Your creative space in France
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.
Autumn ‘26
A season to notice
Live online
October 4 - December 6, 2026
Do Not Disturb
A phone-free weekend of uninterrupted attention
November 6 - 8, 2026 · 2 nights
Respire & Inspire
A weekend of yoga, creativity & connection
November 13 - 15, 2026 · 2 nights
What’s Your Story
A focused writing retreat
November 19 - 22, 2026 · 3 nights
A Room of Your Own
A creative retreat for women
New dates to be announced
Upcoming
Creative Mill Your creative space
Be the first to know
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.
There is only one Autumn ‘26
Autumn ‘26
October 4 — December 6, 2026
Live online
Limited to 4 participants
The Season
Autumn ‘26 is a two-month live online Creative Mill experience for a small circle of four — a season to notice the extraordinary in your life.
The people who gather, the questions they bring and the lives they are living will never exist in quite the same constellation again.
From there, the invitations become part of the rhythm of your everyday life. Written each day as the season unfolds, one arrives each morning. You might take it on a walk, write with it over coffee, make something, listen differently to a conversation, collect something that catches your attention — or let a question accompany you through the day.
On Sunday, we come back together. What did you notice? What surprised you? What are you seeing now that you weren’t seeing before?
And then another week begins — but not quite in the same way the last one did.
Please note: The season is intentionally flexible, responding to the group, the conversations and what emerges along the way.
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For the curious.
For people drawn to discovering what becomes visible when they pay closer attention to the everyday — and the spaces in between.
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Daily Invitations
Your invitation is written by Kate on that day — and for that day — as the season unfolds.Something to notice. A question to consider. A reason to look closer, listen differently, linger a little longer.
Sunday Gatherings
Ten live online gatherings of approximately 90 minutes.Bring what the week has given you — something you noticed, made, questioned, resisted, returned to, or simply haven't stopped thinking about.
The conversation begins there.
The gatherings are live and are not recorded. We meet in the moment, with what is present that week, and what is shared stays within the group.
Sundays · 18:00–19:30 Paris time
12:00 New York · 09:00 Los AngelesOctober 4, 11, 18 & 25
November 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
December 6Your Notebook
At the beginning of the season, we create a notebook together.Over 64 days, it becomes a place to catch what might otherwise disappear — words, observations, questions, marks, fragments, something overheard, something seen, something you want to return to.
By the end of the season, it holds a physical trace of your Autumn ’26.
Season Reflection
A private 30-minute one-to-one to look back over the season — what you noticed, what became clearer, and what you may now see differently. -
64 days · 64 personal invitations · 10 live Sunday gatherings
Maximum 4 participants
€950
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Kate Kemp-Griffin is the founder of Creative Mill and author of Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie.
Her work is rooted in curiosity, attention and the belief that we don’t always need more answers — that sometimes we need the time and space to notice what is already there.
Drawing on meditation and creative practice, Kate creates experiences that bring together conversation, writing, making and reflection, with room for the unexpected to become part of what unfolds.
Questions or connection:
k.kempgriffin@gmail.com
Instagram: @kathrynkempgriffin
Autumn ‘26. A season to remember.
A phone-free weekend for uninterrupted attention.
Do Not Disturb
November 6 - 8, 2026
91690 Saclas, France
3 days/2 nights
Do Not Disturb is a two-night, phone-free retreat for uninterrupted attention.
With only a small number of guests, the weekend is intentionally designed to preserve quiet, depth, and the freedom to work at your own pace.
This is not a silent retreat, but a quiet one. There is room for both conversation and solitude. Meals are shared, and the days unfold in a simple, unhurried rhythm.
Bring a manuscript, a sketchbook, a business idea, a research question, or the book you've been meaning to read. Or come with nothing more than the desire to step away from the constant pull of notifications. There is time here for writing, reading, making, planning, reflecting, resting, or simply paying sustained attention to something that has been waiting.
Focus deepens. Work advances.
Step out of interruption—and back into your own rhythm.
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For those craving protected time to think, write, design, read, or develop a project — without distraction or pressure.
You may be working on something specific.
Or you may simply need space to gather your thoughts.
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Phones are set aside on arrival to support quiet, uninterrupted days. A daily check-in time is provided for messages, practical needs, and taking photos. Outside of this window, phones are not used in common spaces or bedrooms. This clear structure supports presence and sustained attention. An emergency contact number is available for family and friends.
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– Two 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
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– 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.
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All-inclusive rate.
All rooms are single-occupancy.
Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 595€
Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 645€
Queen Bedroom — Ensuite | 695€
A weekend where focus gathers and deepens.
A weekend of yoga, creativity & connection
Respire & Inspire
November 13 - 15, 2026
91690 Saclas, France
3 days/2 nights
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For those seeking a gentle reset through guided movement, creative exploration, and shared time — whether new to yoga or well practiced.
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Phones are set aside on arrival to support spacious, unhurried days. A daily check-in time is provided for messages, practical needs, and taking photos. Outside of this window, phones are not used in common spaces or bedrooms. This clear structure supports presence and ease. An emergency contact number is available for family and friends.
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– 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
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– 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.
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All-inclusive rate:
Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 495€
Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 525€
Queen Bedroom — Ensuite Bathroom | 565€
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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.
A focused writing retreat
What’s Your Story?
November 19 - 22, 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.
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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.
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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
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Phones are set aside on arrival to support focused, uninterrupted days. A daily check-in time is provided for messages, practical needs, and taking photos. Outside of this window, phones are not used in common spaces or bedrooms. This clear structure supports momentum and sustained attention. An emergency contact number is available for family and friends.
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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.
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– 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
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– 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.
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All-inclusive rate:
Twin Room — Shared Bathroom | 1450€
Queen Bedroom — Shared Bathroom | 1650€
Queen Bedroom — Ensuite Bathroom |1850€
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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.
A quiet retreat for deep focus
A Room Of Your Own
New dates to be announced
A Room of Your Own is a seven-day creative retreat for women seeking deep rest and uninterrupted time.
The retreat is carefully held, with simple structures that support presence, focus, and sustained attention — while staying connected to what matters.
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.
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For women craving quiet, rest, and space to step away from everyday demands — no agenda, no pressure to produce.
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Phones are set aside on arrival to support quiet, uninterrupted days. A daily check-in time is provided for messages, practical needs, and taking photos. Outside of this window, phones are not used in common spaces or bedrooms. This clear structure supports presence and sustained attention. An emergency contact number is available for family and friends.
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– 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 cannot imagine exactly what heaven is like… but this weekend may have given us a taste of it.
The atmosphere of trust and deep sharing made the experience truly unique. The happiness we shared multiplied.
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“It was all such a gift — the warmth, the hospitality, the laughter, and sharing. Tranquility, autumn air, flowing rivers, and flowing yoga.”
“This weekend helped me develop a deeper awareness of sensation — distinct from emotion — opening a new path toward self-understanding and creativity.
Creative Mill is a haven of peace and beauty. I felt so warmly welcomed.”
“I’m a total phone addict, so watching our mobiles go into a champagne bucket made me laugh — and panic a little.
But very quickly, I felt lighter and more present.
When I needed to message my daughter, Kate brought my phone to me so I could stay in the moment.”
