A summer of creative workshops…
This summer, La Muse hosts a series of intimate, week-long creative workshops led by writers, artists, and movement practitioners from around the world. Set in our old stone house in the Montagne Noire, these programs offer a rare combination of structured creative guidance and the freedom of a retreat — a chance to deepen your practice, connect with fellow artists, and let the landscape inspire your work.
Meet your workshop leaders
Artem de Sibérie
Artem de Sibérie (Mozgovoy) is a bundle of creative energy and joy. Having lived in six countries and worked as an art director, literary editor, yoga instructor, and magician’s assistant, he turned his experiences into the autobiographical novel Spring in Siberia (2023), which received praise from Stephen Fry and Ocean Vuong. His second book, Living No Lie: Diary of a Russian Volunteer for the Ukrainian War Relief Effort, won the Bo Huston Award in 2024. Artem has volunteered internationally and, since 2014, has organized creative retreats and village events at Labastide-Esparbaïrenque for writers and artists from around the world.
Kelly Berry
Kelly Berry is a seasoned yoga and movement instructor guiding individuals and groups toward greater physical and emotional awareness. She has led yoga programs at the U.S. State Department, taught professional athletes including the Washington Mystics, and specializes in trauma-informed yoga, functional movement, breathwork, and mindfulness practices. Kelly incorporates various disciplines including bodywork, Pilates, kinesiology, anatomy, Reiki, and alchemy, to support artists in connecting with their bodies as a source of creative insight.
Flavia Soubiran
Flavia Soubiran is a researcher and film teacher. She studied in Brussels and then in Montreal, from where she returned with a taste for magical realism, forests, and maple syrup. She now teaches screenwriting at the Sorbonne Nouvelle and at film schools in Paris. She is currently working on a project to write and direct a traditional 2D animated short film about the early days of cinema.
Natalia Armenia
Natalia Armenia is a Peruvian-French writer and artist based in Paris. She likes to write about the body, languages and the absurdity of life. She runs Le Phare creative writing workshops, directs long-format writing projects, hosts open mics, and publishes books. She is currently working on an absurd play, a novella about loneliness and bizarre short stories. She studies theater and writes songs as well.
Yara Zgheib
Yara Zgheib is a novelist, poet, and essayist with a deep love for art, music, and nature. She is the author of No Land to Light On, longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and named one of the top ten books of 2022 by The Washington Post, L.A. Times, and Newsweek. Her debut novel, The Girls at 17 Swann Street, was recognized as a Best Book of 2019 by Indie Next, Barnes & Noble, and People. Yara’s poetry collections, Chasing Comets and City Rhapsodies, have been adapted into musical albums. Born in Beirut and now based in Paris, Yara brings a global perspective and a passion for the intersection of art and storytelling to her teaching.
A bit more information about the workshops…
A few things to know before you arrive:
- Arrivals are Monday afternoons, departures Monday mornings — a full week to lose track of time in the best possible way.
- To preserve the intimacy and quality of each workshop, we welcome a maximum of seven guests per program.
- Each workshop week is lightly structured — expect 2 to 3 hours of guided programming per day, with the remainder of your time entirely your own. We’ve designed it this way intentionally: enough structure to spark momentum, enough freedom to follow the natural rhythms of your creativity. Come to every session, or carve your own path — La Muse is yours to inhabit as you wish.
- Reservations are honoured on a first-come, first-serve basis. When you RSVP we’ll invite you to share your top three room preferences — browse the rooms here to find your perfect retreat space.
- Each workshop is offered at an additional €300 for the week, above the cost of your room. A full list of room rates can be found here.
- We offer a shuttle to and from Carcassonne train station for an additional €100, payable in cash or credit card on the day. We’ll also stop at the Carrefour and local boulangerie so you can stock up for the week. We recommend bringing a little extra cash in euros (there is a bank ATM next to the Carrefour) for the village vendors — the travelling grocer, butcher and baker who pass through Labastide during the week are not to be missed.
- Fresh linens and towels, high speed internet, heating and firewood are all included in your room rate — everything you need to simply arrive and create.
- Any questions? Our FAQ covers most things, or reach us directly at getaway@lamuseretreat.com.