A Writing Retreat with
Carol Weston
October 11 - 17, 2026
Provence, France
RETREAT FULL
Immerse yourself in the sounds, flavors, and sights of Provence while honing your craft, making friends, feeling pampered, and having fun. Come have the breakthrough you’ve been hoping for, whether you’ve been struggling to finish a novel or are dreaming of starting a memoir or essay collection. Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, fiction and nonfiction, published by Knopf, HarperCollins, and Sourcebooks. Each morning, she will offer three prompts to get your creativity going. Everyone will write in bursts and share their work in a safe and supportive space. Carol will talk about painting with words, the music of language, character development, structure, conquering writer’s block, and what makes readers turn the page. She’ll give you an hour-long customized consultation to help you make the most of your time and talent—and tell the story only you can tell. While the workshop is in English, if you’d like to pratiquer français before dinner, Carol’s up for that too. Sign up for an unforgettable, literary, and life-changing week. And did we mention there’s a pool and private chef?
About Carol Weston
Carol Weston is the author of 16 books, both fiction and nonfiction. The New York Times called Speed of Life “perceptive, funny, and moving” and Ava and Pip “a love letter to language.” Both are now also audiobooks on Spotify. Carol’s first book, Girltalk: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You, was translated into a dozen languages. She has been “Dear Carol” at Girls’ Life Magazine since 1994 and has appeared on Today and The View. Carol teaches writing at New York Society Library and has taught at Middlebury. At Yale, Carol majored in French and Spanish comparative literature, graduating summa cum laude.
Share a grande maison with eight writers for a week of creative splendor.
Mornings will be spent workshopping on this gorgeous terrace overlooking the provençal landscape.
Delicious French meals will be prepared for you daily to infuse you in the joie de vivre of the region.
To maximize your writing time, breakfasts and our chef-prepared lunches are grab and go. In the evening, our chef prepares exquisite sit-down dinners.
Throughout the day, you can always find a sweet spot to write on your own.
In your spare time enjoy a dip in the pool, relax in the sauna, hone your writing with view of the provencal landscape, or explore the village of Venasque steps outside the front door.
Accommodations
There are 9 bedrooms, each with a private full bathroom.
The grande maison has a heated swimming pool, 8-person sauna, lounge area, and gorgeous views of the countryside. Amenities include: toiletries, blow-dyer, washer/dryer and scent-free detergent, printer, and wifi.
Writing Retreat includes:
– 6 nights in an ensuite private room
– freshly prepared French meals
– 15 hours of workshop instruction
– one-hour private critique
– scheduled dining out & activities
– local transportation
– on-site concierge services
– Please note that alcohol is not included
– Mercilee Jenkins