Sparkle Week
A Journey Into Creative Wellbeing
Chateau de Borie, Agen, France
Sunday, May 18 - Sunday, May 25, 2025
Limited to 8-10 participants
You are a true creative soul.
You can’t stop obsessing about the book you will write, the painting in your heart, or the business idea that is blossoming inside of you.
And yet - sometimes you get stuck, blocked, your ideas and inspiration move tantalizingly out of your reach.
This is a perfectly normal part of the creative journey, but it is agonizing when it happens, adding layers of self-doubt.
You worry how you can get back into the zone – into that place where time doesn’t exist, where words, colors, and notes fly. Where sparks fly.
Where did my sparkle go? How do I get it back? Why is it easy at some times, and so difficult at others?
Imagine yourself in a world away, surrounded by lush forest, cradled within the protective hug of a limestone cliff face, morning doves cooing, the fountain cascading and the morning sunlight streaming onto the hardwood floors. In just seven days, you will shed old habits and beliefs that no longer serve you, and together with a cohort of newfound friends, you will embrace your inner sparkle, embodying the enchantment that is Chateau de Borie.
The Path:
To unblock creative flow, we must release energetic and creative blocks inside ourselves.
This path is not easy to access or understand.
Even highly experienced creatives can find it difficult to find their way back to a state of flow once they get derailed.
We invite you to join us in a rare opportunity to work with two gifted creative practitioners who will teach you the secret tools to the path of Creative Flow and Wellbeing.
Learn how to keep that Sacred Sparkle going.
When you leave, you will take these tools with you and use them whenever blocks strike – as they will.
These tools will serve you for the rest of your creative life.
Sparkle Week:
Inspired by the magnificent setting of Chateau de Borie in France, this magical week of Creative Wellbeing will
Ignite your sacred sparkle through immersive practices in writing, art, movement, breathwork, meditation, manifestation, and energy work and
Nurture your senses through a serene countryside haven in south-west France, with delicious local food, and supplemented by optional expeditions to the historical French countryside and massage therapy for further healing (highly recommended).
Our practitioners have decades of teaching experience, testimonials, and awards in the creative world.
This is a rare opportunity to work with both of them together and learn from their wisdom, compassion, and playfulness.
To unblock your creative potential, in yourself and in your project:
Bring an empty journal and your favorite writing instruments
Bring your current creative project notes
Prepare to have explosive ideas
And be ready to capture them.
Sparkle Week will be healing and enriching, opening pathways inside yourself in a space of safety, curiosity, and heart-centered community.
This week will be the most valuable gift you can give your creative soul.
About Your Guides
About Lavanya
Lavanya is both student and teacher of the creative artistic path, conducting master classes in writing, storytelling, and creative wellbeing.
Nine US publishers competed in a three-day auction for the rights to her first two books of critically acclaimed and best-selling fiction.
She has studied the Meisner acting technique in New York City and continues to experiment with storytelling through film, screenplays, theater, and memoir.
Lavanya serves on the boards of Nrityagram Dance, the world-famous Odissi dance company, and Hedgebrook, the Seattle Writing Residency. Additionally, she sponsors literary fellowships at the Sangam Writers Residency, amongst other philanthropies.
Meditation, music, breathwork, and movement are integral to her well-being, as are puppy dogs of any description. She lives in New York City and Bangalore, India.
Instagram: @lavanyawriter
About Abby
The owner of Chateau de Borie, Abigail Carter is a published author, artist, and website designer. Her memoir, The Alchemy of Loss: A Young Widow’s Transformation was published in 2008, a cathartic, creative expression after the death of her husband, Arron in the World Trade Center on 9/11. The Alchemy of Loss was long-listed for the 2008 B.C. Award for Canadian Non-Fiction, Canada's largest Non-Fiction prize, and chosen by The Globe and Mail as one of the 100 Most Notable Books of 2008. Her second book, Remember the Moon, a novel, was published in 2014 and is also based on themes of grief and loss, described by Indie Reader as “a touching and intimate look at the bonds that last beyond death, and the generosity of spirit needed to truly love another person.”
After a period of renewed grief, Abby returned to painting after a thirty-year hiatus, re-discovering another creative outlet for her renewed grief and self-discovery.
During the pandemic, Abby became obsessed with owning a chateau in southwest France that could be used as a retreat center for others interested in tapping into their latent creative expression as a conduit to healing. Her dream came to fruition in 2022 with the purchase of Chateau de Borie where she now hosts week-long creative retreats for people from all walks of life.
Accommodations
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 writer 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.
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.
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
There will be a dinner at a nearby restaurant specializing in French cuisine with particular emphasis on farm-to-table 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: Sunday May 18th, 2025 before 4 pm
Retreat/workshops: Monday, May 19th to Saturday May 24th
Departures: Sunday May 25th before 12 pm.
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 Sunday, May 18th requires a flight departure from North America on Saturday, May 17th.
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 February 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
To secure your spot for this retreat, a €1000 deposit is required. A link to the balance payment will be emailed after the deposit has been paid. Please select your chosen room when purchasing the deposit.
The €1000 deposit is non-refundable after February 1, 2025.
All rooms are to be paid for in full by February 1, 2025.
If you need to cancel between February 1st and April 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 (the deposit is non-refundable) or you can transfer your paid fees to another retreat offered within 12 months.
Cancellations after April 1st, 2025 are non-refundable.
Participant expenses incurred in preparation for your trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets and late cancelations) are not the responsibility of the retreat organizers.
It is highly recommended that you obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
