OLYMPIA
Retreats
Loire Charm Bead Retreat
FRANCE
Paris - Mont St Michel - Loire Valley
THE RETREAT INCLUDES
Accommodations
Meals: 10 breakfast, welcome lunch, farewell dinner
Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach
Classes + kits (only for beaders)
Group excursions / activities
Entrance tickets to all scheduled activities
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT
Airfare
Visa and insurance charges
Any item of personal nature like tips, beverages,
laundry, telephone calls, taxi , tickets etc
Security deposit if is required by hotels (refundable)
ITINERARY
August 31, 2025 - PARIS
You will enjoy a guided city tour that will take you to visit famous landmarks: Eiffel-Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Arc de Triomphe, Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, Louvre Pyramid, Palais Garnier, Place de la Concorde, Jardins des Champs-Élysées, the American Church, and other culturally and historically significant sites.
We will also visit the Jewelry Museum, which has France's most extensive collection.
Following the tour, you are invited to a welcome cruise lunch. As you float down the Seine, you'll enjoy a 3-course gourmet meal and toast with a glass of champagne.
Free afternoon and evening
September 2nd, 2025 - Versailles
Today, we are heading to the Palace of Versailles, home to the French kings from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. We will visit the Hall of Mirrors, the Grand Gallery, the State Apartments, the Throne Room, and other historical attractions. We will board a charming tourist train to explore Versailles Park, passing by the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Grand Canal.
After the tour, we will enjoy a leisurely lunch at a nearby restaurant. This will be the perfect time to savor local cuisine and recharge for the rest of our adventure to St Malo.
September 1st, 2025 - PARIS
Beki Haley Class
9am-12pm and 2-5pm
September 3rd, 2025 - St Malo
Kinga Bledsoe Class
9am-12pm & 2-5pm
September 4th, 2025 - Mont St Michel
We will enjoy a day trip to Mount St. Michel, where we will explore the charming medieval village and the magnificent abbey at the top.
While the monastery's elevated position and numerous steps may pose a challenge for those with limited mobility, we've ensured alternative activities exist. Explore the medieval town, home to various museums, restaurants, cafes, and shops, offering a delightful experience for all.
September 5th, 2025 - Villandry Castle
Today, we will head to the Loire Valley, renowned for its stunning castles, historic towns, beautiful countryside, and excellent wine and food. We will visit the stunning Villandry castle and its magnificent Renaissance gardens, which have been recognized as World Heritage Sites.
If you have never slept in a castle, now you will. We will spend the night in a superb castle , surrounded by vineyards, close to Villandry. You can pamper yourself in elegant rooms with antique furniture, relax with wellness sessions, or take advantage of the outdoor swimming pool. Furthermore, the castle restaurant serves exceptional gourmet cuisine.
September 6th, 2025 - Chambord Castle
Our journey takes us to Chambord Castle, a unique gem and the largest castle in the Loire Valley. We will see the famous double helix staircase, a unique architectural feat attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, royal lodgings used by King François I, a small theater where Molière performed, the cruciform chamber, and the terraces with fantastic panoramic views. And we will not forget the enchanting gardens, a tranquil oasis that perfectly complements the castle's grandeur. Thanks to its unique Renaissance architectural style, Chambord Castle inspired the castle in Beauty & The Beast.
We will be having lunch at a castle restaurant, where you can and taste gourmet specialties and wines produced by Chambord vineyards.
After lunch, we will head to Orleans and spend the night at a peaceful hotel. Here, you can relax, take a swim in the pool, and dine at the hotel's restaurant, which specializes in regional cuisine.
September 7th, 2025 - Fontainebleau Palace
We will continue our tour by visiting the renowned Fontainebleau Palace, Napoleon Bonaparte's residence. Here, you can admire numerous works of art spanning 800 years of history, including paintings, sculptures, graphic art, and architectural items.
Our hotel is located about 10 minutes from the castle.
Afternoon and evening free to rest, explore the surroundings or go shopping.
September 8th, 2025 - Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle
Today, you can immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle, an architectural masterpiece dating back to the 17th century. As you step inside, you will be greeted by a treasure trove of exquisitely preserved furniture, art objects, paintings, dazzling chandeliers, and intricate tiles, each telling a story of opulence and grandeur. Moreover, the palace is surrounded by magnificent gardens, offering a serene and picturesque setting for a leisurely stroll.
After visiting this magnificent castle, we will head to Paris. Free afternoon and evening.
September 9th, 2025 - Chantilly Castle
During our retreat, the final castle on our itinerary is Chantilly. Even if it's not located in the Loire Valley, it's worth visiting because it is an exquisite gem of France's cultural heritage. Here, you can explore the country's second-largest collection of ancient paintings, surpassed only by the renowned Louvre Museum.
Free afternoon.
A nice dinner together to say a very friendly goodbye.
CLASSES & PROJECTS
BEKI HALEY
Angelique Necklace
KINGA BLEDSOE (NICHOLS)
Mont St Michel Necklace
REGISTRATION
Cost:
- 4410 EURO for BEADER
- 3970 EURO for a traveling companion
If you are a group (min 4 people) please contact us for a quote.
Deposit: a 1000 EURO deposit is required to hold your seat (150 euro non-refundable if you cancel)
Payment schedule:
- The second payment of 2000 EURO is due by November 1st, 2024
- The full payment is due by March 1st, 2025
Accommodation: the price is based on a double-occupancy room in a hotel. Supplement of +930 EURO is applicable for a single room (based on availability)
We encourage you to bring a traveling companion along.
Registration: to register for the retreat, please fill out the registration form and pay the required deposit. Kindly note that registration without a deposit is not valid and doesn't guarantee a seat.
Please keep us informed of any changes to your email address, as we will periodically send you information about the retreat.
Payment options: payment can be made through PayPal or by card.
Payments via PayPal can be made to the email address : olympiaretreats@gmail.com
Registration will be processed in the order received. There are a limited number of seats available. Once your deposit is processed, you will receive a confirmation email. If you don't receive the confirmation within 48 hours, please contact us.
Cancellation Policy:
We would like to inform you that we are not responsible for any cancellations you make for any reason.
However, if you decide to cancel your reservation before October 1st, 2024 (included) you will be refunded with the amount received from you (except 150 EURO non-refundable). If you cancel after October 1st, 2024 you will be refunded the amount paid, less 500 EURO
If you cancel your reservation after March 1st, 2025, we can't issue any refunds.
If the organizer needs to cancel the event, all the money received from you will be refunded in full.
Other information:
The price doesn't include Paypal/Card fees (non-refundable)
Registrations made without paying the deposit will be considered null and void.
Availability of single rooms is limited. Please get in touch with us before registering to check availability.
The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the retreat if deemed necessary. However, you will be notified in advance of any such changes.
The organizer reserves the right to refuse services.
We strongly recommend that you purchase travel Insurance.
September 10th, 2025 - Paris
The time has come to say goodbye. I hope to see you again at the next retreats.
Our retreat will start in the enchanting city of Paris, a world-renowned metropolis adorned with iconic landmarks, breathtaking cathedrals, charming cobblestone streets, cozy sidewalk cafés, and many hidden gems waiting to be discovered. You will have the opportunity to explore this incredible city through a bus tour and a dinner cruise.
During the retreat, you will explore the captivating Mont Saint-Michel, a picturesque village that evolved around a stunning Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael.
As part of this experience, we will explore six extraordinary palaces and castles, each with unique charm and architectural splendor: Versailles, Villandry, Chambord, Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, and Chantilly. Some of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
We always try to conclude partnerships with hotels that offer higher comfort. This means that you can relax in comfortable rooms, and at some hotels, you can also indulge in swimming pools, saunas, wellness sessions, or marine thermal baths. We want you to feel pampered during your stay with us.
During the two days of the workshop, you will create two beautiful projects inspired by French art under the guidance of Beki and Kinga. The photos of the projects will be displayed soon, so sign up for the newsletter to stay updated with the news.