What if photography were less about taking pictures and more about learning to see?
The poetic eye is not concerned with simply recording the world. It notices what others overlook. It lingers. It listens. It finds beauty in weathered stone, morning light on ancient walls, the curve of a river, a market stall overflowing with color, and the quiet stories held within old doorways and winding village streets. It recognizes that every photograph begins long before the shutter is pressed—with the quality of our attention.
Set amidst the timeless beauty of the Périgord in southwest France, this ten-day all-inclusive retreat invites you into a slower, more contemplative way of seeing. Together we will explore enchanting medieval villages, hilltop castles, rivers, gardens, markets, and landscapes that have inspired artists and pilgrims for centuries. Our home will be a beautiful château, where spacious gardens and elegant surroundings offer time to reflect, create, and simply be.
This is not a retreat about chasing the perfect photograph. It is about cultivating presence, curiosity, and wonder—discovering how photography can become a creative and contemplative practice that deepens your relationship with the world around you.
Throughout our ten days together you will learn to:
Slow down and see with fresh eyes through simple contemplative photography practices.
Develop "the poetic eye" by noticing light, colour, texture, pattern, symbolism, and the small moments that often go unseen.
Create photographs that express not only what you saw, but what you felt.
Explore close-up and intimate photography that reveals beauty hidden in ordinary places.
Learn gentle editing techniques on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device that enhance the mood and emotional resonance of your images.
Discover creative ways to transform your photographs into works of art worthy of printing, sharing, and treasuring.
Listen for the quiet words each image carries and shape them into simple, poetic reflections. You’ll discover the poems already waiting within your photographs.
There will be time to wander, to photograph, to sit quietly in cafés, to linger in gardens, and to allow the spirit of each place to reveal itself. Rather than rushing from one destination to another, we will cultivate the art of deep attention, trusting that the most meaningful images often arise when we stop trying to capture the world and instead allow it to touch us.
Our excursions will include some of the most beautiful villages in France, such as Sarlat, Beynac, La Roque-Gageac, Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, and many hidden places known only to our local hosts. We will photograph bustling markets, ancient architecture, rivers reflecting the changing light, peaceful gardens, and landscapes layered with centuries of history.
Whether you use a professional camera, a compact camera, or simply your phone, this retreat welcomes photographers of every level of experience. The emphasis is never on technical perfection but on discovering your own unique way of seeing. You will receive guidance and encouragement wherever you are on your creative journey.
The Poetic Eye is ultimately an invitation to fall in love with the world again. During our time together you will cultivate both the poetic eye and the poetic voice of the image, discovering how photographs and words can work together to express what neither could say alone.
You will return home with far more than a collection of beautiful photographs. You will leave with a deeper trust in your own vision, a quieter way of seeing, and a creative practice that continues long after the journey has ended.
YOUR CREATIVE GUIDE
Catherine Anderson is the author of The Creative Photographer, winner of a Silver Nautilus Book Award, and has spent many years exploring photography as a contemplative and creative practice. Through her work with photography, SoulCollage®, visual journals, and pilgrimage, she invites others to discover that where we place our attention has the power to transform not only our photographs, but our experience of life itself.
YOUR PERIGORD HOSTS
Our hosts will be Harrison and Katel Turner. They take care of everything from the moment you arrive at the train station until the moment they drop you off at the train station. Their retreats are curated specifically and uniquely for each group to make sure that you get the most out of your 10 days here. This will be my second retreat with Harrison and Katel, and they go and above and beyond my expectations!
Every night, you’ll eat locally sourced and deliciously prepared food cooked in-house by Katel. Picnic lunches with panoramic views and wine (of course).
WHERE WE WILL STAY
We will be staying at a Chateau near Gourdon.
COST OF RETREAT
€4600 - Chateau suite with private bathroom for single person
€7300 - Shared Chateau suite (two twin beds) with private bathroom
€4300 - Farmhouse suite with private bathroom for single person
€7300 - Couple’s suite with private bathroom
This includes accommodation, all food and beverages, transportation for excursions, pick up and drop off from Gourdon Station, and creative instruction and handouts.
REGISTRATION LINK AT PERIGORD RETREATS WEBSITE COMING SOON
When you enter your details into the "See Price Information" form on the Perigord Retreats page you will open the booking form which will allow you to choose your accommodation, and pay your deposit of €1,000. Full payment is due 60 days before the retreat.
The Farmhouse
GETTING TO THE PERIGORD RETREAT CENTER
There is a direct train from Paris Austerlitz Station to Gourdon where we will be picked up by the retreat center. It takes just over 5 hours by train from Paris to Gourdon.
I do recommend arriving a day or two earlier if you can. In 2025 I stayed at the Off Paris Seine hotel and walked across the street to the train station on the morning of departure. I recommend a taxi from the CDG airport to the hotel or directly to the Paris Austerlitz Station if you are not arriving early. I generally book my hotel on booking.com, and book my taxi there as well.
Perigord Retreats recommends using Trainline to book your train tickets. I’ll let you know which train to book closer to the time.
Perigord Retreats will pick us up from the Gourdon train station on the start day of the retreat (October 1st) and drop us back there in the morning on the last day of the retreat (October 10th). Any am departure time is fine. They are also happy to assist with routes and timings, if you need further help.