Memoir Retreat in Québec

A 5-day ‘Unplugged’ Writing Retreat*
with Alison Wearing

Le Monastère des Augustines
Quebec City, Canada
October 17-22, 2027

Program Details

First of all, it’s important to clarify that the ‘unplugged’ nature of this retreat is an invitation only. While we encourage you to take this rare opportunity to step away from technology (by turning off or leaving phones and/or computers behind — either at home, with our staff, or in your room), there will be no monitoring or policing of anyone’s use of their devices! You may wish to pre-arrange message-forwarding and/or an emergency contact to facilitate whatever ‘technology fast’ you wish to do, but this is a suggestion rather than a requirement.

The only requirement is that our shared group space be kept a technology-free zone. (No phones or tablets or computers; no news updates.)

The daily literary program will offer a balance of inspiring teachings, writing sessions, and small group coaching. Workshops will offer opportunities to approach your story with fresh eyes, gain clarity on your project, open to new insights and ideas, and reacquaint yourself with the good old-fashioned (and wildly underrated!) beauty of pen and paper. There will also be an optional daily meditation.

Bestselling author Alison Wearing will offer focused daily teachings on the critical elements of memoir and how to employ these in your writing, including how to sculpt your narrative to maximum effect, and the essential questions you need to ask of your story as you write it. Afternoons will be devoted to small group sessions, ensuring that all participants have a chance to discuss and explore their ideas and projects in depth over the course of the retreat. Those not in the day’s small group have the afternoon free to explore, write, get a massage…

Just to clarify: If you are looking for direct feedback on your manuscript, this is not the retreat for you. But if you are looking to deepen your understanding of the essentials of memoir and the many things you need to consider, explore, refine and employ when crafting your story or book; if you are looking for a literary kick-start, sparkling inspiration, companionship, joy, beauty, insights and connections, nourishment and light — this will be a good fit for you. :)

Venue & Setting

Built in 1637, Le Monastère des Augustines was the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. It was run by the Augustine Sisters, who also trained nurses and pharmacists, forming the foundation of the province’s health care system.

Now, almost 400 years after the arrival of the Augustine Sisters, the hospital portion of the building still exists as a teaching hospital, and the hotel aims to continue the Sisters’ work in healing, offering modern holistic health practices like yoga, meditation and massage.

Le Monastère is located in Old Québec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural treasure. The city’s ancient streets are narrow and winding, ideal for walking, replete with history, but also contemporary life and beauty—including great cafés, and unparalleled bakeries and restaurants!

Cuisine

The restaurant at Le Monastère prioritizes products from within a 150 km radius of the hotel and their chefs collaborate with local producers to create succulent dishes based on what is available and what is in season. Their meats, fish, vegetables, cold-pressed oils, cereals, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and natural sugars are organic wherever possible, and they can cater to specific dietary requirements on request.

PLEASE NOTE: All breakfasts at Le Monastère are SILENT. This details lends a contemplative quality to our ‘unplugged’ retreat and sets a lovely tone for the day.

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: A selection of good wines is available! This may be a monastery, but it is a French monastery. :)

Accommodation

For our retreat, we have booked a block of Le Monastère’s ‘contemporary’ rooms (which all have private bathrooms). These rooms were built during the restoration of Le Monastère in perfect harmony with the heritage character of the site. Each room offers:

• King-size bed, queen bed or 2 extra-long single beds

• Full private bathroom in the room

• Ultra-comfortable bedding, towels and bathrobes

• No television or telephone [an unplugged room!]

• Smoke-free environment

• Desks available in some rooms (on request)

• Central air conditioning

Optional Extras

• While all meals are included with the retreat, we schedule opportunities for you to enjoy Quebec’s famous restaurants and to experience ‘North American French’ cuisine! (You cannot come all the way to Québec City and not eat out!)

• A full menu of massage and health treatments are on offer at Le Monastère. These must be booked separately, directly with the hotel.

• There is a thermal spa nearby (Strom Spa Nordique), located on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, for those interested in enjoying the traditional Nordic technique of hot-cold-relax-repeat. There are outdoor infinity pools, and even the world’s largest epsom salt pool (where you feel as if you are floating weightlessly). This could be booked (separately) for one of your free afternoons.

• You may extend your stay at Le Monastère either before or after the retreat. These arrangements must be made directly with the hotel, as far in advance as possible.

Pricing

The total price for this 5-night retreat is ____.

This includes the full literary program, access to the monastery museum, meditation, all meals, and accommodations.

Payments must be made in two stages: a deposit of $____ and a second payment, made directly to the hotel (of C$2414.25 or approx. US$1725 — maybe we don’t advertise this price on this page?), due 8 weeks before the retreat (?).

Does not include: travel or airport transfer (a one-way taxi from the airport costs approximately C$40-50).

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to experience rich French culture.

It’s been right in your backyard all this time. ;)