Prices - All rooms are twin bedded but can be booked for single occupancy £1075 per person per week
Two sharing twin room £965 per person
Special offer in June - I have a lady already booked in whose travelling companion is not able to come so this space is available. If you are willing to share please email me or call to discuss it further. I know the lady personally - she is a lovely lovely mature lady and I can put you in touch before you decide.
The Sewing Retreat Idea?
Well - I had an accident in 2017 and after 4 operations on my leg and spending 6 months confined to a bed or hobbling about on crutches I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. I had a lovely sewing room which I could hardly use and became increasingly frustrated. I needed a break…. I read a blog about a sewing retreat in Paris and emailed the lady (in Australia) for details. The lovely lady replied that the blog was from last year and the retreat was almost a disaster. She found herself in Paris with a clapped out van and a tatty room with 6 rusty sewing machines. She salvaged the week but was looking for an alternative venue. Over the coming year or so we kept in touch and I eventually suggested she come to our house in France. Anyway - fast forward - it became very complex with insurance, permits, visas and all sorts of obstacles. It was put on a back burner - then I had that lightbulb moment. The Australian lady was a professional dressmaker and ran The Vintage Sewing School and had a huge following. Unlike little old me, considerably older, not a professional and definitely no followers BUT I most definitely can sew and was taught by the best (My dear departed Mum). I was 5 when I got my first sewing machine (I still have it). My grandfather was a tailor, my grandmother and two aunts were seamstresses and my Mum was a “cutter” (have you seen the film called The Firm? Mark Rylance is a Cutter - its a great film) sorry moving on yes Mum was also a skilled seamstress and tailor. So I come from good stock!
So - I thought I can do that, there’s very little I dont know about sewing, Ive got a beautiful venue, plenty of space, 10 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 2 acres of gardens, wonderful views, a pool and most of all A HUSBAND WHO COOKS - et voila!!!! The Sewing Retreat at Dauve was born - I advertised it and had no trouble filling the spaces THEN COVID STRUCK. …… I refunded everyone’s money and the following year Covid was still lurking so that was cancelled too. In 2022 we finally got it off the ground and IT FLEW! Ive learned along the way and each year just gets better.
Take a moment to read the reviews which speak for themselves.
OUR FOOD IS EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD AND WINE IS INCLUDED AT LUNCH AND DINNER
A choice of breakfast - either English or continental
A leisurely lunch over a glass of wine or a cool beer
Pre dinners drinks followed by A three course meal again with wine included
YOU WILL FIND ALL THE PRICES ON THE PREVIOUS PAGE But the following is useful information. We offer free airport transfers and are happy to discuss extended stays or earlier arrivals.
I have successfully found room buddies for ladies coming alone by matching up similar guests. I normally give both ladies the others details and they decide for themselves - it works well!
TRAVEL - Please please bear in mind that we do not charge for airport transfers and the cost of a taxi is estimated to be around £300+ at least EACH WAY so when booking your flight please be aware that we visit the airport only once during the day. The two bridges crossing the Charente leaving the airport can get busy. The journey to our house can take an hour on a good day or it can take 2 plus depending on the time of day. When choosing a flight aim to arrive between 10 am and 4 pm if possible please. You may have to wait for other flights to arrive but there are coffee shops and restaurants in the airport. The other alternative is to arrive a day early and spend that time in Bordeaux, meet up perhaps with other ladies on the trip and book a basic hotel in Bordeaux or an airport hotel and have an nice meal in the evening, getting your holiday off to a great start. We will collect you from the airport the next day (there is a great tram service between Bordeaux centre and the airport)
Flights are getting pricey and I have found in the past that if you are willing to fly from one airport and fly back to a different airport there are savings to be made BIG TIME. The airlines know that the vast majority of people go for a week so entice you by making the outward fair cheap then the return fair can be three times the prices, sometimes more. So be flexible.
or consider Eurostar, changing in Paris and we will collect you from Angouleme, the medieval capital of the Charente
Buy holiday insurance as you would any other holiday - if we cancel you will get a no quibble refund dependant on timing of course.
any questions???
ask away!
Classic Interior
4 double/twin bedrooms (2 with ensuite, 2 with private bathrooms)
4 bathrooms in total
Large open plan living, dining, kitchen
Optional meal arrangements
Wifi
Stunning Exterior
Private garden with sun terrace
Al fresco eating area
Heated, outdoor, secure pool
Beautiful views and secluded location
Stunning tranquil surroundings
Sewing Environment
Large sewing area featuring 8 sewing machines and 2 overlockers
Daily tutorial and guidance from Kate
Haberdashery items and some fabric **
Sewing Kit, if required
Private gite just for sewists
Join us for 7 days full board and can accommodate up to 8 people.
Available rooms include:
1 Twin room with private bathroom adjoined to room-
1 Twin Room with private bathroom on next floor -
1 x Large Twin room with its own ensuite -
1 x Large Twin room with its own ensuite bathroom =
On occasion we make rooms in the main house available at a different rate **
* *Booking in pairs is the most cost effective way. However if you are travelling alone I may be able to arrange a room in the main house. Single occupancy is possible at an additional cost - please ask. I am also happy to ask if a guest is happy to share with another guest travelling alone to keep costs down and avoid single room