The questions women askbefore they book.

Most of Jo's guests come on their own. A lot of them have never been on a retreat before. You will arrive not knowing anybody and very quickly feel like you know everybody. There is no awkward sitting on your own at dinner.

Not at all. The majority of guests travel alone. It is the normal way to come, not the exception.

The twin price is for two women who are coming together, so you would need to bring your own friend. Jo does not offer a room matching service. She finds it a bit too risky and would rather not put two strangers together. If you are coming on your own, the sole occupancy room is yours.

No. Jo finds it a bit too risky and would rather not put two strangers together in a room for a week.

No. We walk because it feels good to move and because the countryside is beautiful, not because anybody needs to get fit. It is not a weight loss retreat either.

Nothing is compulsory. There is a faster group on the walks and Jo usually takes up the rear herself for anyone who wants a slower stroll.

The one she is always straight about is the Camino walk. It is thirteen kilometres and takes about three hours. There is one slight hill at the start and after that it is about distance, not climbing. If you are comfortable walking for three hours, you will be fine. Once it starts there is no turning back halfway, so decide beforehand. If it is not for you, you can stay at the château, use the pool or simply sit in the sun with a book. Not everybody does everything.

This is Jo's own answer, in her words rather than ours.

“The retreat is body positive. It is not a fitness or weight-loss retreat and I am very conscious that women come in all shapes and sizes, with very different relationships with their bodies. There is no judgment, no expectation to look or move a certain way. The emphasis is on joining the countryside, walking, delicious food, the spa, relaxation and simply giving yourself permission to pause. I want every woman to feel comfortable and completely herself. The spa is also a very relaxed environment and I would be happy to discuss any particular requirements before you book, so you can feel completely comfortable.”

Most of the women are around Jo's own age, mid fifties. There have been guests up to their late sixties and seventy. Jo's own read is that forty five and above works. Fifty and above is really where the retreat sits.

Absolutely not. One of the most important parts of the week is having time to yourself. You can sit by the pool, read, nap, have a treatment or do absolutely nothing at all. That is not wasted time, it is part of the retreat.

For the 2027 retreats it is €2,750 for sole occupancy, which is your own room, or €2,250 per person for twin occupancy if you are coming with a friend. That is for the full seven nights.

There are five retreats in 2027: 10 to 17 April, which is the Pilates week, then 17 to 24 April, 15 to 22 May, 4 to 11 September and 2 to 9 October.

Seven nights and a maximum of fifteen women. It is deliberately small, small enough that by the end of the week everybody knows everybody.

Availability changes week to week and we would rather not give you a number that is already out of date by the time you read it. Ask for the brochure and Jo will tell you exactly where that retreat stands right now.

Seven nights' accommodation, meals at the château as set out in the programme, the planned Art of Doing Nothing sessions, the organised walks including the Camino de Santiago walk, the spa with its hammam, infrared sauna, traditional stone sauna, jacuzzi and indoor heated pool, the outdoor natural pool and the planned group activities and experiences.

Flights, your own travel insurance, spa treatments such as massages and facials, airport transfers (group or private), alcohol and anything you buy outside the retreat programme.

It is not an alcohol-free retreat, but alcohol is not included. You are welcome to bring or buy your own and there will always be ice and a nice glass for it. At the wine and Armagnac tastings you can buy bottles to enjoy during the week or take home.

There are three upgrade rooms per retreat: two Madame Suites at plus €495 and one Queen Suite, which is very large, at plus €595. Those amounts are in addition to the room price. Once they are taken there are no more.

We are in Gascony, in south west France, near the village of Condom in the Gers. Most guests fly into Toulouse, about an hour and twenty minutes away.

We keep the château itself a little bit under wraps. It is a quiet corner of France and we rather like keeping it that way. The full address goes out with your booking confirmation.

Toulouse. That is where the group transfer runs from. Some guests do travel via Bordeaux, but there is no group transfer from Bordeaux, so do speak to Jo before booking a Bordeaux flight.

Yes. Jo runs a group shuttle from Toulouse airport in the afternoon, at your own expense. It is not included in the price and Jo confirms the details and the cost by email. There is no fixed departure time: Jo sets it once every guest has given her final travel details and the earliest is around two o'clock. Check in at the château is from four o'clock.

If you would rather have a private transfer, Jo can arrange one. That is also at your own expense.

Jo is very happy to look at your flight options with you before you book.

Yes. A taxi from Agen train station to the château is around €100 each way and takes about forty five minutes. Jo can book that for you.

Not at all. Everything throughout the week is in English.

Jo's own words on this: “The retreat is completely English speaking. I have guests from the UK, US and other countries and everything throughout the week is in English, so you would feel very comfortable coming over on your own from the US.”

We can happily look after most dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, allergies. We ask about all of it on the booking form.

If your list is long or very specific, Jo will have a chat with you directly so we can be sure we can genuinely match what you need.

That is one for Jo to answer herself rather than for a website to guess at, because it matters. Ask when you request the brochure and it goes straight to her.

Each day has a gentle rhythm of countryside walks, wonderful food, exploring the local area, spa time and plenty of space to simply do your own thing. It is not a timetable.

The château has ramps, disabled access and a lift. Two of the bedrooms are adapted for restricted mobility with accessible bathrooms. The walks are all optional.

Tell Jo a bit more about what you need and she will be honest with you about what would and would not work.

A spa with a hammam, an infrared sauna, a traditional stone sauna, a jacuzzi and an indoor heated pool. Outside there is a natural pool filtered by plants and forty hectares of grounds. Every bedroom is in the château itself.

A €500 non refundable booking fee secures your place and your room, alongside the completed booking form. The place is not held until both have arrived. Jo confirms every booking in writing.

Ten weeks before the retreat starts.

No. The €500 booking fee is non refundable.

The €500 booking fee is non refundable. Beyond that, the cancellation terms are set out in the booking terms and conditions.

Jo would always recommend taking out good travel insurance as soon as you book, because that is what covers you if something happens.

Jo strongly recommends it and would take it out as soon as you book. She cannot make anyone do it, but if something goes wrong, a cancellation, a delay, lost luggage, that is what protects you.

Yes. Ask for the brochure and say so in the message box. She will come back to you herself. She is usually very quick.