Châteaux • Queens • Gardens • Stories • Art Journaling
May 23-30, 2026
An intimate small-group creative retreat for women ready to revive their curiosity, confidence, and creative joy.
Welcome to a journey shaped by the many meanings of the word Renaissance - rebirth, revival, and renewed interest.
In the historic Loire Valley, where queens once shaped culture and gardens were designed as living works of art, you are invited to experience your own renaissance– a rebirth of creativity, confidence, connection, and joy.
This is more than a retreat or a tour. It is a revival of your artistic spirit and a renewed way of seeing the world.
Together we will wander through storied châteaux, stroll in extraordinary gardens, uncover Renaissance histories, and art journal in beautiful, peaceful spaces. You will rediscover your natural creativity, even if you haven’t drawn since childhood, and return home with a revived artistic spark and a journal filled with memories.
The Loire Valley has long been home for dreamers and makers. Renaissance thinkers, designers, queens, and artisans all came here searching for inspiration and found it in the region’s mighty river, gardens, architecture and beauty.
This retreat mirrors that same spirit of rebirth. Throughout the week, you’ll immerse yourself in:
Rebirth: reconnecting with your inner creative voice
Revival: rediscovering your curiosity and expressive confidence
Renaissance History: learning from the stories, women, and artistry of the region
You’ll learn to see like an artist — noticing details you may have overlooked before, translating them into sketches, words, collages, colors and collected ephemera.
We travel slowly.
We notice deeply.
We create freely.
We rest when needed.
We celebrate joyfully.
By the end of the week, you’ll carry home a Souvenir of Your Renaissance — a personal, art-filled journal documenting your creative rebirth and the beauty of the Loire.
Whether you come with a friend or join us solo (many women do), you’ll feel welcomed from the moment you arrive. Our small group allows for meaningful connection, gentle support, and authentic community.
A Renaissance in Your Creative Life
You’ll rekindle your creative confidence through engaging art journaling sessions with sensory exploration, guided prompts, and art & collage making inspired by place. No perfection, no pressure — just playful experimentation.
Inspired by Renaissance Stories & Women
From Catherine de’Medici to Diane de Poitiers, we learn from the fascinating women who shaped the Loire letting their stories spark our own renewal.
An Intimate Small-Group Experience
With only five rooms available, this retreat is intentionally boutique. You’ll receive personal guidance, time with Betsy, and the comfort of traveling in a warm, supportive circle of women.
Small group = deeper connection + more creative confidence (and yes, this also means spots are extremely limited.)
Welcoming for Beginners
No art experience is needed.
Your journal is a place to scribble, smudge, tape, doodle, color, and play. Betsy’s teaching style is encouraging, accessible, and perfect for anyone who has ever felt or said, “I’m not creative.”
Perfect for Solo Women Travelers
Safe, supportive, meaningful, and friendly — this retreat naturally fosters connection. Many participants arrive solo and leave with new friends and a renewed sense of self.
A Balance of Exploration & Creative Restoration
We explore stunning châteaux and gardens, yet we also carve out peaceful time at the maison to journal, rest, sip tea, soak up the private garden and/or follow your curiosity.
This creative journey is ideal for women who want to:
Experience a creative rebirth
Travel meaningfully and mindfully
Learn simple, playful ways to create art on the go
Explore historic, world-renowned gardens, châteaux, stories, and scenery
Enjoy a gentle, nurturing, small-group environment
Feel inspired, refreshed, and creatively alive
Visit France in a way that feels personal, individual, creative and imaginative
It’s especially wonderful for:
Beginning or hesitant artists
If you’ve ever said “I’m not artistic,” this retreat will lovingly prove otherwise.
Solo travelers
You’ll be supported, included, and embraced from day one.
Anyone craving a reset
A revival.
A return to themselves.
A renaissance.
Visits to multiple chateau masterpieces: Blois, Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, Cheverny, Azay-le-Rideau
A guided creative journal that evolves throughout the week
Daily creative lessons inspired by queens, gardens, architecture, and wine
Floral artistry workshop with a local florist
Signature Wanderlust Designer printable journals for fun art-on-the-go creativity and adventure
Riverside walks and village explorations
Open studio time to rest, wander, or create freely
A playful, joy-filled Royal Ball to celebrate your renaissance
An intimate group of supportive, like-minded creative women
A completed travel journal you’ll treasure forever
Day 1 — Arrival & the Beginning of Your Renaissance
We arrive in Blois and settle into our welcoming river-view historic maison. A slow walk along the Loire sets the tone for our adventures ahead followed by a delicious French dinner out marking the beginning of your creative rebirth.
Day 2 — Stories, Sensory Noticing & the First Pages of Renewal
We begin our explorations at one of the most historic châteaus in the Loire, the Royal Château of Blois. Steeped in Renaissance art, immense history and intrigue this tour will truly kick-off our week together. After lunch and free time, our first creative session begins where we begin to capture our unique location. Our first full day ends in a delicious meal in a local restaurant.
Day 3 — Renaissance Splendor: Chambord & Cheverny
Day 3 is a full day of exploration of Chambord’s monumental architecture and Cheverny’s elegant gardens and historic rooms. We write, doodle and, gather inspiration as we learn on the go. Our day ends with a beautiful meal in town.
Day 4 — Queens, Identity & Your Personal Rebirth
Our morning creative lesson draws on queenly symbolism and feminine strength. This is a reflective day of identity, storytelling, and self-expression. It is followed by a leisurely afternoon offering space to journal, wander, or simply rest.
Day 5 — Gardens of Wisdom: Chenonceau, Villandry & Azay-le-Rideau
Three extraordinary châteaux visits offer a different creative muse and varied look at the importance of the Loire Valley in France. We picnic, sketch gardens, study color palettes, and follow Renaissance stories. A cozy evening at home caps a day of inspiration.
Day 6 — The Art of Wine + Your Own Rhythm of Renewal
Wine becomes our creative subject through color studies, sensory notes, and a taste of the profound impact Loire wines offer the world. After lunch, the afternoon and evening is your FREE TIME to explore, rest, create, or wander on your own adventures in the region. (A list of options can be provided for you to make your own arrangements of things you may want to do.)
Day 7 — Flowers, Flourishing & The Royal Ball
A florist leads us through an immersive floral workshop: arranging, drawing, and pressing. The afternoon is spacious and creative with open studio time to capture our last insights and colorful explorations. In the evening, we celebrate your renaissance with a lighthearted Royal Ball — joy, connection, and a bit of queen magic.
Day 8 — Departure & Your Continuing Renaissance
We gather for a final breakfast and reflection. You leave with a full journal, new friendships, and a revived creative lens to carry into your everyday life.
All creative lessons with Betsy
Custom journal materials, printable pages and extra art supplies to use
Tickets and visits to 5 separate châteaux, gardens & historical sites
Hands-on floral artistry workshop
Breakfast daily + select lunches and dinners (1 lunch and 1 dinner are on your own.)
Royal Ball celebration
On-location sketching + creative prompts
Full-use of a beautifully restored maison and private gardens (our lodging.)
Free time for rest and exploration
A warm, intimate, small-group atmosphere
A completed creative art journal — your personal Renaissance keepsake
Note: Plane tickets and transportation to and from Loire Valley is not included.
Lodging Information & Room Reservation
Are you ready to join in the creative adventure? See the Loire Creative Renaissance Lodging & Reservation Page for full details of our beautiful accomodations, rooms and deposit to secure your spot! (Note: Because this retreat is intentionally small with only 5 rooms, spaces are filled on a first-come basis.)
If the idea of a creative renaissance speaks to you, enter your email for more Loire Creative Tour information. (Note: Because this retreat is intentionally small -only five rooms- spaces are filled on a first-come basis. For lodging information and to register to join, see below!)