authentic Creation
This is about creating art that feels authentic and alive, a reflection of your experience, your surroundings, and the journey you are on.
How I will help your creative journey
We will dive into expressive ways of working that help you capture what truly lights you up. Create tools that offer unique marks for you to play with.
Perhaps you feel unsure where to begin, or you’re longing to create something that holds memory and meaning. Lets work through this together.
Through thoughtful guidance, you’ll move beyond the blank page into a more intuitive, responsive way of creating.
My role is not to impose a style, but to help you notice what’s already there and trust the marks you make. I work closely and attentively, offering guidance when it’s needed and space when it’s not.
Plien air immersed in the local countryside
What you will create
Over the course of the retreat, you’ll create a handmade concertina art book, a layered and evolving reflection of your time in France.
As the days unfold, you’ll gather what you notice—moments, textures, colours, and impressions translating them into marks, materials, and compositions that feel personal and alive.
More than a sketchbook, it becomes a visual narrative of your experience capturing not just what you see, but how you feel, respond, and connect to this place and the people.
Through guided sessions and open exploration, your work will build naturally, page by page, into something expressive, intuitive, and entirely your own.
A keepsake to return to long after the retreat ends, one that holds both your creative growth and the memory of this time.
What you will explore
The experience
We will explore creativity as a way of:
• Seeing
• Feeling
• Responding
• Connecting
to both the landscape around us and ourselves.
You’ll leave with:
• Greater trust in your creative voice
• New tools and approaches
• Confidence to explore and experiment
• Work that feels personal and meaningful
Alongside this, you’ll develop
• Mixed media techniques for expressive, intuitive work
• How to move beyond habits through experimentation
• Developing your own visual language through layering and collage
• Balancing intention and spontaneity in the creative process
This is not about perfection or outcome, but about process, curiosity, and rediscovering the joy of making.
What is included
• Daily guided art sessions
• A selection of art materials
• 6 nights / 7 days accommodation
• All meals – seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine
• Local food and wine experiences
• Studio access + plein air outings
• Plein air excursions
• Village, French Brocantes & Vineyard visits
• Transport assistance
• Optional support for non-participating partners
like E-bike hire, local hamlet visits, vineyard visits, kayaking on the canals etc
Not included:
Flights to and from France
Travel insurance
Optional activities offered by the retreat centre
Private purchases made when out on excursion
For full booking conditions, please read the Terms and Conditions.
Accomodation and Costs
Private room that features a queen bed with an ensuite for 1 person.
Art workshops and food/drinks incl.
AUD $3420
Shared room that features two twin beds with a shared bathroom
Art workshops and food/drinks incl.
AUD $2916
Rooms may be different to the images shown.
Private room that features a queen bed with an ensuite for 2 people.
Art workshops and food/drinks incl.
AUD $4293
French Brocantes - Vintage treasures
Check list
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Sign up and pay all required fees to reserve your spot. $500 AUD non-refundable deposit to secure your place
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Package with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, dietary choices, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays. Transport from the local airport or train station in Poitier is covered by the retreat.
We can assist if required.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.
Book Your Stay
Come as you are.
Leave with something truly your own.