About the retreat
'Together, Alone'
Creating opportunities to work and experience with and alongside others. To share energy, encouragement and inspiration always result.
This sense of 'better together' extends to running the retreats. Your host, Penelope loves inviting creative experts to join her, meaning each event holds its own unique surprises.
Running retreats combines Penelope's expertise in strategic thinking and facilitation, creativity and writing and productivity skills.
Your Hosts
Penelope Barr
Author, innovator and transition coach, with 2 non-fiction books written, and 2 in progress. Penelope has designed her life in seasons she calls 6:3:3. She combines interim executive roles, with creating books, communities, products and coaching and dedicated time to travel. Penelope has been a mentor and community champion in the renowned
Expert Author Community in Australia, for 5 years, supporting other writers to remove barriers, find their stride, and write. Penelope’s writing builds on exceptional academic qualifications and a successful 25+ year global career, including living and working in 11 countries.
Now pragmatically blending the best of her corporate expertise with coaching, Penelope helps people and organisations transition through the messy middle to their personal best. Her books are infused with this combination of pragmatism, creativity, humour and transformation. Curating and hosting retreats around the world in environments conducive to creativity brings Penelope great joy.
As an older sister in a large family, Penelope has a lifetime's experience of creating beautiful, fun learning experiences where everyone's involved and goes home happy.
Sandrine Bergerat
Sandrine Bergerat After 30 years of traveling the world and working in fashion roles such as creating Elle in Asia, GM of Cacharel, GM of Repetto and Founder, Ambassador France, the day after the first confinement in Covid, Sandrine had a sudden urge to wake up every morning in the middle of nature, to swap the noise of cars for the song of birds, to cultivate her good mood at the same time as her vegetable garden and, above all, to take the time to breathe.
Her objective, to Breathe and build her cabin, inside and out. Two years of training in ecological architecture and a few projects later (hemp house, straw and clay house, bamboo yurt in Tanzania), Sandrine decided to renovate an old Quercy stable, designing and building a timber-frame house and a bamboo yurt.
Sandrine is the definition of thinking in the art of the possible. Her pleasure is now to host people in her little paradise, Oasis du Quercy.
FAQs
Yes! Payment plans are welcome. Please select 'Payment Plan' as your preferred option, when you select the 'Book now' button and pay your deposit. An invoice, outlining the payment plan, will be shared with you.
Spots are limited. This is a boutique retreat available to an exclusive group of writers, curated to ensure personal attention, deep connection and space to focus. Select 'Book Now', pay your deposit and select to one payment or a payment plan
The Writing and Creativity Retreat, France, will take place in 2 locations. The Retreat starts in Paris and ends in Quercy de Montaigu and surrounds.
You’ll make your own way to Paris, France. The exact Retreat kick-off location will be provided prior to the Retreat. It's recommended you arrive in Paris at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the Retreat. Exact meeting locations and writing destinations of the Retreat will be shared upon confirmation On Friday, we’ll journey from Paris to Quercy by fast train. Upon arrival in Quercy, you’ll be transported by private car and taxi to Oasis du Quercy, your home for the next week From Quercy, you can journey back to Paris, Toulouse, or another destination in France or Europe.
The Retreat is designed to accommodate 8-12 people
Something to write with and/or on, analog or digital, you decide. Comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bathers for the pool. Sunscreen and hat. Water bottle. An open and curious soul
The retreat is structured around dedicated writing time each day, with the freedom to explore Paris and Quercy in your downtime. Your schedule will balance writing, feedback, coaching, and relaxation.
International travel to Paris is not included in the price. Travel between Paris and Quercy, including a return train journey to Paris is included.
Please contact Penelope Barr +61 419 322 213 or penelope.c.barr@gmail.com
Up to 3 months prior to the Retreat, a full refund will be provided for the retreat (minus the non-refundable deposit). 50% refund is offered if cancelled within 2 months of the Retreat. No refunds if canceled within 6 weeks of the Retreat
A non-refundable deposit of $700 is required to secure your Retreat spot. Full payment for the Retreat is required 3 months prior to the start of the Retreat. Payment plans are available. We welcome any bookings within 3 months of the Retreat which will require the full amount to be paid in full. You'll need to take international travel insurance which will protect you in the event of flight or train cancellations, or any unforseen events.
