Cocoknits at Chateau Dumas, France

Friday 20-Saturday 28 August, 2027

After a break of ten years Cocoknits is back at Chateau Dumas in southwest France for an 8-night knitting retreat. Join us at this sensitively renovated 18th century Chateau deep in the countryside and enjoy delicious food and of course knitting tuition from Cocoknits’ founder Julie Weisenberger and expert knitter Tracy Russell.

The Gers is one of France's most rural and unspoilt regions, celebrated for its rolling landscapes, picturesque villages, Armagnac production and vibrant local markets. We stay in the charming hilltop town of Lectoure renowned for its honey-coloured stone buildings, medieval streets, thermal spa and sweeping views across the Gascon countryside.  Our accommodation is at La Manufacture Royale, a former textile factory that once produced luxury fabrics for the French crown. Today, the historic buildings have been transformed into an elegant venue using natural and traditional materials and decorated throughout in a range of soft and gentle hues.

We meet in Toulouse early in the afternoon of Saturday 5th June, load our bags into the coach then head to De Rerum Natura, known for producing ethically sourced natural yarns, to buy the yarn for our Cocoknits knitting project.  We arrive at La Manufacture Royale later that day in time to settle in and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our private chefs. 

The knitting tuition begins the following morning with Cocoknits’ founder Julie Weisenberger and expert knitter Tracy Russell constantly on hand during the 4.5 days of guidance and tuition. There’s no formal classroom instruction as we knit as a group - or in smaller groups -  with Julie and Tracy helping each person with their chosen sweater pattern and customizations as needed. Instruction is tailored to  each person as they need it - meaning you can take time out at any point to explore the charming town of Lectoure.

With its honey-coloured stone buildings, panoramic viewpoints, relaxed cafés and rich history Lectoure is a lovely place to explore. Stroll along the Rue Nationale and the narrow carrelots (steep alleyways) passing by 18th century mansions built in front of much older medieval houses.  Lectoure lies on the French Camino de Santiago route and throughout the town you will see shell way markers set in the pavement to help pilgrims find the route through the medieval streets.  

If you like antiques and spa treatments (and let’s face it who doesn’t?) you’ll be in heaven. With naturally warm, mineral rich waters, Lectoure has been a spa town since the late 20th century and you’ll be able to book yourself in for a treatment during your stay at the Station Thermal de Lectoure.  The Village des Brocanteurs (Antiques Village) is a purpose built antiques hub is housed in the former castle of the Counts of Armagnac who made Lectoure their capital in the middle ages. The antiques hub has created a ripple effect and now there are 15-20 specialist antique shops dotted throughout the town.

Our excursions during the week include to Chateau Arton, a family-run organic estate renowned for its wines and Armagnac, for a wine tasting and lunch and on another day we have lunch at a restaurant awarded a Michelein Bib Gourmand near Lectoure’s 12th century Saint-Gervais and Saint-Protais Cathedral. Another excursion is to Bleu de Lectoure for a natural dye session using woad, the plant that brought great wealth to the Toulouse region during the Renaissance  period due to its ‘magical’ properties for producing a vibrant blue pigment. 

Our final excursion on the last day is to Les Jardins de Coursiana, a botanical garden considered to be one of the finest in southwest France. You’ll leave at the end of the retreat with fresh knowledge, new friends, great memories and possibly even some bric-à-brac!

Please note that the retreat is open to knitters of all levels. However, you must be able to perform the following knitting skills competently: casting on and off, knitting and purling. This is an immersive “terroir” knitting retreat and you will be required to buy the yarn for your knitting projects from De Rerum Natura.

“This was by far the most enjoyable retreat I’ve been on (out of perhaps ten or so over the past decade.) The location, food, and company all contributed to my enjoyment, and the low key, relaxed pace was my favourite part. What a treat to NOT be running around all the time but rather to simply be able to enjoy my week. Loved the participants and partners and instructors—everyone was just so personable and interesting! This really was such a wonderful treat and I hope I get to do another retreat with you at some point. Thank you!”

Beverley R, United States

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