Cocoknits in Lectoure, France

Join us at historic La Manufacture Royale, in southwest France, for an 8-night ‘terroir' knitting retreat from May 5th-13th 2027.  This stylishly-renovated 18th century former textile factory is in the charming hilltop town of Lectoure in the Gers, 90 minutes west of Toulouse. 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'll meet in Toulouse early in the afternoon of Saturday June5th, load our bags into the coach, then head to De Rerum Natura, known for producing ethically sourced natural yarns, where you will buy the yarn for your Cocoknits Method 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. 

Beginning the next morning you will learn the Cocoknits Method with Cocoknits founder, Julie Weisenberger, and expert knitter, Tracy Russell, on a Cocoknits Method sweater pattern of your choosing. 

During the week you can choose to book a spa treatment at the Station Thermal de Lectoure, shop for antiques at the Village des Brocanteurs, housed in the former castle of the Counts of Armagnac, or take part in excursions available to the group. These include a trip to Chateau Arton, a family-run organic estate renowned for its wines and Armagnac, for a wine tasting and lunch, a visit to Bleu de Lectoure for a natural dye session using woad, which produces a vibrant blue pigment, lunch at a restaurant awarded a Michelein Bib Gourmand near Lectoure’s 12th century Saint-Gervais and Saint-Protais Cathedral, and on the last day we will visit 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 your Cocoknits sweater project!

For more details and to register go to TextileRetreats.com.