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A READING RETREAT WEEK
THE LADY'S
LITERARY SALON
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
― Stephen King
€5,200 - € 5,900
€3,250- €4,250
October 8 - 14, 2025
A Reading Retreat at Puy Vidal
Slip between the pages of a novel and into another world—where the air is thick with candle smoke, the wine is mulled, and the silence is shared by fellow readers.
This six-night literary retreat at Château de Puy Vidal is designed for those who find deep pleasure in solitude, story, and the eerie hush of an October evening. A gathering for book lovers and quiet souls, this is a chance to rest, read, and revel in the beauty of a place steeped in centuries of romance and mystery.
Surrounded by velvet chairs, creaking floorboards, and the golden glow of firelight, you’ll find yourself wrapped in stories—both fictional and real. This is not a workshop or a writing intensive. It’s a week for immersing yourself in the books you’ve long meant to read, the conversations you’ve longed to have, and the mood you didn’t know you were craving.
The Lady of the Château team has designed an intimate, atmospheric program filled with decadent meals, fireside salons, bookish events, and playful touches that bring the spirit of the season to life. Wander the grounds with a gothic novel tucked under your arm, join in our candlelit reading circles, or simply disappear into your own quiet corner with a cup of tea and a tale.
Whether you arrive with a suitcase full of books or let yourself be inspired by others’ favorites, this retreat is an invitation to slow down, indulge your inner romantic, and spend a week surrounded by kindred spirits—people who also believe that the best conversations happen after dusk, and the best vacations involve a good book.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
6-NIGHT LITERARY ESCAPE
UNINTERRUPTED
TIME TO READ
MAGICAL CHATEAU
EVENINGS
Words, Candlelight & Play
This retreat is designed to give you something rare and precious: uninterrupted time to read.
As the scent of warm croissants drifts through the West Wing, each morning begins with the château bell announcing that the breakfast buffet is open. After breakfast, the day unfolds at your own pace. Curl up in one of our three cozy reading salons, find a sun-drenched nook in the garden, or retreat to a quiet tower room with your latest chapter.
The château is your personal library.
Optional yoga classes and gentle morning movement are offered throughout the week, along with an outing to the medieval town of La Rochefoucauld for those feeling adventurous. Add-on massages are available for anyone seeking a deeper exhale.
A delicious lunch made with the finest regional ingredients is served daily, followed by more time to read, nap, swim, or simply wander. If you ever feel inspired to put your book down, the château’s private art studio is always open — stocked with acrylics, watercolor, and oils for spontaneous creativity. Or take your book and a glass of wine to the hot tub and let the afternoon drift by.
As the sun dips low, we gather for apéritif hour, one of our favorite château traditions. This is a time for laughter, conversation, and the occasional dramatic reading of a favorite passage — a chance to talk about books, life, or simply enjoy a glass of something bubbly before dinner.
Evenings bring candlelit dinners in the Renaissance dining room, where each night the table transforms with new colors and themes — a little theatrical, a little magical, always delicious.
After dinner, the fireplaces glow and the salons become cozy sanctuaries for late-night reading, wine, and connection.
For those feeling spirited, you might find yourself in one of our evening salons for impromptu karaoke, a classic film screening with popcorn and cotton candy, or poetry readings.
This isn’t just a retreat — it’s a house party for romantics, dreamers, and devoted book lovers.
What Makes Our Reading Retreat Different?
No two retreats are ever quite the same at Puy Vidal.
This is not a hotel or rented venue - it's a country house stay like the ones in the movies. Think literary house party, hosted by a multigenerational family and the chateau staff. Wool blankets, clinking glasses, journals left open on window seats.
We’re your hosts, welcoming you into our 800 year old home: a centuries-old French château where the only agenda for this week is relaxation, books and belonging.
Each retreat gathering is shaped by the season, the guests, and the shared energy of the week. There is not a strict schedule, and we won’t usher you from one activity to the next. Instead, the days unfold naturally — with warmth, spontaneity, and room to wander.
There are favorite rituals, of course — apéritif hour, bonfires under the stars, cinema nights — and nothing is ever the same twice.
Champagne Welcome Circle
Journaling & Discussion
Fireside Reading
Literary Masquerade Dinner
Ink & Quill Writing Station
Wine & Cognac Tasting
French Market
Yoga, Massages, Pool & Hot Tub
Meet Your Hosts
The Lady of the Château Team
We’re Julia and Caroline — your retreat designers, creative collaborators, and guides — and it’s our deep pleasure to welcome you into our world. After eight years together and countless shared dreams, we founded The Lady of the Château Retreats & Workshops in 2022 as a space for storytelling, beauty, and transformation.
We moved to France as a multigenerational family, leaving behind New York City and California to breathe life into a long-held vision. Our retreats are a labor of love & creativity, brought to life not only by us, but also by Julia’s sister, Penelope; their mother, Maruca; and their father, Robert — always ready to host guests with a generous spirit and a well-poured glass of wine.
Alongside our handpicked team — our Retreat Chef and our dedicated Château Staff — we craft experiences where beauty, intention, and authenticity guide every moment. Here, energy is everything. And here, you are invited to reconnect with your purpose and yourself.
A Day at the Château
Mornings 8:30pm
Start the day with a leisurely french breakfast buffet in the West Wing, followed by quiet hours to read wherever the mood takes you — in a salon, a tower nook, or under the trees.
(Optional yoga or gentle movement sessions offered. Add-on massages available.)
Afternoons 1:30pm
Enjoy a seasonal, gourmet lunch at 1:30pm. Spend your afternoon reading, swimming in the heated pool, or exploring the art studio for a bit of creative play.
Evenings 7:00pm
At 7pm, we gather for apéritif hour — a favorite château ritual of shared stories and sparkling conversation.
Dinners follow in the candlelit Renaissance dining room, each night with its own mood and menu.
Afterward, the fireplaces glow and the salons await with atmospheric evening activities such as ghost story tellings, poetry readings, cinema screenings and more.
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! - When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
What's Included?
ACCOMMODATIONS
Château de Puy Vidal offers a variety of rooms, from charming storybook chambers to elegant suites and cozy tower hideaways — each one with its own personality and perfect for curling up with a good book. Whether you prefer a quiet nook or a grand canopy bed, your room is your sanctuary for the week.
AUTHENTIC FRENCH
MEALS & WINE
Begin each day with a breakfast buffet of fresh croissants, fruit, and savory options in the West wing. Enjoy seasonal lunches featuring the best of local produce, and candlelit dinners served in the Renaissance dining room, where the theme changes nightly. French wines, cocktails, and herbal teas are always within reach.
ATMOSPHERIC CHATEAU EVENTS
From fireside salons and literary film nights to bonfire and nightly apéritif hour — every evening offers a touch of storybook enchantment.
Optional karaoke, stargazing soaks in the hot tub, and slow, starlit conversations are all part of the château’s rhythm.
REGIONAL DAY TRIP
We’ll take a midweek outing to the nearby medieval village of La Rochefoucauld — complete with a château visit, a wander through the cobblestone streets, and lunch at a riverside restaurant. It’s the perfect chance to stretch your legs and soak in the local charm before returning to your novel.
TRAIN PICK UP | DROP OFF
On arrival and departure days, a member of the château team will greet you at the train station in Angoulême and shuttle you to the château (just 18 minutes away). We make your arrival feel effortless — the fast train from Paris takes just 2 hours.
Wondering how to get to the Château?
Check out our travel guide here.
The Château Bedrooms
An integral part of the Retreat Experience is the sense of unity that comes with everyone gathering under one roof to create and unwind. We offer a selection of 9 distinctive historic bedrooms and suites, each designed to provide a one-of-a-kind experience.
Our room offerings cater to various preferences, ranging from spacious and opulent decor to enchanting, fairy-tale chambers, and French country cozy retreats. If you are seeking the chance to unwind alone, our single occupancy option allows you to enjoy the retreat in your own private room. Decompress, reflect and recharge in your personal sanctuary. For those who prefer to share the retreat experience, we offer double occupancy rooms.
YOUR JOURNEY AWAITS
To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in 3 installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment cadence that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!
If you have any questions regarding our retreats or if you are having trouble booking please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for book lovers, journal keepers, slow-morning dreamers, and anyone longing for uninterrupted time to read. Whether you're halfway through your favorite series or just hoping to start that novel you've carried around for months — this week is a gentle invitation to return to yourself and the stories you love.
Is there a pool ?
Yes! Our outdoor heated pool is open daily for guests who’d like a mid-chapter dip. October weather can be playful — sunny and warm one day, misty and magical the next — but our 8-seater hot tub is always bubbling and ready beneath the stars.
Are Dietary Restrictions Accommodated?
We cater to a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. While we strive to accommodate as best we can, our small kitchen cannot safely manage multiple complex or life-threatening allergies.
Please contact us before booking at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com to ensure we can meet your needs.
For severe dietary or environmental allergies (e.g., to dust, insects, or humidity), email admin@ladyofthechateau.com before reserving your spot. For your safety, we reserve the right to decline bookings if we cannot safely accommodate your request.
Is there a reading list for this retreat?
There’s no required reading.
Bring whatever book (or books!) calls to you right now. We also encourage you to bring a favorite book to contribute to our book swap table — wrap it in paper and include a note about why it mattered to you.
How far are you from Paris?
Château de Puy Vidal is located in the scenic Charente region, just two hours south of Paris by high-speed train (SNCF from Paris-Montparnasse to Angoulême).
We offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Angoulême station (an 18-minute drive from the château). If you're arriving by car, detailed directions will be shared after booking.
Our location offers the perfect blend of countryside calm and convenient access.
Check out our Travel Guide page for full details.
What should I pack?
This week is about embracing your favorite literary worlds! Bring gowns, velvet or whatever fantastical Chateau-wear makes you happy! There will be polaroids and many photo opportunities to capture your october chateau vibes. If you yearn to curl up in a fuzzy set of pjs and a robe opt for that! Outside of this, bring some stretchy clothes to do yoga in if you will want to join. For the Chateau grounds, we recommend some sturdy waterproof boots/shoes that can stand up to wet grass, gravel and mud. Bring layers for cozy evenings by the fire and a bathing suit for the hot tub and heated pool. A journal is lovely to have on hand for reflections or notes.
What is our Literary Masquerade Dinner?
This will be a formal evening with moody lighting, ambient music, and you are invited to dress in your most decadent black-tie-meets-literary attire—complete with masks. Think lace, velvet, brooches, and gloves. Even better? Channel a particular author or character!
FAQ
Our guests most frequently asked questions
