A Welsh events specialist has launched a new wellbeing retreat business in rural southern France, created for women seeking space to rest, reset and reconnect at a time in life when priorities begin to shift.
Madame Retreats, founded by Jo Braham, draws on more than three decades of experience in marketing, events, hospitality and luxury wedding planning to create carefully curated retreat experiences centred on calm, comfort and thoughtful detail.
Originally from Cardiff, Jo studied Marketing at the University of Glamorgan before building a fast-paced career delivering major national events, awards ceremonies and business programmes across the country.
She later moved into economic development within local government, where she created new business awards, networking initiatives and speaker events that continue to support the Welsh business community today.
In 2008, Jo and her husband Jean-Marc relocated to France with their young family. There they went on to manage a château and build successful hospitality and wedding businesses, with Jean-Marc retraining as a professional caterer.
The inspiration for Madame Retreats came not from career ambition, Jo says, but from personal experience.
“Over the past nine years, retreats were the only place where I truly stopped,” the 53-year-old said.
“Where my mind became quiet, my body relaxed and I could wake up and think about what I needed, rather than what everyone else needed from me.
“After a lifetime of organising events for other people, I wanted to create that same sense of calm and care for women just like me – women who are ready to prioritise their wellbeing without pressure or expectation.”
Set in a hand-selected location in the French countryside, Madame Retreats combines restorative movement, nourishing food, time outdoors and unhurried space to reflect, designed to help guests return home feeling clearer, calmer and more energised.
Jo added:
“This stage of life brings a different perspective. You begin to value peace over pace and joy over obligation.
“These retreats are about creating space to breathe, to think and to feel like yourself again.”
