LE SALON: FROM PARIS TO PROVENCE

We’re glad you’re considering the retreat! This writer’s retreat is open to everyone — poets and novelists, aspiring and experienced! Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis (i.e., the earlier you apply, the better chance of being accepted and joining us!), we encourage you to complete the application and include any questions in the application. Kristina will review during the application process.

- Hotel Accommodations (private room, 8 nights) in Paris and Aix-en-Provence:

• We will start and end our trip in Paris, spending a total of 5 nights at a boutique hotel near the stunning Luxembourg Gardens in the heart of Paris’ Left Bank. 

• We will spend the middle of the retreat in the South of France: 3 nights at a gorgeous 4-star hotel in historic Aix-en-Provence.

- Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshops throughout the week, hosted by Kristina Mahr and tailored to your specific writing goals, whether that be: practical tools for everything from world-building to character development to line editing; guidance on both self-publishing and traditional publishing paths; specific strategies to advance your writing career; and anything else you may need!

- 1:1 Working Sessions with Kristina Mahr, where you will have the opportunity to tackle any questions or roadblocks you have together. Kristina will read and provide notes for up to 25 pages of your manuscript or 10 poems, or some equivalent subset of your writing.

- The opportunity to be a part of a Le Salon Critique Group with your fellow writers, where you can share work, receive feedback, and build connections with other authors. These small groups provide both writing support and a lasting professional network.

- A Writer’s Welcome Dinner at a Michelin Guide restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Left Bank, Paris).

- Inspirational Parisian Sightseeing and Walking Tours:

• Two Literary Paris Walking Tours in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter

• Time travel on a Walking Tour of the Historic Marais Neighborhood on the Right Bank of Paris.

• Sightseeing Boat Cruise along the Seine River in Paris

- High-Speed Train Travel to and from Paris to Aix-en-Provence in the South of France:

• Travel with ease to and from Paris: we’re taking care of your on-the-go meals, your train tickets, and taxi transportation in between the hotel and the station.

- Find Artistic Inspiration in Provence:

• Walking in Cezanne’s Footsteps: An Artistic Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence

• Provence Day Trip: spend the day exploring charming small towns, beautiful vistas and stunning landscapes on a guided day trip, town-hopping across sunny Provence.

- Supported Solo Exploring: 

• Custom Paris-Provence Explorer Guidebook to guide your solo exploration of Paris and Aix-en-Provence. This PDF guidebook will be tailored specifically to your preferences and interests, to enrich your writing sessions with Kristina Mahr and deepen your experience in France. 

• A “Navigating Paris” Intro Tour to start the week, complete with a pre-loaded Paris metro card, so you’re ready to explore the city during your solo time. 

- A Farewell Dinner at an incredible French brasserie in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to end your week in France.

• Airfare

• Local transportation beyond the items specifically mentioned above (e.g. airport transit via taxi or metro is not included).

• Meals or any other food and drink beyond the items specifically mentioned in the Itinerary section above. 

• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)

• Guide tips

• Any additional travel experiences (tickets to other museums or landmarks, souvenirs, etc)

• Incidental and personal expenses

• Euros

• Cell phone service (international coverage)

Yes absolutely! Lauren and Kristina will co-host monthly Zoom meetings with the full group each of the four months leading up to Le Salon (February, March, April and May 2025). We will cover some topics for writers, along with some travel topics as well so that you’re well-prepared for your visit to Paris and Aix-en-Provence.

Lauren will ask each traveler to complete a pre-trip questionnaire so that she can create a custom guidebook for you, with tailored recommendations and advice for your visit. She will also send out weekly countdown emails in the few weeks leading up to the trip, with important reminders and to-dos as the start of the trip draws closer. 

Once you’ve been accepted into the Le Salon, please make sure you do the following:

1. Complete the Registration Deposit and Traveler Agreement.

2. Book airfare to and from Paris. You’ll need to arrive in Paris on Saturday June 14, 2025, and leave Paris on Sunday June 22, 2025. 

3. Purchase travel insurance to cover medical insurance abroad and travel disruptions.

4. Follow any additional post-registration steps provided by Lauren (Charlotte to Paris!). 

5. If you did not select the Full Retreat Pricing option with accommodations, you are responsible for booking your hotel accommodations for the week, so make sure that’s high on your to-do list!

Yes you will! You’re going to have a wonderful time, and you’ll be warmly welcomed in France :)

We will cover a few basic French phrases in our pre-trip Zoom monthly calls, and more importantly we’ll talk through some basic customs and cultural differences that will ease your concerns about visiting France for the first time.

This trip is designed at a mid-range price point. For this budget, we recommend an average of €120/day to feel comfortable with your food and drink selections at each meal.

Typically, the breakdown of meal costs looks like this:

Breakfast: €15

Lunch: €35

Afternoon snack & coffee (or cocktail): €20

Dinner: €50

ASAP :)  We recommend booking your flight no later than 4 months before your trip, and earlier is usually better. Use Google Flights to track prices.

For the full experience, please plan to arrive in Paris no later than mid-day on Saturday, June 14th 2025, and depart no earlier than Sunday morning June 22nd 2025.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for your trip, and we do request that you commit to purchasing it within two weeks of completing your registration.

We offer a limited policy for refunds, so your purchase of travel insurance can be of benefit to you should your plans change. Please review the terms of your travel insurance carefully, and we recommend choosing a plan that includes medical care and “cancel for any reason” coverage.

You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire in February and your custom PDF guidebook will be delivered to you by the end of March 2025!

Send us a note! Please email both Kristina and Lauren at kristina.mahr@gmail.com and lauren@charlottetoparis.com.

**Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. Thank you!! :)