New 2026 Château Retreat Dates Opened – Limited May Availability
Slow Living Retreats
by French Julie Travels
Slow Living, Real Connection,
and the Beauty of France
A week to unplug, slow down, and remember what life feels like without constant noise.
May 2026 • Saint-Maximin, South of France
A quiet medieval village just outside Uzès
A small, intentional retreat in the South of France designed for women who are tired of rushing, scrolling, and doing too much.
Do you often feel overstimulated, overextended, and quietly exhausted by modern life?
This retreat is meant to be an antidote to that hectic pace. We slow down on purpose. We eat together. We walk. We talk. We rest. We disconnect from our phones and reconnect with ourselves and each other.
For one week, we’ll gather in Saint-Maximin, a peaceful medieval village nestled in the countryside just outside Uzès, in a 12th-century château overlooking rolling hills and vineyards. This retreat invites you to slow down, savor beauty, and surround yourself with moments that bring a sense of wonder, stillness, and beauty.
This is your invitation to rest deeply, savor simple pleasures, and reconnect with yourself in the heart of the French countryside.
No pressure. No performance. Just space to breathe & enjoy.
This retreat isn’t about becoming a better version of yourself.
It’s about giving your nervous system a break.
It’s for women who feel overstimulated by modern life, quietly exhausted by constant decision-making, and disconnected - not from ambition, but from themselves.
This week is intentionally slow.
We eat together. We walk. We rest. We talk without small talk.
We let go of schedules, notifications, and the need to be “on.”
You don’t come here to transform your life.
You come here to feel like yourself again.
The Château Experience: A Week of Slow Living
Many are calling 2026 the year of the great unplugging.
More and more people are craving time away from their phones, fewer notifications, and moments that don’t need to be documented. This retreat intentionally creates space for that.
-Phone-free meals
-Encouraged (not forced) digital breaks (this tends to come naturally)
-No productivity, no optimizing, no performing
-Real conversations
Nothing here asks you to perform. Everything invites you to be present.
Set in a 12th-century château just outside Uzès, this intimate retreat invites a small circle of thoughtful women to slow down, savor beauty, and reconnect with themselves in the French countryside.
Mornings begin with espresso and birdsong. Afternoons unfold in sun-drenched markets or under the shade of olive trees. Evenings linger over golden-hour dinners on the terrace, laughter floating into the warm Provençal air.
We’ll gather around long tables, wander through medieval streets, share meals made with local ingredients, and let the rhythms of Southern France guide our days.
No rush. No packed itinerary. No pressure.
Just room to breathe — to rest, reconnect, and rediscover a sense of wonder in the world and within yourself.
The Experience
What our days will feel like...
– Hot coffee & fresh baguettes, butter, and seasonal fruit enjoyed on the château terrace
– Wandering the famous Uzès market and meeting my favorite local vendors
– Long lunches beneath the trees & ivy with glasses of rosé
– Time to rest by the pool, read, or simply do nothing at all
– Golden-hour wine and charcuterie on the rooftop as the sun sets
– Candlelit dinners in the courtyard as laughter fills the air
This is the kind of week where your shoulders drop a little lower each day. No logistics, no pressure - just space to rest, reconnect, and rediscover joy.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This retreat is for you if:
-You’re craving calm more than inspiration
-Scrolling makes you tired instead of motivated
-You want meaningful connection, not networking
-You’re drawn to beauty, but not excess
-You feel ready for less noise and more presence
-You don’t need to arrive with answers, goals, or a plan.
-You just need to arrive.
Many guests arrive solo. No one leaves feeling alone.
What Makes This Feel Luxurious
Luxury doesn’t look the same anymore. Here, it looks like:
-Not having to decide what happens next
-Long meals without rushing
-Quiet mornings and unstructured afternoons
-Conversations that go deeper than “what do you do?”
-Being surrounded by women who aren’t trying to impress anyone
-A setting that naturally slows your body down
-The most valuable thing in the world right now is peace.
-This week is designed around protecting it.
Your Home for the Week
We’ll stay in a privately owned 12th-century château that once belonged to the King of France. With ancient stone walls, sunlit terraces, and a serene pool, it’s a place that invites you to linger - ideally with a plate of cheese and a glass of wine.
Every corner tells a story, every view feels like a painting. It’s the perfect setting to slow down and soak up the quiet magic of France.
Slow down, savor beauty, and eat cheese rediscover joy in France.
What's Included:
-6 nights in a privately owned 12th-century château, 5 minutes from Uzès
-Daily breakfast on the garden terrace
-Seasonal 4-course meals with wine, prepared by a private chef or at local restaurants
-Wine-tasting day trip
-Visits to artisans, markets, and hidden gems around Uzès
-Bike ride and picnic beneath the ancient Pont du Gard
-Guided journaling sessions and yoga in an ancient chapel
-Several special surprises
What Makes This Retreat Special...
I live here in Uzès, and this isn’t a packaged itinerary. It’s a week shaped by local connections, the places I love, and moments most visitors never experience.
Your days will be filled with beauty, connection, and (perhaps most importantly) cheese, pastries, and rosé. We’ll clink glasses on the rooftop at sunset and dine beneath candlelit chandeliers.
We’ll visit my favorite market vendors, sip wine in hidden vineyards, and linger in the quiet corners that hold the real magic of this region.
And there are a few special surprises too - the kind you only discover when you’re part of the rhythm of this place. I can’t wait to share them with you.
Here’s what you'll get...
A Taste of France
From breakfast on the terrace to candlelit dinners in the courtyard, every meal celebrates the flavours of southern France.
Enjoy long lunches, sunset apéros, and dinners prepared by our private chef, featuring seasonal ingredients and regional wines.
Some evenings we’ll dine at the château, others we’ll venture out to hidden bistros and local favourites.
Meals are served family-style — warm, relaxed, and made for connection.
Enchanting Days
Each day offers a balance of exploration and stillness — the essence of slow living.
Market Morning: Wander the lively Uzès market, meet local artisans, and taste regional specialties.
Day Trips: Visit nearby villages, vineyards, and the Pont du Gard for a picnic beneath its ancient arches.
Wine Tasting: Sip local wines at a family-run domaine in the countryside.
Days of Rest: Swim, read, or journal by the pool.
Final Evening Feast: A candlelit dinner on the terrace, toasting to friendship, beauty, and a week well lived.
Connection & Restoration
This retreat is more than a getaway - it’s a pause.
A chance to breathe, connect, and rediscover what makes life beautiful.
Through shared meals, slow mornings, and meaningful conversation, you’ll find both companionship and space for yourself.
You’ll leave feeling nourished by France, by friendship, and by the quiet awe that comes from living fully in the moment.
About Your Host
Bonjour! I’m Julie — or as my friends call me, French Julie. I’ve spent over 20 years exploring and filming my way through France, and nearly eight of those years living here.
After experiencing burnout, I found healing in the quiet rhythm of the French countryside.
Now, I host retreats for women who crave the same - more connection, more stillness, more joy
May 18 - 24, 2026
A Week to Reconnect and Reimagine
Each day of the retreat is designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself. From sunrise journaling sessions to candlelit dinners under the stars, every moment invites you to savour the beauty of Uzès and rediscover what truly lights you up.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive, settle in, and enjoy a welcome dinner under the stars.
Day 2: Morning journaling, terrace lunch, and time to relax by the pool.
Day 3: Countryside bike ride and picnic at Pont du Gard.
Day 4: Yoga in an ancient chapel and candlelit dinner.
Day 5: Wine tasting and a special lunch at local vineyards.
Day 6: Explore Uzès Market and celebrate with a farewell dinner.
Day 7: Departure.
Coming with a friend, sister, or travel companion?
You’re welcome to enjoy a Companion Rate, with savings of up to €620 per person when sharing a suite.
Enter COMPANION during checkout so we can honor the shared-suite rate for both of you.
(Not applicable for the Shared Room or deposits.)
Pricing
A note on pricing: This retreat is intentionally small and thoughtfully hosted. Pricing reflects the care, privacy, and support required to create a week where you don’t have to plan, organize, or manage anything yourself.
Every guest receives the same experience - the difference is simply how much private space you prefer.
Luxe Double Suite
€6,200
Princess Suite
€5,500
Signature Suite
€5,300
1 Remaining
Superior Room
Sold Out
Shared Double Suite
Solo travelers (or friends) can reserve a twin or double bed in a shared double suite with three beds.
€3,650 per person
Payment Plan
A €1,000 deposit reserves your spot.
The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the retreat.
Why Now?
You don’t need to wait until you’re completely burned out to take a break.
Most women don’t book this retreat because the timing is perfect. They book because something in them knows they’ve been carrying too much for too long.
Life rarely slows down on its own. This week is a chance to step away from the noise - not to escape your life, but to return to it feeling clearer, calmer, and more grounded.
If this page keeps pulling you back, it’s probably because you’re craving exactly what this week offers.
What past guests have to say...
“This retreat wasn’t just a trip — it was a heartfelt experience that nourished my soul. It really was one of the best experiences of my whole life.”
“Being part of this retreat was like pressing pause on everyday life and stepping into a gentle, joyful rhythm with amazing women around me.”
“It was by far the only vacation I’ve ever been on where I was totally present, not worrying about a thing other than what amazing thing I was going to experience the next day.”
A total value of: (Amount)
Buy/Enroll/Join now for just (Amount)
A week that stays with you long after you return home.
If something in you is craving beauty, meaning, and stillness — this is your moment to say yes.
This isn’t a packaged itinerary. It’s a week shaped by local connections, hidden gems, and the kind of moments that stay with you long after you return home.
If your heart is craving beauty, rest, and a little French magic, I’d love to welcome you.
Dates: May 18–24, 2026
Location: Saint-Maximin, near Uzès, South of France
You’ll be able to review all details before confirming.
Additional dates may be added. The wait list will receive new date releases first.
FAQs
What is included in the retreat price?
The retreat includes 6 nights of accommodation, multi-course meals with wine, private chef, 2 private guided excursions, wine tasting, yoga class (optional), transportation for scheduled activities, rooftop sunset apéros, a tour of the famous Uzès market, and more.
Is the retreat suitable for solo travelers? Am I too young/old?
This retreat is designed to bring women together, whether you come with a friend or on your own. It’s a perfect opportunity to make new connections in a welcoming, supportive environment. Last year, only 2 women knew each other beforehand; Everyone else came on their own and left as friends.
We have had age ranges from 25 years old to nearly retired. We had a guest this summer founding a startup in San Francisco and another starting a family in Germany. And plenty in between. We welcome a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, & life situations.
What is not included in the price?
Flights, travel insurance, and couple meals on your own are not included.
You are responsible for getting to/from the chateau. I will send you details on the various options for arrival.
Do you have payment plans? What is the cancellation policy?
Payment plans are available. Please contact me at [email protected]
Deposits are non-refundable. You may transfer your spot to another person if you are unable to attend. Please consider travel insurance for added peace of mind.
How do I get to the retreat location?
Nearest Town: Uzès (5 min)
Nearest Train Station: Nîmes (40 min), Avignon (45 min)
Nearest Airports: Nîmes (45 min), Montpellier (1 hr), Marseille (1 hr 30)
Recommended Route: Train from Paris to Nîmes or Avignon. Then take a taxi, Uber, or bus from there (40m). We can help arrange for guests to share a ride together if arriving on the same train.
How much free time will I have?
I’ve curated an amazing itinerary, but you’ll still have downtime to relax by the pool, explore the village, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings. This is your retreat, and I want you to savor it at your own pace. If you'd rather nap by the pool than join an activity, you are free to choose your own adventure.
Watch the 2025 Retreat Experience:
(Different location, same philosophy)
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