June 6-13, 2027 In the historical hamlet of Almieres, this intimate experience is limited to 10 participants.
Limited Availability | Registration Opening March 1, 2026
Retreat Vivant | Almieres, France
Retreat Vivant Located in the mountainous Occitanie Region of Southern, France, Retreat Vivant is is a week-long immersive experience designed for women who are ready to come home to themselves — to rest deeply, reconnect with desire and creativity, and remember what it’s like to feel fully alive.
At the heart of Retreat Vivant is a simple but powerful intention:
To create a space where women can rest, reconnect, and reawaken — so they return home nourished, energized, and more fully themselves.
Together, we will explore:
What brings you alive
What nourishes your inner world
What you long for more of
What it means to live from alignment instead of obligation
Mornings begin with “fait à la maison” (homemade) locally sourced breakfast, downtime for walks in the hills or journaling followed by a daily experiential workshop. Afternoons and evenings include a mix of creative practices, time in nature, yoga, sound baths and sumptuous and nourishing shared vegetarian meals.
For the caregivers, creatives, leaders, and space-holders who are ready to refill their own well.
Retreat Vivant is designed for women who…
Are ready for significant shift or change in their life.
Are often the caregiver, leader, holder, or guide for others
Crave time to rest, reflect, and be deeply cared for
Long to reconnect with creativity, play, and curiosity
Are ready for a digital detox
Want to feel more alive, embodied, and present
Are interested in investing in their continued personal growth
Are drawn to soulful experiences rooted in beauty, depth, and meaning
Where is Retreat Vivant Located?
Almières Retreat Center is a rare and breathtaking sanctuary nestled in the unspoiled countryside of southern France, overlooking the dramatic cliffs of the Tarn Gorges. Set on a UNESCO World Heritage site, this restored 18th-century stone hamlet offers an atmosphere of deep stillness, beauty, and simplicity. Designed as a true digital detox, Almières invites you to slow down, soften, and reconnect — with nature, with yourself, and with what matters most.
Sample ScheduleThe daily schedule is intentionally crafted to meet the unique needs of every participant, offering a curated blend of structure and free time. While we provide a supportive framework for the group, we leave ample space for you to pursue your own interests — whether that be a soak in the outdoor hot tub overlooking the valley below, or simply enjoying a quiet nap in your room. Ultimately, we want you to embrace a cadence that resonates with your spirit, transforming your stay into a truly soulful and restorative experience
7-9am
Breakfast Buffet
9-10 am
Free Time
10-12noon
Experiential Workshop
12-1pm
Lunch
1-4pm
4-6:30pm
Various Activities:
Creative Expression Workshop, Yoga, Nature Experience, Village tour.
8-9:30pm
Free Time:
Nap, Sauna, Hot Tub, Nature Walk, Hammock…
6:30-8pm
Dinner
Evening Experiential Gatherings
Meet Heather
As a licensed psychotherapist in private practice, women's group facilitator, and community organizer, I spend my days working with women to help them contemplate life's big questions, understand their obstacles, and find their way toward thriving in a disconnected world. I do this work in hour-long increments stolen from their busy schedules. On retreat, there is no rigid schedule, no time to steal — because it is already entirely yours.
As someone who has been on retreat to restore, reconnect, revitalize, and remember who I am, I welcome you. I know what it means to crave space for self-focus, play, creativity, and connection with others. After years of both facilitating retreats and attending them, I know how to create the conditions for you to leave feeling rekindled and fully alive.
Meet Kristen
I’m Kristen Abbott, a full-time mixed media painter and textile artist based in Boulder, Colorado. My work is rooted in curiosity, intuition, and a deep attention to process— values that shape not only my studio practice, but also how I design creative experiences for others. I’m drawn to the quiet magic of making things with my hands, meaningful conversations, and the kinds of moments that invite us to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect with ourselves.
As an experienced retreat leader and community gatherer, I care deeply about creating welcoming spaces where women can rest, connect authentically, and rediscover their inner creative spark. Retreat Vivant is not about becoming an artist; it’s about learning to live creatively in whatever form feels true to you. As Elizabeth Gilbert writes, “When I refer to ‘creative living’… I’m talking about living a life that is more strongly driven by curiosity than by fear.” At the retreat, I guide participants through creative practices and workshops designed to nurture that spirit of curiosity, play, and genuine exploration without pressure or perfection, so you leave feeling renewed, inspired, and more open to what might be possible in your life.
In France, a meal is never merely "food"—it is a love letter to the land and a ritual for the spirit. At Almieres, this heritage is honored by treating every dish as a vital part of your transformation. The plant-based cuisine is a celebration of the seasons, sourced from neighboring local artisans and harvested by hand from the historical grounds.
A retreat is a return to center, and the food that sustains you is the bedrock of that journey. Whether you choose the quiet reflection of a solo meal or the vibrant connection of a group table, you are being deeply held.
From the first sensory delight of morning coffee to the balanced, grounding flavors of dinner, the menu is designed to leave you feeling profoundly attended to. At Retreat Vivant we don’t just feed the body; we replenish the soul.
What’s included:
Luxurious 7 night stay in a beautifully restored and designed French hamlet.
A private chef to craft all of our meals with locally sourced and beautifully prepared plant-based ingredients (with the exception of 1 lunch out while on excursion).
Snacks, coffee and tea in abundance
Curiosity driven art workshops led by Kristen Abbott
Transportation and guide for French Village excursion
All art supplies and other creative materials for the week's workshops as well as extra art supplies to use throughout the week
Thoughtfully designed therapeutic practices and gatherings to deepen connection
Indoor and outdoor yoga lead by certified instructors
An evening sound bath lead by a local guide
Sauna and outdoor hot tubs on the cliffside
Plenty of time to stroll through the nature preserve or rest in the hammock among the trees.
What’s not included:
Plane travel (from your location to the International Airport)
Shuttle from airport to Retreat Center
Additional nights before or after the journey
Travel insurance [required]
Meals not on-site at Retreat Center
Alcohol
Available to add to your retreat experience:
Spa Treatments
1 : 1 Sessions with Kristen and/or Heather
Join the Waitlist
There is a particular kind of peace found only where the pavement ends, a stillness that doesn't just silence the racing mind, but settles the spirit back into its rightful place.
