Reimagining Bloomsbury
Sunday 1st March to Saturday 7th March 2026
The most extraordinary experience of your life
Five days in the foothills of the Pyrénées, with some of the most forward thinking artists, thought leaders and entrepreneurs, participating in an immersive and experiential learning journey that will bring healing to our world
The arts matter
In a time of huge turbulence, with the breakdown of the old global order, an opportunity to come together and support the emergence of the next generation of artist-change-makers to reimagine the role of the arts for our time. The arts aren’t merely aesthetic appreciation and entertainment, but a potent, underutilized force for geopolitical dialogue, cultural diplomacy, and imaginative problem-solving, capable of transcending traditional political impasses. Transforming Clos de Gaye into the "new Charleston," we will come together with others to learn more about our own natural artistry, explore the work of leading artists of today, and redefine the arts' impact on global affairs.
We will build on the legacy of the famous Bloomsbury group to redefine the role of the arts in global leadership, peace-building, and the relationship between the individual and society. We explore themes encompassing the arts' capacity for global leadership, peace-building, and cultural shaping through intergenerational and intercultural dialogue. And we will learn more about the powerful role of the arts in individual, societal and global transformation.
Hosted by Caroline Watson and with special guests artist Rebecca Taber, X, X and X, we give you unique and unparalleled access to the next generation of artists, global thought leaders and cultural shapers from around the world, in this stunning location in the south west of France.
An opportunity for curators, art collectors, those in the fashion and luxury industries, and donors passionate about the role of the arts in shaping our world anew
Come together with others from around the world to meet outstanding emerging artists from around the world, each with something beautiful and important to say about our world
Take part in inspirational workshops that develop your own artistry, aesthetic sense and leadership skills, whilst getting to know these incredible artists
Wine and dine on the beautiful Clos de Gaye estate, overlooking the Pyrénées, experiencing immersive exhibitions, installations and exhilarating discussions on the future of artistic leadership in the emerging world
Help co-create a vision of support and empowerment for young, female, and diverse talent from around the world and make their work a pivotal part of your collection and impact in the world
Why ‘Bloomsbury’?
The Bloomsbury group were an influential group of artists, writers, economists and thought leaders - Virginia Wolf, Roger Fry, JM Keynes - who wished to raise the profile of the arts in our world. Inspired by their vision, we seek to build on their legacy to shape a new way of thinking of the role the arts can play in global leadership, peace-building and reframing the relationship between the individual and society.
Welcome to Clos de Gaye!
Clos de Gaye (pronounced ‘guy’) means ‘Place of Joy’ and it is at once a private home, a residential retreat, a creative and artistic workspace, organic farm, community kitchen, restaurant and tea house, and a convening ground for global leaders, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and all those charged with the care and governance of our planet. Think of it as the meeting point between the Bloomsbury set’s Charleston and Camp David. It is a place to stay, to play, to share and to transform our world.
The spirit of Clos de Gaye is one of contribution, generosity and accountability. Those that have a seat of the table have arrived there through hard work and a genuine desire to be of service to the world. Time spent here is for you to reflect on what has been achieved so far and to be a springboard into future leadership and the continued desire to be a force for good in the world.
Deep in the heart of the French countryside, embedded in the ‘old world’ rises a new way of thinking about the future. The best of European heritage, beauty and aesthetic, with interiors from all over the world, reflecting our founder’s upbringing in Asia, and bringing energy, dynamism and a sense of inclusion of the new world.
An opportunity to reclaim the very best of European culture and values, with a renewed way of thinking about its relationship with the rest of the world, restoring humanity to everyone.
Provisional Schedule
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Sunday - Setting the Scene
Arrival in Pau and transfer to Clos de Gaye
Getting to know you: Introduction to The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership, Clos de Gaye, and to each other
Dinner at Clos de Gaye
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Monday - Participation
‘Finger Yoga’ workshop with artist Rebecca Taber
Lunch at Clos de Gaye
Meet the Artist: Presentation and workshop from one of our lead artists from Eastern Europe
Dinner at Clos de Gaye
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Tuesday - Painting in the Pyrénées
Transfer to Pic du Midi d’Ossau for workshop in the mountains
Picnic lunch
Hike
Return to Clos de Gaye for dinner
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Wednesday - Meet the Artists
Presentation from artist from South Africa on their work, it’s meaning, and it’s influence/relationship with the world
Lunch at Clos de Gaye
Presentation from artist from Palestine on their work, it’s meaning and why it’s important right now
Dinner at Etable d’Ossau
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Thursday - Chillida Leku
A visit to this extraordinary museum, celebrating the work of renowned Spanish painter, Eduardo Chillida
Lunch in the Basque country
Free time in San Sebastian
Tapas dinner
Return to Clos de Gaye
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Friday - Mural Making
Be the first to leave your mark on The Barn Studio at Clos de Gaye, by taking part in a group mural to celebrate our week together
Lunch at Clos de Gaye
Afternoon visit to Rebecca Taber’s studio (and the workshop where the Wright Brother’s built their first aeroplane!)
Talk: Introduction to curation
Free time in Pau
Celebratory dinner at Le Berry
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Saturday - Departure
Take home a momento from your trip by purchasing a work of art from one of our artists
Departure and good byes
Food and mealtimes are an important part of life at Clos de Gaye and are an occasion to continue to discuss the role of the arts in the world, amongst many other creative and pertinent topics. We often have themed dinners on particular subjects that also welcome other local artists and creatives to be part of the conversation
All retreats and high-impact summits are lead by Caroline Watson, visionary founder of The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership, and the Global Arts Impact Agenda. An award-winning entrepreneur, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum (Davos) and a talented performer herself, using the arts to effect large-scale social change across the world, Caroline is the owner of Clos de Gaye and a masterful hostess and creator of extraordinary experiences.
Caroline Watson, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Harvard, Yale, INSEAD, Oxford
Coach and leadership development expert to global heads of state, corporate executives and world leaders.
Unfolding your leadership potential
“Caroline is a wonderful events organizer, Her multifaceted skill sets, combining her talents as an actor and leadership expert, shines through in every detail she orchestrates. Caroline’s passion, strong sense of inclusion, impeccable organizational skills, and innate flair for hospitality ensure that every event is a seamless and rewarding experience……Caroline's events are expertly curated adventures that leave a lasting impact.”
— Shirley Liu, L’Oréal Paris
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Rebecca Taber VISUAL ARTIST
Rebecca Taber is a British Artist 1976 born in London UK, living and working in Pau France. Working in painting, drawing and film. Her work is largely concerned with the process of transformation & evolving states of being. From dark to light. The essential elements of life are very important to her practice and also the materiality using either paint, ink or film to portray the essence of being human. Enveloping the viewer and inviting them to dance in the light.
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Monet Goode
FOUNDER
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Each summit-retreat takes place against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful corners of south west France and includes visits to the following places
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The Pic du Midi d’Ossau
Evening picnic on the Plateau de Benou
Stunning views from Clos de Gaye
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Soothing effect of the ocean
Dramatic waves
Award-winning cuisine
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Culture
Heritage
History
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Elegance
Sophistication
Refinement
Accommodation will be provided on the Clos de Gaye estate, at nearby Clos Mirabel or at Secret Pyrénées nearby.
All meals are prepared using fresh, local, and often organic ingredients, sourced either from Fischer’s Farm itself or from local providers in the Béarn and Basque regions.
Clos de Gaye is situated in the Jurancon wine region and there will be thoughtful pairings of wine and other non-alcoholic drinks with each meal.
Our spaces are unique, artistic and soulful.
As part of this year’s retreat, and in recognition of the terrible conflicts we are witnessing around the world, Caroline is making a personal commitment that the profits from this and two other retreats being held on the Clos de Gaye estate in 2026, will be directed towards building the infrastructure to host a permanent artistic residency for migrant, refugee and displaced artists from around the world, including Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine.
We are therefore inviting participants of this year’s retreat to match their investment in the retreat with a charitable donation towards supporting the programmatic elements to enable these new and emerging artists to build inspired, sustainable careers that enable them to be an important part of the discourse on how we build a more peaceful world.
When the show ends, what begins?
These retreats ask the big questions. They are part of a series of high-level ‘retreat summits’ held on the Clos de Gaye estate each summer and autumn, lead by the founder of The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership, Caroline Watson,
They re-imagine our world.
Transformational experiences, they are an exploration into our deeper humanity.
We use the arts to unlock a deeper level of discussion, and then explore how the arts can also be applied to solving the greatest challenges of our time.
For more information about the full ‘summit retreat’ programme and how your participation will be part of larger world-changing initiatives, click below
Make it
Our retreats bring together exceptional people from all over the world - corporate, government and civil society leaders, academics, artists and cultural leaders - all those with a desire to bring about positive impact in our world.
By bringing together such a diverse mix of people, your own networks will expand in truly global ways and opportunities for collaboration on large-scale issues across the world will unfold.
Participate in an extraordinary experience, guided by a team of world-class artist facilitators, that is powerful enough that it becomes the start of ongoing relationships, connections and perspective shifting that bring about meaningful change in our world
