Rural Retreat France

24/05/2026

This bank holiday weekend is perfect weather both sides of the Channel, with a glorious Sunday morning at Rural Retreat France.

Just a quick check in to say that bookings are now open for September, October & November. Plenty of date availability at the moment, though it will fill up fast.

Get together with your astronomy society, book club, singing group, art club or a group of friends & book your tailor made retreat

Guitar, singing & song writing workshop dates will be released soon with a sign up link, to be notified of events through the year.

Have a lovely bank holiday where ever you are.

03/05/2026

Have you had enough of the bleak news? Things outside your control making you anxious? Not keen on travelling too far this summer?

Here at Rural Retreat, we offer a quiet group getaway for 3+ nights to rest recuperate & restore.

Escape from the world & take time for yourself & a small group of friends. Enjoy a range of gentle activities, good food & rest in nature.

Read, write, paint, draw, sing, play breath, stretch, cloud watch, stargaze & listen to the birdsong.

Like the idea? Message Sue & let her know what you & your friends need to reset this summer.

15/04/2026

New option for 2026 retreats! Who would enjoy a few gentle days in the French countryside with friends, watching birds, identifying calls & songs & sharing knowledge?

Keen birdwatchers or complete beginners, we are offering an opportunity to hear & see some funky specimens - Hoopoes, Golden Oriole & Kites to name a few. We have over 30 bird species here in our fields & lots of information about habitat, behaviours and breeding.

All sandwiched between good home cooked meals, comfortable, great value accommodation & lovely gardens. Let Sue know with email in bio.

12/04/2026

Come for the sunsets, the wildlife, the food & the gentle activities. Enjoy the companionship, the learning & the escape from stress.

We'll take care of you, remove the demands on your time & provide everything you need. Step off the merry-go-round & take time to replenish.

22/03/2026

Beginning work on 2026 Guitar & Singing Retreats, each will be 5 night stay with an expert tutor in residence.

Most of our retreats are for group bookings & these are 2 of the 4 specialist retreats this year for individual bookings.

We have availability on June & September & are asking for interest & preferred dates before we finalise. Each retreat is limited to 8 so there is plenty of time for individual tutor support.

See our Rural Retreat France website under the 'retreats' tab for retreat content & further details. You can email, message or call Sue, if you would like to chat. All contact details under links in bio.

20/03/2026

Sunrise this morning at 7.00 am at Rural Retreat marks the Spring Equinox & the first day of astronomical Spring.

It seems fitting to celebrate the Equinox and Solstice as our roots here are grounded in astronomy.

If you know our story then you will be aware that we started out as Astrofarm - a residential astronomy centre.

We have the incredible dark & clear skies & the huge unobstructed South & West views. We still offer astronomy retreats around the new moon.

Come & see what we offer & experience the awe of a the Milky Way stretched from horizon to horizon!

18/03/2026

Look at that sky! Glorious Spring weather, birds singing, trees in blossom & buds bursting. It's such a wonderful time of year.

If you have been thinking about creating a retreat with your group, then speak to Sue, sooner rather than later.

Things are getting busy, so if you want the dates to suit, let us know as soon as possible, so we can reserve for you.

15/03/2026

Our Spring 2026 newsletter has just been published updating all out subscribers with what's happening in 2026.

You can have a peek here ...

Welcome to our first 2026 newsletter from Rural Retreat France.We've been closed for on-site maintenance work and winter holidays. Now that spring is here, January and February have been a perfect time for painting, cleaning, repairing and work outside in the gardens.

10/03/2026

So much happening here! Daffodils, Crocus, Camelia & Primrose. Lots of wonderful colour & the bees are happy!

2 weeks until the first guests arrive & I'm taking advantage of the glorious spring sunshine by washing everything in site. Duvets, pillows, mattress protectors, curtains & rugs ready for the Big Clean!

Patios getting a spring clean & jet wash, outside tables & chairs scrubbed down. Will be ready for you all from April through to December.

Enjoying a coffee break in the garden, listening to the birds, whilst posting this. This is work! 😁

08/03/2026

What's your passion? Birding, art, night sky, music, writing, reading, crafting, or just need to get away from stress & pressure with your friends?

We'll take great care of your group while you relax & switch off. You immerse yourself in your activities with your group & we do everything else!

Breakfast & dinner, great value accommodation & a variety of optional on-site resources & tuition available. Good weather, gardens, fabulous dark skies & a recording studio are all here for your stay.

Speak to Sue about what you & your friends would love to do in 2026 - bookings now open.