The CobaltSaffron retreat is a week-long event held at a château in Gascony, southwestern France. There is one retreat a year, in autumn.
The Château
The maximum number of participants at each retreat is 24. The château has 12 bedrooms, some single and some double, and a group dormitory. Some participants will be sharing a bedroom with separate single beds with another person. Priority is on a first-come, first-served basis, based on availability. The château has all necessities.
Activities
Each day will include lectures and presentations, physical activities, walks and free time for rest and recreation. Each participant’s needs and capacities will be considered individually. If you have a specific health concern, please let us know in advance of the retreat. Health professionals will be on-site.
Food
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be prepared at the château, using healthy, mainly locally grown food. Beverages and snacks will be available during breaks. Details of any special dietary requirements should be submitted in advance.
What to bring
The weather will probably be warm, but prepare for cool evenings and the possibility of rain. Walking or hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, athletic wear, shorts, swimsuit, and a hat are recommended, as well as a notebook and any other items you may use during your free time. We ask that there be no use of phones during the retreat, please.
Where
Agen is the nearest large city and the pickup point. Bordeaux and Toulouse are the closest airports. The city of Agen is reachable by train from all major European cities.
By train:
Paris – Agen: 4 hours.
Bordeaux or Toulouse – Agen: 1.5 hours.
Reservations for trains should be booked in advance. Please keep in mind that it is not our responsibility to book or organize travel arrangements. Travel advice, if needed, is available through us by email, or contact the SNCF directly in France at www.sncf.com.
Rendezvous
Participants will be welcomed at the Agen train station on Sunday at 2 pm. From there, you’ll be taken directly to the château, where the retreat begins at 3:30 pm. At the end of the retreat, participants will be driven back to the Agen train station, arriving Sunday at 2 pm.
Please, no arrival or departure outside of this timeframe. If you have any difficulty, please contact us in advance. Anyone arriving in the area early will not be able to stay at the château before the beginning of the retreat. The château is a private residence; no visits in advance, please.
Price
Early bird price of 1,600 € instead of 1,750 € through September 5.
Prices are all-inclusive.
Payment and Reservation
To reserve a place at the retreat, you’ll need to email us confirming your participation, including the following information: Your last name, first name, postal address, email address, telephone numbers, age, and method of payment. All reservations are complete upon receipt of the total cost in euros.
Methods of payment:
• Bank transfer: You can wire the payment directly to our bank.
• Check: We accept checks written in euros (€). Please make out checks to Darrell Calkins.
Cancellation policy
Refunds of 50% are possible for cancellations given at least two weeks before the date of the retreat. After that date, refunds are not possible except in the case of an emergency.
Some useful information
A number of international airlines fly directly to Paris, Bordeaux, and Toulouse. For inexpensive flights within Europe, check the following sites:
RyanAir Flights arrive in Carcassone, about two hours by train to Agen.
Trains in France:
There are Hotels in Agen if you wish to stay there overnight before the rendezvous. Within walking distance from the train station:
16 rue Camille Desmoulins
47000 Agen
phone: 00 33 (0)5 53 47 43 43
fax: 00 33 (0)5 53 47 68 54
105 boulevard Carnot
47000 Agen
phone: 00 33 (0)5 53 47 31 23
fax: 00 33 (0)5 53 47 48 70
59 rue des Ambans
47000 Agen
Phone: 00 33 (0)5 53 66 28 60
129 boulevard de la Republique
Phone: 00 33 (0)5 53 47 28 84
If you have any questions, or to reserve a place at the retreat, contact us.