Extraordinary, immersive, arts and cultural retreats, in a stunning location in south west France, overlooking the Pyrénées
The most transformative experience of your life, participating in creative and artistic workshops that will inspire your leadership, enabling you to step onto the stage of life, building community with others, and changing the world
Imagine…..
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Artistic Workshops
Taking part in some of the most inspiratonal and transformative arts and creative workshops, lead by visionary artist and cultural leaders, that will restore and revive head, heart and soul
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Extraordinary Experiences
Dining under a starlit sky whilst you listen to a string quartet...or taking a boat trip down the Basque coast and dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Sebastian..or picnic from a hamper in the Pyrenees whilst you listen to a poetry reading
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Immersed in Nature
Engaging with the natural world, eating organic food and immersing yourself in some of the most stunning scenery in the world
We work with some of the foremost artists and award-winning cultural leaders to bring you a leadership development retreat like no other
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Bridge and Wolak
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Preeti Vasudevan
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Clarice Assad
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Guy Mendilow
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Laurie Rubin
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Regie Gibson
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Jenny Taira
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Kseniya Simonova
Each retreat takes place against the backdrop of some of the most beautiful corners of south west France
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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
All retreats are lead by Caroline Watson, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum and visionary founder of The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership. An award-winning entrepreneur using the arts to develop leadership skills, Caroline is also a masterful hostess and creator of extraordinary experiences.
Caroline Watson, Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, Harvard, Yale, INSEAD, Oxford
Unfolding your leadership potential
Core Concepts
We use participation in arts-based and creative approaches to leadership development and corporate consulting, elevating learning beyond traditional methods and fostering experiential engagement. This transformative process cultivates profound behavioral changes at a deeper level, leading to systemic transformations within your company or organization.
Here are some key ways in which the arts influence leadership:
Creativity and Innovation
Emotional Intelligence
Communication and Storytelling
Empathy and understanding
Adaptability and resilience
Vision and purpose
Stress-relief and well-being
Team-building and collaboration
Long-term perspective
THEORY OF CHANGE yu do?
Our bespoke retreats are usually designed in collaboration with our partners and can include:
Individual leadership development: coaching on vision and mission and leadership presence
Confident communication
Teambuilding and Group dynamics
Storytelling and Narrative skills
Leading and Empowering Teams across the world
Ethical decision-making, Sustainability and Accountability
Feminine Leadership
Sample Retreat Schedule
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Setting the Scene
Arrival in Pau and transfer to hotels
Brief performance introducing Gibson, Mendilow, Simonova, leading into Listening Lab
Introduction to The Centre for the Arts and Global Leadership, Clos de Gaye, and the Festival for the Arts and Social Change
Dinner in the gardens at Clos de Gaye
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Listening to our Stories
Ponder to Page - day-long workshop
Evening walk through the mountains and Ten-Toasts Dinner at l’Etable d’Ossau
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Building a New Narrative
Transfer to St Jean de Luz
Lunch discussion on building new narratives for change
Afternoon train trip into the Pyrenee mountains, overlooking the Basque coast
Workshop and dinner
Gibson, Mendilow, Simonova:
Focused solo creation time for final presentation, reflecting participants’ experiences through live, powerful spoken word, music, and sand/snow/oil paint animation
Revisions
Group rehearsal
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When the show ends, what begins?
Transfer to Chateau de Pau for visit; lunch at Palais Beaumont;
Plan of action
Final closing ceremony including presentation of an original piece, reflecting
participants’ experiences through live, powerful spoken word, music, and
sand/snow/oil paint animation
Clos de Gaye
Extraordinary experiences where the world comes together for impact
Welcome to Clos de Gaye, a unique and special place in the far southwest of France, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, close to the border of Spain and the stunning Basque coast.
Clos de Gaye (pronounced ‘guy’) means ‘Place of Happiness’ 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.
Getting Here
Clos de Gaye is situated 20 minutes from Pau airport and train station, with direct transfers through Paris
We are also 50 minutes from Lourdes airport and 1 hour from Biarritz airport
We typically run retreats in spring and autumn
Dates
We have both open enrollment and tailored bespoke retreats for individuals and organisations
Price
Our prices range from 5000 - 25,000 euros per person, depending on the length and content of the retreat and the artists and experts involved
Included:
All workshops, plus pre- and post- workshop preparation and follow up
Your Accommodation at Clos de Gaye or at nearby Clos Mirabel
All your meals, including eating out
Your day trips to the Pyrénées and the Basque coast
