Christmas stitching with Anna Scott in Paris | 20th to 27th November 2027

• Accommodation at the Hôtel Paix République, including breakfast
• Four days of Christmas embroidery tuition with Anna Scott
• Four stitching days at the renowned Au Ver à Soie Atelier
• Four lunches on the workshop days
• Three included dinners
• A special farewell dinner cruise along the River Seine
• Morning visit to the Palais Galliera
• Visit to Notre-Dame Cathedral
• Time to explore the Christmas market near Notre-Dame
• Visit to a special exhibition, to be confirmed closer to the retreat
• Excursion to Montmartre
• Time to explore Montmartre’s textile, haberdashery and art shop
• Weekly metro tickets for travel
  
  

While we have included everything needed for a wonderful week of creativity, culture and festive Parisian charm, there are a few items you will need to arrange or budget for separately.

The following are not included in the retreat package:

• Flights or other travel to and from Paris
• Airport transfers, which can be arranged at an additional cost
• Travel insurance, which is strongly recommended
• 2 lunches on excursion days
• Dinners other than the three included group dinners
• Drinks with meals, unless otherwise stated
• Anna Scott’s embroidery kit and materials, which must be purchased separately
• Personal expenses and shopping
• Optional excursions or activities outside the planned programme

Travelling to the Hôtel Paix République

The Hôtel Paix République is located at 2 bis Boulevard Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris, close to Place de la République. République Métro station is served by lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11, making the hotel easy to reach from across Paris.

Arriving by Plane

Guests may fly into either Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Paris Orly Airport.

From Charles de Gaulle, take the RER B to Gare du Nord, then change to Métro line 5 towards Place d’Italie and leave at République.

From Orly, take Métro line 14 to Châtelet, then change to line 11 for République. Taxis and private transfers are also available from both airports and may be more convenient for guests travelling with heavy luggage.

Arriving by Train

From Gare du Nord or Gare de l’Est, take Métro line 5 directly to République. From Gare Saint-Lazare, Métro line 3 travels directly to République. Guests arriving at another Paris station can continue to the hotel by Métro or taxi.

Arriving by Car

Guests travelling by car should enter the hotel’s full address into their navigation system. The hotel offers parking for an additional nightly charge, subject to availability. We recommend contacting the hotel in advance to confirm and reserve a space.

As Paris transport services and road regulations may change, guests should check their journey shortly before travelling.

Our home during the retreat will be the charming three-star Hôtel Paix République, located at 2 bis Boulevard Saint-Martin, 75010 Paris. Set within an elegant Haussmann-style building near Place de la République and the Marais, the hotel provides a comfortable and convenient base for our creative week.

Three dinners are included in the retreat package. The first evening, we will celebrate our start of the retreat at the nearby brasserie which is famous for its French food, one evening we will go to a different restaurant nearby the hotel and the last evening, we would like to invite you onto a dinner cruise on the Seine looking at Paris landmarks at night. 

Four evenings are left free for guests to make their own dinner arrangements. You may choose to enjoy a peaceful meal independently or form a small friendship group with fellow participants and discover one of Paris’s many wonderful restaurants together.

Lunches are included on workshop days when we are at Au Ver A Soie and we will choose different brasseries and bars for each lunch. Of course, you can also go off on your own and have a little time for yourself, explore or do sightseeing during lunch time. 

2 lunches on the excursion days are not included however your tour manager can guide you on where to go. You will always find delicious food in Paris.

To help you feel comfortable, prepared and ready to enjoy your time in beautiful Paris, we recommend packing the following essentials. November in Paris can be cold, damp and changeable, so warm clothing and layers are important.

Embroidery Supplies
Please bring your preferred embroidery tools, such as scissors, needles, a thimble and any specialist equipment you enjoy working with. Details of Anna Scott’s Christmas embroidery kit, which is purchased separately, will be provided closer to the retreat.

Warm and Waterproof Clothing
Please bring a warm, waterproof coat together with jumpers, cardigans and comfortable layers. A scarf, gloves, warm hat and compact umbrella will help keep you comfortable while exploring Paris.

Comfortable Footwear
Pack comfortable, supportive and preferably waterproof shoes suitable for walking around Paris, visiting exhibitions and moving between the hotel and workshop venues.

Smart-Casual Clothing
Relaxed, smart-casual outfits are ideal for workshop days, group dinners and evenings in Paris. You may also wish to bring a slightly smarter outfit for the farewell dinner cruise along the River Seine

Travel Adapter
Please bring a European travel adapter for charging your electrical equipment.

Camera or Smartphone
A camera or smartphone will be perfect for capturing special memories, festive decorations and the beautiful sights of Paris.

Your Medication
Please pack any medication you will need for the duration of the retreat, with a little extra in case of unexpected travel delays.

Small Day Bag
A small, comfortable day bag will be useful for excursions and for carrying essentials such as your phone, purse, water bottle, umbrella and personal items.

Space for Shopping
We recommend leaving a little extra room in your luggage for fabrics, haberdashery, embroidery supplies and Christmas gifts purchased during the retreat.

Packing these items will help ensure a comfortable and enjoyable retreat, allowing you to focus fully on your embroidery, new friendships and the magic of Paris before Christmas.

Health and Accessibility

We want every guest to enjoy a safe, comfortable and rewarding experience during their time in Paris. As this retreat combines four days of embroidery with cultural excursions and travel on public transport, we kindly ask guests to consider the following before booking.

The workshops involve extended periods of seated hand embroidery, with regular breaks throughout the day. Guests should be comfortable sitting and concentrating on detailed handwork for several hours, as well as moving independently between the hotel, workshop venues and dining locations.

On the mornings of our workshops at Au Ver à Soie, we will travel together by Métro. Many Paris Métro stations have long corridors and numerous flights of stairs, with limited step-free access. Guests should be comfortable walking through busy stations, getting on and off trains and managing stairs at a relaxed group pace.

Our excursions will involve a considerable amount of walking around Paris. Routes may include cobbled streets, uneven pavements, steps and periods of standing during museum or exhibition visits. Comfortable, supportive and waterproof footwear is strongly recommended.

November in Paris can be cold, wet and changeable. Guests should be prepared for time outdoors by bringing warm layers, a waterproof coat and an umbrella.

Please be aware that the Hôtel Paix République states that it is not accessible for disabled guests. Anyone with limited mobility or specific accessibility requirements should contact us before booking so that we can discuss the suitability of the retreat and any individual needs.

Guests with mobility considerations, medical conditions or other accessibility requirements are strongly encouraged to speak with us before confirming their place.

While we will always do our utmost to support participation and explore reasonable adjustments, it is important that any arrangements remain practical within the planned itinerary and do not adversely affect the experience of the wider group.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. We are always happy to discuss the retreat’s suitability and help make your experience as safe, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Stitch in the Glow of Paris: A Creative Retreat

Where expert tuition, a city full of inspiration, and the quiet joy of needlework meet

Picture a week in Paris, the city aglow with lights, needle and thread in hand as you lose yourself in the pastime you love most. Anna invites you to join her and immerse yourself for a week of creativity and the quiet joy of needlework.

You will have four full days of tuition, stitching two days in the renowned studio of Au Ver à Soie, and two full days in a fabulous, light-filled working space within walking distance of our hotel.

Drawing inspiration from the beautiful city, Anna is once again creating a special embroidery project just for this retreat. With a unique and creative approach to traditional embroidery, the course is structured to support your skill level while offering options for colours and threads. You will have the choice to stitch with glorious silk or fine crewel wool, and sparkling metallics. The course is designed to invite you to adapt the core pattern into a personal reflection of your creative experience in Paris, perhaps even incorporating finds from our excursion days in this amazing city.

With Anna's expert guidance, you will explore a range of stitches and techniques, while developing your skill and eye for detail.

Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.

Cancellation charge:

Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable

Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable

Emergencies

Your safety and wellbeing are very important to us. If you need help during your holiday, our team will be on hand to assist—whether that means helping you access local healthcare, contacting authorities, or guiding you through the process if your passport or important documents are lost.

In the rare case that extra costs arise from situations linked to personal negligence (for example, missed transfers or additional bookings), these may need to be covered by the guest.

Conduct

We want every retreat to be an enjoyable and supportive experience for all. We simply ask that all guests treat one another, our tutors, and our staff with kindness and respect.

If any damage occurs at our partner hotels or venues, the guest responsible will be asked to cover the costs directly. In very rare circumstances, where someone’s behaviour endangers others or causes serious distress, Creative Experiences reserves the right to withdraw their place from the retreat.

Please rest assured, we have never had to enforce these measures—they exist purely to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe, welcoming, and inspiring holiday together.