Magic France
A retreat for women who want to reconnect with their magic and live an unforgettable experience.
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June 15-22, 2023
~ Explore the City of Time (la Ville du Temps)
~ Discover ancient stories
~ Experience deep nourishment
~ Find magic every day
Exploration
Ancient stories
Nourishment
Beauty
Slow Living,
Deep Being
Includes:
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- Seven nights in a 18th century 4* apartments
- Double occupancy room with single beds and a shared bathroom
- Fully equipped kitchen with snacks and breakfast
- Visits of museums and historical sites
- Half a day SPA experience (spa bath, salt water massage, jet shower, mineral mud treatment, sauna)
- A river cruise around the city
- All breakfasts
- Five lunches
- Six dinners
- Somatic awareness movement classes
- Creative writing and women's circles
- Leisure time to rest and walk around.
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Does not include:
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- Transportation to Besançon, France. You can fly to Lyon or Paris and then take the train to Besançon. We will give you the best itinerary suggestions for your trip. If you plan to stay before/after the retreat, we can provide tips and names of places.
- Lunch on the day we visit the Citadel. There is one restaurant and one coffee shop there, and you can also come back to the apartment for lunch and re-enter the Citadel that afternoon.
- Dinner after the day at the SPA.
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All inclusive 7-night retreat
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Payment options available.
Besançon is a historic city of 117,000 people nestled between the Jura mountains and the beginning of the Alps, in the Eastern part of France. Before the Roman invasion, it was inhabited by the Celtic tribe of the Gauls since the Bronze Age (2300–700 BCE).
Its beautiful 17th-century fortifications and 16th-century palaces and buildings have placed it on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Considered the first green city in France, it is surrounded by the horseshoe-shaped river le Doubs on three sides and by a high hill (on which the Citadel was built) on the fourth side. In 2022, Besançon was elected the most pleasant city in France.
Schedule
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This sample Schedule will be reviewed if the places we plan to visit change hours and services.
Highlights:
Studio Time & Activities
We will have a private wellness studio in the morning for our creative writing, somatic awareness practice and sharing circles.
The studio is a 20-minute walk from our apartments. It is spacious enough so we can each have our own space for writing and journaling. Mats and cushions will be provided for our somatic awareness practices.
Meals & Food
We will eat in delicious, typical local restaurants and take the time to savor our food and our time together, in the French way :)
Wine and speciality beverages will be at your discretion, and all meals will have a vegetarian option. It is more difficult to find gluten-free when dining out, and we can not guarantee a totally gluten-free week.
Walking
We will walk every day.
Our activities are within a mile or a mile and a half distance. In case of rain, we will use public transportation.
The Great Saline and SPA are 45 minutes away from Besançon, in the Jura wine country and we will have private transportation.
The walk to the Citadel includes a hill and steps. Public transportation is available if needed.
SPA Experience
We will spend an afternoon in a SPA center in a small town in the Jura wine county where the benefits of mineral waters have been used for centuries.
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Your pampering experience includes a massage under salt water ramp, jet shower, body mineral mud treatment, and jacuzzi. You will also have access to the sauna, hammam, and mineral water pool.
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Swimcap, bathrobe, and towel will be provided.
Where you'll stay
We have two stunning 18th-century 4 stars apartments for our group: one for four persons (with two bedrooms), one for two persons (one bedroom). Each bedroom has two single beds and a bathroom with shower. Bath towels and linens are provided.
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The kitchens are fully equipped for cooking and will be stocked with coffee, tea, snacks, fresh fruits and breakfast items.
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The apartments have wooden floors, high ceilings, and are situated in a private building with an interior courtyard/garden. This historical neighborhood is very quiet and yet minutes away from the Cathédrale St Jean, the Citadel, and restaurants and shops.
(Choose Magic France 2023 from the programs' list. Sign up with your email if you are not already a site member)
Your Guide
Hi,
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I am Francine, and it is my absolute pleasure to make you discover my hometown, Besançon, in the Eastern part of France! Join a small group of women for a week full of wonder in a place of history and deep beauty.
We will have a balanced schedule with group activities (creative writing, somatic awareness, visits of local sites), rest, and independent time to explore.
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I lived there until I moved to the US in 2006 and used to work in tourism and hospitality, which allows me to craft unique experiences and offer you an unforgettable and authentic journey.
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This retreat will be full of magic and mystery! I can't wait to walk these ancient streets with you.
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With love,
Francine
Photo Cindy Fatsis
All pictures on this page are of actual places we will visit, stay at, and walk by.