Your creative space in France

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Retreats

A gentle pause. A place to slow down.

Just outside Paris, in the Île-de-France countryside, Creative Mill is a restored 600- year-old mill shaped by the art of slowing down.

Days unfold quietly — shared meals, time to make, time to rest. Each gathering offers space to return — to yourself, to others, and to the rhythm of the place.

Come as you are. Leave renewed.

A cozy bedroom with a large bed, neutral bedding, two yellow pillows, a woven bench at foot, natural light from a window, exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, a stone accent wall, a potted plant, and a bedside lamp.

A Room of Your Own

A creative retreat for women

March 8 – 14, 2026 · 6 nights

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Close-up of purple and yellow flowers in a garden with a house and blue sky in the background.

Respire & Inspire

A weekend of yoga, creativity & connection

February 13– 15, 2026 · 2 nights

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An old wooden watermill wheel inside a rustic building, with stone and wooden structures around it.

What’s Your Story

A focused writing retreat

April 30 – May 3, 2026 · 3 nights

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A golden retriever sitting on a stone porch next to a stone wall and a blue wooden door.

Upcoming

Creative Mill Your creative space

Be the first to know

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Open blue gate leading to a cobblestone pathway with trees and greenery in the background.
Red roses and green leaves in the foreground, with a stone house with blue windows and a green lawn in the background.
Flower bed with yellow and purple flowers next to a stone building and a waterway.
A stone house with blue shutters on a sunny day, surrounded by yellow and purple flowers.
View inside an old stone mill with a wooden water wheel on the left and a flowing stream at the bottom.
Open blue metal gates on stone walls lead into a courtyard with cobblestone pavement, surrounded by green trees and plants.
Red flowers blooming near green leafy bushes with a stone building in the background.
A stone-lined flower bed with yellow and purple flowers beside a flowing stream, with a stone building and trees in the background.
Stone house with blue window shutters and yellow flowers in the foreground.
Inside an old stone watermill with a large wooden water wheel on the left and flowing water underneath.

Our Story

It begins with a place — one that has held six centuries of living. Stone walls that have gathered laughter, footsteps, conversations, and quiet in-between.

Our 600-year-old mill has been our family home, alive with movement, uncertainty, joy, and the soft hum of ideas taking shape.

Creative Mill France grew from a simple wish: to let this place continue doing what it has always done — hold people gently, offer space to breathe, and invite what’s waiting within to unfold.

You’re met just as you are — at the meeting point where being and doing soften into one another.

Purple flowers with yellow centers growing in a garden with a house and trees in the background under a bright blue sky.

A weekend of yoga, creativity & connection

Respire & Inspire

February 13 – 15, 2026 · 91690 Saclas, France
3 days/2 nights

  • For those seeking a gentle reset through guided movement, creative exploration, and shared time — whether new to yoga or well practiced.

  • Phones are set aside on arrival, creating spacious, uninterrupted days. Clear structure is in place, with an emergency contact number available for family and friends.

  • – Two nights’ accommodation

    – Seasonal meals prepared with care

    – Morning and evening yoga sessions

    – Guided creative workshops

    – Time to rest, journal, and wander

    – Pick-up and drop-off from Saint-Martin-d’Étampes (RER C) train station

  • – From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY):

    Approx. 1–2 hours by train and car. Easily accessible by metro and regional rail.

    – From Paris:

    Take the RER C to Saint-Martin-d’Étampes. Pick-up and drop-off at the station are included.

  • All-inclusive rate:

    Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 495€

    Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 525€

    Queen Bedroom — Ensuite Bathroom | 565€

  • Sarah McNabb: Yoga teacher, creative guide, and mindfulness practitioner. Based in Paris for nearly a decade, she helps others create space to breathe and reconnect. Blending yoga, meditation, and gentle flow, Sarah nurtures balance, awareness, and inner calm.

    Email: yogawithsarahs@gmail.com

    Phone: 06 80 05 15 60

    Website: spacetobreathe.fr

Respire & Inspire is a gently held, three-day retreat co-led by Kate Kemp-Griffin and Sarah McNabb, created to help women slow down and reconnect through yoga, creativity, and rest. Drawing on Kate’s experience holding mindful, creative spaces and Sarah’s deeply grounded yoga teaching, the weekend is guided yet spacious — offering time to move, breathe, create, and unwind.

Breathe out. Slow down. Let inspiration return.

Reserve your space
Wall with seven hanging black buckets on chains, each holding art supplies like pens, brushes, and paper. A wooden box below holds bottles and containers, and a central black cup contains feathers and a stick. A paper cutter is partially visible on t
A patio area with a round metal table and four chairs surrounded by lush greenery, yellow flowers, and a small pond on the left side, with a stone building and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
Art supplies on a table, including paint tubes, paintbrushes, colored pencils, and an open book, with a bag labeled "Create" in the background.
An attic space with exposed wooden beams, a small window, a beige couch with pillows, a potted plant, and a patterned area rug on a light-colored floor.
Cozy bedroom with stone accent wall, wooden ceiling beams, large window with view of greenery, bed with yellow pillows, orange bedspread, bedside lamp, woven bench, and potted plant.

7 Day Women’s Creative Retreat (Phone-Free)

A Room Of Your Own

March 8–14, 2026 · 91690 Saclas, France
7 days/6 nights

A Room of Your Own is a seven-day creative retreat for women seeking deep rest and uninterrupted time.

Hosted by Kate Kemp-Griffin, the retreat follows a gentle daily rhythm shaped by meditation, shared meals, optional walks, and quiet presence.

Each guest has her own private room. Days unfold slowly, with time to rest, make, write, or simply be.

  • For women craving quiet, rest, and space to step away from everyday demands — no agenda, no pressure to produce.

  • Phones are set aside on arrival, creating spacious, uninterrupted days. Clear structure is in place, with an emergency contact number available for family and friends.

  • – Six nights’ accommodation

    – Seasonal meals prepared with care

    – Gentle, grounding morning meditation

    – An open creative studio, always available and stocked with paints, brushes, printing presses, sewing machines, collage materials, and simple tools for playful exploration.

    The studio is a welcoming, lived-in space, often shared quietly with Kate. She can usually be found there too, making something of her own.

    – Tea, coffee, and filtered water

    – Pick-up and drop-off from Saint-Martin-d’Étampes (RER C) train station

  • – From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY):

    Approx. 1–2 hours by train and car. Easily accessible by metro and regional rail.

    – From Paris:

    Take the RER C to Saint-Martin-d’Étampes. Pick-up and drop-off at the station are included.

  • All-inclusive rate.

    All rooms are single-occupancy.

    Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 1250€

    Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 1445€

    Queen Bedroom — Ensuite Bathroom | 1565€

Come as you are. Rest deeply. Leave with more of yourself.

Reserve your space
A cozy bedroom with a bed featuring a white headboard, yellow pillows, and a red polka dot blanket. The room has a stone wall behind the bed, wooden ceiling beams, a potted plant on a bedside table, and a beige ottoman at the foot of the bed.
Two beds with metal frames, a small wooden nightstand with books, a potted plant, a window with a view outside, an armchair with a patterned fabric, a beige ottoman, exposed wooden ceiling beams, stone window frame, and beige tile flooring.
Modern bathroom with white walls, beige stone countertops, and wooden ceiling beams. There is a round mirror above the sink, and a small potted plant on a built-in shelf.
A cozy attic bedroom with two single beds with white and yellow bedding, a small wooden side table with a white lamp, a framed wall art, a potted plant in the corner, a small window, and exposed wooden beams
Close-up of a large, old wooden water wheel inside an old building, with parts covered in moss and sunlight shining through gaps.

A focused writing retreat

What’s Your Story?

April 30 – May 3, 2026 · 91690 Saclas, France
4 days/3 nights

What’s Your Story is a writing retreat for those ready to crystallize their ideas for a novel or memoir — to move the work forward, or finally begin. The days follow a clear, supportive rhythm designed to encourage focus, insight, and momentum, while allowing the work itself to lead.

Led by Jami Bernard, a writer, editor, and teacher of story known for her clarity and craft, the retreat offers both structured guidance and individual one-to-one support.

Please note: The retreat structure is intentionally flexible, adapting as the group and writing unfold.

  • For writers and creative thinkers ready to shape and advance a novel or memoir — from bold idea to early draft to stalled manuscript — with expert one-on-one support.

  • Participants will come away with:

    – A deeper appreciation of your book’s purpose and themes

    – A solid outline that will serve as a roadmap

    – An organic approach to knowing what stays in, what goes out

    – A clear understanding of Next Steps

  • Phones are set aside on arrival, creating spacious, uninterrupted days. Clear structure is in place, with an emergency contact number available for family and friends.

  • This is a working retreat for writers ready to spend their days on the page.

    Led by Jami Bernard — a writer, editor, and teacher of story known for her clarity and craft — the retreat combines focused teaching with individual one-to-one guidance.

    The days follow a three-act arc — not as a formula, but as a practical way of understanding how story moves and gathers force — supporting deep focus.

    Across the three days

    Act I · Orientation & Voice
    Clarifying intention, voice, and the opening movement.

    Act II · Tension & Momentum
    Working in the middle of the story, where structure and stakes are tested.

    Act III · Resolution & What Comes Next
    Bringing the work toward clarity and next steps.

    A typical day includes

    • Quiet morning writing

    • Guided meditation

    • Guided work on the manuscript, led by Jami Bernard

    • Scheduled one-to-one sessions with Jami, offering precise, project-specific direction

    • Shared meals and evening integration

    The full program is shared ahead of time and may adapt to the work and the group.

  • – Three nights’ accommodation

    – Seasonal meals prepared with care

    – Gentle, grounding morning meditation

    – Structured writing sessions with expert one-on-one guidance

    – Time to walk, rest, and integrate with nature

    – Pick-up and drop-off from Saint-Martin-d’Étampes (RER C) train station

  • – From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY):

    Approx. 1–2 hours by train and car. Easily accessible by metro and regional rail.

    – From Paris:

    Take the RER C to Saint-Martin-d’Étampes. Pick-up and drop-off at the station are included.

  • All-inclusive rate:

    Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 1450€

    Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 1650€

    Queen Bedroom — Ensuite Bathroom |1850€

  • Jami Bernard — author, book coach, developmental editor, and founder of Barncat Publishing. A former film critic for New York City newspapers and author of more than ten books, she guides writers in shaping their work and polishing it for publication.

    Email:jami@jamibernard.com

    Website:jamibernard.com

When the shape becomes clear, the story can move.

Reserve your space
A vintage hand-crank press on a black table with an open coloring book, a small picture frame, and various decorative items in the background.
An art studio with a large table, drawing materials, a workbench with hanging art supplies, and artwork on the walls.
View from inside a wooden structure overlooking a narrow canal with buildings on the opposite side.
A rustic interior featuring a stone wall, wooden beams on the ceiling, a small staircase with a wooden railing, a grand piano, and three windows allowing natural light in.
Golden retriever dog sitting on a stone step next to a stone wall and blue wooden shutters.

Be the first to know

More to Come

Creative Mill — your creative space

Seasonal gatherings are taking form at Creative Mill, alongside occasional bespoke private retreats and creative residencies for individuals or small groups. All are announced in time and held with an emphasis on spaciousness, craft, and thoughtful hosting.

If you’d like to be the first to hear about upcoming retreats — or to enquire about a private stay — you’re warmly invited to join the mailing list.

Join the mailing list

Accommodation

Each room offers a calm, private place to rest — light-filled, simple, and easy to settle into. Every room has its own character, its own stillness, and its own sense of welcome.

Modern kitchen with beige cabinets, marble island, and brown bar stools, featuring exposed wooden ceiling beams and stone wall accents.
Bedroom with stone wall, exposed wooden beams, and a window showing greenery outside; bed with yellow pillows, a red patterned coverlet, and a beige ottoman at the foot of the bed.
Bedroom with two single beds, a vintage armchair, a small potted plant, and exposed wooden ceiling beams.
A modern shower area with beige stone tiles, a recessed shelf with two pumps, and a handheld showerhead.
Bedroom with stone wall, wooden ceiling beams, a window with metal bars, a bed with an orange blanket, a yellow pillow, a woven chair, open shelves with plants, and a potted plant on a stand.
Modern bathroom with white walls, beige stone countertop, a vessel sink, a mirror, a potted plant, and wooden ceiling beams.
Two beds in a rustic room with stone walls, wooden ceiling beams, and a window. There is a green upholstered armchair, a beige ottoman, and a bedside table with books and a small plant.
A cozy attic bedroom with two single beds, a nightstand with a lamp, a brick and cream-colored walls, a small window, a potted plant, and a wooden chest of drawers.
Living room with stone and wood accents, including a grand piano next to a small window, a dining area with a wooden table and wicker chairs, a beige sofa, and decorative candles on a table. Exposed wooden beams are visible on the ceiling, and a mezz
Modern kitchen with a large island, beige cabinets, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling.
A cozy bedroom with a stone wall, wooden ceiling beams, and a large window with a scenic view. The bed has a white headboard, mustard pillows, and a rust-colored bedspread. There is a wicker side table with books, a beige bench at the foot of the bed
Bedroom with two beds, exposed wooden ceiling beams, a window, a small round table with a plant, and a patterned armchair.
A minimalist shower area with beige tiled walls, built-in shelf with two soap dispensers, and a handheld showerhead.
A cozy bedroom with a white bed covered in an orange blanket, a yellow pillow, and a stone wall with wooden shelves holding plants, located next to a window with white framing and black security bars.
Modern bathroom with white walls, beige stone accents, wooden ceiling beams, and a small potted succulent plant.
Two beds with metal frames in a rustic bedroom with exposed wooden ceiling beams, a window with potted plants, an armchair, and a small side table.
A cozy bedroom with a sloped ceiling, featuring two beds with white linens and yellow accents, a nightstand with a lamp, a window with a curtain, a potted plant, a wooden dresser, and a rustic stone wall.
Living room with exposed wooden beams, stone columns, and modern decor. A grand piano is on the right side near a window. There is a white couch and a patterned rug on the floor, with candles in a holder in the foreground. Dining area and a kitchen a

Food & Nourishment

Seasonal, homemade, mostly vegetarian food accompanies the week — quietly nourishing, with the warmth of a French kitchen. Meals unfold in a simple, generous rhythm:

• homemade bread

• soups and warm bowls

• seasonal salads

• nourishing mains

• fruit, cheese

• simple desserts

• fresh juices

• coffee and herbal teas

• wine with dinner (optional)

If you have particular dietary needs, please reach out in advance and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Fresh apples, croissants, bread, and breakfast pastries on a wooden board in a modern kitchen.

Spaces to Wander & Be

Throughout the mill, you’ll find quiet corners, sunlit rooms, and timeless spaces that invite you to slow down. Each nook holds its own history, its own stillness, its own sense of welcome.

A stone building with a brown roof, blue door, and window, surrounded by green grass and trees.
Outdoor stone and wood structure with a pitched roof, open on one side, with a wooden dining table and chairs underneath, surrounded by trees and grass.
Living room with high vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, stone wall, and white walls. Two light gray sofas with yellow and gray pillows, a small side table with a lamp, a beige armchair, and a wooden wardrobe. There are large windows allowing natural li
Living room with white walls, exposed wooden ceiling beams, a white sofa, a rustic wooden coffee table, two open doors leading outside, and a window allowing natural light, with a stone exterior visible outside.
A backyard garden with colorful flowers, a swimming pool, and trees under a clear blue sky.
Black and white photograph of a woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing large patterned glasses and a black turtleneck sweater. She is smiling and looking at the camera.

Your Host

Kate Kemp-Griffin is the founder of Creative Mill — an entrepreneur, mindfulness facilitator, and author of Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie. A mother of five, and a mixed-media enthusiast, she creates warm, spacious environments where women reconnect with themselves and their creativity.

Grounded in writing and mindful creative practice, Kate brings a lived understanding of how to hold space — gently and without hurry.

Questions or connection: k.kempgriffin@gmail.com

"In stillness, creativity returns."

In their own words

“I’m a total phone addict, so watching our mobiles go into a champagne bucket made me laugh — and panic a little.
But pretty quickly, I felt lighter and much more present.
I could’ve asked for my phone anytime, but when I needed to message my daughter, I had Kate send it so I could stay in the moment.”
— Louise
“It was all such a gift — the warmth, the hospitality, the laughter and sharing. Tranquillity, autumn air, flowing rivers,
and flowing yoga.”
— Helen
“What a pleasure to have a weekend
that truly lived up to its name.”
— Anita