In France
July 3-10, 2022
Paris & French Countryside River Cruise
Praise for the Retreats
“Love traveling with the magic of Betsy. She is a storyteller that inspires loving creativity.”
— Ingrid Sato, Somatic Psychotherapist
Bali Retreat
Praise for the Retreats
“The writing retreat changed my life!! And the book I started in Bali with Betsy is healing my heart and will heal the hearts of millions.”
— Tatiana Arias, www.tatianaarias.com
Bali Retreat
Praise for the Retreats
“I have such gratitude for how gentle and encouraging you were with my writing and how that feeling of safety allowed me to dig deeper.”
— Elisabeth
France Retreat
In France
July 3-10, 2022
Paris & French Countryside River Cruise
Praise for the Retreats
“Love traveling with the magic of Betsy. She is a storyteller that inspires loving creativity.”
— Ingrid Sato, Somatic Psychotherapist
Bali Retreat
Praise for the Retreats
“The writing retreat changed my life!! And the book I started in Bali with Betsy is healing my heart and will heal the hearts of millions.”
— Tatiana Arias, www.tatianaarias.com
Bali Retreat
Praise for the Retreats
“I have such gratitude for how gentle and encouraging you were with my writing and how that feeling of safety allowed me to dig deeper.”
— Elisabeth
France Retreat
Overview
What to Expect...
Paris, the City of Lights, is your lighthouse for the stories to be written during the Write in France retreat. Your base for the retreat is S.S. Joie de Vivre, a chic and sophisticated “super yacht” on the Seine River where you’ll spend eight nights in a luxury cabin as you cruise through the French countryside.
Your floating pied-à-terre in France begins and ends in the heart of Paris, a city that has inspired writers, painters, and artists for thousands of years. What will it inspire in you?
As you cruise the Seine onboard your boutique hotel, there are daily stops and excursions to quaint villages and famous châteaus. You’ll visit Claude Monet’s home and the gardens that inspired his paintings. You’ll have an inside tour of some of France’s most historic spots, including the beaches of Normandy, the Palace of Versailles, and where Joan of Arc stood and died in her truth.
You’ll join Betsy for daily writing circles and evening spoken word gatherings. This retreat is perfect if you want to go deeper into a daily writing practice or if you need time and space to work on a book. Betsy’s writing retreats are a place to gather and listen to the writer’s voice that you know is there even if you don’t consider yourself as a writer.
You’ll have most of your days to use as you please. The daily excursions are included. Or you may want to book treatments at the onboard spa or spend time reading and writing on the top deck of the S.S. Joie de Vivre. The idea is to give yourself the gift of time and space to listen to the heartbeat of the story that is calling you.
The writing circles during the France retreat will guide you to listen to the unexpressed stories of your heart, of your dreams, and of your life. The hope is that you leave the retreat with respect for a daily writing practice and maybe even inspiration to write that book you’ve been talking about writing.
On this retreat, you’ll discover:
- The quickest path to discovering your writer’s voice
- Get clear on the story behind your story – and why it matters
- How a daily writing practice is good for your health & wellness
- An intimate circle of supportive women who will be the beholders for your stories
- A luxury stateroom, 3 farm-to-table meals on board, all beverages, inducing wine, beer and premium spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and coffee and tea, all included daily excursions, all onboard gratuities, airport transfers and more!
- Eight days and seven nights to explore both France and your stories as you cruise on the famous Seine Rive past quaint towns and historic villages.
- Daily Writing Circles and evening Storytelling Salons.
- The gift of your voice.
Itinerary
Here’s a look at the plan and the ports-of-call for each day of your writing adventure.
Day One: Paris (Embark)
Let’s toast our arrival with champagne on the top deck of S.S. Joie de Vivre. With the Eiffel Tower sparking in the background, this is sure to be the start of a memorable Write in France Retreat on the Seine River.
Day Two: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny
Today is a celebration of northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. Visit the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering sweeping views over the Seine. Later, you can visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. Or take in the beautiful French countryside in a more invigorating way, with a guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny.
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Day Three: Rouen
Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet are among them.
Day Four: Caudebec-en-Caux (Honfleur or Étretat)
Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf.
Day Five: Rouen (Normandy Beaches)
There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, including Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Australian or Canadian beaches. After, you’ll go to the American cemetery and partake in a private ceremony at the Omaha Beach Memorial—a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.
Day Six: Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)
How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Day Seven: Paris
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods, or pedal your way along the Left Bank, a fresh and fun way to take in the sights.
Day Eight: Paris (Disembark)
You’ll depart with a journal or laptop full of inspiration for the next stories to write.
Itinerary
Here’s a look at the plan and the ports-of-call for each day of your writing adventure.
Day One: Paris (Embark)
Let’s toast our arrival with champagne on the top deck of S.S. Joie de Vivre. With the Eiffel Tower sparking in the background, this is sure to be the start of a memorable Write in France Retreat on the Seine River.
Day Two: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny
Today is a celebration of northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. Visit the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering sweeping views over the Seine. Later, you can visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. Or take in the beautiful French countryside in a more invigorating way, with a guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny.
This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.
Day Three: Rouen
Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet are among them.
Day Four: Caudebec-en-Caux (Honfleur or Étretat)
Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf.
Day Five: Rouen (Normandy Beaches)
There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, including Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Australian or Canadian beaches. After, you’ll go to the American cemetery and partake in a private ceremony at the Omaha Beach Memorial—a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.
Day Six: Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)
How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
Day Seven: Paris
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods, or pedal your way along the Left Bank, a fresh and fun way to take in the sights.
Day Eight: Paris (Disembark)
You’ll depart with a journal or laptop full of inspiration for the next stories to write.
Meet Betsy
Author & Writing Coach
Betsy Murphy leads writing retreats all over the world and this one will be unforgettable.
Whether staying at a private chateau in France, floating over a river in a bamboo pod for a writing class in Bali, picnics in stunning Cape Town wine country, or waking up to walks with rhinos and ellies in Zimbabwe, Betsy’s retreats are considered once-in-a-lifetime journeys that many people return to do again. The writing retreat on the Seine River in France will be a magical place to cruise with the most powerful version of your writer’s voice.
“Betsy has a presence as powerful as any human I have ever met but the impactful part of how she has chosen to use it. She is changing what it means to be – and how it is to be – a woman in the world.”
Accommodations & Pricing
Details on pricing for single and double occupancy, plus a link to the booking agent where you can get a feel for the different levels of accommodations available.
What's Included
Includes eight nights accommodations, all onboard meals and drinks including alcohol, daily writing circles, evening gatherings, daily excursions, transport to and from CDG airport. You are responsible for any extra charges for special excursions and spa bookings.
There are two fees for the retreat paid here:
- $2200 Registration Fee paid to Betsy
- Cruise Fee paid directly to Uniworld, the booking agent for the S.S. Joie de Vivre.
Upon payment to Betsy, you’ll receive the link to book your preferred cabin through the booking agent, Uniworld. Book early to get preferred cabin. You can see rooms and layouts here.
| Cabin Options | Double (USD) | Single (USD) |
| Classic | $3699.00 | $7148.00 |
| French Balcony | $4899.00 | $9248.00 |
| Deluxe French Balcony | $5499.00 | $10,298.00 |
| Suite | $7199.00 | $15,298.00 |
| Grand Suite | $9699.00 | $20,298.00 |
Rates for cruise increase March 5, 2022. Book before then to guarantee this rate.
*Twin beds for a double cabin available on request.
***The above prices do not include the $2200 Registration Fee paid to Betsy.
EARLY BOOKING BONUS:
$1,500 in BONUSES if you book by December 15th, 2021. You receive a $330 credit for the onboard spa, two private consultations ($400 each) with Betsy to focus on your writing and publishing desires, a free enrollment in Beyond the Journal an on demand writing retreat ($249), and a copy of the book, “Write On: A Daily Writing Practice for Anyone with a Story to Tell.”
— Keira
FAQ
What if my cabin choice isn't available?
The cabins are offered on a first come basis. All of the rooms are stunning so if your first choice isn’t available, consider booking a different category.
Can I bring my partner?
The retreat is open to anyone. If you would like to bring a partner or share a room with someone who doesn’t want to do the writing portion of the retreat, they are still required to pay a Registration Fee to Betsy at half of the rate ($1100) as Betsy has negotiated a special rate for anyone registered for the cruise.
After you register, let us know you want to bring a guest and we will send you the link to register your guest. Just email betsy@betsybmurphy.com.
Do I need to be a writer to join the retreat?
Many of the people joining the retreat don’t consider themselves writers when they arrive. They have a story to tell and they aren’t sure where to begin. The retreat will support you in moving from getting those thoughts out of your journal and into story form with a beginning, middle, and end. You’ll start writing stories others want to read. You’ll start writing stories others want to share. WARNING: By the end of the retreat, you may call yourself a writer!
What happens if I need to cancel?
You are paying two fees for the cost of the Write in France River Cruise: (1) $2,200 Registration Fee to Betsy; and, (2) Booking Fee to Uniworld for the cost of the cruise.
Due to the small size of Betsy’s retreats, we are unable to offer you a refund of the Registration Fee for any reason. In the event of cancellation from the pandemic, you’ll receive credit for the Registration Fee to be used towards any of Betsy’s offerings or a future retreat. Your place is transferable as long as you are able to transfer the cruise portion through Uniworld. Betsy’s retreats often have a Wait List so if we are able to find someone to take your place from the Wait List, you receive a refund of the Registration Fee minus $500 administrative fee. Travel insurance is advised which often covers cancellations. Please consult with your airlines and travel insurance to see what is covered. Uniworld, the booking agent for the river cruise, offers travel insurance. You can learn more and Opt-in here.
Can I arrive early or stay longer?
Your booking includes airport transfers to and from S.S. Joie de Vivre. You are also welcome to arrive on your own if you plan to arrive early or extend your stay in Paris.
Can I book a private session with Betsy?
The retreat includes daily writing circles with Betsy. Time permitting, you can book a private consultation with her. Information is found here under ONE HOUR CONSULTATION. If you want to continue working with her post-retreat, you can find details here.
Why writing prompts?
Our daily writing circles include 15-minute writing prompts. We all write together based on a given prompt and then it’s optional to share what you’ve written. The great thing about the prompts is you aren’t trying to think of the story you want to tell, you read the prompt, and then start writing allowing your intuition to guide you. You’ll be surprised what happens when you take your intuitive spirit as a writing partner.
Can I skip a session during the retreat?
The retreat is designed to be spacious so you have time for yourself, excursions, spa time and more. If you need additional time to rest, write, and restore, you can skip any session. Betsy requests that you don’t come late or leave the writing circles early.
Will publishing be covered?
We are focused on writing. Publishing is not part of the retreat sessions. Betsy’s book “Write On: A Daily Writing Practice for Anyone with a Story to Tell” offers a chapter with tips and resources on publishing. You can also schedule a private session with her for guidance on publishing.
What's the daily schedule look like?
Writing Circles (60-90 minutes) will be every morning and Story Salon gathering (60 minutes) will be most evenings. Times will vary due to the ship’s schedule.
The itineraries presented are subject to modification due to water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. Every effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but changes may still be necessary throughout the cruise. This day-to-day schedule is subject to change. Your final day-to-day schedule will be provided onboard on the first day of your cruise.
Schedule an Event
events@betsybmurphy.com
Contact Author
betsy@betsybmurphy.com
Schedule an Event
events@betsybmurphy.com
Contact Author
betsy@betsybmurphy.com