Retreats for artists, creators, writers, yoginis and open for Workshops in Sauveterre de Béarn in the Pyrenees Atlantique region of South West France.

A Boste, or the Guard House is a 1000 year old ancient castle converted to a  guest house or chambres d’hôtes in SW France set in a medieval village called Sauveterre de Béarn on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. It is run on a non profit basis of an association Be-Artz, and all income is reinvested in the buildings and art projects. Much love has been put into the building and renovations, using as much as possible recycled materials and furniture.

The castle has become the base for a society of artists called Be-artz led by local artists in the Béarn.

The aim of this society is to develop this building and another, an old ‘Ham Factory’ to be a place for any creatives and teachers to hold workshops and have retreats. A place to come and work in a beautiful and extraordinary environment, meet other like souls, and experience French rural life. We want to develop the Ham Factory into a gallery and workshop space, to work with the village and local children and leave the building in perpetuity for creative purposes. The name BeArtz means that we include Be-Ing as important as Do-ing.  All creative practice is in our opinion a holistic exercise, it includes the body/mind, and so movement, yoga, fascia therapy, dance, music, rhythm can all be included and practiced here.

Our model is Ballinglen Arts centre in Ireland , where from small beginnings there is now a centre, museum and gallery, artists in residence and workshop space.

Although this is a French Village and a ‘Bonjour’ is appreciated as you walk past people, English is spoken and understood by many, and it’s very friendly to foreigners. Sauveterre is also on the Camino, and you will come across backpacking  pilgrims walking on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

As you approach the Castle and its tower at the entrance you will find a stone spiral staircase leading up to the top of the tower with its 360 degree view over the landscape. The skies and the landscape are spectacular. 

The village is set on a cliff overlooking the river, the Gave d’Oleron, and the Pyrenees mountains. There is a terrace from which to view and a descent to the river.

The mountains and the ocean are but a 40 min drive , the river is fabulous for walking/hikes and wild water swimming all year round and is a three minute walk down.

There is an island in the river which is accessed by a foot bridge and it’s a wild place and lovely walk around, about half a mile. There are other walks along the river and to chapels.

There are sun loungers and a bar by the river for those who want more of a holiday atmosphere, there are paddle boards and kayaks available.

There are three bakers in the village, an organic grocery, two pharmacies, a butcher and a gift shop.  Three or four restaurant cafés . A 5 mins walk to a supermarket.  Doctors and dentists are in the village and the closest hospital is a ten minute drive.

There are up to 8 rooms for artists or creatives on retreat, with a kitchen which can be used for meal preparation. This can be shared or done on an individual basis. There is studio space for 8 artists some individual some shared, and each bedroom room also has a desk or table and can be worked in. Most of the rooms have showers en suite, just one room has it’s bathroom across the corridor. We are working on the option of having meals catered.

For workshops there are 8 bedrooms available in The Castle and we rent additional accommodation from friends in the village.   We have housed 15 people in house on workshops retreats with some rooms shared. We can source extra accommodation if needed. We cater for workshops/retreats either in house with ayurvedic based food a priority, but also we work with local cafés and restaurants to provide 3 course meals and work and support local businesses.

For teachers who want separate accommodation we have a separate kitchen and living area.