It’s finally happening. You’ve been craving a retreat experience in Normandy for years — a chance to experience France with someone you trust — and now it’s a reality. Registration is now open.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Retreat dates for 2025! We heard you loud and clear — you love planning ahead and you’re already making travel plans for 2025, so at your request, we’ve opened registration for 2025 dates, and based on your feedback our team is offering two types of retreats to choose from: Gabrielle’s Retreat, and the Relocation Retreat. You can read about each type of retreat below.
Isn’t it grand to have something to look forward to? Here are all the details:
Normandy Retreats
Normandy Retreats are designed by Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom with a focus on ease and charming details at every turn. Gabrielle has extensive experience planning and attending events and retreats and has carefully planning an exclusive schedule for each retreat that will be inspiring, informative, adventurous, and allow ample time for resting and regrouping. All the planning and coordinating is being handled by experts — you just get to show up and enjoy yourself. You can join in the day’s activities, or just relax and rest in idyllic Normandy.
All-Inclusive
All of our retreats are all-inclusive. You will be met at the local train station (or at the hotel if you are coming by car), and once you arrive, all accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, activities, and events are included.
Please note: Your travel to and from France the the retreat location is not included, but our planning team will send full instructions on car and train options for getting to the retreat.
As mentioned above, our team offers two different types of retreats to choose from: Gabrielle’s Retreat, and the Relocation Retreat. Here’s what each retreat is all about:
Gabrielle’s Retreat
Come spend a week in France and experience Normandy like a local. Gabrielle Blair — designer, best-selling author, mother-of-six, and 7-year resident of a small-town in Normandy — has thoughtfully planned an exclusive itinerary so that retreat guests can experience Normandy like a local. And Gabrielle will join you each day on your adventures.
During your week in Normandy you’ll experience what it’s like to live there, with a visit to a vide grenier, the weekly town market, and a favorite brocante. You can attend classes and tours on topics like architecture, fine art, cheese, ancient renovation, history, and local produce. You’ll get a chance to spend time at the iconic Mont St. Michel, and picnic at Gabrielle’s favorite chateau.
2025 Gabrielle’s Retreat Dates
Wednesday, June 18th to Tuesday, June 24th, 2025
Registration for the 2025 retreat is now open! There are only 4 spots still available.
You can take a tour of Gabrielle’s latest renovation projects — The Tall House and The Small House, and will attend activities at the renovated homes. You can spend an afternoon with the master-craftsman Gijsbert (often featured on Gabrielle’s Instagram Stories) — and if you like, you can try your hand at re-pointing an ancient stone wall. You’ll be invited to a family dinner with the Blairs and their kids, and can join them for a jam session and singalong afterwards. You can visit Gabrielle’s next renovation project, The Cottage, before the work really begins, so you can see it in the true “before” form.
You’ll enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at traditional restaurants, or prepared by local chefs and served onsite. Each day you’ll also be served a “gouter” — the French afternoon snack break.
The retreat includes a welcome gift featuring Gabrielle’s favorite local products and French pharmacy skincare products. Retreat attendees will receive exclusive merch too — only available at the retreat.
One of the very best parts? You’ll get a chance to connect with fellow retreat guests — the smart, kind, thoughtful, amazing people in Gabrielle’s online community.
REGISTRATION FOR JUNE 2025
GABRIELLE’S NORMANDY RETREAT IS NOW OPEN!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
An Authentic Schedule
Each day will feature outings, activities, and plenty of time for rest and rejuvenation. Here’s a peek at optional activities you are welcome to attend while you’re with us:
Welcome dinner
Daily gouter (gouter is the French afternoon snack)
Field-trip to Bayeux Tapestry
Luncheon at a traditional French brasserie
Shopping at Gabrielle’s favorite Brocante (a brocante is a high-low antiques and vintage shop)
Tour of the Small House & Tall House
Blair Family Dinner
Workshop with Gijsbert
Field-trip to Mont St. Michel
Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant featuring contemporary French cuisine
Outing to the Argentan Town Market
Workshop on Normandy cheeses
Picnic at Gabrielle’s favorite Château
A mural walk through town
A family jam session and singalong
A walking tour of Argentan’s oldest buildings
Shopping at a local Vide Grenier (vide grenier means “empty attic” and is a community tag sale)
A tour of Gabrielle’s next renovation project: The Cottage
A forest walk
A visit to Argentan’s art museum
Please note: The schedule offerings are subject to change due to weather or availability.
Top Accommodations
Retreat guests will stay in private rooms at a local hotel & spa with a Michelin-Star restaurant and heated pool in Gabrielle’s countryside town of Argentan — the best hotel in town, and just minutes from the Tall House & Small House. Gabrielle will personally upgrade the rooms with bathrobes, slippers, and a hand-picked collection of her favorite French toiletries. The hotel is walkable to Argentan’s town center.
Retreat Fees
The price to attend is $9,999 per person and includes all meals, accommodations, event tickets, and transportation during the retreat. (This price does not include transportation to and from France and Argentan.) There are a limited number of spaces available, so if you’d like to attend, be sure to reserve your spot right away.
REGISTRATION FOR JUNE 2025
GABRIELLE’S NORMANDY RETREAT IS NOW OPEN!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Relocation Retreat
The Relocation Retreat is focused on the practical aspects of buying property in France and/or relocating to France. While the other retreat is designed for women, the Relocation Retreat welcomes women, men, and people of all genders.
At this 4-night retreat, Gabrielle & Ben Blair will join guests daily for workshops and classes from local experts (either in English or with translation) on topics like buying property in France, financing property in France, property taxes in France, how to apply for a residence visa, how to find real estate in France, how to work with a maître d’œuvre (a French general contractor), and how to move a household abroad. Retreat guests will learn about aspects of daily French life — like shop schedules, restaurant schedules, how the trash works, having a car vs. public transit, etc.. The Relocation Retreat also includes visits to actual homes for sale so that retreat guests can get an idea of the types of properties available at different price ranges.
2025 Relocation Retreat Dates
Wednesday, September 17th to Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Registration for the 2025 retreat is now open! There are currently 4 spots available.
While the official schedule of the Relocation Retreat will be focused on practical topics, guests will also have time for local exploration and adventures that can give them a taste of what it’s really like to live in France.
You’ll enjoy excellent and convenient breakfast, lunch and dinner, either on site at the hotel, or at local restaurants. And the retreat includes a welcome gift featuring Gabrielle’s favorite local products.
A Practical Schedule
Each day of the Relocation Retreat will feature meetings and classes with experts on relocation-related topics, plus visits to properties that are currently for sale. Here’s a peek at other unofficial activities you are welcome to attend while you’re with us:
Luncheon at a traditional French brasserie
Picnic at Gabrielle’s favorite Château
A visit to Argentan’s excellent Art Museum
Exploring Main Street shops
Dinner at a Michelin Star restaurant featuring contemporary French cuisine
Shopping at a local Vide Grenier (vide grenier means “empty attic” and is a community tag sale)
A historic walking tour of Argentan’s oldest buildings
Tour of the Blair’s renovation project, the Small House
Please note: The schedule offerings are subject to change due to weather or availability.
Convenient & Excellent Accommodations
Retreat guests will stay in private rooms at a local hotel & spa with a Michelin-Star restaurant and heated pool in the Blair’s countryside town of Argentan — the best hotel in town. The Blairs will personally upgrade the rooms with bathrobes, slippers, and a hand-picked collection of favorite French toiletries. The hotel is walkable to Argentan’s town center.
Retreat Fees
The price to attend is $5,999 per person and includes all meals, accommodations, and scheduled activities during the retreat. If you are attending with a partner or spouse who will be sharing a hotel room with you, the price for the additional attendee is $3,999. (These fees do not include transportation to and from France and Argentan.) There are a limited number of spaces available, so if you’d like to attend, be sure to reserve your spot right away.
REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2025 RELOCATION RETREAT IS NOW OPEN!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Helpful Retreat FAQs
What if I don’t know anyone else attending the retreat?
Whether you have signed up for the retreat with a friend or are attending on your own, you will be welcomed and made to feel right at home. There will be opportunities to connect with other attendees and socialize without pressure. And there are breaks built into the schedule for anyone who needs time on their own to re-energize.
What if I have a food allergy or other dietary concerns?
When retreat guests register, they will be asked about allergies and dietary concerns, and all meals will make accommodations as needed. Please note: while a vegetarian diet can be accommodated, this retreat is not appropriate for vegans.
Will exploring Paris be part of the retreat?
We think exploring Paris always sounds like a good idea! We are focusing our retreat schedule on Normandy, but for any retreat guests flying in or out of Paris, we suggest scheduling some time in Paris either before or after the retreat (or both).
How do I know which train to book to Normandy?
After you have made your flight plans, our team will send you information on which train to take, including how to buy your ticket, and where to find the train. Trains to Normandy depart from the Montparnasse Station (Gare Montparnasse) in Paris. You are also welcome to rent a car and drive — our team can also send information on driving to Normandy.
Once I sign up, do I need to reserve a spot for any activities?
All activities at the retreat are open to all retreat guests, so once you’re signed up for the retreat, there’s no need to sign up for particular activities.
Can I skip an activity?
All retreat activities are optional. If a nap is calling to you, or you’re just craving some on-your-own time, you can opt-out of any activity.
Will we have a chance to shop?
Yes, depending on the retreat you choose, you’ll get to shop at a Vide Grenier, a Brocante, and at Museum Gift Shops. For each retreat, your hotel is also an easy walk from the town center, filled with local shops. For high-end shopping, we suggest planning some time in Paris.
Will I get to see the Tall House & Small House?
Yes and no — it depends on the Retreat you are attending:
-Full tours of the Tall House & Small House are part of the official schedule of Gabrielle’s Retreat in June 2025, and also includes activities at both the Tall House and Small House.
-The Relocation Retreat in September 2025 includes an optional tour of the Small House.
Will the different retreats have different activities?
Yes, the different retreats offer different activities. The Relocation Retreat is focused on moving abroad or buying property in France. Gabrielle’s Retreat is all about experiencing a local’s view of Normandy and features many of the sites and activities you’ve seen Gabrielle showcase on Instagram.
What if I have to cancel?
For the 2025 Retreats, a $1999 deposit is due at registration, and the remaining balance will be charged 65 days before the retreat begins. Guests will be able to cancel until 64 days before the retreat to receive a full deposit refund (minus the card processing fees). You can find the exact cancellation dates on the registration form for each retreat. There are no refunds after retreat registration closes, 65 days before the retreat. If it’s after the cancellation period and you are no longer able to come, you are welcome to sell or gift your spot to a friend or associate.
Who is organizing the retreats?
Gabrielle is personally planning the schedule for each retreat, and a local team of professionals will be producing and executing the retreat, and will be at the ready to answer your questions and solve any problems that you may encounter as you make your plans.
Can men attend the retreats?
We are envisioning Gabrielle’s Retreat for women, and we anticipate that most attendees will be women. But of course, people of all genders are welcome to attend. Anyone considering attending should keep in mind that the retreat will be geared toward women, specifically women who are Design Mom readers.
The Relocation Retreat is designed for people, couples, and families who want to move to France, and we welcome people of any gender to attend.
How many people will attend each retreat?
For our retreats in 2025, we are planning for 12 guests maximum per retreat. But that number may change slightly (either more or less) depending on the response.
What if I’m an introvert? Will these retreats be overwhelming?
Introverts are definitely welcome! Gabrielle has planned very flexible schedules that will allow anyone to opt-out of a group activity and enjoy some on-their-own time as needed.
Is it possible to have a retreat on different dates for my group of friends?
Yes. We’d love to organize a custom retreat for your group. If there is enough interest, we can hold the above retreats on additional dates, or we can plan something completely custom. Please let us know how many people will be attending, how many nights you would like to stay, and if there is a theme you would like for your retreat (history, food, moving abroad, relaxation, architecture, etc.), and we can organize a custom schedule for your group. Please email your custom retreat requests to designmom@designmom.com.
More FAQs will be added as your questions continue to come in. Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Please email your question to designmom@designmom.com.
We look forward to welcoming you at these Normandy Retreats. Get ready for an exclusive and special event with wonderful details at every turn.
