Creative Retreat at
Manoir Joubertiere,
18th-21st June 2026
We are so excited to invite you to join us for a long weekend in the South of France, designed to reignite your creative spark.
Manoir Joubertiere is set in the beautiful countryside of the Gers, often referred to as ‘Little Tuscany’ for its rolling hills, sunflower fields and charming medieval villages. Surrounded by 12 acres of land and gardens, the manoir has undergone a major restoration and refurbishment to provide all the modern comforts you could wish for whilst retaining the elegance and charm of its surroundings. Nestled within picturesque rolling hills, the house is a haven of tranquility. With stunning views from every angle, and maximum comfort indoor and out, the house offers peace and tranquility with plenty of space for fun.
Sample Itinerary
08:00am Morning at the market*
Peruse the morning market and boutiques at Lectoure, wander through the Brocante and pick up anything from art and bric-a-brac to vintage French linens. Stop for coffee and croissants at a local cafe. Pick up some inspiration for a creative watercolouring workshop.
11:00am Morning Creative Workshop
Sarah will teach us how to embroider linens with your own designs in an informal and relaxed setting.
1:30pm Lunch
Gather on the terrace for a seasonal Lunch
3:00pm Exploration and Relaxation Time
4:00pm Optional Afternoon Tea on the Terrace
6:30pm Aperitif & Pétanque
Gather at the pétanque course for a Gascon spritz and try your hand at throwing the boules
7:30pm Dinner
*Earlier start due to the market trip. Other mornings will start with a later breakfast at the manoir. It’s meant to be a holiday after all!
The retreat is for anyone looking to get in touch with their creative side and discover the joy of making - friends, fun and things.
Through daily workshops, feasting, local excursions and plenty of time to recharge in the beautiful surroundings, the retreat is designed to leave you with a full cup, feeling inspired to live daily life more creatively.
The weekend will include:
Daily Creative Workshops: Sarah of Thread the Word will lead us on an array of creative pursuits from embroidery to watercolour and collage. We will provide some prompts and also look for inspiration in our surroundings to help us see that the opportunity for creativity is, in fact, all around us. The workshops will leave you armed with a new skill and confidence to hopefully continue to create long after the retreat is over.
Delicious French Food and Wine: We’ll come together to share delicious meals using seasonal and local ingredients to nourish and delight. Think lazy continental breakfasts complete with fresh croissants, long lunches and dinner under the stars. And of course, it wouldn’t be a summer in France without a few glasses of wine, should you wish!
Local Market Visit: We’ll visit a traditional French market and Brocante full of temptations like local delicacies and vintage linens.
Recharging & Relaxing: There’ll be plenty of time to put your feet up - whether by the pool, under a tree or exploring the surroundings, an important part of getting creative is giving yourself time and space to recharge and relax.
Shared Joy: Whether it’s learning a new creative skill, enjoying a game of Pétanque as the sun sets, or reflecting on the day whilst gathered round a fire, this weekend is about the joy of coming together to share the joy of making.
The Location
Manoir Joubertiere lies in the heart of Gers (also known as Gascony), an area that feels like stepping back in time. With a deep focus on tradition and the art of living, life here has a slow and tranquil pace, making it the perfect backdrop for a few days of recharging and reconnecting with your surroundings. From picturesque medieval villages, bustling markets and rich natural landscapes, it offers an authentic and unhurried lifestyle for anyone lucky enough to experience it.
The manoir itself enjoys an idyllic and serene setting surrounded by 12 acres of land with a mix of mature trees, meadowland with views of the rolling hills and fields that the area is famous for. Whether you’re soaking up some sun by the saltwater swimming pool, wandering the gardens, watercolouring a view from one of the terraces or trying your hand on the pétanque court, there’ll be plenty of free time to relax and recharge however you wish.
The nearest village of La Romieu is a charming medieval bastide village, very popular with hikers as it is situated on the famous pilgrim route of Sante-Jacques-de-Compostelle. It has a highly notable collegiate church which is classified as a Unesco world heritage site and boasts an idyllic square that’s perfect for getting lost in conversation with a glass of wine.
Only slightly further afield is the rich cultural town of Lectoure where we’ll visit the vibrant Friday morning market, traditional Brocante (second hand market) and roam an array of vintage shops, lifestyle boutiques and local cafes.
Rooms and Prices
All the guest bedrooms are designed to be spacious and tranquil, with their own private ensuite bathrooms, premium bedding, elegant interiors and stunning views.
Prices are shown per room. If you wish to share the room with another guest, the price will be halved. You can see more images of the property here.
Prices are full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and include all creative workshops, activities, transport for local trips and transfers to and from the airport*
King Bedroom 1
£940 per person if sharing | £1880 sole occupancy
A kingsize double bed with private ensuite bathroom (large walk in shower).
Best suited to two friends sharing or sole occupancy as the bed cannot be separated.
Superking Bedroom 2
£950 per person if sharing | £1900 sole occupancy
A superking double bed that can also be made up as twin beds with private ensuite bathroom (large walk in shower)
Superking Bedroom 3
£995 per person if sharing | £1990 sole occupancy
A superking double bed with private ensuite bathroom (complete with bath and separate walk-in shower).
Best suited to two friends sharing or sole occupancy as the bed cannot be separated.
Superking Bedroom 4
£995 per person if sharing | £1990 sole occupancy
A superking double bed that can also be made up as twin beds with private ensuite bathroom (large walk in shower).
Getting to the retreat
The retreat will start with a welcome lunch on Thursday 18th June, followed by an afternoon creative workshop. We would love everyone to arrive with enough time to settle in and enjoy the first day. Therefore, we suggest that all guests travel on the same flights to and from Toulouse so that we can arrange the 1.5hr transfer from the airport to the house. This is included in the prices quoted above.
The suggested return flights are:
Thursday 18th June 2026
Departing London Heathrow at 07:55
Arriving Toulouse at 10:45
Sunday 21st June
Departing Toulouse at 10:50
Arriving London Heathrow at 11:50
However, if you are unable to make these times and wish to make your own way then we are happy to advise you on alternative journeys to reach us.
Flights to Toulouse: 1.5hr drive, c.£270 private taxi one way or train to Agen and we can arrange a pick up from here or you could rent a car.
Flights to Bordeaux: 2hr drive Flights to Bordeaux can be cheaper, c£300 private taxi one way or train to Agen and we can arrange a pick up or you could rent a car.
About Your Hosts
Sarah Foot
Sarah started Thread The Word six years ago, creating bespoke hand embroidered pieces on off cut and remnant fabrics that would otherwise be sent to landfill. A focus on circularity and using what already exists in new ways is evident in all her work and she encourages others to do the same. With a huge love for all things handmade, one of her greatest joys is sharing that love with others and encouraging them to pick up a pen/paintbrush/needle and give it a go themselves. As many tell her nervously at the start of workshops, they were “rubbish at art at school”, she leads with enthusiasm reminding us that we all have a creative side to explore.
She has worked with brands such as Liberty, Space NK and Ganni as well as individual clients commissioning her work. She has just returned from an Artist in Residency at Olepangi Farm in Kenya where she enjoyed leading creative sessions and experimenting more with mixed media work inspired by her surroundings there.
Georgina Brisby
Georgina is a Creative working in the advertising industry. During her recent maternity leave, while craving a creative outlet, she began writing and illustrating a weekly Substack called Mumfiltered.
Outside of work and motherhood, she enjoys writing, drawing and cooking and has previously cooked for events and gatherings.
Having spent many holidays at the Manoir with her family in-law, it has become a place she returns to again and again, always leaving feeling inspired, restored and creatively recharged.
Olivia Weeks
Olivia’s background in events, particularly in the travel industry, means she is an expert planner who knows exactly how to make things run seamlessly.
Outside of work, she loves travel, adventure and discovering new experiences. She has been spending time at the Manoir ever since her family fell in love with the house and the surrounding area and decided to renovate it, making it a place that holds a special connection for her.
We look forward to welcoming you,
Sarah, Georgina and Olivia X
For booking enquiries, any questions or for more information please email georginabrisby@gmail.com
