5 Day Women's Creative Retreat in the French Basque Country (South West France)
5 Day Women's Creative Retreat in the French Basque Country (South West France)
Souraïde, France
Up to 7 in group
Oct 12 - 16, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- 5 days of slow creative immersion in the French Basque Country
- Foraging walk and herbal workshop with local guides
- Ceramics workshop with Basque artisan Eguzkilore
- Traditional Basque cake making with a local artisan
- Train journey through the Nive valley to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
- Evening of Basque myths and oral tradition with Julie
- Maximum 6 participants for an intimate experience
- All meals included with local and seasonal produce
About this Retreat
Your Guides
Julie grew up in the French Basque Country, in the inland hills where the villages are quiet and the forests still hold their old stories.
She has spent her life between this land and a deep passion for art, craft and the kind of beauty that is rooted in a place.
Mythes & Matières is her way of sharing both : the territory she knows intimately, and the slow, intentional way of being that she believes travel can offer.
During the residency, Julie leads the Basque Myths evening herself, weaving together oral tradition, landscape and the founding stories of this ancient culture.
She is present throughout the five days as a host, someone who knows where the light falls in the morning and which path smells of thyme.
Details of this retreat
Five days of slow creative immersion in the hills of the French Basque Country. A small group of six women, one host, one farmhouse and a programme woven around the land, its artisans and its ancient stories.
Foraging walks and herbal workshops, ceramics with a local Basque artisan, traditional Basque cake making, a train journey through the Nive valley to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and an evening of Basque myths told by Julie around a candle.
Each day follows a gentle rhythm: active mornings, creative afternoons, quiet evenings.
All meals are included, prepared with local and seasonal ingredients.
Sketchbooks, watercolours and writing journals are available throughout the retreat, along with walking trails directly from the house.
Foraging walks and herbal workshops, ceramics with a local Basque artisan, traditional Basque cake making, a train journey through the Nive valley to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, and an evening of Basque myths told by Julie around a candle.
Each day follows a gentle rhythm: active mornings, creative afternoons, quiet evenings.
All meals are included, prepared with local and seasonal ingredients.
Sketchbooks, watercolours and writing journals are available throughout the retreat, along with walking trails directly from the house.
Schedule
8:00 - Shared breakfast
9:30 - Morning workshop or nature outing
12:30 - Lunch
14:00 - Creative time or afternoon workshop
17:30 - Personal time : rest, writing, walking
19:30 - Dinner
21:00 - Quiet evening, herbal tea, reading, circle
9:30 - Morning workshop or nature outing
12:30 - Lunch
14:00 - Creative time or afternoon workshop
17:30 - Personal time : rest, writing, walking
19:30 - Dinner
21:00 - Quiet evening, herbal tea, reading, circle
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Mythes & Matières, Souraïde, France
Directions
The closest airport is Biarritz (BIQ), approximately 40 minutes by car. San Sebastián (EAS) in Spain is around 1 hour away. Bordeaux (BOD) is approximately 2h30 by car, or 2 hours by train to Saint-Jean-de-Luz followed by 30 minutes by car. Participants travelling by train should arrive at Saint-Jean-de-Luz station. A shared transfer from Biarritz airport can be arranged on request if several participants arrive at similar times.
Accommodation
Guests stay in comfortable rooms in the farmhouse, dressed with traditional Basque linen. The house offers 2 shared rooms for up to 4 participants, and 2 private rooms; one of which can be shared by two friends travelling together if they wish. Bathrooms are shared between participants. The house is exclusively reserved for the retreat group.
Shared Room - 5 days / 4 nights, all inclusiveProgram Price
Private Room - 5 days / 4 nights, all inclusive
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Artekoborda is a beautifully restored traditional Basque farmhouse in the hills of Souraide, South West France. Stone walls, oak beams and views over the green Basque hills provide an intimate and authentic setting for the retreat.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
All meals are prepared with local and seasonal ingredients, celebrating the flavours of the Basque Country.
Expect traditional Basque cuisine: hearty, generous and rooted in the land. Dietary require
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation in a restored Basque farmhouse
- All meals - breakfasts, lunches, dinners and picnics
- All workshops and activities
- Welcome gift - journal and drawing book
- Basque myths evening with Julie
What's Not Included
- Flights and travel to the Basque Country
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Airport transfer to the retreat venue (shared transfer may be arranged on request if several participants arrive at Biarritz airport at similar times)
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