Chateau Life with Abby
Discover the Magic of Following Your Dreams.
Chateau de Borie, Agen, France
Saturday, July 12 - Saturday, July 19, 2025
Limited to 8-12 participants
Welcome to Chateau de Borie: A Retreat to Inspire Your Dreams
Nestled in the heart of Southwest France, Chateau de Borie is more than a destination; it’s a sanctuary for transformation and inspiration. My name is Abby, and this retreat is an invitation to step into a world where history, culture, and self-discovery converge.
In 2022, I took a leap of faith and followed my dream to own a chateau in France. It wasn’t easy—there were obstacles, doubts, and fears. But with persistence, courage, and a belief in the possibilities, I transformed this dream into reality. Now, I want to share this magical place with you and help you find the clarity and confidence to follow your dreams.
At Chateau de Borie, you’ll have the chance to release the doubts that hold you back, tap into your passions, and embrace the leap toward your own aspirations. Whether it’s starting a new chapter, exploring your creativity, or simply rediscovering joy, this retreat will support and inspire you every step of the way.
What to Expect
This retreat offers a curated blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion. Each day will bring new discoveries and cherished moments, including:
Market Day and Cooking Demo with Nathan: Stroll through vibrant markets to select fresh ingredients before joining Nathan in a cooking demonstration where you’ll create and savor traditional French dishes.
Brocante Market Visits: Unearth unique antiques and treasures at local brocantes, carefully selected for their charm and character.
Latour Marliac Water Lily Garden: Marvel at the breathtaking water lily gardens that inspired Monet, a serene escape into natural beauty.
Chateau Chambert Wine Tasting and Tour: Indulge in a private wine-tasting experience at one of the region’s most esteemed vineyards.
Les Bains de Casteljaloux: Rejuvenate with a visit to this luxurious natural thermal spa, a haven of relaxation.
Tour and Shopping in Agen: Explore the historic town of Agen, renowned for its architecture, shops, and cultural charm.
Step Into Your Dreams
This is your chance to embrace the extraordinary. Just as I found the courage to pursue my vision of owning and restoring a chateau, you too can transform your dreams into reality. Join me for a week where inspiration meets action, and every moment is crafted to spark joy, courage, and possibility.
Let Chateau de Borie be the backdrop to your next adventure—the place where you’ll take the leap and write the next chapter of your life.
Focus of the Week
This retreat centers around creating a nurturing space for connection, inspiration, and growth:
Overcome Obstacles: Engage in guided sessions to help identify and release the barriers holding you back.
Embrace Creativity: Channel your inner artist, writer, or dreamer in workshops designed to awaken your passions.
Build Community: Share laughter, stories, and camaraderie with like-minded individuals.
Meet Abigail Carter:
Dreamer, Creator, and Host of Chateau de Borie
Abigail Carter, the visionary behind Chateau de Borie, is a published author, artist, and website designer whose life journey has been one of transformation and resilience. Her first book, The Alchemy of Loss: A Young Widow’s Transformation, chronicles her path through grief after losing her husband, Arron, in the World Trade Center on 9/11. This powerful memoir, published in 2008, was long-listed for the B.C. Award for Canadian Non-Fiction and named one of The Globe and Mail's 100 Most Notable Books of the year. Her second book, Remember the Moon, a novel, also centered on themes of love, loss, and renewal, was released in 2014.
In 2017, after a difficult breakup, Abby returned to painting following a 30-year hiatus, rediscovering a creative outlet that became a source of healing and self-discovery. This rekindled passion ultimately led her to embrace a life of creativity and transformation.
During the pandemic, Abby found herself dreaming of a retreat center in France—a place where people could come to recharge, connect, and unlock their creative potential. In 2022, she made that dream a reality with the purchase of Chateau de Borie, a historic and enchanting property in Southwest France. A year later, she began hosting retreats at the chateau, welcoming creative-minded individuals from around the world to share in the beauty, culture, and inspiration that make life in France so extraordinary.
Abby’s retreats are a reflection of her own journey—places where obstacles are released, creativity flourishes, and dreams are brought to life.
Learn more about Abby and her work at www.abigailcarter.com.
What Our Guests Are Saying
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The concept of living with total strangers for a week, in a foreign country, with only sketching as a common bond, was daunting, but boy was it worth it. The chateau is a magnificent venue, the host(s) provided us with an excellent itinerary for the pursuit of art, yet frivolous activities abounded.
Marty S.
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Abby’s welcoming kindness, the camaraderie of the other guests, the instruction were all so much fun! There were daily walks in nature, “forest bathing”! Don’t even get me started on the exquisite cuisine created by Chefs Frances and Arlette!! I could go on and on. To sum it up - run, don’t walk to Chateau Borie’s well filling retreats!
Linda T.
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I highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking to immerse themselves in their art while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the French countryside. It was a truly magical experience, and I can't wait to return for my third retreat at the Chateau!
Shelli W.
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The Chateau feels like it’s alive - like history and culture pours through the walls and envelops you like a warm hug. Abby and her adorable little pup made the experience truly unforgettable - from the food, the delicious morning lattes, the wine, to the community of writers and lifelong friends I made there.
Hera M.
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This was my first ever non-work related retreat and this experience has made me eager to do many more of these hopefully at the chateau. It was the perfect combination of the people, the place, the food, the information we gained and the lasting memories we made! The idyllic environment of the chateau in a lovely French countryside was the perfect setting for a weekend dedicated to financial empowerment and personal growth for us ladies.
Vidya M.
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Abby's retreat attracted a group of warm and positive people – I couldn't believe how well the group meshed, and we still keep in touch today. I picked up painting again after a long break, and was inspired to keep going with it when I returned home. Truly life changing, and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Paula D.
Accommodations/Prices
Below is a list of the accommodations. Make your room choice and then click the “Pay Deposit” button below and choose your selected room from the dropdown. If it doesn’t appear, then that room is sold out.
Chateau de Borie
Chateau de Borie is located in Pont-du-Casse, just a five minute drive from Agen, located between Toulouse and Bordeaux in an area renown for it’s fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly its dried prunes. The area is a little off the beaten path for many tourists, but boasts beautiful countryside, proximity to two splendid wine regions, historic “Bastide” villages and incredibly fresh local food.
Agen and environs
The town of Agen is equidistant between Toulouse and Bordeaux and boasts a TGV train station, making it a 3-hour journey from Paris or a 1-hour journey from either Toulouse or Bordeaux. The town is fairly substantial with a population of 35,000 and has a wide array of shops, restaurants, bars, weekly markets and annual festivals. There is also a wonderful Art Museum and an Opera House, as well as several cathedrals, one of which has an intricately painted interior.
The surrounding countryside is known for its orchards and fruit growing, particularly its prunes, which you can find in all forms - stuffed, soaked in alcohol, or made into aperitifs.
The surrounding countryside is beautiful and dotted with many “Bastide” towns – fortified, medieval towns often built atop hillsides with a templated grid pattern (developed by the brother of one of the kings of France) with a main town square, surrounded by a covered gallery housing shops and restaurants.
The Retreat Experience
Each guest will be housed in a private room equipped with a desk. During your stay, you will enjoy the sweeping views of the French countryside, free time, intimate workshop mornings, and organized excursions to explore nearby sites and partake in the local wine and cuisine.
Chef James Lee Gordon
Our chef for the week is Chef James Lee Gordon who has over a decade of experience in organic, and Michelin-rated kitchens, building his reputation for excellence and innovation. Founder of The Chocolate Bear Kitchen in England, James is passionate about creating inclusive menus that cater to food allergies and intolerances, inspired by his firsthand experience of the challenges they pose for diners and chefs alike. With a focus on natural, healthy ingredients and bold flavors, James’ work highlights the rising relevance of allergy-conscious dining in today’s culinary world, while celebrating the rich possibilities of innovative dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Continental breakfast and family-style dinner will be served daily. Lunches will either be provided at the chateau or will be on your own during excursions. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available throughout the day. We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Sommelier Visit
Learn about and taste local wines with passionate sommelier, Stephan who will come to Chateau de Borie bearing some wonderful wines of all types from a variety of local areas such as Bordeaux and Cahors.
Local Market and Cooking Demo
Join us on an unforgettable culinary adventure with an esteemed chef, where we'll explore the vibrant Agen farmer’s market, handpicking fresh produce. Later, back at Chateau de Borie, we will be guided through an immersive cooking workshop, crafting our evening feast.
Les Bains de Casteljaloux
The thermal spa in Casteljaloux, is a serene retreat about 40 mins from the Chateau, famed for its natural hot springs and healing waters. The spa features indoor and outdoor thermal pools maintained at a soothing 34°C (93°F), offering therapeutic benefits for stress, joint pain, and circulation. There are also saunas, cold baths and steam baths. Les Bains de Casteljaloux is the perfect destination where we will relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with our inner sparkle.
Winery Visit
Visit a local chateau winery, where you'll indulge in a delightful lunch at their renowned restaurant, followed by an immersive tour of the winery and a curated wine-tasting experience.
An afternoon in Agen
Agen is an easily accessible town that has an excellent art museum, opera house, two cathedrals, and lots of shopping along a pedestrian-only boulevard. You will have the option of spending some time at the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Agen or spend the afternoon at your leisure before meeting the group at the end of the day for an aperitif back at the Chateau.
Dinner in a local restaurant
Indulge in a delightful dinner at a nearby restaurant, specializing in French cuisine with a focus on farm-to-table ingredients and local specialties.
Travel
NOTE:
The Chateau de Borie is multi-leveled, with no bedrooms on the ground floor. Good physical mobility is required for this Sparkle adventure, as the Chateau has one or two sets of stairwells depending on the room you choose, and we will be on foot on the cobbled streets around France.
The physical ability to walk unassisted and stand for extended periods is necessary for this retreat.
Because of the proximity of the cliffs and the 7 springs on the property, mosquitos are an issue. Bug spray is highly recommended.
Arrivals: Saturday July 12th, 2025 before 4 pm
Retreat/workshops: Sunday, July 13th to Friday, July 18th
Departures: Saturday, July 19th before noon.
Participants are responsible for their own flights and travel to Agen. The closest international airports are Toulouse and Bordeaux, France. It is an hour's train ride to Agen from both cities. You can also fly to Paris and take a 3-hour TGV train from Montparnasse station in Paris to Agen (via Bordeaux), but this option can be more difficult and expensive due to limited train schedules. If you choose this route, be sure to book your train well ahead of time and buy tickets that you can change in case of delayed flights. Also, it is advised that you not attempt to take the train to Paris on the same day that you plan to fly out of Paris. Train delays are common.
It is recommended that you purchase your train tickets ahead of time, as trains do fill up. We recommend using www.thetrainline.com or https://www.sncf-connect.com/ to book your connections.
You are welcome to rent a car at the airport, though we will be providing transportation for the various excursions, so unless you want to get out on your own, it is unnecessary.
We offer pick-ups and drop-offs from the Agen train station to/from Chateau de Borie.
To arrive at the Chateau on Saturday, July 12th requires a flight departure from North America on Friday, July 11th.
It is recommended to arrive in France a few days early if possible to acclimate to the time change.
More information about excursions and further details about the week will be added as they are planned. We look forward to having you join us for this very special week at Chateau de Borie!
Payment
A deposit of €1000 is required to hold your spot. The balance must be paid in full by April 1, 2025.
Included in the price:
Pick up/drop off at Agen train station
Welcome champagne
All meals and wine except for lunches during excursions
Transportation to/from all excursions
Entry fees for all excursions
Market visit and cooking class
Dinner at a restaurant near the Chateau de Borie
Not included:
Airfare, train fare
Meals outside the villa except for the restaurant dinner.
Refund Policy
The €1000 deposit is non-refundable after April 1, 2025.
All rooms are to be paid for in full by June 1, 2025.
If you need to cancel between April 1, and June 1st, 2025 we will offer your spot to people on the waiting list and refund 100% of your payment if we can fill your spot. If we cannot fill your spot, we will refund 50% of your balance payment (minus the deposit) or you can transfer your paid fees to another retreat offered within 12 months.
Cancelations after June 1st, 2025 are non-refundable.
Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets, or having to leave the retreat early) are not the responsibility of the retreat organizers.
It is highly recommended that you obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
