So you want to write about yourself? Om oor jouself te skryf. Marita van der Vyver 2500 Euros
The thrills and chills of memoir writing
Die lekkertes en lokvalle van memoires
Maybe you simply want to write down your own story for your children or grandchildren? Or you survived a traumatic experience and want to write about it for therapeutic reasons, even if no one else reads it? Or do you have an inspiring life story that you´re hoping to share with a wider public? Or perhaps you have a rather ordinary life, but you want to write about it in an extraordinary way, using humour, literary references or a lyrical style?
Whatever your reasons for wanting to tell your story, this memoir-writing workshop will help you achieve your goal. If you´ve never attempted any creative writing, it´s never too late to start. If you have published fiction or non-fiction but are wary of the vulnerability that comes with memoir writing, this will encourage and inspire you. And if you have already published a memoir, you will know that writing is a lifelong learning process, and we can always aim to improve.
We will look at different ways of telling the same story, explore narrative arches and dialogue, beginnings and endings, and hooks to catch the reader´s attention. You will learn to select the best bits and kill your darlings, focus on your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, and find the courage to step out of your comfort zone. We will talk about the pitfalls of personal writing, how to write about yourself without writing only about yourself, how to avoid ego and vanity, and how to transform a deeply personal story into something more universal. And we will write, write, write every day, between group discussions, individual sessions, and outings to places of specific interest to us as writers or potential writers.
Marita van der Vyver has more than 4 decades of experience as an award-winning, best-selling author across many genres. Her humorous memoirs about her not-so glamorous life in France (Home Is Where the Heart Is/ Die hart van ons huis and A Fountain in France/ ´n Fontein voor ons deur) have been widely read in the past twenty years. More recently, she has also published a memoir about her South African childhood (A Long Letter to My Daughter/ ´n Baie lang brief aan my dogter) as well as a memoir about travelling for fifteen months without a fixed address (My Year of Fear and Freedom/ My jaar van vrees en vryheid). She has presented week-long creative writing courses in Greece and South Africa, one-to-one online courses for SA Writers College, and three-month online courses for the Afrikaans chapter of the prestigious international writers organisation PEN. She has now designed a brand-new workshop focusing on memoir writing for Château de Najade.
Program:
Monday morning: Introductory session (2-3 hours), group discussions alternated with practical writing exercises.
Monday afternoon: A stroll through the ancient town of Sainte-Sevère-sur-Indre, sharing the story of Jacques Tati and Jour de Fête, with prompts for a snippet of writing that participants can practise in a local café, in the cool garden or next to the swimming pool at Najade.
Tuesday morning: A short drive to visit George Sand´s home in Nohant. This famous author of the region led an unconventional life that was much more memorable than the many conventional works of fiction she published. We have to ask ourselves: If she´d chosen to write a memoir, how would she have done it? We can play with the possibilities while having a picnic in the beautiful garden of her home.
Tuesday afternoon: One-to-one sessions where participants can ask specific questions or have private chats with the presenter. The rest of the time, when you are not with Marita, you can rest, write, or think about what you want to write.
Wednesday morning: Another 2-3-hour session, with group discussions alternating with practical writing exercises.
Wednesday afternoon: One-to-one sessions with participants, or free time to work on a piece of writing that can be discussed during the last group session on Friday morning.
Thursday morning: Short drive to the weekly market of Boussac, with prompts for a brief piece of writing.
Thursday afternoon: Louis Jansen van Vuuren, who has also written memoirs about his life in France, will join the group for an informal talk. Marita and Louis will pick each other´s brains, while participants can ask questions or comment on their own writing process.
Friday morning: Another 2-3 hour session of group discussions on the difficulty of pinning down deeply personal stuff. By now, we´ll all know one another a little better and feel a little less vulnerable. We discuss the final piece of writing each participant has delivered, compare it with something written on the first day, and take note of what we´ve learned and what we´d still like to learn.
Friday afternoon: A brief and playful group session to end on a light note, with a last spontaneous writing exercise that should be pure fun.
French Garden Expedition with Hardy Olivier 3300 euros
Hardy Olivier will lead this enchanting exploration of some of central France’s most inspiring gardens and landscapes. From hidden monastic retreats to extraordinary botanical collections, participants will journey through a region where nature, history and artistic inspiration exist in perfect harmony.
Highlights of the expedition will include a visit to the celebrated gardens of the Prieuré Notre-Dame d’Orsan, internationally acclaimed for their evocative medieval design and serene atmosphere. Guests will also discover the Arboretum de la Sédelle, a remarkable landscape garden renowned for its exceptional collection of trees and shrubs, as well as Val Maubrune, an intimate garden where contemporary design, sculpture and horticulture are beautifully intertwined.
The programme further embraces the poetic landscapes of the Vallée des Peintres, whose luminous scenery inspired Monet, Guillaumin and many other artists. Throughout the expedition, Hardy will share his passion for French gardens, landscape design and the enduring dialogue between art and nature, offering participants an immersive and deeply enriching experience in the heart of rural France.
Rewild your Creativity (Art therapy with Louis Jansen van Vuuren) 2800 Euros
An Immersive Creative & Nature-Based Retreat
Core Intention: To decompress, reconnect with nature, and learn how art, colour, and conscious living function as therapeutic tools for modern life.
General
A transformative week blending science, nature and creativity based on evidence-based practices which will include colour therapy, breathwork, movement, forest walks and mindful practices.
Our team combines medical expertise with artistic learning to reset and inspire you. The course will include sylvotherapy, colour therapy, journaling and creative green living principles. You do not need to be an established artist to attend. Anyone who wants to reawaken their creative inner being or even discover it is welcome. We encourage our participants to join us every morning for optional movement exercises or a short walk in the forest or through farmlands. Our meals will be vegan and healthy (with meat as an optional request). Wi-Fi will be available, though we encourage our guests to leave their cell phones and electronic devices in their rooms.
Tapestry restoration with Hardy Olivier
Rediscovering the Lost Art of Aubusson Tapestry Restoration
Step into the enchanting world of Aubusson tapestries — a world of colour, history, craftsmanship and storytelling woven through centuries. What often begins as curiosity can quickly become a lifelong passion: the more one discovers, the deeper the fascination grows.
For many collectors, finding an antique tapestry is only the beginning of the journey. These extraordinary woven artworks have often travelled through generations, carrying with them the traces of time. Many pieces discovered at auctions or antique markets are in need of careful restoration before their full beauty can be revealed once more.
The art of tapestry restoration is a delicate dialogue between past and present. It may involve expert cleaning, removing old repairs and patches, rebuilding damaged areas, replacing faded threads, restoring lost colours, repairing worn sections, and reviving places where silk and wool have disappeared to reveal the fragile warps beneath.
Although this work requires patience, sensitivity and precision, the process is deeply rewarding — almost meditative. Each thread becomes part of the story of bringing a historic artwork back to life.
This unique course will be presented under the guidance of Hardy Olivier, master restorer and passionate collector, whose own journey into the world of Aubusson tapestries began with fascination and grew into a lifelong dedication. Over many years, Hardy has restored and revived numerous antique tapestries, developing an intimate understanding of the materials, traditional techniques and quiet patience required to return these magnificent works to their former splendour.
Join us in Aubusson, France — the legendary home of tapestry weaving — for an inspiring week-long restoration experience. Each day you will work alongside Hardy, learning the specialised skills and techniques of this rare craft while gaining insight into the history, symbolism and artistry of these woven masterpieces.
Whether you are a collector, artist, textile enthusiast or simply fascinated by the beauty of woven history, this workshop offers the opportunity to enter one of France’s most treasured artistic traditions — and perhaps discover a passion that will last a lifetime.
Ancient Processes, Contemporary Practice by Louis Jansen van Vuuren 2900 euros
Ancient Processes, Contemporary Practice: A Six-Day Intensive Art Residency
Set within the inspiring landscape of the French countryside, this six-day intensive studio residency, hosted in collaboration with Château de Najade, offers artists an opportunity to engage deeply with materiality, process, and individual creative inquiry.
Participants will be accommodated at Château de Najade and, each day, will be transported to the artist’s studio at Le Rembucher, where the practical component of the residency will take place. This daily movement between the château and the studio environment provides a unique framework for reflection, immersion, and sustained artistic practice within an exceptional rural setting.
The programme focuses on two historically significant painting traditions—gesso and encaustic—situating these ancient techniques within a contemporary studio context. Through a combination of demonstrations, guided experimentation, and independent studio practice, participants will investigate the expressive and conceptual possibilities inherent in these time-honoured media.
Artists will work across a range of substrates, including Fabriano paper, French linen, and layered wooden panels, exploring the unique aesthetic and tactile qualities of each surface. The residency is intentionally process-driven, encouraging participants either to pursue sustained engagement with a single medium or to experience the full spectrum of techniques presented during the course.
A significant component of the programme involves material research and chromatic investigation through the study of Werner’s Nomenclature of Colours, as interpreted by P. Syme. This seminal nineteenth-century colour system provides a rich framework for exploring historical colour relationships, observation, and the poetics of natural phenomena.
In addition, participants will be encouraged to incorporate elements of mixed media practice as a further avenue of artistic exploration, fostering interdisciplinary approaches and expanding the possibilities of personal visual language.
Central to the residency is a commitment to individual artistic development. Through one-on-one mentoring, critical dialogue, and reflective studio practice, each participant will be supported in developing a deeper understanding of their own creative process. The course places particular emphasis on experimentation, risk-taking, and the cultivation of an authentic and sustainable artistic voice.
Designed for both emerging and established artists, this residency offers a unique opportunity to engage with historical processes while advancing contemporary studio practice in an atmosphere of rigorous inquiry, collegial exchange, and creative growth.
Reclaim Radiance Retreat with Adele Muller 2500 Euros
Workshop Facilitator | Health, Wellness & Counselling
Adele Muller is a health and wellness professional with a background in counselling and lifestyle-based health support. She is trained in health coaching principles and works holistically, integrating physical health, emotional well-being, and sustainable behaviour change. Adele has extensive experience supporting individuals who feel overwhelmed, fatigued, or disconnected due to stress, demanding work environments, and modern lifestyles.
Her work draws on training in areas such as blood sugar balance, stress regulation, sleep and gut health, alongside counselling-informed practices that foster self-awareness and resilience. At retreats, Adele facilitates grounded, supportive workshops that blend evidence-informed education with guided reflection, journalling, and group discussion. She creates safe, non-judgemental spaces where participants can slow down, gain clarity, and reconnect with themselves. Adele intends to empower individuals with practical tools and insight they can integrate into daily life, long after the retreat experience ends.
Fine art Photography Workshop hosted by Martin and Samantha Osner 4990 Euros
A week-long working workshop for photographers moving toward fine art practice, and artists wanting to integrate photography into their work. Hosted by Martin and Samantha Lee Osner — a father-daughter collaboration. Samantha is known for her minimalistic approach and feminine touch to art, while Martin brings an expressionist approach with bold, strong colours, lines, and texture. Both styles have earned recognition in their respective art galleries.
Country and Castle walkabout with Linda Kriel 2950 Euros
Join Linda Kriel, renowned fitness guru, for a week of exercise and renewal in the French countryside. Linda welcomes all fitness levels - if you can walk 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace, you’re in! On longer walk days, there are easier routes available. Energetic types might get bonus squats from Linda while waiting - only if you’re keen. The first two walks are local; the rest are short drives away (chauffeured, of course). Lunch and dinner are at the château, except on excursions and our final evening. Brief morning toning/stretching sessions are offered daily.