LE SALON:
FROM PARIS TO PROVENCE
A Slow Travel Writer’s Retreat
Paris & Aix-en-Provence, France
June 14 - 21, 2025
Find your voice in the heart of Paris and Provence.
Transform your craft in the cities of artists.
…Your next chapter awaits.
LE SALON: A SLOW TRAVEL WRITER’S RETREAT
Hosted by Kristina Mahr & Lauren Gibson
Join us for a week of immersive inspiration, exploring the France you’ve dreamed of: stunning cityscapes, gorgeous architecture, hidden courtyards & passageways, richly layered history, and delicious food.
Whether you're a novice scribbling your first draft, deep in the trenches of a complex manuscript, or seeking to reignite your creative spark, this trip offers a sanctuary for writers at every stage.
Pause the world, immerse yourself in the legendary literary atmosphere of Paris and Provence, and draw inspiration from the very streets that have nurtured countless literary giants. Connect with a community of passionate writers, find your voice between the Seine and the sky, and transform your creative vision.
…All as we wander through the vibrant, dynamic streets of Paris to the charming pathways of historic Aix-en-Provence… Bon voyage…
About the Retreat
LE SALON: FROM PARIS TO PROVENCE
A Slow Travel Writer’s Retreat
Hosted by Kristina Mahr &
Lauren Gibson
8 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS: JUNE 14 - 21, 2025
Le Salon: an intimate writers' retreat that marries the art of slow travel with creative expression.
Co-led by Kristina Mahr, author and poet known for her heart-wrenching prose, and Lauren Gibson, artist and slow traveler behind Charlotte to Paris, this experience invites writers to explore their craft in the inspiring rhythms of Paris and Provence.
By combining focused intention and dedication to the pursuit of your writing dreams with a week of slow travel, you will reinvigorate your writing craft and rekindle your writer’s spark.
The retreat begins in Paris, where we will learn more about the literary and historic roots as we explore neighborhoods throughout the French capital city, soaking in the art, history and rich culture. Then we will hop aboard a speed train to the South of France, escaping to Aix-en-Provence to wander the warm cobblestone streets, in search of that artistic inspiration that runs through the heart of Provence. After explorations around Aix-en-Provence and a stunning day trip through the hilltop towns of the Luberon region, we’ll return to Paris by train. Bookend your final pair of evenings in the City of Light before returning home, inspired and reinvigorated.
Kristina Mahr, prolific self-published novelist and poet, will meet you where you are on your writing journey and help to guide you where you dream of going, offering personalized guidance to help transform creative dreams into tangible work. Whether you're seeking tools to develop your craft, looking to refine a novel, or aiming to distill an intricate emotion into the perfect poem, Kristina provides nuanced, supportive direction in both group and 1:1 settings woven throughout the week.
Lauren Gibson, artist, photographer and slow travel enthusiast, will guide you through her beloved Paris and dreamy Aix-en-Provence, with a perfectly balanced itinerary of solo time and daily group experiences, a compliment and a fuel to reinvigorate and inspire your work.
Together, Kristina and Lauren are cultivating a magical week of inspiration, on a writer’s journey through enchanting, soul-stirring la belle France.
Le Salon: Retreat Highlights
- Hotel Accommodations (private room, 8 nights) in Paris and Aix-en-Provence:
We will start and end our trip in Paris, spending a total of 5 nights at a boutique hotel near the stunning Luxembourg Gardens in the heart of Paris’ Left Bank.
We will spend the middle of the retreat in the South of France: 3 nights at a gorgeous 4-star hotel in historic Aix-en-Provence.
- Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshops throughout the week, hosted by Kristina Mahr and tailored to your specific writing goals, whether that be: practical tools for everything from world-building to character development to line editing; guidance on both self-publishing and traditional publishing paths; specific strategies to advance your writing career; and anything else you may need!
- 1:1 Working Sessions with Kristina Mahr, where you will have the opportunity to tackle any questions or roadblocks you have together. Kristina will read and provide notes for up to 25 pages of your manuscript or 10 poems, or some equivalent subset of your writing.
- The opportunity to be a part of a Le Salon Critique Group with your fellow writers, where you can share work, receive feedback, and build connections with other authors. These small groups provide both writing support and a lasting professional network.
- A Writer’s Welcome Dinner at a Michelin Guide restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Left Bank, Paris).
- Inspirational Parisian Sightseeing and Walking Tours:
Two Literary Paris Walking Tours in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter
Time travel on a Walking Tour of the Historic Marais Neighborhood on the Right Bank of Paris.
Sightseeing Boat Cruise along the Seine River in Paris
- High-Speed Train Travel to and from Paris to Aix-en-Provence in the South of France:
Travel with ease to and from Paris: we’re taking care of your on-the-go meals, your train tickets, and taxi transportation in between the hotel and the station.
- Find Artistic Inspiration in Provence:
Walking in Cezanne’s Footsteps: An Artistic Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence
Provence Day Trip: spend the day exploring charming small towns, beautiful vistas and stunning landscapes on a guided day trip, town-hopping across sunny Provence.
- Supported Solo Exploring:
Custom Paris-Provence Explorer Guidebook to guide your solo exploration of Paris and Aix-en-Provence. This PDF guidebook will be tailored specifically to your preferences and interests, to enrich your writing sessions with Kristina Mahr and deepen your experience in France.
A “Navigating Paris” Intro Tour to start the week, complete with a pre-loaded Paris metro card, so you’re ready to explore the city during your solo time.
- A Farewell Dinner at an incredible French brasserie in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to end your week in France.
Meet Your Trip Leaders
Kristina Mahr
Author & Poet
Kristina Mahr is a Chicago-based author and poet known for her ability to capture raw emotion in prose. With four published novels and an extensive collection of poetry to her name, she has built a reputation for distilling complex feelings into words that resonate.
Her greatest reward as a writer is creating those moments of profound connection - when readers find their own unspoken truths reflected in her words, transforming solitary feelings into shared experiences.
When not writing or mentoring other authors, she enjoys drinking tall glasses of iced tea, reading, and waking up at the crack of dawn every weekend to watch the Premier League.
Instagram: @kristina.mahr
View Kristina’s Poetry Collections and Novels
LAUREN GIBSON
ARTIST & SLOW TRAVEL GUIDE
Lauren is the artist behind the photographs and the creator & designer behind the travel plans at Charlotte to Paris. Lauren started Charlotte to Paris five years ago to give people another way to see Paris: in the context of the neighborhood-based travel, blending famous sites with lesser-known spots and local gems. She loves watching people find joy and meaning on the small-group, slow travel trips she leads to France each year.
In addition to her work in slow travel, Lauren spends much of her time in her art practice, creating cinematic, street-style photographs at Studio Di Sarlo. You’ll find her vibrant, cityscape and landscape artworks that explore the intersection of memory, nostalgia, and the passage of time.
Instagram: @charlotte.to.paris | @studio.di.sarlo
View Lauren’s Artist Portfolio
The Itinerary
Day One - Paris
Bienvenue à Paris! After settling in at your hotel near the Luxembourg Gardens, meet up with your co-hosts and fellow travelers for a Literary Walk around Saint-Germain-des-Prés… and no welcome to Paris is complete without a mini pastry tour! We will stop for some bite-sized snacks along the way as we explore.
After our walk, we will stroll to a Writers’ Welcome Dinner at a fantastic Michelin Guide Parisian restaurant, tucked along a winding street in the heart of this charming neighborhood on the Left Bank of Paris.
Meals Included: Mini Pastry Tour (Sweet Treats) & Welcome Dinner
Day TWO - HISTORIC Paris
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Paris. Join Lauren for a little session on “Navigating the Paris Metro” before we ride the metro over to the Marais for a historic walking tour of this incredible neighborhood on the other side of the Seine River.
The Marais neighborhood is filled with beautiful old buildings, curving streets, pocket gardens, small museums, art galleries… you’ll find loads of inspiration around every corner. We will part ways to give you time to explore this incredible area of the city on your own.
Day THREE - LITERARY Paris
Join Kristina Mahr for the first Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshop, where we will dive into the nuts and bolts of writing craft, customized to meet your individual needs (as identified in your application and our pre-trip conversations).
To get that inspiration and creativity flowing, we will head out on a literary walk together: Kristina and Lauren will co-lead a magical literary and photo walk through the Latin Quarter. As Kristina weaves together some of the iconic literary moments and places in this neighborhood, Lauren will infuse our walk with engaging and accessible photography lessons. You’ll learn how to slow down, notice what’s beautiful and meaningful around you, and learn specific photo techniques to capture these visuals to fuel creativity (yes, with your phone’s camera!).
We will finish our group time together with an early evening Seine River Sightseeing Boat Cruise.
Meals Included: Goûter (Afternoon Snacking and Drinks)
Day four - aix-en-provence
It’s time to pack your suitcase! We’re hopping aboard the French TGV for a high-speed train ride to Aix-en-Provence. Enjoy a relaxing journey through the countryside, and in less than 4 hours, we will arrive in the South of France! Bonus: join Kristina in the bar car for 1:1 mini critique sessions, or partnered critique sessions.
After settling in your new hotel for a bit, we will meet up as a group so you can get your bearings in this beautiful French city! Lauren will guide you on an artistic stroll around historic Aix-en-Provence before we go our separate ways for a little solo time to end our first evening in Provence.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day five - (not so) lost in provence
Kristina will host the second full-group Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshop, before kicking off your solo writer’s retreat day. After the workshop, you will have the opportunity to explore Provence with your notebook and pen in hand, either devoting time to your work-in-progress or getting the creative juices flowing with the prompts included in your notebook.
This is YOUR day to soak in the beauty of southern France and find inspiration. Some of the best character inspiration comes from people watching in a new land!
DAY SIX - PROVENCE DAY TRIP: CASSIS & THE LUBERON
Let’s go on an adventure! It’s time for a Provence Day Trip with local Provençal guides from À La Française. We will head to the tourist office and hop in a 15 passenger van to explore the incredible scenery of Provence. Together we’ll visit the calanques - picturesque rocky inlets along the Mediterranean Sea - and the gorgeous coastal village of Cassis.
Afterwards, we will go “town hopping” along the hilltops of the Luberon region, with stops at some truly stunning small hilltop towns including Lourmarin, Roussillon, and Gordes. This will be an unforgettable day as we visit a local market, wander down cobblestone streets, and catch beautiful view after beautiful view.
All you’ll need is an extra bottle of water, sunscreen, a fully-charged phone, and some cash for lunch. Sit back, relax and enjoy a ride through Provence!
DAY SEVEN - BACK TO PARIS!
Repack your bag! It’s time to head back to where it all began: Paris. We will take our return train journey from Aix-en-Provence to Paris, again on high-speed rail. Bonus: join Kristina in the bar car for 1:1 mini critique sessions, or partnered critique sessions.
Settle back into your hotel in Paris, and enjoy a relaxing evening on your own in the City of Light.
Meals Included: Lunch
DAY EIGHT - AU REVOIR PARIS
Join Kristina for our final Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshop. Whatever is left to explore or help guide you as you return to the real world, refreshed and reinvigorated and ready to continue pursuing your writing dreams, will be wrapped up in this session.
Then freshen up your writer’s headshots with Lauren in the Luxembourg Gardens! After your mini writer’s photo shoot in the gardens, we will walk together to our Farewell Dinner at an incredible French brasserie in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Meals Included: Goûter (Afternoon Snacking and Drinks) and Farewell Dinner
Please note this itinerary is a high-level overview. Details of each scheduled activity will be communicated thoroughly to all travelers after registration.
GUEST LODGING
HÔTEL BONSOIR MADAME
PARIS, FRANCE
In Paris, writers will stay at Hôtel Bonsoir Madame, a gorgeous little boutique hotel in the 6th arrondissement - one of Lauren’s absolute favorites in Paris. Your Classic or Superior Room will be beautifully decorated in a modern Parisian style, with rich colors and a lovely view overlooking the streets below. Their refillable water system and large mini fridge are lovely modern touches. Lauren loves their large breakfast room and sitting area… not to mention the one-minute walk to the gates of the incredible Luxembourg Gardens.
Dates & Pricing
Trip Dates
DATES: Saturday June 14, 2025 - Saturday June 21, 2025
TRIP DURATION: 8 days, 8 nights
GROUP SIZE: up to 8 writers
TRIP LEADERS: Kristina Mahr & Lauren Gibson
Trip Pricing
Le Salon Writer’s Retreat Pricing:
USD $6,200 per person
Applying with a Friend? Share a Hotel Room & Save $1,600!
Shared Room Retreat Pricing:
USD $4,600 per person
…want to manage your own accommodations in Paris and Aix-en-Provence?
We offer Experience-Only Pricing (NO HOTEL):
USD $2,900 per person*
*Travelers who choose the Experience-Only pricing option will be responsible for booking and managing their own accommodations for the duration of the retreat. All other Le Salon activities listed above are included in the Experience-Only Pricing Fee of $2,900/person.
Pro-tip: travelers considering the Experience-Only pricing option may want to research hotel prices for central Paris (postal code 75006) for the month of June to understand their approximate additional lodging costs.
What’s Included
- All Hotel Accommodations (8 nights, private hotel room in Paris and Aix-en-Provence).*
- Three Le Salon Group Writing Workshops, two 1:1 sessions with Kristina Mahr, and the opportunity (optional) to work with a critique group/partner.
- 25 pages of your manuscript or 10 poems, or some predetermined equivalent subset of your writing read and annotated by Kristina Mahr.
- Select Meals as listed in itinerary above.
- All activities as listed in the itinerary above: Paris and Provence walking tours, Seine sightseeing cruise, and the Provence Day Trip.
- Local transportation: taxi rides from the train station to your hotel on our train travel days (Days 4 and 7), TGV train tickets to and from Paris - Aix-en-Provence, Paris metro card (10 pre-loaded tickets).
- Customized Paris-Provence Explorer Guidebook (PDF) for your solo time in Paris and Aix-en-Provence.
- A 100-page lined notebook (with writing prompts included!) with pen.
- Digital Photo Suite from Lauren Gibson: Writer’s Headshots and Candid Photographs from your week in France. This will be delivered to you digitally within 30 days of the trip end date.
What’s NOt Included
- Airfare
- Local transportation beyond the items specifically mentioned above (e.g. airport transit via taxi or metro is not included).
- Meals or any other food and drink beyond the items specifically mentioned above.
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Guide tips
- Any additional travel experiences (tickets to other museums or landmarks, souvenirs, etc)
- Incidental and personal expenses
*Hotel accommodations are only included in the Full Writer’s Retreat Pricing option. The Experience-Only pricing does not include accommodations. Travelers who choose the Experience-Only pricing are fully responsible for booking and managing their own accommodations for the duration of the retreat.
How to Apply
This writer’s retreat is open to everyone — poets and novelists, aspiring and experienced! Whether you have always dreamed of writing but haven’t yet put pen to paper or are on your fifth manuscript but need a spark to reignite your writing pursuit, we would be delighted to have you along for this journey through Paris and Provence.
Application Window:
December 30 2024 - January 31, 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Once all spots are full, applicants will be added to a wait list and informed as soon as possible of an opening, at which time their deposit will be due within 24 hours before we reach out to the next applicant on the wait list.
FAQs
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We’re glad you’re considering the retreat! This writer’s retreat is open to everyone — poets and novelists, aspiring and experienced! Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis (i.e., the earlier you apply, the better chance of being accepted and joining us!), we encourage you to complete the application and include any questions in the application. Kristina will review during the application process.
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- Hotel Accommodations (private room, 8 nights) in Paris and Aix-en-Provence:
We will start and end our trip in Paris, spending a total of 5 nights at a boutique hotel near the stunning Luxembourg Gardens in the heart of Paris’ Left Bank.
We will spend the middle of the retreat in the South of France: 3 nights at a gorgeous 4-star hotel in historic Aix-en-Provence.
- Le Salon Group Writer’s Workshops throughout the week, hosted by Kristina Mahr and tailored to your specific writing goals, whether that be: practical tools for everything from world-building to character development to line editing; guidance on both self-publishing and traditional publishing paths; specific strategies to advance your writing career; and anything else you may need!
- 1:1 Working Sessions with Kristina Mahr, where you will have the opportunity to tackle any questions or roadblocks you have together. Kristina will read and provide notes for up to 25 pages of your manuscript or 10 poems, or some equivalent subset of your writing.
- The opportunity to be a part of a Le Salon Critique Group with your fellow writers, where you can share work, receive feedback, and build connections with other authors. These small groups provide both writing support and a lasting professional network.
- A Writer’s Welcome Dinner at a Michelin Guide restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Left Bank, Paris).
- Inspirational Parisian Sightseeing and Walking Tours:
Two Literary Paris Walking Tours in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter
Time travel on a Walking Tour of the Historic Marais Neighborhood on the Right Bank of Paris.
Sightseeing Boat Cruise along the Seine River in Paris
- High-Speed Train Travel to and from Paris to Aix-en-Provence in the South of France:
Travel with ease to and from Paris: we’re taking care of your on-the-go meals, your train tickets, and taxi transportation in between the hotel and the station.
- Find Artistic Inspiration in Provence:
Walking in Cezanne’s Footsteps: An Artistic Walking Tour of Aix-en-Provence
Provence Day Trip: spend the day exploring charming small towns, beautiful vistas and stunning landscapes on a guided day trip, town-hopping across sunny Provence.
- Supported Solo Exploring:
Custom Paris-Provence Explorer Guidebook to guide your solo exploration of Paris and Aix-en-Provence. This PDF guidebook will be tailored specifically to your preferences and interests, to enrich your writing sessions with Kristina Mahr and deepen your experience in France.
A “Navigating Paris” Intro Tour to start the week, complete with a pre-loaded Paris metro card, so you’re ready to explore the city during your solo time.
- A Farewell Dinner at an incredible French brasserie in Saint-Germain-des-Prés to end your week in France.
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Airfare
Local transportation beyond the items specifically mentioned above (e.g. airport transit via taxi or metro is not included).
Meals or any other food and drink beyond the items specifically mentioned in the Itinerary section above.
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Guide tips
Any additional travel experiences (tickets to other museums or landmarks, souvenirs, etc)
Incidental and personal expenses
Euros
Cell phone service (international coverage)
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Yes absolutely! Lauren and Kristina will co-host monthly Zoom meetings with the full group each of the four months leading up to Le Salon (February, March, April and May 2025). We will cover some topics for writers, along with some travel topics as well so that you’re well-prepared for your visit to Paris and Aix-en-Provence.
Lauren will ask each traveler to complete a pre-trip questionnaire so that she can create a custom guidebook for you, with tailored recommendations and advice for your visit. She will also send out weekly countdown emails in the few weeks leading up to the trip, with important reminders and to-dos as the start of the trip draws closer.
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Once you’ve been accepted into the Le Salon, please make sure you do the following:
Complete the Registration Deposit and Traveler Agreement.
Book airfare to and from Paris. You’ll need to arrive in Paris on Saturday June 14, 2025, and leave Paris on Sunday June 22, 2025.
Purchase travel insurance to cover medical insurance abroad and travel disruptions.
Follow any additional post-registration steps provided by Lauren (Charlotte to Paris!).
If you did not select the Full Retreat Pricing option with accommodations, you are responsible for booking your hotel accommodations for the week, so make sure that’s high on your to-do list!
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Yes you will! You’re going to have a wonderful time, and you’ll be warmly welcomed in France :)
We will cover a few basic French phrases in our pre-trip Zoom monthly calls, and more importantly we’ll talk through some basic customs and cultural differences that will ease your concerns about visiting France for the first time.
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This trip is designed at a mid-range price point. For this budget, we recommend an average of €120/day to feel comfortable with your food and drink selections at each meal.
Typically, the breakdown of meal costs looks like this:
Breakfast: €15
Lunch: €35
Afternoon snack & coffee (or cocktail): €20
Dinner: €50
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ASAP :) We recommend booking your flight no later than 4 months before your trip, and earlier is usually better. Use Google Flights to track prices.
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For the full experience, please plan to arrive in Paris no later than mid-day on Saturday, June 14th 2025, and depart no earlier than Sunday morning June 22nd 2025.
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Travel insurance is strongly recommended for your trip, and we do request that you commit to purchasing it within two weeks of completing your registration.
We offer a limited policy for refunds, so your purchase of travel insurance can be of benefit to you should your plans change. Please review the terms of your travel insurance carefully, and we recommend choosing a plan that includes medical care and “cancel for any reason” coverage.
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You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire in February and your custom PDF guidebook will be delivered to you by the end of March 2025!
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Send us a note! Please email both Kristina and Lauren at kristina.mahr@gmail.com and lauren@charlottetoparis.com.
**Please allow up to 2 business days for a response. Thank you!! :)