Writing Retreat with
Marissa Stapley
September 21 - 27, 2026
Bordeaux, France
Find your craft. Hone your voice. Rewrite your future.
Join bestselling author Marissa Stapley for an unforgettable week in Bordeaux, France, where inspiration grows wild amid vineyards and stone, the stories deepen, and your novel finds its voice. In daily three-hour workshops, we’ll explore the art of storytelling with a focus on character, structure, emotional resonance, and narrative momentum. Whether you’re halfway through a manuscript or starting from a spark, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to take your work to the next level. With generative writing sessions, feedback circles, and intimate conversations about writing and publishing, this is more than a workshop—it’s a turning point. Come with a dream, leave with direction, clarity, and community.
We’ll gather each morning, inside or poolside, to focus on craft and storytelling. During our sojourn together, each writer will also have a one-hour private consultation. We offer a guided stroll through the château’s vineyard and a private tasting of its wine.
About Marissa Stapley
Marissa Stapley is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including Lucky, a Reese’s Book Club pick currently in production as a limited series for Apple TV+ and Hello Sunshine, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Her latest novel, The Lightning Bottles, is a story of 1990s rock and star-crossed love. She also writes bestselling holiday romance as Julia McKay.
A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Journalism program, Marissa began her career as a journalist before turning to fiction. She lives in Toronto with her family—and believes every unforgettable novel starts with a question you can’t stop asking.
Reflect on your writing in every corner of this beautiful estate.
To maximize your writing time, breakfast and lunch will be delicious and casual. Our private chef will prepare gorgeous sit-down dinners each evening.
In your spare time, you can enjoy a dip in the natural temperature pool, walk to village of Blaye, or curl up with a good book.
Explore the stunning grounds
We offer a guided stroll through the château’s vineyard and a private tasting of its wine. On Wednesday, we will tour the Citadel of Blaye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After seeing the fortress, we will visit the colorful farmer’s market on the Allée des Soupirs—the Alley of Sighs and lunch at a restaurant.
Accommodations
The château has a natural-temperature swimming pool, foosball, pool table, and several reading rooms.
Amenities include: shampoo, soap, hair dryer, washer & dryer, unscented detergent, iron & board, coffee maker, espresso machine, printer and wifi.
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
$6150 for a single room
“What a lovely experience from start to finish. Everything was so well done for us with such consideration for each of us. The view from my room was spectacular!”
– Mercilee Jenkins