Lisa Gerber

Advance your idea from concept to reality

  • About
  • Work with me
    • Mentoring :: Powerful Presenters
    • Workshop
    • Speaking
    • Retreat
  • Learn from me
    • Books
    • Articles
    • A Walk in the Woods
  • Connect with me

Imagine stepping away from the noise of your daily life and into a sunlit villa in a village in the south of France. Surrounded by rolling vineyards, picturesque towns and lavender fields, you’ll experience the rare gift of unhurried time—a chance to pause with intention, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself.

Pause in Provence is more than just a retreat—it’s a turning point. Designed for people navigating change, seeking clarity, or simply craving a reset, this intimate experience blends rest, exploration, storytelling and coaching to help you reimagine your story and step into your future with renewed energy and focus.

Change your scenery.
Change your perspective.

This experience takes place September 22-27, 2026 and includes a stay at a renovated villa originally built in the 1700s, with a group of similarly adventurous travellers coming together to reimagine their story. What stories are you telling yourself? What might your next chapter hold? Let’s be inspired by Provence as we refresh our perspective. Whether you come solo or bring a travel companion, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Pause in Provence

Reimagine your story

This is not a workshop in a pretty place—it’s a true retreat. You’ll slow down, explore, and breathe in new surroundings while gaining tools and insights to help you move forward with intention.

Here’s how your days might look:

  • Rest and solitude: A slow and quiet start, enjoying croissants and café au lait on the terrace.
  • Coaching and connection: Structured morning sessions designed to clear mental fog, spark clarity, and build energy. You’ll leave with practical tools and a reimagined narrative for your next chapter.
  • Exploration and adventure: Open afternoons with optional excursions to meander nearby towns, explore local markets or just sit by the pool. Activities to be confirmed but may include massage, yoga, hiking, kayaking on the Rhône River, a visit to a lavender farm, and a cooking class—we’ll see!
  • Delicious meals featuring fresh, local ingredients—paired with new friends and unhurried conversations that naturally foster connection, without pressure. Some will be in restaurants, some prepared by a personal chef, and some pulled together by the group using fresh ingredients from the weekly market down the street and the bakery next door.

Who is this for?

Pause in Provence is for you if:

  • You’re too busy to think and crave dedicated time to pause and reflect.
  • You feel stuck or unclear about what’s next and want expert guidance to help you move forward.
  • You’re facing or considering a transition—whether personal or professional—and need a compelling vision for your future.
  • You’re seeking restorative travel with meaning—something that feeds your soul, not just your passport.
  • You’re ready to be inspired by a magical setting (and love the smell of fresh-baked baguettes and lavender!).
  • You’re open to adventure and flexible enough to see what happens as we mix structure with serendipity.
  • You recognize the value of journeying alongside others and are willing to contribute to this experience being amazing for everyone.
  • You’re prepared to invest in yourself and create a memorable inflection point in your life.

What you’ll take home

You’ll leave Provence with more than memories—you’ll take home:

  • Clarity and direction – A vivid picture of your next steps, free from the fog of indecision.
  • Energy and momentum – The renewed spark that comes from deep rest, inspiration, and meaningful reflection.
  • Practical tools – A personalized toolkit, including provocation cards, frameworks, and practical strategies to keep you moving forward long after you return.
  • A sense of possibility – A fresh narrative for your life, one that feels aligned, expansive, and exciting.

Stay tuned for even more possibilities for additional 1:1 coaching, trip extensions, additional excursions and experiences that will let you customize your time away even further.

About your facilitators

Lisa Gerber is a story strategist and communications expert who helps people communicate to connect. She’ll help you rewrite your story as you reimagine your next chapter. She’s also an adventurer who knows how to have fun!

Dr. Rebecca Sutherns is a Master Facilitator and certified leadership and transitions coach. She’ll act as your experience designer, guide and thinking partner as you reimagine your next chapter.

Discover spaciousness, clarity, and renewal in the heart of Provence

We believe in the power of travel to transform. Both of us have experienced firsthand how the beauty and rhythm of France can shift perspectives and spark new beginnings.

Pause in Provence

We’ve crafted this retreat with purpose:

  • Location matters – The sights, scents, and pace of Provence create the perfect backdrop for reflection and renewal.
  • Our expertise overlaps – With decades of experience in coaching, facilitation, and guiding people through transitions, we’ll help you find clarity and craft a compelling vision for your future. And with both of us there, you can choose who you vibe with best if you need some company on your reflective journey!
  • The right blend of structure and freedom – You’ll enjoy a mix of solitude, one-on-one coaching, and group experiences, creating space for meaningful growth without feeling overly choreographed.
  • The vibe matters – Spaciousness, ease, and vitality. You’ll feel fully alive here.

About the villa

You’ll stay in a stunning 18th-century house nestled in the charming village of Graveson. The almost 6,000 square foot home has been fully renovated in a mix of antique and contemporary, while still retaining its character and quirks.

You’ll have plenty of room to breathe, reflect, and connect, whether you prefer quiet corners or lively conversations.

There are nine rooms available, that can be single or double occupancy, most with an ensuite. Some have a king bed, some have a queen, some have two twins. Bedroom selection will be first-come, first-served based on the order in which you register. There are eight bathrooms in total—they’ve been renovated, but can be a bit quirky as you’d expect in house built more than 250 years ago!

The villa features a large country kitchen, a marble staircase, a screening room, on-site laundry, a walled library, an outdoor terrace and a heated pool. All of the bedrooms are air conditioned and linens and towels are provided. There is Wi-Fi at the villa, but the connection can be unreliable at times.

Facade-entrance
Living-room
Dining
Screening-room
Library
Kitchen
Bedroom-9-1st-floor
Bedroom-7-2nd-floor
Bedroom-1
Bathroom-2-ensuite-with-bedroom-2
Terrace
784c16f2
Backyard
Garden
previous arrow
next arrow
Facade-entrance
Living-room
Dining
Screening-room
Library
Kitchen
Bedroom-9-1st-floor
Bedroom-7-2nd-floor
Bedroom-1
Bathroom-2-ensuite-with-bedroom-2
Terrace
784c16f2
Backyard
Garden
previous arrow
next arrow

What’s nearby

  • The villa is located in Graveson, a delightful Provencal village with a friendly community and vibrant local life. There’s a bakery next door, a weekly outdoor market, and a pharmacy and supermarket within walking distance of the house.
  • The village is 10 minutes from Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and 15 minutes from Avignon.

What’s included

  • Accommodation for five nights.
  • All breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners, and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks throughout.
  • Professional coaching/facilitation that will provide clarity and energy as you reimagine the next chapter of your story.
  • Transportation and entry fees for three local experiences or excursions—details to follow on that.

What’s not included

  • Airfare and transportation to the venue – Participants are responsible for making all travel arrangements to/from the villa in France.
  • Travel insurance – All participants must obtain comprehensive travel insurance that includes coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage, and any activities planned during the trip.
  • Costs for variations made outside the group arrangements.
  • Alcoholic beverages and food outside of the inclusions shown above.

Price

Early bird pricing of $3,500 USD plus applicable taxes, per person for a room is in effect until August 31, 2025. An additional person can be added to a room for $3,775 CAD plus applicable taxes.

On September 1, 2025, the rate will increase to $4,100 USD plus applicable taxes, per person for a single room. The price to add an additional person to a room will increase to $4,235 CAD plus applicable taxes.

Payment Schedule

A non-refundable deposit of $350 USD plus applicable taxes is required to reserve your room. The balance is due by June 22, 2026, according to the following payment schedule:

  • $2,200 USD plus applicable taxes is due on September 22, 2025
  • Remaining balance is due on June 22, 2026

Please note, payments will be processed in Canadian funds through my co-host Rebecca Sutherns’ practice based in Canada. This process will be facilitated by Evangeline Travis, Vacation Consultant at Expedia Cruises in Oakville (TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022755). Evangeline can also help with travel arrangements and insurance, and can be reached at etravis@expediacruises.com or 416-254-2949.

Refund Policy

  • The initial deposit is non-refundable
  • The second payment (due September 22, 2025) is 75% refundable up to June 22, 2026
  • The final payment is non-refundable

If you are unable to attend the retreat you can transfer your reservation to someone else at no charge.

A minimum of five rooms must be booked in order for the retreat to take place. If the retreat is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being reached, deposits and payments made will be refunded in full.

READ THE FULL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This link will redirect you to my partner Rebecca’s site where funds are stated in Canadian dollars.  

We hope you’ll join us for this transformative retreat.


Registration’s now open for everyone on the waitlist! Not on it yet? Join below. Any remaining rooms will be made available in early June.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know investing in yourself—and traveling far from home—can raise questions. Here are answers to some common ones—let us know if you have others.


+ IT’S SO FAR IN ADVANCE — WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND?

Spots are limited and the nine rooms are available on a first come first served basis. Booking early guarantees your place and gives you something powerful to look forward to. 

If you are unable to attend, cancellations must be received in writing to Rebecca by June 22, 2026. The $500 deposit is non-refundable but 75% of your second payment will be refunded to you. You can also transfer your reservation to someone else at no charge. Cancellations received after June 22, 2026 are not refundable. If the retreat is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being reached (minimum of  five booked rooms by Feb 1, 2026), participants will be refunded in full.


+ I AM NOT GOING THROUGH A SPECIFIC TRANSITION — IS THIS RETREAT STILL RELEVANT TO ME?

Provence will work its magic either way. Coaching conversations will be about tools to help us reimagine our next chapter and tell a story that serves us well—our sense is that those are topics that could apply to anyone at any stage.


+ WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW ANYONE?

You’ll find kindred spirits here—people open to meaningful experiences. Plus, we’ll host some digital sessions leading up to the retreat so we can start building connections in advance. All of the bedrooms are double occupancy and many of them can be reconfigured to have two beds, so you’re welcome to bring a friend! Rates for adding a person to your room are listed in the price section.


+ HOW BUSY WILL WE BE?

The pace will be heavily self-determined. Roughly, we will have quiet early mornings (maybe with yoga), facilitated coaching sessions after breakfast, and afternoons of poolside rest and/or optional excursions within an hour of the villa. Lunches will be low key and dinners will be made in-house by a private chef, and we might go out to local markets or restaurants for a few meals. You can choose your preferred level of activity.


+ CAN I SHARE A ROOM WITH SOMEONE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE RETREAT?

You’re welcome to bring a second person to share your room at the rates listed. There is no discount in price if they do not want to fully participate in the retreat experience, and there may be times when participation in some activities could be limited to those engaging in the coaching. Each person attending the event/staying at the villa needs to complete a waiver and provide proof of insurance. Once you have reserved your room, there is no rush to decide on adding an additional guest.


+ DO I GET TO PICK MY ROOM?

Participants will get to choose their room at the villa, based on the order in which their deposit and signed waiver are received. We’ll reach out to you at a later date to confirm your room selection.


+ IS THIS A RETREAT FOR WOMEN ONLY?

Not necessarily. We’ll see who decides to come!


+  IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT?

This is more than a trip—it’s a chance to mark a moment and create lasting change. The value of clarity and momentum far outweighs the price of staying stuck.


+ WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED?

The $350 USD deposit can be made by e-Transfer or PayPal. The two remaining payments will be processed by Evangeline Travis, Vacation Consultant at Expedia Cruises in Oakville (TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022755; etravis@expediacruises.com, 416-254-2949). These payments can be made by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.


+ DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO FRANCE?

If you are travelling from Canada or the United States and have a valid passport, you do not need a visa for short stays. Starting in 2025, travellers will need to apply for ETIAS authorization before traveling to France. ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization, not a visa, and will be valid for three years or until the passport expires. Check out the links below for more information.

For Canadians

  • Government of Canada – France travel advice
  • ETIAS for Canadian Citizens

For US citizens

  • U.S. State Department – France Travel Information
  • ETIAS for American Citizens

+ WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET TO THE VILLA? 

Evangeline Travis, Vacation Consultant at Expedia Cruises in Oakville (TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022755; etravis@expediacruises.com, 416-254-2949) can help you with travel arrangements to/from France. 

If you fly to Paris, the TGV train provides high speed rail service from the Paris airport to Avignon in under four hours. From there, it is approximately a 15-minute Uber ride to Graveson.

Pause in Provence
Pause in Provence
Pause in Provence

Copyright © 2015 Big Leap Creative · PO Box 1884, Sandpoint ID 83864 · 208.290.2525