Needlepoint/ Tapestry as Art & Relaxation Retreat at La Faye
A 7-night creative escape in the tranquil countryside of western France. 20 - 27 Sept 2026
A Week of Creativity, Calm, and Connection
Nestled in the peaceful countryside of western France, La Faye offers the perfect setting for a week of needlework, relaxation, and rural beauty.
This retreat is designed for all levels — from beginners to experienced makers — blending artistic discovery with restorative living.
The Needlepoint Journey
Led by artist and designer Madeleine Kear, each guest explores needlepoint/tapestry as a contemporary and expressive art form. Madeleine’s background in arts, crafts, and theatre brings a distinctive flair — merging tradition with modern design.
Guests work daily on a 30 x 30 cm needlepoint tapestry on canvas. The image is of their own design and crafted at a relaxed pace. All materials and tapestry frames are provided for use during the retreat.
The Setting: La Faye
La Faye’s open-plan farmhouse layout lends itself beautifully to both indoor and outdoor creative work.
Two large, light-filled workshop spaces and generous outdoor tables welcome you to weave surrounded by nature.
Candlelight, flowers, and art create warmth and joy — and the sunrises and sunsets here are unforgettable.
Food & Hospitality
Meals are enjoyed indoors in the rustic dining space or outdoors with wine and conversation flowing freely.
Madeleine and Stephen are warm, capable hosts who take pride in home-cooked meals and home-grown produce.
Stephen is a master of the egg barbecue, while Madeleine is known for her delicious seasonal cooking.
Excursions & Wellbeing
The retreat includes gentle walks, meditation, and visits to local markets and medieval towns — offering inspiration and relaxation in equal measure.
Excursions to local medieval towns of Montmorillon, Angles-sur-l’Anglin (reputed to be one of France’s most beautiful villages), Saint Savin with its stunning Abbey, a unique “UNESCO” Heritage Site.
Local countryside walks start from the retreat location.
Day 7 will offer a visit to our local Chauvigny market, medieval castle ruins, and views. The day will finish with a farewell dinner at a nearby Saint-Savin restaurant.
Schedule
Duration: 7 nights 27 sept – 4 Oct 2026
Arrival: Sunday afternoon
Departure: Following Sunday morning
Each day unfolds naturally with time for creativity, shared meals, rest, and local exploration.
(*Provisional and subject to alteration)
Day 1:
Arrival pm
Introduction to the accommodation
Aperitif & Dinner
Day 2:
08.30 Breakfast
Exploration of La Faye grounds and hamlet
10.00 Introduction to Tapestry
12.30 Lunch
15.00-17.00 Designs in Wool
18.00 Aperitif
19.00 Dinner
Day 3:
08.30 Breakfast
10.00-12.00 Visit French Haberdashery store in Chauvigny and explore medieval city with refreshments at cafe with viewpoint.
12.30 Lunch
14.30 Workshop
18.00 Aperitif
19.30 Dinner
Day 4:
08.30 Breakfast
10.00 Visit Montmorillon (Cité de l’écrit et des métiers du livre)
12.30 Lunch
14.00-18.00 Main Tapestry Project Workshop
18.00 Aperitif
19.00 Dinner
Day 5:
08.30 Breakfast
10.00 Tapestry Workshop
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Visit Angles Sur L’Anglin (reputed to be one of the prettiest villages in France) refreshments in cafe with view.
18.00 Aperitif
19.00 Dinner
Day 6:
08.30 Visit Saint Savin
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Free Afternoon
18.00 Aperitif
19.00 Dinner
Day 7:
08.30 Breakfast
09.45 Visit Chauvigny Market
13.00 Lunch
14.00- 17.00 Tapestry Workshop
18.00 Aperitif
19.30 Last Night Dinner in Saint Savin.
Day 8:
09.15 Breakfast
10.00 Tapestry Final Grouping and Farewells, etc.
Pricing & Booking
Price: €1,250 per person (Private room, all-inclusive
Includes: Accommodation, all meals & wine, daily tuition, materials, excursions, and meditation sessions
Payment Details:
Deposit: 25% (non-refundable) upon booking
Balance due: 8 weeks before arrival
Cancellation Policy:
* More than 8 weeks before arrival: refund minus deposit
* Within 8 weeks: no refund
Book Your Place
Spaces are limited to just six guests. To reserve your place or ask a question, please contact us.
*Feel free to reach out if you would like to bring a partner or friend who will share your room but not participate in the tapestry course, we may be able to accommodate them depending on availability.
Your companion is welcome to enjoy all meals, wine, walks, excursions, and the peaceful surroundings of La Faye. The only exception is the tapestry-making sessions, which are reserved for course participants.
If this is of interest, please contact us directly so we can confirm room suitability, availability and pricing for your guest.
📍 Location — La Faye, Antigny, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
La Faye is set in peaceful rural countryside in the Vienne département of western France, close to the historic towns of Montmorillon, Saint-Savin, and Chauvigny.
We are surrounded by gently rolling fields, woodland, rivers, and charming medieval villages — an ideal setting for slow, creative retreat.
Address:
11 La Faye
86310 Antigny
Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
France
Nearby towns:
10 min — Saint-Savin (UNESCO Abbey)
15 min — Montmorillon (City of Writing)
20 min — Chauvigny (market, medieval castle, birds of prey show)
50 min — Poitiers (TGV, airport)
🚗 By Car
From Poitiers (north):
Take the D951 towards Chauvigny → continue to Saint-Savin → follow signs to Antigny → La Faye is 3 minutes outside the village.
From Limoges (south):
Take the N147 to Lussac-les-Châteaux → continue to Montmorillon → Saint-Savin → Antigny → La Faye.
We have plenty of free private parking on-site.
✈️ By Air
Poitiers–Biard Airport (PIS)
– 50 minutes from La Faye
– Flights from London Stansted (seasonal)
Limoges Airport (LIG)
– 1 hr 20 mins
– UK + European connections
Tours Airport (TUF)
– 1 hr 50 mins
🚐 Free mini-bus pick-up from Poitiers.
🚄 By Train
The nearest major station is Poitiers, with fast TGV trains from major cities:
Paris Montparnasse → Poitiers: 1 hr 20 mins
Bordeaux → Poitiers: 1 hr
Lille / Brussels / London connections via Paris
🚐 Free mini-bus pick-up from Poitiers.
🚐 Inclusive Courtesy Mini-Bus Transfer
To make your journey as smooth as possible, we offer inclusive courtesy mini-bus transfers for all retreat guests.
Available from:
Poitiers TGV Station (approx. 50 minutes)
Poitiers–Biard Airport (approx. 50 minutes)
Once you arrive in Poitiers, we take care of everything—simply step off your train or flight and we’ll meet you at the arrivals area.
Transfers back to Poitiers at the end of your retreat are also included.
“A week of needlepoint/tapestry, art, and peaceful living — surrounded by beauty at La Faye.”
Reviews from our Inaugural May Retreat
Rebecca – Ipswich UK
This was a wonderful experience. The accommodation was idyllic and Madeleine and Stephen were wonderful hosts. They went to so much trouble with the most delicious food and drink, and enjoyable trips to local towns and markets. The tapestry making was amazing with everything supplied and lots of time for creativity. I recommend it highly.
Lisa – Paris
My goal was to learn the hand craft of needlepoint. I loved how comfortable the learning environment was.
I left with an understanding of the art of needlepoint and inspired to continue the practice.
The rural location in France was so beautiful. The hosts were so gracious and the food was simply wonderful. The group size was small and the class was intimate. The excursions were exciting and varied. All was very well planned. All in all, a totally enjoyable and rewarding experience.
I joined the inaugural retreat in May 2026 and had a very relaxing week. Madeleine and Stephen are wonderful hosts, really going the extra mile to ensure everyone’s needs are being met. The gite itself is absolutely lovely, classic stone farmhouse complete with roses over the door, situated in tranquil countryside without any sound of traffic. Teaching was informal and suitable for beginners, and most of the week is just relaxing stitching time at your own pace. Food and drink are delicious and generous – Madeleine prides herself on offering homemade jams, kombucha and salads fresh from her potager, and the eggs are laid by the hens at the bottom of the garden. I enjoyed the outings to the incredibly picturesque surrounding towns and villages, these aren’t guided as such so you are free to explore or to sit in a cafe as you choose. The rooms were comfortable, great water pressure with loads of hot water in the shower, log burner in the workroom for chilly mornings, tea/coffee/biscuits on demand from the kitchen – everything you need to enjoy a relaxing retreat. Highly recommended.