Memoir in Québec

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

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

*THIS RETREAT IS NOW AT CAPACITY.
Please write to heather@alisonwearing.com to join the waiting list. Cancellations do happen and there is a good chance that a space will become available between now and October 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 — and using pen and paper during our writing sessions), there will be no monitoring or policing of anyone’s use of their devices in the privacy of their own rooms! You may wish to pre-arrange message-forwarding and/or an emergency contact to facilitate whatever degree of ‘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 in classes, workshops or meals.)

The daily literary program will offer a balance of teaching and writing sessions, workshops, and small group coaching — each with a contemplative element inspired by the setting and focus of this retreat. Our days together 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. Some 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. All other times are left open to explore, write, enjoy a massage…

Venue & Setting

Built in 1637, Le Monastère des Augustines was the first hospital in North America north of Mexico. Almost 400 years later, a portion of the building still exists as a teaching hospital, and the hotel aims to continue the healing work of the original Augustine Sisters, offering retreats and modern holistic health practices like yoga, meditation and massage.

Selected by the Michelin Hotel Guide, Le Monastère des Augustines offers the perfect blend of historic and architectural beauty, modern comfort, and a peaceful, healing environment.

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 and vibrant with contemporary life and beauty—including great cafés, bakeries and restaurants.

Cuisine

The restaurant at Le Monastère prioritizes ingredients 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 comfortable ‘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 ensuite bathroom

• 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 also 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 is 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) on one of your free afternoons or before/after the retreat.

• 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 retreat is:

• Early Bird rate (until February 29, 2027): CAD$4,500 / USD$3,400

• Regular rate (after March 1, 2027): CAD$4,900 / USD$3,700

Your fee includes the full literary program, access to the monastery museum, daily meditation, all meals for 6 days (Sunday evening to Friday morning), and 5 nights’ accommodation in a higher-tier private room with ensuite bathroom.

Payment is made in two stages: a deposit of CAD$1,500 / USD$1,200 to secure your spot, and a second payment, made directly to the hotel, due 90 days before the retreat.

Your retreat fee 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. ;)

How to Register:

1. To register for the retreat, you will need to make a deposit of CAD$1,500 / USD$1,200. Please review our retreat cancellation policy, as well as the FAQs below, before you make your deposit.

2. Once you have paid your deposit, you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions with the next steps, including confirming your accommodation booking. Once your reservation is confirmed, you can relax and begin dreaming! We’ll be in touch fairly regularly with preparatory details, as well as a bit of virtual confetti 🎉.

3. Your balance of payment will be due 90 days before the retreat begins. We’ll send you reminders and the payment information one week beforehand.

REGISTER HERE

This retreat is now at capacity, so please write to heather@alisonwearing.com to join the waiting list. (Cancellations do happen and there is a good chance that a space will become available between now and October 2027!)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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