Relocation Retreat ⋆ Design Mom

You’re invited to the Relocation Retreat in Normandy, France. It’s a gathering focused on the practical aspects of buying property in France and/or relocating to France, hosted by Gabrielle Blair.

At this 4-night retreat, Gabrielle & Ben Blair will join guests daily for workshops and classes from local experts (either in English or with translation) on topics like buying property in France, financing property in France, property taxes in France, how to apply for a residence visa, how to find real estate in France, how to work with a maître d’œuvre (a French general contractor), and how to move a household abroad.

Retreat guests will learn about aspects of daily French life — like shop schedules, restaurant schedules, how the trash works, having a car vs. public transit, etc.. The Relocation Retreat also includes visits to actual homes for sale so that retreat guests can get an idea of the types of properties available at different price ranges.

Guests will return home with the contacts and information they need to make their relocation-to-France-dreams a reality.

2025 Relocation Retreat Dates

Wednesday, September 17th to Sunday, September 21st, 2025
Registration for the 2025 retreat is now open! Space is very limited, so be sure to register right away to reserve your spot.

While the official schedule of the Relocation Retreat will be focused on practical topics, guests will also have time for local exploration and adventures that can give them a taste of what it’s really like to live in France.

You’ll enjoy excellent and convenient breakfast, lunch and dinner, either on site at the hotel, or at local restaurants. And the retreat includes a welcome gift featuring Gabrielle’s favorite local products.

A Practical Schedule

Each day of the Relocation Retreat will feature meetings and classes with experts on relocation-related topics, plus visits to properties that are currently for sale. Here is the current schedule:

Wednesday, September 17th
4:00 Afternoon arrival and check-in
7:30 Welcome Dinner

Thursday, September 18th
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Visit a property for sale (150-250k price range)
12:00 Picnic lunch at a Chateau
2:30 Expert Q&A with a Real Estate Agency and a Notaire,
followed by Gouter (afternoon snack)
4:00 Open time
7:30 Dinner hosted at a local’s home

Friday, September 19th
8:00 Breakfast
10:30 Visit a property for sale (300-600k price range)
12:00 Lunch & Tour at the Blair’s Small House
2:00 Expert Q&A with a Tax Expert, Banker, and a Visa Expert
followed by Gouter (afternoon snack)
4:00 Open time
7:30 Dinner at a local restaurant

Saturday, September 20th
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Visit a property for sale (Under 100k price range)
11:30 Visit a local town market & lunch at a traditional French brasserie
2:00 Expert Q&A with a Maître D’œuvre (general contractor), and a Renovation Artisan
followed by Gouter (afternoon snack)
3:30 Open time
7:30 Dinner at a local restaurant

Sunday, September 21st
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 Tour of a local Argentan landmark
11:30 Train back to Paris, including a sack lunch

Please note: The schedule offerings are subject to change due to weather or availability.

Here’s are a few other local activities you are welcome to attend while you’re with us:
A visit to Argentan’s excellent Art Museum
Exploring Main Street shops
Shopping at a local Vide Grenier (vide grenier means “empty attic” and is a community tag sale)
A historic walking tour of Argentan’s oldest buildings
A tour of a French grocery store, led by Gabrielle

Convenient & Excellent Accommodations

Retreat guests will stay in private rooms at a local hotel & spa with a Michelin-Star restaurant and heated pool in the Blair’s countryside town of Argentan — the best hotel in town. The Blairs will personally upgrade the rooms with bathrobes, slippers, and a hand-picked collection of favorite French toiletries. The hotel is walkable to Argentan’s town center.

Retreat Fees

The price to attend is $5,999 per person and includes all meals, accommodations, and scheduled activities during the retreat. If you are attending with a partner or spouse who will be sharing a hotel room with you, the price for the additional attendee is $3,999. (These fees do not include transportation to and from France and Argentan.) There are a limited number of spaces available, so if you’d like to attend, be sure to reserve your spot right away.

REGISTRATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
RELOCATION RETREAT IS NOW OPEN!
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT

Helpful Retreat FAQs

What if I don’t know anyone else attending the retreat?
Whether you have signed up for the retreat with a friend or are attending on your own, you will be welcomed and made to feel right at home. There will be opportunities to connect with other attendees and socialize without pressure. And there are breaks built into the schedule for anyone who needs time on their own to re-energize.

What if I have a food allergy or other dietary concerns?
When retreat guests register, they will be asked about allergies and dietary concerns, and all meals will make accommodations as needed. Please note: while a vegetarian diet can be accommodated, this retreat is not appropriate for vegans.

Will D-Day Beaches or Mont St. Michel or other Normandy destinations be part of the retreat?
The retreat will be focused in Argentan and the surrounding area, but you can plan for other Normandy exploration either before or after the retreat.

Will exploring Paris be part of the retreat?
We think exploring Paris always sounds like a good idea! We are focusing our retreat schedule on Normandy, but for any retreat guests flying in or out of Paris, we suggest scheduling some time in Paris either before or after the retreat (or both).

How do I know which train to book to Normandy?
After you have made your flight plans, our team will send you information on which train to take, including how to buy your ticket, and where to find the train. Trains to Normandy depart from the Montparnasse Station (Gare Montparnasse) in Paris. You are also welcome to rent a car and drive — our team can also send information on driving to Normandy.

Once I sign up, do I need to reserve a spot for any activities?
All activities at the retreat are open to all retreat guests, so once you’re signed up for the retreat, there’s no need to sign up for particular activities.

Can I skip an activity?
All retreat activities are optional. If a nap is calling to you, or you’re just craving some on-your-own time, you can opt-out of any activity.

Will we have a chance to shop?
Yes, your hotel is also an easy walk from the town center, filled with local shops. For high-end shopping, we suggest planning some time in Paris.

Will I get to see the Small House?
Yes, the Relocation Retreat includes an optional tour of the Small House. Note, this retreat does not include a tour of the Tall House (the Blair’s primary residence).

What if I have to cancel?
For the Relocation Retreat, a $1999 deposit is due at registration, and the remaining balance will be charged will be charged on July 14, 2025. Guests will be able to cancel until July 13, 2025 to receive a full deposit refund (minus the card processing fees). There are no refunds after July 13, 2025. If it’s after the cancellation period and you are no longer able to come, you are welcome to sell or gift your spot to a friend or associate.

Who is organizing the retreat?
Gabrielle is personally planning the schedule for the retreat, and a local team of professionals will be producing and executing the retreat, and will be at the ready to answer your questions and solve any problems that you may encounter as you make your plans.

Can men attend the retreat?
The Relocation Retreat is designed for people, couples, and families who want to move to France, and we welcome people of any gender to attend.

Can I bring my children to the retreat?
Depending on the ages of your children, some of the activities on the schedule above may be interesting to them, but to be clear, the Relocation Retreat is not designed for children. If you’re traveling as a family with two adults, one option could be having one adult attend the retreat activities, while the other adult takes the children on daytrips around Normandy (like Mont St. Michel, D-Day Beaches, and Bayeux). Another option would be to split up, with one adult staying in Paris with the children, while the other adult attends the retreat.

If your child is old enough that you would like them to join the retreat group for meals and activities, they will need to have a reserved and paid-for retreat spot.

How many people will attend each retreat?
For the Relocation Retreat we are planning for 12 guests maximum per retreat. But that number may change slightly (either more or less) depending on the response.

What if I’m an introvert? Will these retreats be overwhelming?
Introverts are definitely welcome! Gabrielle has planned very flexible schedules that will allow anyone to opt-out of a group activity and enjoy some on-their-own time as needed.

Is it possible to have a retreat on different dates for my group of friends?
Yes. We’d love to organize a custom retreat for your group. Please email your custom retreat requests to designmom@designmom.com.

More FAQs will be added as your questions continue to come in. Do you have a question that wasn’t answered here? Please email your question to designmom@designmom.com.