FIND BEAUTY WITHIN
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A FEMME FANTASY PHOTOSHOOT RETREAT
A MIDSUMMER CHÂTEAU DREAM
Where fantasy inspirations, editorial-style photography, and self-discovery come together.
€5,200 - € 5,900
June 26 - July 2, 2025
€4,850 - €5,950
A Midsummer Château Dream
You are cordially invited to indulge in this ethereal six-night fantasy femme photoshoot experience at Château de Puy Vidal. Step into a faerie world where fantasy and female power are celebrated, personal discovery is nurtured, and catharsis is embraced.
This completely immersive experience centers around the stunning editorial-style photoshoots of Autumn Luciano.
The Lady of the Château team, along with Autumn, has crafted six days of fantasy photoshoots, aesthetic festivities, dress-up, dancing, exploration, growth, and bonding.
This is an experience unlike any other—an exhilarating combination of beauty, play, rest, and community, set against the breathtaking backdrop of a 13th-century château. All this, while creating and participating in fantasy photoshoots, ensures you leave with the otherworldly images you've always dreamed of.
Come play in our enchanted gardens during midsummer.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
6- NIGHT RETREAT
3 EDITORIAL-STYLE PORTRAITS
IMMERSIVE CHÂTEAU EXPERIENCE
Sleeping Beauty
Channel your Inner Fairy Tale for Photoshoot #1
This look will be Renaissance-inspired—think long, flowing hair and a Renaissance gown. The colors and vibes are up to you, as long as they fit within a fairy tale Renaissance world.
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The shoot will take place in the old Château chapel, featuring exposed stone walls, ivy climbing up the chandeliers, and a beautiful bed complete with a spinning wheel.
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We highly recommend purchasing a long, flowing wig for this look, as well as for the Midsummer Night’s Dream look. Achieving natural hair styled as beautifully as a wig can be challenging, and the added length a wig provides truly completes the fantasy aesthetic.
Try to match your natural hair as closely as possible, or choose a flattering tone you’ve always wanted to try!
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Pastoral Rococo
Think Marie Antoinette in the gardens of Versailles for Photoshoot #2
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This shoot will feel straight out of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. We are embracing pastel-colored day dresses, candy-colored Rococo shoes, beautiful Rococo updos (we can style your hair in Rococo fashion here, or you can purchase a Rococo wig), straw hats with ribbons, little gloves, parasols, and fans. This shoot will take place in the stunning formal French gardens of the Château, featuring wildflowers, a maze, and picnic and flower-picking poses.
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This is another look ideal for a wig—there are many Rococo-style wigs available in various colors. The look will be less powdered and more natural, with hair colors that reflect Versailles nobility in a pastoral landscape.
If you'd prefer not to wear a wig, and your hair is medium-length or longer, we can teach you how to create a Rococo updo during the retreat. For this hairstyle, you will need to bring a hair rat (a ball of fake hair teased into a ball) that matches your hair color. This will help build the volume at the top of your head to shape that oh-so-elegant hair bump.
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Midsummer Night's Dream
Think Faerie Elves, Queens of the Forest, and Nymphs for Photoshoot #3
Calling all Fairy Queens of the forest, elves, devilish fairies, and more for a day and night filled with mischievous delight. Channel your most ethereal fantasy dreams and prepare for an evening of revelry.
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This look offers endless possibilities, from long, flowing sheer gowns adorned with flowers to nymph-like buckskin leggings or regal, queenly accessories. Autumn will provide plenty of inspiration and excellent resources for sourcing all the accessories you need to create your ideal fairy-inspired character. A long, flowing wig is highly recommended for this look as well, along with flower crowns or any type of fairy hair ornament.
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We will also have a pair of Autumn's handmade iridescent fairy wings available at the Château for each participant to use for this look.
This is your chance to find your fantasy style
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Do fashion moments from fantasy films live rent-free in your head? Are there characters and moments that deeply impacted you in your childhood? These are rich, generative places to start in defining and developing your ultimate fantasy style. This week is so much more than just a photoshoot. It is a personal style journey that begins as soon as you choose to join us. Join nine other women as they begin to meditate on their power colors, lines, and essences as they piece together each of these looks.
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Your final portraits should be more than just a moment of escape and play - ideally they should represent your inner archetype, a place of power and freedom that you can continue to channel into your everyday style and self.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
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Wardrobe, hair and makeup are all up to you to bring with you to the retreat. There will be a fully decked out Hair and Makeup group getting ready area for you with hairspray, mousse, lit makeup mirrors, bobby pins, faux roses, ribbons and more to embellish hairstyles. Curling irons, hot rollers and steamers are all provided. The team here is on hand to help with hair as needed.
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After you book, you will receive a Dropbox full of resources from Autumn to help guide you as you put these looks together:
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Beautiful Pinterest mood boards for each photoshoot
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A list of trusted brands for wigs, dresses, and accessories with a range of price points
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Tutorials and inspirations for historically inspired makeup
Autumn will also provide a one-on-one Zoom session with you before the retreat to help or review your looks and styling for each photoshoot theme.
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MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Autumn Luciano
Autumn Luciano is a Michigan-based portrait photographer who has immersed her clients in a safe and playful world of dress-up and stunning photographs for the past 15 years. She began her journey while attending film school, where she discovered her passion for photography.
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At the age of 22, she officially launched her portrait studio and has built a signature style around painterly, classically inspired themes. Over the years, Autumn has had the honor of showing thousands of everyday people that they are strong, beautiful, and worthy of being represented in art. Her studio, located in her home, serves as a haven for artistic expression, fun, and a judgment-free atmosphere. She offers professional hair and makeup styling, access to an extensive size-inclusive wardrobe, and pose coaching for every shoot. Autumn believes it is essential for the experience of a high-end portrait session to be accessible and easy, so that people from all walks of life can participate in self-love through art.
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She manifested this collaboration with the Lady of the Château after years of dreaming about France and châteaux. Following two fabulously successful Fantasy Retreats in October 2024, Autumn is returning to the Château in 2025 to create a new, magical photoshoot experience.
MEET YOUR HOSTS
The Lady of the Château Creative Team
We are your retreat designers and guides, and it is our pleasure to welcome you into our world. As a multi-generational American family who moved to France, we combine our backgrounds in the film industry, anthropology, data science, and the arts to shape and guide your retreat experience with a focus on creativity, personal growth, and connection.
Julia and Caroline are a couple and the founders of the Lady of the Château retreats. They design and run each retreat alongside Penelope, Julia's sister, and Maruca, their mother, who is the ultimate magic maker, bringing the many themes of the retreat to life. Their father, Robert, also plays a role, enjoying meeting and hosting people from around the world. Together with our guest instructor, retreat chef, and château staff, we create a space where living and making meaning with our guests happens every day.
We cannot wait to welcome you to an experience that will leave your cup full for months to come.
“I’ve been on a journey of discovery—finding my confidence, being comfortable in my own skin, embracing my talents, and lifting up women around me. From my previous experience, there’s no better place to do this than at the chateau.”
Tasha Collins, Fantasy Photoshoot Participant 2024
A LETTER FROM YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Dear "Midsummer Château Dream" guests,
I'm so honored to be joining you for this life-changing femme fantasy photoshoot retreat to celebrate the summer solstice in June of 2025 at the historic Chateau de Puy Vidal.
We have 6 magical days ahead of us to play dress up together and create editorial-style art in front of my camera. This is a fully immersive experience, so not only will we be getting into costume for shoots, we also get to play in that space.
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Come with a friend or be bold and travel solo to find your people here within these 800 year old walls. Together we will play dress up, run through the gardens, and embrace what this new era of the divine feminine means for each of our individual paths.
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Starting strong on day two (our first full day at the château), I will photograph you in a classic sleeping beauty-themed set. A beautiful bed surrounded by stone walls, ivy, flowers and fog. Where you'll rest peacefully for hundreds of years to come in the artwork we will create together.
The next day we will explore the ancient countryside towns, hunting for treasures and soaking up the history. Then back to the chateau for a night stirring up trouble with our Victorian-style slumber party. Bring that flowy white nightgown you've always dreamt of wearing, and indulge in victorian style parlor games and cocktails by the light of the fireplace. We will do a "light as a feather, stiff as a board" style group shot on this night.
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The third day we will embrace our playful side, with a rococo themed pastoral picnic shoot and party. Think Marie Antoinette frolicking in the field with her friends in Sophia Coppal's 2006 film Marie Antoinette. Pastels, flowers, and tea cakes. What could be more fun? And don't worry, we will be giving a rococo hairstyle lesson and will be on hand to help you.
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The fourth day, you'll strap on a pair of our handmade, realistic fairy wings (made by me!) from the château's costume collection, and get into your cutest midsummer night's dream themed fairy look for an epic château garden photo shoot among the hedge maze and rose garden. Followed by an evening dinner party outside surrounded by lights, music, and the bliss of summer in France.
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On the last full day, we rest and free play! There will be a pool party, massages, yoga, time to read, nap, go for walks, whatever you're called to do. This day you'll also get a sneak peek at 30 beautiful portraits we've shot together of you through the week. Followed by an evening slideshow of everyone's photos in the grand salon for those who want to participate.
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Each day we will gather together to do our styling in a beautiful "backstage at the burlesque show" vibe styling room, where you'll each have your own station complete with a light up mirror. Leading up to the retreat we will get to know eachother in our Facebook group, where you can ask questions, find resources (packing list, shopping guides, inspiration pinterest boards for each themed shoot, etc.) and start getting to know what will surely be an incredible group of beautiful humans. I am always available to answer questions, and to consult with along the way in preparing your final shoot looks.
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All the delicious meals, snacks, and custom cocktails are included in your stay, and you will have one of the stunning rooms in the chateau to rest your head at the day's end. This magical summer week is sure to bring about lifelong bonds and a beautiful new space for you to fall in love with yourself.
Meet me at the chateau, and let's make some art and memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Hot girl summer?
Nope, it's chateau girl summer.
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See you at the Château!​
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Autumn Luciano
"This place and the people who dwell here are beautiful, inside and out."
Tiffany Robertson - Haunting the Château
Guest 2024
A Retreat Day
8:30am-9:30am
Breakfast in the Spode Room
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10:00am – 1:30pm
Set the Stage | Get Ready Hair & Make-up
Individual Photoshoots
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12:30pm – 1:30pm
Lunch in the Interior Courtyard
1:30pm - 4:30pm
Individual Photoshoots continue
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4:30pm - 6:30pm
Free Time- Your time to Unwind
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7:00pm
Aperitif Hour
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8:00pm
Renaissance Dining Room Dinner
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9:00pm
Midsummer Nights Dream Party
A Glimpse at the Retreat Week
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
Arrival day
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Welcome to the Chateau!
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Arrival by train in Angouleme train station recommended between 2 pm - 4 pm. We will be scheduling shuttles to pick you up at your train time. The Chateau is an 18 min drive from the station.
Once youve pulled in through the Chateau gates, settle in, start meeting your fellow fantasy lovers with bubbly in hand, and explore the Chateau!
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This evening we will have an Opening Cirlce and Welcome Dinner.
1st Photoshoot
Sleeping Beauty
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Today is all about settling in- to the backstage room. Style prep room, where you will be getting your hair and makeup ready, to your longer than usual session with Autumn in the Chateau Studio- where the Sleeping Beauty Photoshoot will be set up.
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Starting out with the more controlled setup will allow you to get into character and connect with Autumn and her camera, and start off the week strong.
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Movie night.
Fairytale French Village & Antiquing Day trip
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Join us on a trip to our village of La Rochefoucauld, lunch at a riverside restaurant, and then go antiquing to hunt for treasures.
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Victorian Sleepover
Group Photoshoot​
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Gather in the grand salon in a victorian nightgown after dinner for a good old-fashioned sleepover. But this one involves a group photoshoot and many more surprises.
2nd Photoshoot ​
Pastoral Rococo
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Step into the 18th century, the world of Marie Antoinette and Rococo glamour. The gardens will be bursting with flowers and your pastoral fantasies await. This photoshoot will be all about picnics, wildflowers and the pastel hues of summertime in France.
In the afternoon, after the shoot, join us in 18th century style games on the lawn, and ramp up to a Rococo inspired dinner.
3rd Photoshoot ​
Midsummer Nights Dream
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The final photoshoot and event that the whole week has been leading up to. By day, get into your best Midsummer Nights Dream inspired looks and embrace your last photoshoot with Autumn in the gardens.
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By night, make sure you get back into your most magnificent fairy attire to attend the Midsummer bonfire celebration and our last big evening event.
Pool & Massages
Relax Day
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Now that all the pressure is off, today is just about relaxing- book a massage with our Chateau masseuse, attend the yoga class in the morning, and lounge by the pool all day long.
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In the afternoon get ready to see your sneak peek of your 30 photos from the week, A final dinner and closing ceremony complete this experience.
Departure Day
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Shuttles to the Angouleme train station start as early as 6am for those wanting to catch the 6:36am train to Charles de Gaulle Airport. A last breakfast is served from 8:30-10:30am, and shuttles continue all morning. Departure recommended no later than 1pm.
A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK
Here are some of our favorite moments from Haunting the Chateau.
All-Inclusive Retreat
WHAT'S INCLUDED
3 EDITORIAL PORTRAITS INCLUDED
OPTION TO PURCHASE UP TO 30 PORTRAITS
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Against the backdrop of the castle, Autumn Luciano will set up various editorial fantasy scenes.
She will guide and direct you in unleashing your power and beauty in front of the camera. She will take hundreds of photos over the three photoshoots, and then cull them down to 30 final select shots.
On the last day of the retreat, you will have a private sneak peak with Autumn to look through all these 30 photos. You will then have a full reveal session on zoom with Autumn after the retreat to go over the images together and select the 3 images that are included in the retreat package. You will also have the opportunity to purchase up to all 30 portraits at this time. With the upgrade to larger portrait packages, some come with your choice of a beautiful photo cover folio box that contains individual 8x10" matted prints in a photo cover folio box or an 11x14" flat-lay portrait book worthy of any coffee table.
Whichever you select, will be edited in the Autumn Luciano signature style, including any retouching requests you have and then delivered to you as high-resolution digital files.
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Additional Portrait prices range from $600-$3600 with flexible pre and/or post retreat payment plan options provided through Autumn Luciano.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
Our all-inclusive packages, lovingly curated, cover everything during your stay, from train pick-up to accommodations to day trips. Our goal in putting these together is to allow you to completely relax during your time here, delve into learning, and have the rest taken care of.
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Not Included
Professional Hair & Make-up Styling
Costumes & Wardrobe
AUTHENTIC FRENCH
MEALS & WINE
Breakfast buffets each morning, with both continental and savory options. Light refreshing lunches. Decadent dinners offer the classics of french cuisine. All events have flowing craft cocktails and french wines.
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3 EDITORIAL PORTRAITS
Final delivery of 3 high-resolution fully edited digital images from the individual shoots, as well as an assortment from the group photoshoot. Option to purchase more images directly through Autumn Luciano.
TRAIN PICK UP | DROP OFF
On arrival day and departure day, a Chateau team member will meet you at the train station in Angouleme to shuttle you to the chateau - an 18-minute drive. The train is the best way to travel to the Chateau from Paris- the total time is 2 hours.
REGIONAL DAY TRIP
Transportation on our day trip to the local village of La Rochefoucauld, entry ticket to Chateau museum, and lunch at a riverside restaurant all included.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Chateau de Puy Vidal rooms have a variation of opulent and spacious décor to charming, storybook chambers, as well as contemporary and cozy retreat spaces.
ATMOSPHERIC CHATEAU EVENTS
The photoshoot themes come to life at dusk. You are invited to bonfires under the stars, escapades through the labyrinth, cinema screenings by candlelight, and fairy revelries in the forest.
A message about
SELF-PHOTOGRAPHY
While participants are welcome to take selfies, film and engage in self-photography around the Château and grounds during free time, the professionally designed setups and sets will not be available for participants to photograph themselves.
These are exclusively reserved for the official photoshoot sessions with Autumn to preserve the artistic integrity of the retreat.
Your Château Chambre Awaits
An integral part of the Creative Retreat Experience is the sense of unity that comes with everyone gathering under one roof to create and unwind. We offer a selection of six distinctive historic bedrooms and suites, each designed to provide a one-of-a-kind experience.
Our room offerings cater to various preferences, ranging from spacious and opulent decor to enchanting, fairy-tale chambers, and French country cozy retreats. If you are seeking the chance to unwind alone, our single occupancy option allows you to enjoy the retreat in your own private room. Decompress, reflect and recharge in your personal sanctuary. For those who prefer to share the retreat experience, we offer double occupancy rooms. This option is ideal for friends, couples, or those who wish to forge new connections with fellow participants.
If you're a solo traveler and choose double occupancy, we'll pair you with another solo traveler for a shared experience, enhancing the sense of community. For solo traveler double occupancy options please email us at admin@ladyofthechateau.com
Join the Magic
Due to high demand, as well as to ensure a cohesive group dynamic, we invite you to apply below. The application process ensures that we are able to personalize this journey as much as possible to your needs and that the group is balanced and supportive so that everyone can flourish.
You will be notified within 72 hours of submission whether you have been accepted. Over the week of Christmas, expect slightly longer response times. Once accepted, you will receive an invitation to book your spot. Your spot will not be confirmed until you book.
To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in 3 installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment cadence that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!
If you have any questions regarding our retreats or if you are having trouble booking please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com
How do I get there?
Puy Vidal is nestled in the scenic Charente region, just 2 hours south via SNCF Train from Paris-Montparnasse station. This idyllic location offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility.
We offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off from our local train station of Angouleme just 18 minutes from the Chateau . If you’re driving, detailed directions will be provided upon booking. We’re easily accessible from major French cities, making your journey as smooth as possible.
Do I need to bring my own costumes? Hair and Makeup?
Your 3 Fantasy Photoshoot wardrobe- including all accesssories. A victorian nightgown for the victorian sleepover event and group photoshoot. Wigs for each look. All your makeup tools.
The Chateau Makeup room will provide large lit makeup mirrors, hot curlers, curling irons, and large fabric steamers.
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Outside of the photoshoots, we encourage you to dress however brings you joy- whether it be slumber party style sweatpants, or more chateau-inspired looks to luxuriate in. Keep in mind we have a day trip day, so you will need one outfit to go into town in.
Is there a pool ?
Yes! Our outdoor pool is heated, perfect for a refreshing dip in summer.
Our large hot tub makes a perfect place to unwind alone or with some new friends after an intensive photoshoot day.
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Bring a swimsuit, sandals sunglasses and sunscreen. The sandals can come in handy for the photoshoots too, as you walk around in the gardens between shoot locations. Slippers with a good traction sole are also very useful to bring in the chateau for lounging. Robes are provided.
Are Dietary Restrictions Accommodated?
We cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. However, due to the nature of our environment and kitchen, we cannot accommodate multiple food restrictions or severe life-threatening food allergies. Please contact us before booking at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com.
In addition, if you have severe dietary or environmental allergies (e.g., to insects, dust, or humidity), please contact us before booking at admin@ladyofthechateau.com. For your safety, we reserve the right to cancel bookings if we determine we cannot safely accommodate your needs.
FAQ
Our guests most frequently asked questions
Check out our 2024 Photoshoot Retreats
