Writing retreat in the French Alps
Write your book in a beautiful mountain setting
In the south of Europe, in the middle of the famous ski area of Les Arcs lies the mountain-hamlet ‘Les Granges’. Our authentic writers’ chalet offers comfort in the middle of nature, forest, silence, and with beautiful views of the mountains. The ideal place to write your book without distractions.
Results you can achieve in one week
Whether your book is still in the early stages, you are already working on a manuscript, or it is almost finished, during this writing retreat, you will make huge steps. I will provide you with personal guidance, whenever you need it. Some of the results you will obtain in just one week:
- Be inspired and receive feedback to set up or improve a concept
- Bringing structure to your book and/or writing the back cover
- Getting out of your possible writer’s block
- Getting started with book promotion and publishing
- You will go home with a greatly improved manuscript, maybe even ready for publication.
A writer’s retreat for different types of writers
During my previous 20 writing retreats, I’ve helped hundreds of CEOs, entrepreneurs and other (aspiring) writers to improve their manuscripts or even finish writing their books in one week. Read more about results achieved by previous participants. For more information about all the writing retreats go to the general writing retreat page.
“Thanks for all the love, positive & creative energy, inspiration, and motivation.
I’m truly inspired to keep on writing my book!”Cécile Dekkers
“It was such a great week!
It was especially wonderful to get to know the other writers personally – in addition to the writing course.”AJ Scott
“Such a creative and meaningful week of writing!
(and eating 😋) (and drinking🍷).”Kees-Jan Dijkstra
“I came here with nothing but an idea.
I leave with over 40.000 words and a clear plan for my book.”AJ Scott
An all-inclusive writing retreat
What is included in this writing retreat?
For a whole week, you will be taken care of (or should I say spoiled) by the Dutch chef Martijn van den Elzen and hostess Maartje. So you can fully concentrate on your book. A wonderful opportunity to get away from it all, to be completely cared for, to relax, and to tap into your inspiration.
This writing retreat includes:
- Daily workshop on a theme that you can immediately put to use that day
- Plenty of time and space to work on your book, undisturbed
- Personal guidance and feedback from me
- All meals are prepared by our personal chef Martijn van den Elzen, and all drinks
- Luxury accommodation in our own authentic writer’s chalet
- Dinner in a local boutique restaurant
- A massage to ensure optimal inspiration
- Excursions such as beautiful walks, a cooking class, a wine tasting, or a yoga class can be arranged.
- Our hosts have lived in the mountains for years and will show us the most beautiful places
“A week of no distractions, being able to focus 100% on your book is really a gift for yourself.
With an inspiring club of international writers, private chef Martijn who conjured up the most beautiful local dishes for us twice a day, and the energetic guidance of Esther Jacobs, the completion of my book on authentic storytelling really got a boost…
Now I need to tie up the loose ends and then my manuscript can go on to the publisher, I already have the cover!”Kees-Jan Dijkstra
Program
Plenty of peace and inspiration to focus on your book
Naturally, this week is all about writing. Still, this idyllic setting offers plenty of opportunities to relax and we take several short trips through which you will get to know the beautiful landscape.
Ideal balance between work and leisure
We follow a structured program to gain the most from our time together. In the morning, we sit down for a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, I give a workshop and the rest of the day you are free to write, in the garden overlooking the mountains, or inside the chalet. We break for lunch, daily, and in the late afternoons, we take a walk through the forest or to the mountains. On our return, we are spoiled with a delicious dinner prepared by our personal chef.
Success stories
AJ and Catharina Ooijens share how they experienced their writing retreat in the French Alps.
Daily program
Day 1. The welcome dinner where all writers introduce themselves and share their book idea. We’ll also decide on the details of the program together, which includes the different excursions.
Day 2. Workshop back cover writing. Why is it so important, and how do you do it.
Day 3. Structure workshop. I discuss the outlining and the writing process and provide useful tips for making your writing process more efficient.
Day 4. Your title, subtitle and book cover. How do you choose a good cover? My designer will create a concept for you!
Day 5. Anything you always wanted to know about (self)publishing, such as costs, prices, etc. What does a publisher pay attention to? Is print or digital best? My ‘publishing guru’, Jan Willem Gerth will answer all your questions and share his ‘best practices’.
Day 6. How do you promote your book? Find your own voice. Includes practical examples for social media.
Day 7. Q&A session for all outstanding questions. The last evening there is an official closing with a festive dinner, where everyone reads a part from their book.
Day 8. The retreat ends after breakfast.
“My employer asked me to write a book and I had no idea how to do it.
Esther not only helped me with the outline and structure
but also introduced me to promotion, publishing, and much more.”Catharina Ooijens
Discover Les Arcs together?
Examples of excursions
Most people think of Les Arcs as a famous ski resort.
However, since the writing retreat is in mid-October there will be no snow. Still, this is the ideal place for anyone who loves peace and unspoilt nature, and who is not afraid of a mountain hike.
Below are excursions and activities we can explore together:
All-inclusive price of the writing retreat in the French Alps
Secure your spot and book now
Everything is included in this price: accommodation with a private bathroom in our own authentic writer’s chalet, all meals, drinks, snacks, daily writing workshops, private guidance, and excursions. Even dinner in a good restaurant and a massage are included. Your return trip to the Alps is your only additional expense.
Please contact me if you are interested. A new date for the retreat needs to be planned, so we can incorporate your preferences.
The results you can achieve and more details can be found on the general writing retreat page.
Private room
Regular €4.495,-, Last Minute offer € 3.490,- p.p.
Package includes:
- A private room with a private bathroom
- Chalet with fireplace, garden, terrace, outdoor pool and unbelievably beautiful view.
- Daily workshops
- Private writing coaching
- All delicious meals, drinks and snacks prepared by our personal chef
- Daily excursions
- A one-hour relaxing writer’s massage
Early bird discount
Now more than €1,000 discount with the Last Minute deal, when booking before September 1st
Shared room (bring your own ‘roomie’)
Regular €3.495,- Last Minute price € 2.490,- p.p.
This package includes:
- A shared room and bathroom
- Chalet with fireplace, garden, terrace, outdoor pool and unbelievably beautiful view
- Daily workshops
- Private writing coaching
- All delicious meals, drinks and snacks prepared by our personal chef
- Daily excursions
- A one-hour relaxing writer’s massage
Early bird discount
Now more than €1,000 discount with the Last Minute deal, when booking before September 1st
Travel info
The writing retreat in the French Alps takes place in the hamlet of Les Granges (near the famous ski resort of Les Arcs), part of the municipality of Bourg Saint Maurice, Savoie.
The retreat starts at 5 pm on October 9th, with a welcome drink and dinner, so do make sure you are there on time. You can travel by car, train, or plane. Below are all the options.
By car
Travel time from Amsterdam to Les Granges (Bourg Saint Maurice) is approximately 10 hours, including stops. A good place to stay if you want to split the trip into two days is Novotel Nancy Laxou.
Fly to Lyon or Geneva
About two months in advance you will receive a flight schedule with the best flights. At the airport, you can rent a car: www.rentalcars.com. Both from Geneva and Lyon Airports it will be about a two-hour drive to Les Granges.
If more people fly to the same airport and at least three want to share a transfer, we can arrange that for you. The transfer price is €95-130 return, depending on the number of people traveling.
Fly to Paris and then take the train
KLM offers a combined flight/train ticket: AMS -> Paris CDG -> train Lyon Part Dieu (XYD), the train station of Lyon. From there you can book a connecting train to Bourg Saint Maurice. We will pick you up from the station.
By train to Bourg Saint Maurice
The TGV runs to Bourg Saint Maurice. All train times can be found on this website. We will pick you up from the station.
If you need to stay an extra night we can recommend a hotel in Bourg Saint Maurice. We will pick you up and return you to Bourg Saint Maurice (10 min. down the mountain from the chalet).