The Saint-Savin Creative Retreat

A Soul-Filling Adventure in the Rural Southwest France 
Summer 2026

Imagine This...

Waking up in a quiet rural French village, sipping coffee with fresh croissants, and stepping into a day filled with laughter, creativity, and connection.

 

No to-do list. 

No rush. 

Just art, beauty, and deep, soul-satisfying joy.

 

This is more than an experience—it’s a return to the truest version of you.

 

4 Nights & 5 Days, June 11–15, 2026, Saint-Savin, France

 

Tucked in the rural countryside in southwest France, the village of Saint-Savin is located about 350 miles south of Paris and just 45 minutes east of Poitiers. 

 

You'll be staying in an adored 16th-century chateau—rich in charm, history, and inspiration. This experience will give you the perfect setting to slow down, breathe deep, and reconnect with yourself and your creativity.

What Awaits You

Everything has been thoughtfully planned so you can relax, create, and fully enjoy the magic of France.

French Apératif & Champagne Welcome

We’ll kick things off in true French fashion—cheers to what’s ahead!

Daily Breakfast + Lunch + Coffee & Tea

Enjoy simple, delicious meals and beverages to fuel your days.

4 Nights of Charming Accommodations

Stay in a cozy single or shared double room with a shared bathroom in the heart of Saint-Savin.

Daily Creative Art Sessions

Led by artist and retreat host Jen Landis, these art sessions are playful, accessible, and inspiring—no experience needed, just curiosity. All art supplies provided.

Local Cultural Experiences

• Visit to the village market

• Enjoy a local wine tasting (not included in retreat price)

• Bikes for exploring

• Time to wander shops, museums, and cafés at your own pace

Farewell Dinner by Local Chef

A curated culinary experience featuring seasonal, regional dishes.

The Journey You’re About to Take

More beauty. More connection. More space to breathe, reflect, and create. This retreat is your invitation to say yes to the deeper part of yourself.

For the Mom Who’s Always Giving

Five days where you are the priority. No schedules to manage, no mouths to feed—just beauty, creativity, and time to reconnect with yourself.

For the Empty Nester or Woman in Transition

A powerful way to begin your next chapter—with intention, joy, and new inspiration. This is your time to rediscover who you are now, and what lights you up.

For the Entrepreneur or Business Owner:

Clarity, creative energy, and renewed vision for what’s next in your business. Step away from your daily grind and return with ideas, perspective, and space to grow.

How Each Day Will Unfold*

Thursday, June 11th: Arrival & Opening Circle
  • Shuttle will pick you up from the Poitiers train station  
  • Afternoon check-in and time to explore the château and grounds
  • French Apéritif & Champagne Welcome
  • Opening Circle: Light creative activity to set your intentions for the week
  • Evening dinner with group or on your own (recommendations provided)
  • Optional evening reflection with sketching or journaling

Friday, June 12th: Inspiration & Expression
  • Light breakfast at the château 
  • Morning journaling time and a playful art warm-up
  • Creative workshop: Carving stamps to print French tea towels
  • Picnic-style lunch at the château
  • Afternoon: Urban sketching in the village
  • Evening: Shop at the Friday Market and dinner with group or on your own 
  • Optional evening reflection circle

Saturday, June 13th: Culture & Creation
  • Light breakfast at the château 
  • Morning journaling time and continued creative projects
  • Picnic-style lunch at the château or pizza in town
  • Afternoon hands-on art session paper flower collage
  • Optional creative mini video photoshoot with drone on the château grounds
  • Evening dinner with group or on your own
  • Optional evening reflection circle

Sunday, June 14: Integration & Celebration
  • Light breakfast at the château 
  • Morning journaling time and "Future You" vision-setting session
  • Group sharing and celebration of your work and discoveries
  • Leisurely lunch and relaxed afternoon
  • Optional excursion to a local brewery in Montmorillon (just 15 minutes away), featuring a guided tour and tasting of their handcrafted beers and artisanal lemonade. Additional fee applies.
  • Farewell dinner prepared by a local chef
  • Final evening reflection and gratitude circle

Day 5: Departure
  • Light breakfast at the château, hugs, and shuttle to Poitiers or help with travel logistics

*This is a general schedule to give you a sense of the rhythm of the retreat. As we get closer, the itinerary may shift slightly to honor the energy of the group, the weather, and those little moments of unexpected magic.

Your Hosts

Jen Landis is a professor, artist, and founder of the Women’s Art Gang. For over 20 years, she’s been helping women rediscover their voices through art, self-expression, and joy.

 

This retreat is a culmination of everything she believes in: creativity as a way home to yourself, community as magic, and travel as a spark for transformation.

Melanie Dawkins is the proud owner and visionary behind the enchanting chateau in St. Savin, France. After years of dreaming, she brought new life to this historic space—transforming it into a soulful haven for creativity, connection, and slow living.

 

With a deep love for French culture and a gift for hospitality, Melanie curates an experience that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Whether she’s sourcing local ingredients, sharing stories about village life, or simply making sure every guest feels completely at home, Melanie’s presence adds heart and magic to every moment at the chateau.

 

She also shares glimpses of daily life in France on her YouTube channel, Life on the Rue de Chateau, inviting viewers into the beauty and rhythm of chateau living.

Pricing

Payment options are flexible to what works best for you. Final payments needed by April 2026. 

Email jen@jenlandis.co to set up what works best for you.
Saint-Savin Women's Creative Retreat

Three Single Rooms Available
$2,890.00

  • Single Room

  • Shared bath

  • Daily Breakfast + Lunch

  • Art sessions and materials are also included in your stay

  • Not included in the retreat price: airfare, train to Poitiers, insurance [travel and medical], meals not listed on itinerary, any shopping or shipping needs during the retreat.

Flexible Payment Options

 

Say yes with a $500 deposit—custom payment plans available

 

Pay in Full on Stripe

Don't miss out...Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone—it happens in France (with croissants).
Saint-Savin Women's Creative Retreat

Two Double Rooms Available
$2,490.00

  • Shared Double Room

  • Shared Bath

  • Daily Breakfast + Lunch

  • Art sessions and materials are also included in your stay

  • Not included in the retreat price: airfare, train to Poitiers, insurance [travel and medical], meals not listed on itinerary, any shopping or shipping needs during the retreat.

Flexible Payment Options

 

Say yes with a $500 deposit—custom payment plans available

 

Pay in Full on Stripe

Say yes to yourself...Missing this isn’t just about a trip—it’s about postponing your own expansion.

Getting There

After landing in Charles de Gaulle airport, you will catch a TGV InOui train to Poitiers. Or, if you're coming from central Paris, take a TGV InOui train from Gare Montparnasse to Poitiers.
 

Tickets typically cost between 75 to 100 euros, depending on availability and how early you purchase. We recommend booking ahead through SNCF, the official French train operator.
 

Once in Poitiers, we'll have a shuttle van available to transport guests to the chateau.
 

If you'd prefer to drive independently, there's a reliable, English-speaking Hertz car rental right across the street from the train station. The drive to the chateau takes approximately 45 minutes.

If you’ve been dreaming of Paris too, this could be the perfect excuse. Many women choose to add a few days before or after the retreat to wander the museums, sip café crème in quiet corners, and soak in the magic of the City of Light. It’s a beautiful way to ease in—or stretch out—the experience.

Cancellation Policy

Your retreat spot is non-refundable, but it is transferable. If something comes up and you can’t attend, you’re welcome to gift or resell your spot to another woman (pending approval).

 

In the unlikely event that Jen Landis must cancel the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances (such as natural disaster, political unrest, or insufficient enrollment), you will receive a full refund of your retreat payment—excluding any personal travel costs.

 

I strongly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance to protect their investment in this unforgettable experience.
 

To get the most protection, guests should:

Purchase travel insurance within 14 days of booking to qualify for enhanced coverage.  Look for a policy that includes “trip cancellation for covered reasons.”

 

For the most flexibility, consider adding “Cancel for Any Reason” (CFAR) coverage. It’s a bit more expensive, but it can reimburse around 75% of your costs—even if the reason for canceling isn’t on the standard list.

 

Why Travel Insurance Matters:

Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Medical Emergencies, Lost Luggage or Delays

 

Travel Insurance Providers:

Here are a few reputable options past travelers have used with confidence, note, I have NOT used these, so do your research:
 

World Nomads – Great for creatives and adventurers. Flexible coverage.

Allianz Travel Insurance – Trusted, widely used, and easy to navigate.

Travel Guard by AIG – Strong trip protection and 24/7 customer service.

InsureMyTrip – A comparison site to help you find the best policy for your needs.