Write Like a Mother Retreat: Bordeaux
Write and Retreat in the Heart of Bordeaux, France
We are thrilled to present an international Write Like a Mother retreat experience. Make time for mindfulness, community, and stillness, all among the rolling hills and wineries of Bordeaux, France. Join us for this cozy, inspiring escape where writer-moms have the space to connect, create, and indulge in the art of French living!
Thanks to our spectacular hosts at Rouge Bordeaux, we are able to offer this retreat for significantly less than any other comparable international retreat experience! This is a once-in-a-lifetime writing opportunity that you absolutely do not want to miss.
Note: this is the page to pay in full. Visit this page to register with just a $197 deposit.
This All-Inclusive Retreat Experience Includes:
- Accommodations, all meals, guided experiences, and curated winery visits.
- Private on-site chef to prepare all meals, focused on comforting, traditional Bordelais cuisine. Chef Julien is happy to accommodate any and all dietary restrictions!
- Access to the finest Bordeaux wines, with expert advice on pairings and options to acquire wines directly from local wineries. Wineries also ship to the United States!
- Free time for writing, with optional writing prompts and guided inspiration
- Outings to wineries and other optional daily excursions
- A cozy, intimate atmosphere, perfect for creativity and connection
- Privacy! We will be the only guests at the chateaux!
Tentative Retreat Schedule
Thursday, June 25: Arrival and Bordeaux Inspiration- Fly directly into Bordeaux or fly into Paris and take the two-hour train ride to Bordeaux. Note: to arrive by June 11, you will likely need to fly out of the United States on June 10. Reach out to us with any travel questions or for help booking your transportation.
- Afternoon: Check into Adagio Hotel Gambetta, a comfortable "aparthotel" in the heart of the city. All accommodations at the hotel are double-occupancy; single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional charge.
- Evening: Free time to explore! Plus, enjoy an optional dinner as a group in historic Bordeaux.
Friday, June 26: Settling Into Creativity at Rogue Bordeaux
- Morning: Breakfast at leisure on our own, followed by an optional guided walking tour of Bordeaux
- Midday: Picnic lunch from Chef Julien along the Garonne River in Bordeaux and a scenic drive to the Rouge Bordeaux B&B
- Afternoon: Get settled into your accommodation for the rest of our retreat together. Join a writing session in the garden or cozy salon, take a well-deserved nap, or enjoy a glass of wine in the kitchen with our hosts.
- Evening: Enjoy a dinner of Chef Julien’s Bordeaux Cassoulet with fresh baguette and regional cheeses, plus lively conversation as we learn more about each other and our writing projects.
Saturday, June 27: Love, Wanderings, and Reflections
- Morning: Light breakfast, followed by an optional trip to Bazas and the beautiful open market, just ten minutes from Rouge Bordeaux
- Afternoon: Individual or group writing time, discussions by the pool, and a traditional cèpes mushroom omelette for lunch
- Evening: Raclette night! Melted cheese served with boiled potatoes, a selection of charcuterie (such as Bayonne ham, saucisson sec, and pâté), cornichons (small French pickles), and a fresh, seasonal salad. This can be paired with a crisp white wine from the Bordeaux region, like a dry Sauvignon Blanc, to cut through the richness of the cheese.
Sunday, June 28: Writing and St. Emilion Inspirations
- Morning: Slow start with coffee and croissants, followed by a quiet writing session.
- Midday: Lunch in the medieval town of St. Emilion
- Afternoon: Private wine tasting at an underground cave in the heart of St. Emilion.
- Evening Dinner: Chef Julien's French Roast Chicken with Carrots and Greens. This hearty and flavorful dish is a perfect way to end a day of writing, reflection, and wine-tastings. The tender chicken, roasted to golden perfection, is complemented by the sweetness of the carrots and the earthy flavor of the greens. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that will leave you feeling nourished and ready to face the next day.
Monday, June 29: Château La Corne Winery Visit
- Morning: Leisurely morning writing session with light breakfast
- Midday: Lunch at Château in the Graves vineyards, featuring a wine pairing from the winery's 400-year-old wine cellar!
- Afternoon: Reflection time or a relaxed walk through the vines
- Evening Celebration Dinner: Pumpkin soup and various cheeses, paired with Bordeaux wines.
Tuesday, June 30: Writing, Reflections and a Closing Celebration
- Morning: Guided walk in the countryside for inspiration, followed by a free writing session.
- Midday: Lunch: Light quiche with a side of French market greens.
- Afternoon: Individual or group writing time, fireside discussions.
- Evening Farewell Dinner: Duck confit with pommes sarladaises (garlic potatoes), paired with Bordeaux wine. Share some of the work you've created during our time together in France!
Wednesday, July 1: Final Moments and Departure
- Morning: Closing reflections over breakfast before heading back to Bordeaux for departures
Accommodations
- All accommodations are included in your registration.
- Accommodations at the Adagio include a shared room and shared private bathroom with amenities that include a refrigerator, microwave, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, hairdryer, etc. Private rooms are also available for an additional fee.
- Accommodations at Rogue Bordeaux include a king private room or a shared room with separate beds (pictured here as joined kings), as well as a private bathroom with amenities that include shampoo/conditioner, body wash, hairdryer, etc.
- Enjoy 'round-the-clock coffee and shared cozy spaces at Rogue Bordeaux.
- We will be the only guests a Rouge Bordeaux! We have the entire chateaux to ourselves.
Meet Your Hosts
Megan and Julien own and operate Rogue Bordeaux and also call it home, along with their two sons. Megan is a native Minnesotan, dedicated to giving American guests a truly immersive French experience. Julien is a French chef who loves to share his love and knowledge of French food almost as much as he loves to prepare it.
Investment Details
Double-occupancy rooms (two twin beds; private, en suite bathroom)
- $197 deposit + 3 payments of $997
- $197 deposit + 5 payments of $597
- $3100 if paid in full
Single-occupancy rooms (one king bed; private, en suite bathroom)
- $197 deposit + 3 payments of $1147
- $197 deposit + 5 payments of $697
- $3600 if paid in full
Investment Options
- Deposit + three installments: Pay only your nonrefundable $197 deposit today to hold your spot. We will send a followup invoice for either $997 or $1147 on March 1 and will automatically withdraw subsequent payments on April 1 and June 1.
- Deposit + five installments: Pay only your nonrefundable $197 deposit today to hold your spot. We will send a followup invoice for either $597 or $697 on March 1 and will automatically withdraw subsequent payments on April 1, May 1, June 1 and July 1.
- One payment + discount: Register in full and save!
We are pleased to offer a$100 discount to up to three BIPOC writer-moms. Use code save100 at checkout.
Space at Rouge Bordeaux is extremely limited! This retreat will accommodate no more than 6-12 people, depending on how many rooms are reserved as single-occupancy.
We always work to make our retreats as accessible as possible and are grateful to our friends at Rouge Bordeaux for helping us further our mission to get more moms writing by providing a substantial discount to us for this retreat. Please still reach out if cost is the only thing preventing you from going, and we will work with you. Don't ever let finances stand in the way of the retreat experience you deserve!
Please reach out to us at hello@scribentematernum.com with any questions.
Location
Chambres d'Hôte Rouge Bordeaux, 3 Rue de Tauzia, 33124 Auros