8 - 12th March 2027Clos de Gaye, South West France
Stepping Onto The World Stage
Women’s Leadership at a pivotal point in our global story
An extraordinary learning journey, centered around the stunning Clos de Gaye estate in south west France, that enables you to step onto the global stage and be the leader our world really needs
What to Expect
In a time of great global crisis, a call to action for each and every woman to step onto the stage of their own lives and lead their families, communities and the world to build a thriving and flourishing future for humanity.
Transformative Leadership
Talks, workshops, transformative learning experiences, engagement in the arts
Intimate connections
A supportive community of hand-picked and curated guests, for those serendipitous connections that build movements
Inspiring places
The beauty of the foothills of the Pyrenees and the famed Basque coast, a visit to San Sebastian in Spain.
Beautiful spaces
Stay in the beautiful Clos de Gaye manor house, with full views over the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, enjoying the best of farm to table cooking and cozy spaces
Your host:
Caroline Watson
Our world is in crisis and we desperately need new models of leadership. For far too long, leadership has been the domain of men, singular in their approach of a top-down, domineering and often aggressive style, the winner takes all. It’s evidently not working. Our world is more and more polarised, with a fundamental lack of humanity and, extraordinarily, decisions being made with not an ounce of maturity or even basic intelligence.
It is time for women to rise as the leaders our world needs. Whilst we know men are theoretically capable of leading with more nuance, compassion, an ability to deal with complexity and common sense, these qualities are currently hugely lacking in our world today. We need more women to step up to the task of transforming our world and fundamentally shifting the paradigms that have lead to our current crises.
Caroline blends her unique background of training in the theatre and her own global entrepreneurial journey to help women develop strong leadership presence, alongside understanding the very needed steps to transform our world from the inside out:
Learn to own your voice through a deeper understanding of leadership presence: How more confident communication - neither passive, nor aggressive, but truly assertive - can empower both men and women to step up as leaders
Uncover the blocks in your own thinking: Realise the tremendous power you have to shape our world anew, inspiring your sense of agency and potential in the world
Understand what the world needs from you: As feminine leaders, there is much work to be done. By strengthening our understanding of ourselves, we can step onto the world stage with courage, confidence and compassion
There has never been a more important time to understand the unique role you play as a feminine leader and to make the commitment to be part of the change our world so desperately needs.
“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
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.
Each retreat includes a day trip to San Sebastian in Spain in addition to the activities at Clos de Gaye in France
Day OneArrival & Introductions
Take time to settle in, enjoy the views from your bedroom or on the terrace of Clos de Gaye, taking tea and cake.
Check-In4pm; Welcome and afternoon tea
Dinner7.30pm
An invitation9pm; The Call to Action
Bedtime10:00pm
Day TwoFrozen Pictures - The World We Would Like to See
An exploration of where we are now and where we would like to be as a global community of women
Breakfast9:00 – 9:30am
Envision10am The world as it is now and the world we would like to see
Lunch Break12:30pm
Forum Theatre2:00pm ‘Rehearsal for Real Life’;
4pm Afternoon Tea and Free Time
Dinner7.30pm Dinner and Discussion
Day ThreeSan Sebastian and the Basque Coast
A day trip to explore San Sebastian, one of the culinary capitals of the world, and the stunning Basque architecture unique to this region.
Breakfast and Departure8 -9am Breakfast and bus to San Sebastian
City Tour11:00am - 12.30pm City walk and guided tour
Lunch Break12:30pm
Cultural Visit2:00pm Museum or Cultural Visit; Free time
Dinner and Return7:30pm Dinner; 9pm Return to Clos de Gaye
Day FourWhat role do I want to play?
Digging deeper into each individual’s role in the future, helping them think through their own sense of vision, mission, purpose, and the skills and resources they need to develop their leadership.
Breakfast and Departure8 -9am Breakfast and bus to San Sebastian
Workshop10am - 12.30pm Vision, Mission, Purpose - What is my unique role in the world?
Lunch Break12:30pm
Coaching2:00pm Individual one-to-one sessions
5pm Departure to mountains
Dinner7:30pm Dinner at Plateau de Benou
Day FiveWhen the show ends, what begins?
The end is just the beginning…..today is the launching pad for your new vision of yourself and the chance for you to write your future into being
Breakfast 9am Breakfast
Workshop10am - 12.30pm What are my next steps? What have I called into being this week? And what happens the day after I get back home?
Farewell lunch12:30pm
Farewell and Departure2:00pm Departure and induction into community
Following the retreat, you will have the option to transform what we discuss into concrete action with measurable impact in your personal and professional life through an online coaching programme available only to retreat participants. Over 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, we’ll work alongside you to bring your vision to life in regular one-to-one sessions tailored to your specific needs. You’ll also have access to monthly sessions with your cohort to deepen learning, share progress, and integrate transformation into daily life—along with lifelong membership in our Higher Order Leadership community, offering ongoing support, connection, and opportunities well into the future.
Accommodation will be provided on the estate of Clos de Gaye in either the Manor House or Rose Cottage, or at neighbouring Clos Mirabel.
All meals are prepared using fresh, local, and often organic ingredients, sourced either from our cottage garden or from local providers in the Béarn and Basque regions. Halal, kosher or other dietary needs can be catered for on request.
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.
Getting Here
From your home to Clos de Gaye
Clos de Gaye is situated less than 20 minutes away from both Pau airport and train station in south west France. We are also 50 minutes away from Tarbes/Lourdes airport. Biarritz, Bordeaux and Toulouse are all between 1 - 2 hours drive or train ride.
In keeping with our vision to have a positive impact on the world, all retreats start and end at Gare Montparnasse in Paris, so you can use train travel to ‘set the scene’ on your extraordinary journey and reduce your carbon footprint. We also kindly ask all international visitors to offset the carbon from their plane travel to Paris through a reputable carbon-offsetting scheme.
We suggest that you aim for a plane or train to arrive in Paris on the morning of the retreat date, and to take the 2pm train from Montparnasse to arrive in time for dinner. Transfers from the train station to Clos de Gaye can be arranged ahead of time and the transfer time takes less than 20 minutes.
Dates
Monday 8th to Friday 12th March
Come together with women from around the world to take part in transformative workshops, discussions, performances and experiences that will change the world.
We run two open-enrollment retreats for individuals twice a year in the spring and autumn and are also able to offer bespoke retreats for companies and organisations wishing to do this as an offsite at a time to suit them.
15,000 euros per person for 5-day retreat for an individual room in the Manor House
For an additional 10,000 euro, we encourage you to invite a fellow ‘sister’ (a daughter, friend, family member) who you would like to support and mentor as part of the experience, for a room share. This can be offered as a tax deductible donation through our US-based 501 (c) 3.
The year-long, post-retreat coaching and personal development programme with Caroline is offered at 25,000 euros for the 12-month period
Each retreat is specially curated and takes no more than 10 women per cohort, with rooms at Clos de Gaye allocated on a first come, first served basis. This ensures that we get the right mixture of participants to ensure a satisfying experience for all.
Investment
Included:
Retreat
All workshops, talks, dinners, and performances at the retreat in March
Your Accommodation on the Clos de Gaye estate or a similar property nearby
All your meals, including eating out
Your day trips to the Pyrénées and the Basque coast
Year-long personal development programme (optional extra)
All the above plus:
Year-long one-to-one, tailored, leadership development programme for each individual
Group coaching and networking with rest of your cohort for the 12 month period
Additional learning content for the 12 months surrounding the retreat experience
As a socially-entrepreneurial for-profit company, choosing to work with The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership creates employment opportunities for artists and creatives, supports low-income and marginalised communities to also take part in extraordinary experiences at Clos de Gaye and elsewhere in the world, so your participation in this retreat also enables others to benefit from the life-transforming effects of our programmes.
Terms and Conditions
The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership reserves the right to change guest artists and facilitators should circumstances dictate.
All retreat fees are non-refundable. In the event of an unexpected event that is out of the Centre’s control, we will offer you a replacement offer of similar value.
