Join us in May 2026 for Normandy, Beyond the Beaches, a women-only retreat exploring the depth, flavor, and quiet strength of northern France. From coastal cliffs to cider country, this small-group experience blends cultural curiosity, thoughtful movement, and meaningful connection, ideal for solo travelers or anyone craving adventure with intention.

We’ll stay in a cozy countryside estate near Rouen, a region rich with history, natural beauty, and timeless charm. Our home base offers the perfect balance of comfort and access, close to Normandy’s most compelling sites, yet peaceful and tucked away from the bustle.

Each day will be thoughtfully paced and deeply rooted in place. You’ll walk the winding lanes of medieval towns, explore Normandy’s food traditions, from seaside oysters to orchard-pressed cider, and reflect at historic sites like the D-Day beaches. A highlight of our journey: a visit to the breathtaking Mont Saint-Michel, rising like a dream from the tides. Along the way, we’ll share nourishing meals, laughter, and perspective around the table.

This retreat invites you to experience more than just the history books, to uncover Normandy’s full story, one layer at a time. Whether you arrive solo or with a friend, you’ll leave feeling grounded, inspired, and more connected, to yourself, to others, and to this quietly powerful corner of France.

Maison d'Amies (French for House of Female Friends) was born from our founder's deep love of France, a desire to create space for women to slow down, reconnect, and feel at home in themselves. These women only retreats blend curated cultural experiences with true rest and intentional community. Each trip is designed to feel like a warm, extended exhale and is grounded in slow travel, regional connection, and the kind of soul-deep joy that lingers long after the journey ends. 

Please read through these important FAQs. If you have additional questions that aren't answered here, please email our host at stephanie@maisondamies.com

This retreat is designed for women seeking meaningful connection, cultural immersion, and a slower, more intentional way to experience France. Whether you're traveling solo or with a friend, Normandy, Beyond the Beaches welcomes those who crave deeper conversations, beautiful surroundings, and the joy of shared meals and unhurried days. 

Please note: due to the historic nature of Normandy and our accommodation, guests should be able-bodied and comfortable walking on uneven cobblestone streets and navigating stairs without assistance. There is no elevator in our retreat home. 

This group will include up to 9 participants, plus the host Stephanie and our retreat staff. 

On the registration form, you will see a space to include if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. We will do our best to meet all of these requests, if you have additional questions please email us directly to discuss. 

If you have severe food allergies, we advise you email us directly prior to booking so we can ensure this retreat is right for you. 

The closest major airports to Beuvron-en-Auge are Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY). From either airport, the drive to our retreat home takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours through the scenic French countryside.

If you're traveling by train, we recommend taking a direct route from Paris Saint-Lazare to Caen, which takes about 2.5 hours. From Caen, it’s a short 30-minute taxi or private transfer to Beuvron-en-Auge.

While travel to the retreat is not included in your package, we’re happy to provide personalized travel suggestions and help coordinate timing with fellow guests. A full Discovery Guide with detailed travel advice will be sent out two months before the retreat.

If you would like to include transfer from Paris, please select that add-on option when you reserve your room.

To keep our retreats intimate and affordable, shared accommodations are the default option—unless you reserve the one available Solo Sleeper room for an additional cost, you’ll be paired with another guest in a thoughtfully arranged shared space. While many women come solo, we do our best to match guests based on sleep preferences and personality.

Please also note that transportation to and from the retreat home—before and after the official retreat dates—is not included and is the responsibility of each guest. We’ll provide detailed arrival/departure guidance to make travel planning easier, and we’re happy to connect guests looking to coordinate transfers or taxis.

We recommend arriving in France at least one day early to acclimate and avoid travel stress. As with all Maison d’Amies retreats, we ask guests to arrive open-hearted, flexible, and respectful of the space and each other. It’s the shared spirit that makes this experience so special.