Soul Stirring Retreats
in the South of France
Summer 2025
The French are masters when it comes to experiencing delight. They even have an expression: Joie de Vivre – the exuberant enjoyment of life!
This is especially true for those who live in the rural countryside where simple pleasures are abundant and the slower pace of daily life supports this feeling of happiness, peace, and well-being.
With Soul Stirring Retreats in the South of France you will:
Make beautiful art with internationally-known instructors
Challenge yourself as you explore new depths of your creativity
Delight and surprise yourself when you soar your artistic skills and abilities to new heights
Be inspired by the excursions to centuries-old villages and a world-class museum
Experience regional cuisine and new flavors with meals prepared fresh and in-house daily
Take time for yourself with an immersive experience that allows space for self-reflection and personal growth
And so much more…
We will be offering three retreats with AMAZING instructors to choose from. The dates are:
June 13th - June 20th, 2025 with Kate Thompson & Jen Cushman
June 25th - July 2nd, 2025 with Kate Richbourg
July 4th - July 11th, 2025 - with Kathy Cano-Murillo
Why choose Soul Stirring Retreats?
Experience the good life of clean spring-fed water and in-season produce grown on nearby farms used to cook simple and flavorful meals. Fruits and vegetables are so ripe the colors and tastes burst with freshness. See how sunshine, clean air, working to live rather than living to work and a strong sense of community and family are all embedded into French country life. Experience first-hand how this mindfulness allows you to discover new perspectives that will stay with you long after your journey ends.
During our week together we’ll experience the world in an entirely new way – a way that’s been naturally seeped into daily living for centuries in the ancient medieval village of Durfort. During our soul-filling journey, we will live together family style and focus on Joie de Vivre, which means:
Amazing Art Workshops with World-Class Instructors
Intimate retreats with no more than 10 students who’ll quickly feel like old friends
Lots of quality 1:1 time with your instructor to hone and refine your artistic skills
Minimum of 25+ hours of instruction time over the course of the retreat (instruction hours and schedule set by instructor)
Creative play with hands-on making in the La Cascade studio and 24/7 open studio time
Valuable personal growth learnings as you step away from your normal daily life responsibilities and allow yourself the time for self reflection. This, by itself, can be transformational
Powerful positive feedback from your instructor to help you grow as an artist
Joyful sightseeing – four delightful excursions to inspire and delight you!
Simple pleasures of French county immersion– fresh water collected straight from the ancient spring-fed fountain, sparkling sunshine, clean healthy living & beautiful things to see, smell and touch at every turn
Healthy regional-style meals prepared fresh daily by Chef and Owner of La Cascade Nese Pelt
Heartfelt connection with a small intimate group of incredibly creative women and an opportunity to form lifelong friendships
Home base for our adventure together is a lovely 400+ year old stone house. The second you step foot in La Cascade you’ll feel the peaceful energy and creative zest of this family-style retreat home that’s lovingly cared for so many people over the centuries. Walk outside and see the natural rushing cascade and flowing stream that runs directly behind the house (literally named the cascade house), adjacent to the artisan village of Durfort and into the River Sor. You will feel as though you’ve stepped foot into a classic French art film!
Our exclusive retreat includes:
7 days and 7 nights lodging at La Cascade, double occupancy.
Fresh, healthy regional-style meals eaten together around the big dining room table - 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
Inspiring field trips (you have the flexibility to choose whether to go to all, none or a combination of excursions).
Daily art making,
Open studio time.
Transportation to and from the airport (limited to one drop off and one pick up at scheduled time only) and for all excursions, plus short runs to the grocery store, ATM machine, pharmacy, etc. for any personal care needs.
Accommodations are double occupancy (twin beds) with five shared bedrooms and three shared bathrooms in the house.
The art studio is located on the third floor of the house and is open 24/7 with quiet hours from 11 pm to 7 am.
Common areas include living room, dining room and large outside terrace with access to the river and cascade. No kitchen access for personal use. Internet is available, though wifi signal varies within the house so please come prepared with your own cell phone data plan.
La Cascade is a 16th-century stone home that has three levels, with the bedrooms on the second and third floors and the studio workshop on the third floor. Students must be able to climb stairs and manage walking during excursions.
Not included in price: Airfare, travel and supplemental medical Insurance, two lunches and one dinner out during the week. Travel insurance is highly encouraged. Please check your US medical insurance to ensure it provides adequate coverage overseas. If not, consider purchasing supplemental medical along with your travel insurance.
Retreat will include four excursions:
The famous Saturday Market in Revel, listed as one of the top 100 most beautiful markets in France.
Vide greniers (French flea markets) that occur every Sunday during the summers in various nearby villages
A day in Albi with a visit to its jaw-dropping Sainte-Cecile Cathedral, Toulouse Lautrec Museum and shopping at lovely French boutiques, including a quaint art store with handmade artisan-batch pastels and paints.
An intimate and exclusive shopping experience for ancient and vintage textiles & art papers at a French collector’s gorgeous atelier. This is dependent on owner’s availability and, if unavailable, will be substituted for sightseeing in the adjacent village of Soreze.
Investment: $3,495 USD double occupancy
$250 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit secures your spot
Spaces are on a first-come basis
Refund policy - Retreats are intimate experience and capped at 10 students. Please fully commit to attending and participating in our retreats when you book.
Retreats are non-refundable once a commitment is made. We do understand unavoidable emergencies can happen. Once a retreat fills, there will be a waitlist and if you’re unable to attend we will invite the next student on the waitlist to join us. As long as the new student registers and pay in full to take your open spot, you will receive full refund minus $300 non-refundable deposit. This is not guaranteed. The only guaranteed way of getting a full refund in case of emergency is to purchase “cancel for any reason” travel insurance.
There are different levels of travel insurance and policies have changed since the pandemic. Please do your due diligence research to find the best travel insurance policy for your unique situation and needs. You will be required to sign a waiver to participate stating that you are fully aware of and agree to our retreat policies. Merci!
