Relaxing Retreats at Chateau Ventenac on the Canal du Midi

Château Ventenac sits beside the Canal du Midi in the South of France and offers fabulous views across the vineyards towards the Pyrenees. It provides a haven of peace and tranquility and is the perfect backdrop for our relaxing retreats.

Your stay at Château Ventenac is all about you - you set the rules! We won't interrupt but we're here to help you at all times

The retreat weeks have been designed to give writers, artists, software designers, and those just seeking an escape, peace and quiet in an inspiring and supportive environment. It is the opportunity to get on with work in progress whilst we look after you.

Here in the quiet relaxing spaces of the Chateau and it’s gardens you can finish your manuscript, start that project that's been nagging at you, or develop the tricky bit that’s been holding you up!. We specialise in helping overcome your writer’s block!!

Why not join us at Chateau Ventenac for our special Relaxing Retreats?

Your stay can be anything from 3 days to 7 days, You can design your own break away from the stresses of everyday life. Prices are for a week so please ask if you would like to stay for a different number of nights

There are no qualifications required for Chateau Ventenac retreats, no compulsory activities, just an opportunity for writers or other creative people to develop their work in progress in a peaceful and stunningly beautiful environment.

We aim to provide you with the space for you to relax, focus and find the inspiration to make progress with the creative project that you are working on.

Writing demands solitude and focus but that need not mean isolation and deprivation. Our sole purpose is to provide an ambience conducive to creativity and to assist writers and others in reaching their goal. Come and find some space, some quiet, and some serious creativity.

Sometimes people on our retreats get together in the evenings or organise trips out , but there is no need to join the them. You can take meals in your room, in the dining hall or join us in the kitchen if you prefer.

Everyone has a single room and most of these are en-suite.(although friends coming together can share for a reduced fee) The spacious bedrooms each have a table or desk, chair and reading lamp. The house has an extensive library of books for your use and there is a wireless printer available for use with your own laptop. Photocopying is charged at cost.

The Drawing Room, Snug, Dining Hall and outdoor spaces are at your disposal throughout your stay. Tea, coffee, herbal teas and soft drinks are available throughout the day.

We ask you to help yourself to breakfast and lunch (which is prepared for you and served as a buffet). Mealtimes are flexible…we want you to feel at home. Dinner is available as an optional extra and is cooked by our team of willing helpers and served in the Dining Hall or outside on the terrace, weather permitting. Vegetarians and people with special dietary needs are catered for – please let us know in advance (see booking form).

Our retreats are open to everyone, of all ages and levels of experience.

We aim to provide you with a “Home away from Home” which is spacious, relaxing and peaceful set in the beautiful and inspiring landscape of the Languedoc in Southern France.

Price for a week in a single room including breakfast and a buffet lunch is from £545.

Writing Retreats at Chateau Ventenac

Writing Retreats in the South of France

Writing Retretas in the South of France

If you opt to join us for dinner, the cost will be £25 per person per night for 3 courses including wine and aperitifs.

For two people sharing or for stays of fewer nights please email

"I spent four days at the gorgeous Chateau Ventenac in early October. I was travelling alone, and was looking for somewhere to completely rest, eat, and sleep a lot! It turns out that I couldn’t have found a better place. Julia is a wonderful hostess, and I was made feel very welcome. The bedrooms are very comfortable, beautifully furnished, and offer a great view of the French countryside. It’s the perfect place to come and paint or write too, and there is a desk in each bedroom.
I chose to have all my meals included during my stay, and the food and wine were very good. There is almost always someone available to chat to in the kitchen over a coffee if you fancy some company. Julia gave me an option of taking meals in my bedroom if I wished at any point, but I never took that up as the company at the dinner table was always too good to miss! After only four days, I felt completely refreshed and I am already looking forward to making a return trip." Sharon, Dublin