CHÂTEAU DE PUY VIDAL
CHATEAU DE PUY VIDAL
A FORTRESS FOR DREAMERS
Each frame, a window into our world...
Retreats to nourish your inner romantic
At The Lady of the Chateau, we are dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences.
This is a place where vulnerability is celebrated, and bold dreams are realized.
By inviting you into inspiring spaces to express your passions and embrace your true self, we strive to ignite a global movement of courage, empathy, and transformative growth.
Together, we are shaping a future where every heart dares to dream and every soul finds its true purpose.
June 20 - 25
SAVOURÉ
Yoga Retreat
July 6 - 12
INTERIORS AT PUY VIDAL
Painting Workshop
August 31 - September 7
VIBRANT IMPRESSIONS
Painting Workshop
October 2 - 7
HAUNTING THE CHÂTEAU
Fantansy Photoshoot Retreat
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October 16 - 21
HAUNTING THE CHÂTEAU 2
Fantasy Photoshoot Retreat
The delights of our 2024 season
We have carefully crafted each and every retreat this year to offer experiences like no other.
"A sensational week, delicious on many levels, gastronomic, artistic, spiritual, and communal. An adventure of extraordinary growth and comfort. "
Dermot S, Creative Retreat Participant 2023
JULY 6 -12 2024
INTERIORS AT PUY VIDAL
WITH CARLOS SAN MILLÁN
Oil Painting Workshop
Embrace your boldness this July at Chateau de Puy Vidal. We invite you to join us for a deep dive into, "Interiors at the Chateau," an oil painting workshop led by the renowned Spanish artist, Carlos San Millán. These interiors are the perfect setting to experience the enchantment of this 13th century château. Delve deep into the artist's ideas, his preferred subject - interiors, and his artistic philosophy.
This intermediate-level workshop is a 6-night, All-Inclusive event open to Artists and their partners. Limited availability.
Learn more about the Artist at https://www.csanmillan.net/
AUG 31 - SEPT 7 2024
Vibrant Impressions
HAIDEE-JO SUMMERS
Embrace your boldness this July at Chateau de Puy Vidal this July. We invite you to join us for a deep dive into, "Interiors at the Chateau," an oil painting workshop led by the renowned Spanish artist, Carlos San Millán. These interiors are the perfect setting to experience the enchantment of Château de Puy Vidal. Delve deep into the artist's ideas, his preferred subject - interiors, and his artistic philosophy.
This intermediate-level workshop is a 6-night All-Inclusive event open to Artists and their partners. Limited availability.
Learn more about the Artist at https://www.csanmillan.net/
1267 AD
800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Chateau de Puy Vidal dates back to a time of kings, queens, and crusaders. It is a listed historic landmark in the heart of Nouvelle Aquitaine, an ancient building with a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages.
The Latin word castellum is the origin of the French words “castel”, “chastel”, then “château" - whose original meaning is fortified village.
Once a medieval fortress defending against invading armies, today this castle protects its creative village within from the anxieties and stressors of the modern age.
There is a certain magic that happens when a group of people, with shared interests, gather together under one roof in a land far far away.
They break bread, leave their comfort zone, experience new traditions, push themselves, learn new pathways of thought, and in many ways come back to a truer version of self.
THE ALCHEMY OF TRAVEL
EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE
CONNECT WITH OTHERS
SHED YOUR ARMOR
UNLOCK NEW POSSIBILITIES
A CREATIVE VILLAGE IS BORN
TRANSFORM YOUR DAILY RITUALS
"My retreat experience was so much more than I even hoped it would be. It was truly exactly what I needed and didn't even know it."
- Joy Wong, San Diego, Creative Retreat Participant, 2022
Historic Chambres
An important part of the Creative Retreat Experience is the feeling of the group all coming together under one roof to learn, play, and relax. The balance between participating during the day in classes, lectures, activities, meals and more, and being able to ascend to your bedroom and rest, reflect and restore is a special combination that strengthens the immersive quality of these retreats.
We have historic bedrooms and suites which range from large sumptuous decor to romantic fairy tale chambers, to more modern cozy experiences.
WHERE ARTISTS, THINKERS AND HISTORY LOVERS UNITE
Attending one our Retreats means...
Whether you want to explore new ideas, make new friends or expand your horizons, we are delighted to offer a variety of workshops to suit your needs. Choose from Painting workshops, Cinema workshops, Yoga retreats, and Reading and Writing Retreats. We co-create each thoughtfully designed retreat with incredible guest instructors from around the world.
Embrace the calm and beauty of the countryside that surrounds us. Leave your worries at the entry gate and delve into a world where all around you are the pure pleasures of nature, of abundant time, and of beauty that transcends history.
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8:30am - 9:30am: Breakfast Buffet in the Blue China Room
10am - 1:00pm: Morning Session
1:00pm - 2:00pm: Lunch in the Petit Dining Salon
2:30pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Session
5pm- 7pm: Free Time to wander grounds, rest, go for a bike ride
7pm: Cocktail Hour "Apero" in Courtyard
8pm: Candlelit Dinner in Renaissance Dining Salon
9:30pm Evening Activity - Nightcap, a Cognac Tasting
A typical retreat day at Puy Vidal
We work hand in hand with guest instructors to create balanced itineraries for our Creative Retreats.
Creating time and space for rest, relaxation, instruction, day trips, group activities and finally, time to sit back and enjoy a glass of French wine.
Atmospheric Evenings
Grab your dessert and join us in the Grand Salon for movie nights, a game of murder mystery or meet us in the courtyard from some stargazing next to a bonfire as we settle for a evening with a petite glass of cognac.
Regional Exploration
Enjoy an afternoon filled with sightseeing, historic walks, museum and shopping through the historic cities of Cognac, Saintes, Limoges, Angouleme, and La Rochefoucauld.
Authentic French Cusine
We are delighted to offer the classics at the Puy Vidal. Enjoy the delicacy of French cuisine: Coquilles Saint-Jacques, Cassoulet, Terrine, Boeuf Bourguignon, Blanquette de veau and more.
YOUR GUIDES ON THIS JOURNEY
BE OUR GUEST
This is the story of a family from California and New York City who pooled their backgrounds in movie making, star gazing, data engineering, oil painting, and took a leap of faith to move to a Chateau in the southwest of France.
Come and join us in this way of life.
Enchantment awaits...
Once a medieval fortress defending against invading armies, today this castle protects its creative village within from the anxieties and stressors of the modern age.
The Latin word castellum is the origin of the French words “castel”, “chastel”, then “château" - whose original meaning is fortified village.
The surrounding French countryside and culture embrace this vision, as this is still very much a country of quality living, which holds very dear the ways of times gone by.
THE BEDROOMS
OUR STORY
JOURNEY TO THE CHATEAU
Reach our gates as quickly as 2 hours south of Paris.
Via high-speed train - Paris Montparnasse to our nearest train station of Angouleme