Baguettes & Big Feelings, Volume 1: Why I created Maison d'Amies (and what the name really means)

stephanie557
Jun 28
3 min read

Updated: Jul 5

Welcome to the table.

Our Founder drinking rosé while sitting at a table in Loumarin, France.

This is the first post in our new weekly series, Baguettes & Big Feelings, a little corner of the internet where I'll be answering your questions, sharing the behind the scenes of running retreats in France, and telling the truth about what it actually takes to create beautiful, brave spaces for women to gather.

I've wanted to start this series for a while now, not just as a vlog, but as a love letter. To solo travelers. To tired women looking for something more. To all of us craving community in a world that often feels too loud, too fast, too disconnected.

So let's begin at the beginning.

Why I Created Maison d'Amies

Years ago, I was a nurse with a side hustle travel planning and a huge craving for something more creative, more spacious, more....me.

I believed then (and still believe now) that women deserve rest, joy, and beauty without needing to justify it.

Not productivity. Not hustle. Not fixing ourselves, just being. Just living.

And so Maison d'Amies Retreats was born, not from a spreadsheet or perfect plan, but from intuition and a little rebellion. I wanted to create a space where women could slow down, be themselves, and connect with others who were also craving realness over perfection.

What Does "Maison d'Amies" Mean?

The name Maison d'Amies (pronounced may-zohn dah-mee) literally means "House of Women Friends" in French. It came to me on a walk, the way good ideas sometimes do.

It's a nod to everything this retreat business is about:

Maison= home, hospitality, belonging
Amies=friends, sisterhood, connection

It's a table where there's always a seat for you. Whether you're traveling alone or with someone you love, our goal is that you leave feeling seen, nourished, and a little more yourself than when you arrived.

What to Expect From This Series

Every week in Baguettes & Big Feelings I'll be opening the door to everything you don't see on the homepage. Things like:

What goes into planning a luxury retreat in Europe
How we choose our homes for our retreats
What actually happens on a retreat
What to pack, what to expect, and how to come alone without feeling lonely
The "why" behind everything from our Solo Sleeper option to our pastry obsession

I'll also be answering your questions, so if you've ever wondered something about the retreats, solo travel, or what it's like to start over in your 40s to follow a dream...you're in the right place.

Got a Question?

Every week I'll be choosing a few of your questions to answer. You can drop them:

In our weekly instagram question box [@maison_damies_retreats]
In the comments on our YouTube channel: @Maison-damies-Retreats
By replying to our newsletter
Or by sending a little love note to stephanie@maisondamies.com

No question is too big or too small. That's kind of the whole point behind Baguettes & Big Feelings, to hold the big, beautiful mess of dreaming and doing and daring to take a trip that could change your life.

Want to Travel With Us?

We still have a few spaces left for our Vineyards & Vibes retreat this September in the South of France. Registration for this retreat closes July 10, 2026 at midnight so don't wait.

To see more retreat options, visit us at www.maisondamies.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Come with your heart open and your suitcase half full, we'll handle the rest.