Welcome to Camp Borie
An Artist’s Retreat for the Non-Artist: You don’t need to be an artist to unleash your creative side! Relax, connect, and find inspiration in the breathtaking beauty of the French countryside.
About Camp Borie:
Step into a week of pure joy, exploration, and connection in the heart of southwest France, where each day brings a chance to savor life’s simple pleasures. Camp Borie blends artistic discovery, relaxation, and cultural immersion, all while staying in the enchanting Chateau de Borie. This isn’t your traditional artist’s retreat—it’s designed for anyone curious to explore their creative side, regardless of experience. Bring your own creative project or try your hand at something new. Here, it’s all about bringing out the artist in you, inspired by the magic of a beautiful French chateau and the charm of the surrounding countryside.
Meet Your Counselors:
Camp Borie is guided by three inspiring counselors, each bringing their own unique expertise to make this retreat a transformative experience:
Abigail Carter: 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 expression after the death of her husband, Arron in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Her second book, Remember the Moon, a novel, was published in 2014 and is also based on themes of grief and loss.
After a difficult breakup in 2017, Abby returned to painting after a thirty-year hiatus, re-discovering another outlet for her renewed grief and self-discovery.
During the pandemic, Abby became obsessed with the idea of owning a chateau in France that could be used as a retreat center and managed to see her dream come to fruition in 2022 with the purchase of Chateau de Borie. Starting in 2023, she began organizing retreats at the Chateau for creative-minded people looking to experience a little of the creative life in an incredible setting and build a new community of friends.
Nancy Orlikow: Nancy is a self-described “nomadic homebody” who loves traveling, architecture, design, nature, exercise, and making art. She’s enjoying a long-time career as an art therapist/expressive arts therapist currently in private practice in the Vancouver, BC area. Nancy discovered the joy of attending art retreats several years ago when she attended a large multi-day “artfest” where she realized how wonderful it is to carve out creative time to spend with fellow creatives! Since that time she has attended several art retreats in Canada, the US, and Bali. Each retreat has provided a boost of creative energy and a few new skills to add to her creative tool kit – along with forming several friendships that have endured over the years. Nancy likes to paint and work in mixed media as well as children’s book illustration. During the pandemic, Nancy and her partner built a magical little studio on a lake in Washington State, which she’s dubbed “Frida House,” an ode to the creative muse Frida Kahlo.
Nancy and Abby met in senior year art class and have been friends ever since and work harmoniously together to bring their friendship and creative sensibilities to every retreat they host together.
Haley Rae Derge is a dedicated yoga teacher and realtor who believes in the power of safe community spaces. She completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in May 2018 and has been teaching ever since. In her classes, Haley focuses on the fusion of breath and movement, guiding her students to develop a deeper connection to their physical and emotional strength. Her philosophy of yoga is that it is a tool to prepare the body and mind for meditation, allowing participants to carry this sense of connection and strength into every moment of their lives. Haley strives to create inclusive classes for all levels, offering variations to challenge and explore the body.
Outside of her yoga practice, she extends her expertise as a wellness guide through her work as a realtor, helping people establish a sense of connection to their community and their homes. Through her yoga classes and real estate work, Haley is committed to helping others find a sense of belonging, both within their bodies and in their physical spaces.
Together, Abigail, Nancy, and Haley bring a blend of creativity, therapeutic guidance, and wellness expertise to Camp Borie, ensuring an experience that nurtures both your body and spirit.
What to Expect:
Camp Borie is more than a retreat—it’s a curated travel experience that connects people through art, food, relaxation, and the unmatched beauty of France. Here’s what awaits:
Morning Yoga & Meditation: Start your day with serene yoga and meditation in the Chateau’s beautiful mosaic tiled “yoga room,” led by Haley. Breathe in the fresh country air, clear your mind, and set a calm tone for the adventures ahead.
Foodie Heaven with Local Flavors: From hands-on cooking classes to chef-prepared farm-fresh meals, every dining experience celebrates the flavors of the region. Learn to create classic French dishes with an experienced chef, paired with fine wines from nearby vineyards, for a true taste of southwest France.
Outdoor Adventures: Venture into nature with a refreshing dip at a natural thermal spa, rent a bike to explore the charming town of Agen, or take a quiet walk down the secluded lane for a peaceful escape.
Interactive Games: Join a fun, interactive game that will last the duration of camp and expose the more sneaky creatives among us.
Cultural Excursions: Step into the charm of southwest France, with visits to local villages, historic landmarks, and lively brocante markets. Sip wine at nearby vineyards, browse artisanal shops, and indulge in an evening at a fine dining restaurant, savoring French cuisine crafted by culinary masters.
Art & Creativity Workshops: This is your time to explore your creativity with guidance from Abigail and Nancy! Our workshops encourage you to try your hand at painting, drawing, crafting, canning, or even participating in a tea ceremony. No experience is required—just an open mind. Feel free to work on an ongoing creative project or try something new. Express yourself freely and let the beauty of your surroundings inspire your work.
Evening Bonfires & Good Times: As the sun sets, gather around a cozy bonfire under the stars to share ghost stories with new friends. Or join a warm conversation around the dining room table or in the cozy seating of the Grand Salon. These intimate evenings are the perfect way to connect and unwind.
Farewell Dinner & Themed Party: To end the week in style, join us for a special farewell dinner with regional cuisine and wines, followed by a themed party with music and dancing. It’s a final celebration of friendships formed, creative sparks ignited, and memories made—your time to let loose and celebrate an incredible week.
Accommodations
Chateau de Borie offers a blend of rustic elegance and modern comfort, ensuring your stay is as restorative as it is inspiring. Each room is thoughtfully designed to provide a cozy, peaceful respite after days filled with creativity, exploration, and connection. Whether you prefer the privacy of your own room or the camaraderie of a shared space, you’ll find accommodations that perfectly suit your needs.
To make your room choice, click the “Pay Deposit” button below to choose your selected room from the dropdown. If it doesn’t appear, it is no longer available.
Click on the image to see more about each room.
Common Areas
You will have access to all amenities: a large, shared living room (Grand Salon), kitchen and dining room, garden, and terraces, with reading nooks and seating, and a wooded trail. There is WiFi throughout the Chateau, and laundry services are available.
The Details
The Chateau de Borie is multi-leveled, with no bedrooms on the ground floor. Good physical mobility is required for this 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.
Chloe, Abby’s Boston Terrier will be in attendance. If you have any issues with small dogs, you might want to consider this before booking.
Payment
A deposit of €1000 is required to hold your spot. The balance must be paid in full by June 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 June 1, 2025.
All rooms are to be paid for in full by June 1, 2025.
If you need to cancel between June 1, and August 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 August 1st, 2025 are non-refundable.
Participant expenses incurred in preparation for the trip (e.g., non-refundable purchased airline tickets) are not the responsibility of the retreat organizers. It is recommended that you obtain medical/trip cancellation insurance for this reason.
Travel
Arrivals: Saturday September 13th, 2025 before 4 pm
Retreat/workshops: Sunday, September 14th to Friday, September 19th
Departures: Saturday, September 20th 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.
NOTE: To arrive at the Chateau on Saturday, September 13th requires a flight departure from North America on Friday, September 12th. It is recommended arriving in France a few days early if possible to acclimate to the time change.
Secure Your Spot for an Unforgettable Experience!
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a one-of-a-kind artist’s retreat for the non-artist.
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.
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!