Life Writing & Memoir Retreat

Hosted by Professors Janet Browne (Harvard) and Vivienne Lo (UCL) with Penelope Barrett

5 Days/ 6 Nights – Tutor-led Retreat

Workshop days Sunday 15th September to Friday 19th September 2025 inclusive

To book, use the Contact form or email Vivienne directly at: ucgavlo@gmail.com

 Life writing has never been more popular or varied. On bookshop tables, an extraordinary succession of biographies draws readers into the lives of people who are truly unique or eminently relatable; while autobiographies of every kind evoke their authors’ inner lives and a specific time and place. Everyone has a story to tell. This workshop can help you capture memories, explore your own story and family history, develop or extend your writing skills. There are no prerequisites for participation. Located in the beautiful foothills of the Pyrenees in a family farmhouse and wide-ranging pastoral domain, the workshop provides a supportive environment for sharing your work and receiving feedback. Workshop leaders are all experienced writers. We will be a small group of around ten people who are eager to pause and reflect on their projects as a whole. We will cover various genres of life writing, including memoirs, autobiographies, journals, and more. You'll have the opportunity to learn about fundamental writing techniques, such as voice, style, and structure, and reconnect with your creativity.  There will be time for writing and reading, as well as for yourself. Browse the libraries, relax by the pool or go wild swimming in the rivers and lakes that surround Le Puget. Cycling, forest-walking and horse-riding are also possible by arrangement. There is very comfortable en-suite accommodation and we will prepare the best of a mix of Occitan and Asian regional and healing cuisines, with a sensitivity to individual dietary requirements.

This retreat is led by Professor Janet Browne

Janet Browne

Janet Browne is Aramont Professor for the History of Science at Harvard University. She is a British historian of science with a special interest in life writing, well-known for her multi-award- winning two-volume biography of the naturalist Charles Darwin: Voyaging (1995) and Charles Darwin: the Power of Place (2002). A seasoned teacher at all levels, Janet has written on life writing and memoir from many different perspectives and will now share and demonstrate the flexibility and creativity inherent in the various Life Writing genres. She has personally worked with letters and caricature, as well as manuscript sources which allow an articulation of biography. 

 Vivienne Lo

Vivienne Lo is the owner and manager of Le Puget and will support the workshops while catering throughout. She is a Professor Emerita in the Department of History at UCL. Vivienne's core research concerns the social and cultural origins of acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, and food as medicine. Her first of many books was (ghost writing) the autobiography of her father, the cookery writer and TV chef, Kenneth Lo. She is now engaged in a microhistory of her great-grandfather. Current projects also include a history of nutrition in China and she will provide French and Asian themed meals with full vegan/vegetarian options.

 Penelope Barrett

 Penelope Barrett is an independent researcher and specialist translator, with a background in medieval European languages and literatures, as well as Chinese studies. For twenty years she has painstakingly supported students and authors at UCL in their essay and book writing work. Her role at the workshop will be to assist individuals in finding their voice and achieving their desired and effective styles in private tutorials. Each participant will be asked to send a few pages of writing to initiate this process.

Sample Daily Schedule

8:00 –9:30 am Breakfast

9:30 – 11:00 am Seminars on Life Writing & Memoir

11:30 – 1:00 pm Workshops on Life Writing & Memoir

1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch

2:00 – 5:00 pm Writing Break and Personal Tutorials

5:00 – 7:00 pm Individual Readings and Presentations

7:00 – 8:00 pm Dinner

This schedule is provisional and may be modified to suit the needs and interests of the participants.

Dates

The retreat and workshop activities begin at 9.30 am on Sunday 15th September 2025.

Check-in after 5 pm on Saturday 14th September 2025.

Welcome Dinner and Getting-to-know-you Session at 7:30pm on Saturday 14th September.

The retreat ends with a farewell dinner at 7 pm on Thursday 18th September 2025.

Check-out by 10 am on Friday 20th September 2025.

Pricing:

Duration   - 5 days/6 nights

Twin-Share Room  - £1000

Private Room -   £1200

Day rate for non-resident participation (meals extra) £50

Day rate for non-participant companion in a shared room (with meals) £50

 Pricing for resident participants includes:

  • 5 days of retreat activities as per schedule above

  • 5 days of all meals and drinks (with a glass of wine with dinner)

  • 5 days/6 nights of accommodation with en-suite bathroom (except two twin rooms with separate bathroom)

  • Walks/Swimming in free time

 

Extras: Riding, cycling, excursions to medieval market towns and Cathar centres in the Pyrenees

Travel: The closest airport is Carcassonne, with Toulouse-Blagnac a little further. Both are within the hour, with Carcassonne a small airfield and a pleasant drive to Le Puget through the vineyards. We can normally arrange airport transfers for around 30 euros if we can coordinate three or four guests arriving at the same time.

For further enquiries, use the Contact form or email Vivienne directly at: ucgavlo@gmail.com