The Setting for Your Women's Retreat

Established as the home of the great artists Renoir, Picasso, and Matisse, this area of the Cote D’Azur fills delights the senses with the fragrances of lavender and thyme and the spectacular azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Etched into the foothills of the Maritime Alps, the 12th century artisan village of Biot, France, famed for its magnificent glass blowing and pottery is 20 minutes southwest of Nice.

Three apartments and the grounds of an 18th century rose-colored villa and adjacent renovated pottery studio/stone cottage will provide your charming accommodations. The heart of the village, with its bakery, colorful pottery, artisan shops and local history museum, is a ten-minute walk away.

The Intent

This annual retreat blends my love and appreciation for the south of France with a deep fascination with people’s life journeys. In this totally engaging setting, your inner knowing and deepest longings can surface to facilitate clarity about some aspect of your life.   Immersing yourself in the sensually rich and distinctive French culture, you will shift the context of your life, and focus on your desires and dreams for the future.

"My retreat in Provence was a pivotal experience for me on many levels." – H.R. '05

"The ambiance helps one leave their regular life behind to delve deeper into one's center." –L.B. '01, '05

“The week surpassed all of my expectations.” –J.L., ‘07

The Women's Retreat Week

(click here for a tentative schedule)

Eight hours of group sessions combine guided reflective time and structured exercises to elicit your inner knowing and insights.   In addition, everyone will have an individual career/life planning session. Unstructured time during which you can walk, write or rest will provide further opportunities to deepen your relationship with yourself, your intentions and your desires.

Specially planned excursions will introduce you to unique aspects of this spectacular region not always revealed to the tourist. The streets and walkways in this area of France are made of brick or stone and many are somewhat steep. It is a prerequisite for all participants to be able to walk easily and unassisted.

A sample of the week's outings include: an optional French cooking lesson (additional 40 €) in a Provençale kitchen where you will assist the villa owner, Joss, in preparing and eating two local specialties for lunch, a visit to traditional Provençale markets in the charming city of Antibes and the village of Valbonne, reflective time at the magnificent Rothschild gardens in Cap Ferrat, a seaside stroll along the famed Promenade des Anglais in Nice, an afternoon in the perched hillside artisan village of Tourettes sur Loup, and an introduction and visit to Matisse’s masterpiece: the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence.

Meals & Accommodations

(click here for a detailed description of the accommodations)

During the week you will be living in one of two residences: a restored 18 th century rose-colored villa/country house--or "gîte" (pronounced "geeet")--that has four apartments, each with one or two bedrooms, or just adjacent to the villa in a restored stone cottage/former pottery studio with a newly renovated and charming one bedroom apartment decorated in the Provençale tradition.

Continental breakfast provisions will be provided in your apartment, and Barbara, Amy and Douglas will host a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception on the day your arrive in Biot. Douglas will prepare six gourmet meals featuring Provençale specialties. His culinary selections always receive rave reviews. The third meal of each day will be on your own at local restaurants.

Please note: We cannot accommodate a vegetarian diet.

Cost Per Person

$3000-$3300 (depending on accommodations selected by registrant and which are described on the accommodations page.)

Includes: transportation from the Nice airport or from a Nice hotel (should you arrive a day or two earlier), 6 nights in your own non-smoking apartment, provisions for daily continental breakfasts, six gourmet meals, a wine & hors d’oeuvres reception, six excursions to the Riviera's magnificent sites, the retreat program, and an individual career/life planning session.

Excluded in the cost: airfare to Nice, return transportation by taxi from Biot to the airport, additional meals, nominal entrance fees, personal expenses and the optional cooking lesson on Wednesday.

Registration & Payment Info

• Space for 2008 is limited to 6 women. 

• To secure your place and specify your accommodation request, send a $1000 nonrefundable deposit along with the completed application form and signed agreement. Participation is on a first come, first served basis.

• Full payment is due by June 1, 2008.

• Ability to speak French is not required.

Your Hosts

Barbara Sirois Babkirk

I fell in love with this area of France on my first visit in 1976. And I have returned dozens of times.

During this retreat, my two passions for experiencing the French culture and exquisite landscape and guiding women on their life journeys come together.

As a licensed counselor, I have assisted individuals for over 20 years to create and sustain meaning in their lives. This setting, with its beauty and enchanting scenery, elicits clarity and focus for the women who attend. It is with profound delight that I offer this retreat for the ninth time.

Visit Barbara's career counseling website. www.heartatwork.biz

Amy Jaffe

I joined Heart at Work in 2006, sharing Barbara’s professional philosophy and calling to guide people through their life and career journeys. Our mutual love of French culture (and food) is further proof of our synchronicity.

I have traveled to France several times, and recently honeymooned in the beautiful Provence region. I am thrilled to return to the area, now as a host of this retreat.

Visit Amy's career counseling website. www.heartatwork.biz

Doug Babkirk

Being in Provence is always a sensual experience for me. Over the years, I have discovered favorite places to buy local foods to create authentic Provençale dishes during the retreat.

I find great pleasure in being part of the retreat experience as your chef and host in a region that renews and replenishes me.

To apply, please review the accommodation descriptions and identify your first and second choices, and print out the application and agreement forms. For further information, call Barbara at: 207-846-0644 or E-mail: