Menu
Close
Social
Subscribe To The Newsletter
stay in the loop
CREATIVE & INSPIRING RETREATS FOR WOMEN IN SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH
You're a giver.
To your family. To your work. To your friends. To your community.
To continue to give, you must also receive.
This experience is designed to allow you to do just that. Enjoy the company of fellow women on their own personal journeys, all while soaking in the beauty France has to offer. If you're longing for inspiration, self-care time, adventure, or a mental break - One thing is for sure. You will leave this trip changed. We believe that sharing meals together leads to sharing our hearts. That sharing a bottle of red leads to sharing our fears. Illuminare provides a space attendees to look within ourselves & encourage our new friends, too. There is simply no better place on earth for a conversation like this one. Europe has a beautiful way of getting down deep into your soul & stirring alive passions you forgot were there. Of reigniting ideas & bringing a new perspective to our lives.
If you've been longing for clarity & inspiration in your life, this is for you.
It's time for you.
Looking for other retreats?
Take Me There
This retreat truly was one of the best weeks of my whole life. Amanda really rolled out the red carpet for us attendees. Everything from the accommodations to the experiences to the personalized notes and gifts were all done with such attention to detail. I have never felt more pampered! I left the retreat with so much more clarity about how I want to live life and make others feel. I would 1000% recommend these retreats for any woman who needs a little blood pumped back into her veins. You will be astounded at how someone pouring into you will change your mind and heart.
-Kate
"We travel initially to lose ourselves...and we travel next to find ourselves."
what to expect
There's something about all 5 senses being engaged. Taking in the smells & the sights. Feeling the ancient roads under your feet, hearing the laughter down the hall, and the cork slide open from a bottle of Sancerre made from grapes out back. And the tastes... we'll fill our bellies (and our souls) with amazing French cuisine (from - of course - our private chef).
We will come home filled.
With experiences, with the love of a culture, with new friends, and with a renewed sense of self.
For the first time ever, we're inviting Illuminare Alumni to an exclusive retreat experience. We will call an 18th century
24-bedroom château nestled among the vineyards of Sancerre home for the week. It is here that we will enjoy the company of friends. Those we have already traveled with - and others who are new to us, but not to the Illuminare family.
Napoleon's Minister of the Interior, who was also responsible for the beautification of Paris, rebuilt the château in 1800 for his daughter. Over the centuries, the estate has been home to several French aristocratic families. In 2024, after 2 years of complete renovations, the château opened its doors again. The restoration was inspired by mid-century modernist style with an intention on simplicity. The design offers a serene setting, allowing the beauty of the estate and the memories made within to stand as the highlight. The château has been featured by the likes of Architectural Digest and Forbes - and everyone agrees: This place is special.
Together, we will discover the Loire Valley, wander through the château's vineyards and through the winding trails that lead to Sancerre. We'll spend lazy time in our massive home, complete with multiple salons for afternoon hang-outs and night time discussions. We'll enjoy the heated salt-water pool and sauna, watching the sun set over the town in the distance. And all in the company of incredible women - just like yourself - who know about the magic that comes when we all join together.
who is this retreat for?
ALUMNI! This retreat is being offered exclusively to Illuminare Alumni. If for some reason it doesn't sell out to alumni only, we will open the doors to new comers. Women from all walks of life who need a little time away, reconnecting with themselves while being in a picturesque setting. Retreat members are eager to make new connections/friends, understand that Europe means a decent amount of walking, and are flexible/happy travelers!
What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?
The group will include up to 21 participants, plus the host Amanda and retreat staff.
Approximately 4 months prior to the trip, a Facebook group will be created for our retreat members to get to know each other, ask questions & share more about themselves.
I have a special diet, can you accommodate?
On the application, you'll see a spot to let us know any diet needs you have & we will absolutely do our best to meet those at all meals. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to email with questions.
What are the accommodations like?
Our home for this retreat is a 4o room chateau - all for us. An 18th century home of aristocrats passed, we'll be nestled in the vineyards of Sancerre. Each guest will have their own room, and most rooms have their own bathroom as well. Guests can expect to enjoy multiple salons (lounge areas) throughout the estate, a heated salt water pool, and sauna. This home is simplistic intentionally - designed with a midcentury modernist style to let the bones of the estate shine. Guests should be eager to stay in an 18th century chateau, quirks and all.
Will we have wifi?
We will have wifi available for you within our retreat home so you can stay connected to your family & friends. If you'd like to have wifi on the go throughout the day as well and your cell provider doesn't offer this, please reach out and we'd be happy to help you arrange a personal hotspot.
how do i get there?
Our retreat home is just a 2 hour TER train from Paris-Bercy to either Tracy-Sancerre station (just 5 minutes from the château by taxi or car) or Cosne-sur-Loire (20 minutes away).
Additionally, you can hire a private driver for the 2.25 hour drive from Paris to the chateau.
Should I be a wine drinker to enjoy this trip?
Great question! Some of our retreats are more wine focused than others. When in Rome, as they say.... Especially because of our location, we WILL have some wine-centric activities on this retreat. That said, attendees who don't drink alcohol can still enjoy plenty - just know there will be a few wine related things happening that you're welcome to skip or come along for the experience but skip the drinking portion.
How active is this retreat?
Each Illuminare Retreat is a little different than the next. This particular retreat is more slow paced. The emphasis is on basking in the beauty of the region with gentle exploration, lingering at the estate, walks through the fields and much more.
While I won't have you walking miles and miles, please do note that there is NOT an elevator in our home and steps are a requirement. Additionally, there is a great 45 min stroll through the woods to reach the nearby town that I'd love to see everyone enjoy. Comfortable shoes are always a must!
While this retreat is experience focused, it is also designed to allow you to reconnect with yourself.
Titled after the Italian word for Illuminate, we hope you leave this retreat not just with an incredible experience, but feeling a new sense of purpose, peace, or clarity in your own life. Whatever it is you're coming to look for - there is a good chance that once you clear out the noise of your day to day life & immerse yourself in the experience designed for you, you'll find it was within you the whole time.
Come experience the tastes, sights, smells & wonders of the the Loire Valley - and flip your own light back on in the process.
illuminare
/ il:umi'nare/ verb:
to illuminate, to light up
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
-
Go home refreshed & empowered
-
Embrace the culture, history, and food of Sancerre, France
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
-
Go home refreshed & empowered
-
EMBRACE THE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND FOOD OF the Sancerre, France
What is the group size & when we will know who is joining us?
The group will include 8 participants, plus the host Amanda
Prior to the trip, a Facebook group will be created for our retreat members to get to know each other, ask questions & share more about themselves.
I have a special diet, can you accommodate?
On the application, you'll see a spot to let us know any diet needs you have & we will absolutely do our best to meet those at all meals. If you have specific concerns, please feel free to email with questions.
What are the accommodations like?
We will be staying in a stunning apartment in the heart of Florence! You will be sharing a room with another attendee so either come with a friend or be ready to make a new one! We believe that sharing builds our community & is part of this intimate retreat style experience!
Will we have wifi?
We will have wifi available for you within the apartment so you can stay connected to your family & friends at home. If you'd like to have wifi on the go throughout the day as well, please reach out and we'd be happy to help you arrange a personal hotspot.
how do i get there?
We recommend flying into either Florence, Rome, or Bologna. Transportation within the country is wonderful thanks to Italy's train systems. As the trip gets closer, you'll receive a comprehensive travel email with tips on finding the best flight deals, and how to navigate transport to our apartment once in Italy.
can i pay in installments?
Yes - We've provided a few options for you:
-You may pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot, with the remaining balance due on December 1, 2021.
-You may pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your spot, breaking up the balance into 3 payments due by December 1, 2021.
-You may pay in its entirety in one lump sum at the time of booking
retreat home
-6 night stay in a 40-room, 24-bedroom château nestled among the vineyards of Sancerre, France in the Loire Valley
-Most meals included (a few lunches on your own when exploring towns)
-Breakfast daily served in our retreat home by our private staff
-Exploration of parts of the Loire Valley
-Relaxed time at our home with a heated pool, sauna, and plenty of room to spread out
-Free time to do sightseeing & shopping on your own
-Conversations with other women on their own journeys. A once-in-a-lifetime style girls trip to grow & be inspired
-Your custom journal to help spur on ideas & meditation
-A digital travel guide to aid you in planning your adventure
-....and plenty of amazing surprises!
Details:
We ask that all guests arrive to our accommodations at 2:00 on Tuesday, May 18 2027.
The retreat will conclude at 10:00am on Monday morning, May 24, 2027.
What is included:
join us.
investment
Retreat cost:
$7400-$7800 per person (all rooms are single accommodation)
Deposit required to hold your space: $850
Remaining balance paid in 2 installments
Note: Airfare & travel to/from our accommodations before & after retreat is not included.
Our group will remain intimate in size, therefore spots are very limited.
A note:
JOIN US
If you’re considering going on a retreat, do it. Don’t try to convince yourself you don’t deserve to go, or that you’ll do the next one, or that you can’t afford it. Pull the trigger. You won’t regret it if you go. I promise.
-Karen, 4 time retreat attendee
illuminare retreats © 2020
| Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative
Site design by Kaleigh Turner Creative
