November  6th-9th

❋

The Writers Retreat: France

Apply

An escape from the ordinary. The Harridan Writers’ Retreat moves you beyond isolation, self-doubt or creative inertia through provocative workshops, uninterrupted writing time, and long evenings of delicious local food and galvanising conversation. Write boldly, shed the expected, and flourish.

❋ Creative Sanctuary

Move through your days in the calm comfort of a historic home. Every meal is thoughtfully prepared on the premises using produce, herbs, and fruits from the Priory garden. Retreat to your room, draw the shutters, and leave the world behind. Here your time is yours, your focus is protected. The world doesn't intrude, it waits.

❋ Wild Inspiration

Secluded in the emerald hush of the Deux-Sèvres region, our sanctuary, the 13th century Priory of Pressigny, commands a landscape of woodland and water meadows—an inspiring place of wild beauty, poised a breath from the storied vineyards and châteaux of the Loire. This is a space for your imagination to stretch without distraction, and let your work roam.

❋ Intentional Structure

Our residential retreat follows a considered rhythm of focused workshops, private mentoring, and uninterrupted writing time designed to give you the space your work rarely receives. We hold the day so that the noise, obligations, and interruptions of everyday life fall away, leaving you free to focus, experiment, and explore.

❋ Expert Guidance

Led by our founders, producers with years of experience shepherding writers to the West End and Broadway, we bring insight, care, and rigorous attention to narrative craft. We welcome writers across disciplines and genres, with work at all stages, guiding you to untangle stalled projects, develop clarity, and discover the story only you can tell.

❋ Collaborative Energy

Connection sparks creativity. You’ll learn from your fellow writers as much as from the guidance of our founders. Within the curated cohort of ten writers we hope to cultivate enduring kinship. A group which encourages shared curiosity and honest feedback, helping you move past isolation, doubt, and creative blocks, and providing a steadying force for your own ideas.

❋ Supportive Space

We create an environment where curiosity, courage, and honesty are celebrated—take risks, write without compromise, and return home with renewed clarity and confidence. Whether you are a playwright, a novelist, or a poet, all are welcome, whether you’re polishing a long-standing project or embarking on your first work for a new audience.

This retreat is for the bold, the restless, and the curious.

Ready to make trouble?

Wake the words

Day One
Welcome
Let the ordinary fade, and set your intention: write with honesty, curiosity, and courage. This time is yours.

9:00

Find Your North Explore the story only you can tell. Uncover the ideas that have been waiting to emerge audacious, untamed, unmistakably yours.

11:00am

Lunch gathering.

12:30pm

Inspiration Walk Step into the French countryside. Walk, observe, breathe - invite your imagination to roam freely.

2:00pm

Dinner
Food, wine, conversation. Read a snippet, pose a question. Connection sparks creativity.

6:30pm

Day Two

Shake the Cage

Wake Your Body                Gentle movement prepares you to approach your work with fearless energy. Participation is optional; the focus is on unlocking creativity.

9:00 

Radical Revision Lab
Rip through drafts. Strip the dead weight. Keep only what matters.

11:00am

Lunch

12:30pm

Dive Deep, Go Wild 
Uninterrupted writing time. With individual sessions to spark courage, and untangle ideas.

2:00pm

Dinner                                    Gather over the Priory-prepared evening meal. Celebrate curiosity, audacity, and ideas that refuse to stay quiet.

6:30pm

Raise Hell

Day Three
First Light, First Thoughts
Write what’s been circling quietly. The wild, messy, unfashionable thoughts.

9:00 

Founders’ Fireside
Stories of risk, audacity, and persistence. Explore how to carry this fearless energy into your work and life beyond the retreat.

11:00am

Lunch gathering

12:30pm

Mark What Has Shifted    Leave with sharpened courage, and the assurance of what you’re no longer willing to edit out.

2:00pm

Fairwell

4pm

* This is an example schedule, designed to hold both structure and spaciousness; the rhythm may be lightly adapted for the needs of each cohort.

  • " Being given the safety net of time without tension, but with the gentle rigour of soft structure galvanised us immensely. ”

    Jack Sain - Writer, Director

    Bristol Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse, and the West End

Ready to wake the words?

To foster deep connection and cultivate a fierce, supportive circle, each residency is limited to just ten writers. We welcome the bold, the restless, and the curious—those ready to take risks and write without compromise.

Have a question?

Apply

Any questions?

  • Your retreat fee covers: Three nights’ accommodation in the historic Priory of Pressigny All meals, prepared on-site with fresh, seasonal ingredients, many grown in the Priory gardens Guided workshops, optional one-to-one mentoring, and all retreat activities Access to uninterrupted writing time and inspiring spaces throughout the Priory You’ll dine in communal spaces, sleep in comfortable rooms, and enjoy the calm, inspiring atmosphere of the Priory — a sanctuary where your work can flourish. * Travel to the Priory is not included.

  • The Priory of Pressigny is set in the serene Deux-Sèvres region of southwest France, surrounded by rolling countryside and vineyards.

    Travel times by car are approximately:

    • 3 hours from Paris by train and car

    • 2 hours from Nantes

    • 1.5–2 hours from La Rochelle

    • 1–1.5 hours from Poitiers

    On-site parking is available. On request, we may also be able to arrange pick-ups from local train stations or airports to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible.

  • Yes, the retreat balances structured workshops and group sessions with generous periods of uninterrupted writing time.

    You can immerse yourself in your work, take optional one-to-one guidance, or explore the Priory grounds for inspiration. The retreat is designed to help you move past isolation, doubt, and creative blocks.

  • We aim to make the retreat as comfortable and inclusive as possible. If you have dietary requirements, accessibility needs, or special requests (including travel pick-ups), please let us know when booking so we can plan accordingly.

    Each attendee will be assigned a room in the Priory, arranged to balance privacy, comfort, and creative ease. While rooms are private, some shared arrangements may be offered depending on availability. If you would like to explore this, please let us know early so we can do our best to accommodate you. 

    If you’d like to stay on at Priory of Pressigny after the retreat to explore the region or continue your writing time, that is often possible - just let our team know so we can help with your plans.

  • This retreat is for writers who are ready to take risks, challenge themselves, and write without compromise.

    Whether you are working on a novel, a play, a poetry collection, or other serious projects, this is a space for focused time, fearless guidance, and a supportive creative circle. It is designed for those who want to push boundaries, sharpen their work, and leave inspired.