What Will My Day Look Like?
Each of the 6 days will begin with breakfast. Croissants, baguettes, and fruit will be served each morning, alongside a different hearty dish. After a small break, the day’s class will begin, ending at 11:30. Lunch and the afternoon are on your own, although we will organize an optional excursion to a nearby attraction on 3 afternoons. These might include castles, gardens, caves, or tastings depending on responses we receive as we gather information from our guests.
The French tradition of apèro in the late afternoon is one we heartily embrace. This drop-in hour of wine and light snacks will take place each day from 5:30-6:30PM and may include additional friends from around the village. Dinner is served from 7:00 to 8:30 with the evening jam session afterward.
On the final evening of your retreat, we will gather in Belvès’ covered outdoor Hall to share our music with the village in a free concert (subject to final approval by the mayor). If you prefer not to participate, please indicate so on your registration.
Where Will I Stay?
If you choose to stay with the group, you’ll be one (or two) of six musicians sharing a medieval stone house in the ancient village of Belvès. The house was completely gutted in 2023-2024 and renovated to retain much of its medieval charm while incorporating beautiful luxury appointments – a gourmet kitchen, stunning bathrooms, finishes sourced from local artisans. The house is three floors with a small private terrace off the living area and looks out onto an iconic Dordogne village street from the front door.
The home is fully stocked with anything you need to cook a fabulous meal or just make yourself a cup of coffee in the morning, a washer and dryer, and WiFi. There is no television. All linens, soaps, detergents, along with a welcome basket of snacks are provided.
A 2-minute stroll takes you into the heart of the village, with shops, cafés, breathtaking architecture, and local color. Two minutes in the other direction brings you to Belvès’ iconic cathedral, in which after a recent fire, 17th century frescos were discovered behind the damaged plaster. History is always presenting itself anew in this magical part of the world.
This home does include steep stairs so may not be suitable for everyone.
What’s it like to live in the Dordogne?
In a word, awesome! We love spending time in our little village of Belvès, and though we are only here for about half of the year, spending the remainder of our time in the US Pacific Northwest, we always cherish the time we do get to spend in the Dordogne.
Deirdre has a blog that she writes from time to time when she’s in France that may give you a bit of a sense of what life is like in Belvès: