French Guitar Adventurers 2025 now booking

8-14 September 2025 in a converted Cognac House in the Charente

All guitarists and their guests stay at the beautiful French Retreat, a converted Cognac House in a secluded location in the Charente region. Accommodation is en-suite and all meals are cooked at the Retreat.

This an opportunity to work hard on your music in group sessions and private practise time but it is also a tranquil place to hang out with fellow guitarists and partners.  Lasting friendships are forged at FGA.  It is a great social space, there is an outdoor swimming pool and nearby fields crisscrossed by paths.

‘Becoming a Guitar Adventurer is an opportunity to explore standing up to play (my speciality and default position) and to discover the very real benefits of using a strap whether sitting or standing. Our daily sessions are best undertaken on a nylon strung, classical style instrument ideally with a cut-away and strap. This will leave you free to develop a more efficient and stylistically neutral playing position, strengthen technique and increase accuracy and agility.’

Says Richard

The FGA week progresses via enjoyable and supportive group study sessions and many chances to develop your guitar technique. A very relaxed open mic night preceeds a well attended end of week public concert in l’eglise Notre Dame, Yviers comprising student solos, ensemble pieces and other surprises.

‘Totally changed my view of music, practise and life generally.  All the better for it!’

Said Phil, an FGA participant

“‘The FGA week was a turning point when playing my guitar standing up became as natural and easy as breathing. The surprise was that it was like learning to fly, an extra dimension where the tone and overall sound was beyond anything I’d imagined I would be able to play.’

said Gill, an FGA participant

Please note that half of the available spaces are gone. So if you are considering coming along please contact us soon for a chat.