Paris and Burgundy

Written By Kirsten Dickerson

CRAFT + CULTURE Retreat

interest list

DATES: September 21-29, 2027

GUESTS: 10 Women + 1 host

PRICING: $3,800 per person, shared room

  • $1000 deposit due with registration to secure a spot

  • Registration opens in September 2026

  • Please inquire about single supplement/private room availability.

France in Fall

This special Craft & Culture retreat invites you to discover the beauty of France through the eyes of artists and makers. This journey is centered around the poetry of harvest — meeting world class chefs, wandering historic gardens, and seeing incredible nature inspired art.

Highlights include visiting local French markets and farms, monasteries and pilgrimage sites, as well as art galleries and artist studios. We will partake in wine tastings, countryside picnics, farm to table meals, and a cooking class. We will have the privilege of visiting several workshops that are keeping French heritage alive.

Throughout this retreat, you will be invited to pay attention, notice details, and engage all your senses. Our daily reflections and experiences will guide us on a pilgrimage of exploring the intersection of faith, hospitality, creativity and community. From the history and romance of the City of Lights to the charm and quaintness of the Burgundy countryside you will experience the art of slow French living. 

This curated experience is hosted by Hope Lundblad, a multidisciplinary artist based in Burgundy. She will give you insight into an artist’s daily life in France. Hope believes hospitality is the highest form of art, and life is meant to be lived around the table. 

“ll y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir.” - Henry Matisse

(“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.

Inspiring artists for centuries…

France is a place for dreamers and artists — serving as a barometer for culture, architecture, religion, philosophy and design. Come slow down and experience the late harvest season with the golden vines in the Côte-D’or region, the changing hues of leaves in the Paris gardens, fresh farm to table meals and the sense of abundance all around. 

You will experience the art, architecture, and way of life for locals and living artists. Visit the famous Monet waterlilies inspired by his love of nature. Stay in the Latin Quarter in the heart of Paris, which encompasses some of the most emblematic monuments and history in Paris. Come to one of France’s hidden gems in Burgundy off the beaten tourist path — the city of Semur-en-Auxois, a medieval town voted one of France’s most beautiful villages. 

We will start our journey with a special two night stay at a boutique hotel in Paris with a commitment to responsible tourism, located on a quiet street in the Latin Quarter. The hotel is committed to sustainable tourism, complying with the strict ecological criteria of the Ecolabel, the official European label for environmentally friendly hotels. After Paris we journey to Burgundy for five nights, staying in an exclusive historical Country Mansion on the ramparts of a medieval village that now serves as a musical arts residency. Our visit will help provide scholarships for young musicians to come participate in masterclasses in the future. 

We will start each day with a morning reflection and poem inspired by nature and slow living, and end each day around the table filled with wonder and delight.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 2 nights at a sustainable boutique hotel in the heart of Paris.

  • 5 nights in a historic countryside mansion

  • All meals, wine tastings, and picnics

  • Local transportation during the retreat and group tips for meals and hotels

  • All experiences on the itinerary including visits to artist studios, museums, gardens, and historic places of interest

  • Cooking class, fermentation class, and basket weaving workshop.

  • ARTIST & NOMAD Booklet + Tote Bag.

  • A portion of your payment will support nonprofits in France committed to nature conservation and artist apprenticeships.

NOT INCLUDED: Flights, travel insurance, visa (if needed), airport transfers, personal tips, extra food or alcohol not included in meal, personal purchases.

Sample Itinerary

The complete itinerary is shared only with registered guests. ARTIST & NOMAD may adjust the itinerary as needed before or during the trip.

    • Arrive by 4:00 PM in the heart of the Latin Quarter at our boutique hotel. Rest and settle in as the rest of the group arrives.

    • Champagne welcome in the hotel garden, with introductions

    • Walk to dinner in the Latin Quarter

    • French Breakfast at the hotel

    • Walking tour of the Latin Quarter via the Luxembourg Gardens with Hope, a former student in Paris. Quick visit to La Sorbonne with a local artist

    • Visit a few boutique shops run by artists along the way

    • Morning treat at Poilâne bakery (once frequented by Picasso and Dalí), followed by a walk down Rue du Bac

    • Lunch at a locals favorite Bistro

    • Visit a local fine art gallery supporting emerging artists,  Stop at historic paint producer Sennelier for art supplies, then a walk through the Tuileries Gardens

    • Tour of L'Orangerie to see Monet's Water Lilies

    • Apéro in front of the Louvre — get a custom portrait painted!

    • Dinner at Bouillon Chartierin Montparnasse, a historic art colony

    • Breakfast at the hotel; slow morning in Paris

    • Drive to Burgundy

    • Wine tasting and lunch in Chablis 

    • Arrive at a historic family farm in the countryside now run as an artist residency in Semur-en-Auxois. Tour of the neighborhood before dinner 

    • Farm-to-table French dinner in the garden, prepared by a local female sustainable farmer

    • French breakfast

    • Yoga and sound bath at the farm

    • Depart for Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, filming location of Chocolat

    • Tour of theAnis de Flavigny candy factory, with its monastic history

    • Lunch at La Grange, a farmers' cooperative

    • Visit Alise-Sainte-Reine and a ceramics studio

    • Golden-hour visit to Château gardens (voted a remarkable garden I. France!)

    • Farm-to-table dinner at the farm

    • Drive to Beaune for the iconic Saturday market

    • Coffee with local roaster and artist

    • Tour the Hospices de Beaune, the first hospital in Europe, and learn about the nuns' on-site apothecary

    • Picnic from the market overlooking the vines, with Burgundy wine expert followed by wine tasting in the Côtes de Beaune

    • Private dinner experience

    • French breakfast

    • Walk through the market with Hope and visit local producers; pick up local delicacies and regional specialties

    • Free time to explore the village and local art museum, or attend 11:00 AM Mass at the Collégiale, the 800-year-old local church

    • Garden Lunch by Peter to learn about fermentation & gardening

    • Artists' studio walk visits in the village 

    • Dinner at the farm

    • French breakfast

    • Taditional Basket-weaving workshop with local artisan and lunch at her workshop

    • Visit Abbaye de Fontenay, the first forge in Europe and learn about monastic communities 

    • Optional  session of yoga & sound bath

    • Massages or professional photoshoot with photographer  available on request today

    • Special Candle light meal in the Chapel

    • French breakfast

    • Drive to Vezleay for morning tour of pilgrimage sight and basilica on the Camino Santiago

    • Lunch and cooking class with five star chef  

    • Candle light final meal at the farm

    • French breakfast

    • Journey back: depart on the 10:00 AM TGV (options to go back to paris, through Lyon, Dijon, or other places in Europe if desired)

    • Afternoon flights after 4:00 PM

Details

  • Age requirement: All travelers must be women, 18 years or older.

    Application Registration Deadline: November 15, 2025

    • If we have any questions about your registration, we will be in touch within 2 business days.

    Pricing per person:

    • $3,495 USD - shared occupancy

    • Please email us about single supplement/private room availability and extra fee.

    • A portion of your payment goes toward A Rocha, a global family of conservation organizations.

    Due with Registration: $995 USD (non-refundable).

  • Deposit: $995 USD due with registration.

    Payment 2 due December 15, 2025: $1,250 USD (+ if applicable, single supplement room fee)

    Payment 3 due January 15, 2025: $1,250 USD

    Payment Terms: Our retreats are intentionally small, and cancellations have a significant impact on our team and our local partners. For this reason, all payments are required, non-refundable, and non-transferable, except for the few situations noted in our Terms.

    ARTIST & NOMAD Full Terms: Please review our Full Terms before registering.

  • Travel Packet: 3-4 weeks after your regisration, you’ll receive a detailed packet to help you prepare for your journey. This will include everything needed to prepare for your journey, including a detailed itinerary, travel arrival/departure guidelines, packing list, travel insurance information, cultural insights, and other travel tips.

    • Flights: The retreat packet we provide will have detailed information you need to book your flights. You are responsible for booking both on time and following the arrival and departure details we provide.

      • Please don’t purchase flights until ARTIST & NOMAD sends you the detailed itinerary and arrival/departure guidelines.

    • Travel Insurance: This is required to protect you in case of a medical emergency or unexpected change of plans. We recommend a plan that includes medical care, accidents, cancellations, etc and your ARTIST & NOMAD tour fees.

      • Select a plan level, from a company of your choosing, which brings you the most peace of mind. For the most complete protection—such as “Cancel For Any Reason” or coverage for pre-existing medical conditions—be sure to purchase within 21 days of your ARTIST & NOMAD deposit.

    • Passport & Visa: Please ensure your passport is current and secure any visa needed, depending on your nationality.

      • European and US citizens do not currently need a visa to travel to France.

    Connect Online: ARTIST & NOMAD will host a group video call via Google Meet, usually 3-4 months before the tour. This invites our travelers a chance to connect, ask questions, and learn more about the upcoming retreat in Paris. You will receive an email with a detailed link when it is scheduled.

  • Price includes shared occupancy rooms, which have twin beds.

    Please email us about possible single supplement/private room availability.

  • Activity Level: This retreat involves a mild level of activity.

    Vaccinations: Please check the CDC website for updated health notices and vaccine recommendations, and visit your doctor or a travel nurse to discuss what is best for you.

    • You are responsible for ensuring you have the vaccinations or vaccination exemptions required for travel and entry into your destination.

    • Currently, there are no vaccines required to enter France.

    Health Policy: We kindly ask you to enjoy alcohol mindfully and in moderation. Please note that smoking and drug use are not permitted.

  • Please read ARTIST & NOMAD’s Full Terms and Travel Philosophy before you register. Agreement to these terms is required to travel with ARTIST & NOMAD.

  • Questions? Please email us, and we’d be happy to connect and answer any questions.

Meet Your Host

Hope Curran Lunblad: Hope is an artist, poet, spiritual director, and seasoned traveler who speaks both French and English. She is an American living in France and brings a love of beauty, design, and people that makes her a remarkable host for this retreat. She curated the special experiences for this tour form her first hand knowledge of living in France for several years.

Kirsten Dickerson
Previous

Cotswolds Flora + Fauna Retreats
Next

Portugal Algarve Craft + Culture Tour