March 16-20 | Starting at €3250
The Muse’s Crossing, Chapter 2
A fantasy photography retreat with photographer Lillian Liu in northwestern France
What to Expect
Muse, noun, /myuz/: a person or spirit that gives an artist ideas and the desire to create things
Nestled among the gentle rolling hills between Laval and Mayenne, stay in an enchanting 13th-century château rich with the heritage and romance of the French countryside. A historical relic while offering contemporary luxury, we invite guests to immerse themselves in creativity and self-expression…surrounded by beauty and the magic of centuries past.
Step into a transformative journey with photographer Lillian Liu, where you cross into heroines and villains of old through the camera on these historical grounds.
Myth and imagination intertwine as you embody timeless stories, captured in images that feel like truth and becoming.
We welcome you to Chapter Two of the Muse’s Crossing. As our waitlist for Chapter One was over 600 people, please be sure to book early!
❋ Photoshoots
2 fantasy photoshoots + content creation are included in the retreat, with an option to add more.
We blend full guidance in shooting if requested, so there is no modeling experience necessary for your sessions.
Connection is an integral part of the retreat. You’ll meet like-minded individuals and work together to create crowns, art, and memories in an intimate setting.
❋ Collaborative Energy
Included in the retreat is a stay in our chateau or neighboring cottage. Experience a private chef, with daily meals catered to your dietary needs.
❋ Room and Board
Our events prioritize safety and respect with a zero tolerance policy, so you can show up as you are and become fully engaged. We welcome ages 18+ to participate in this female-only retreat.
❋ A Supportive Space
Sponsors/Partners
and much more TBA
Fantasy is not costume, but initiation.
Guests don’t leave reality, they navigate through it changed.
Adornment is remembrance instead of dressing up, as you are revealing a deeper truth.
Meet Your Hosts
Lillian Liu Photography
I’m a creative photographer who feels happiest when making mythic stories come to life! Trained in art history with an artistic background, I love making timeless keepsake visual pieces that emanate sensitivity. My features and clients include: Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Adobe, Vogue, Marie Claire, and many more.
When not shooting, I am very much a goblin collecting trinkets, and also adore a good fleece blanket and hardcover book!
Instagram: @lilianliuphotography
I’m a makeup and hair artist who loves the journey of making you unlock new parts of yourself! I also run Morrow Muse, a boutique creative concept agency.
My features and experience include: Vogue, Estee Lauder, Red Candle Games, MAC cosmetics, and more, and I am equipped to work on clients and styles of all backgrounds and ages.
I love whimsy, princess-y rococo vibes, and spoiling my cat Loba with sashimi!
Wendychu, Makeup Artist, Boutique Team of Morrow Muse
Instagram: @hiwendychu
I’m a content creator born and raised in New York City, with a niche that focuses on the fantastical and historical! With over 2.5 million followers collectively on my social platforms, connecting with people around the world in person and online is truly my passion.
I’m here to show that you can be empowered with both a sword and a ball gown!
Special Guest: Queen Astraea
Tiktok: queen_astraeaLive your inner fable
The Art of Lillian Liu- portfolio sample
What’s Included
Fine Art Portraits
2 guided photoshoot sessions and content creation over the span of the retreat, with the option to add on more
3 final digital image edits from each shoot
Option to purchase more images from each set
Hair and Makeup available
Weather-flexible indoor options also available with digital background and high-end set stylist
Accommodation
Step back in time! The chateau, built in the 1200s, includes a stay of 4 nights, and has modernized amenities and a neighbouring cottage for your comfort.
A range of cozy period character rooms available, from private to ensuite, with comfortable common areas.
The grounds are yours to explore and make content in both pre and post scheduled shooting
Private Chef
Luxury hotel portfolio private chef
Daily self-serve continental breakfast buffet, light lunches, snacks, and rich sit-down dinners in the banquet hall. Unlimited tea/coffee/snacks daily.
Wine/spirits or non-alcoholic options with meals and for aperitif time.
Dietary restrictions are catered to with individual meals
Day Trip or Free Day
Free time included to unwind or to explore the surrounding areas!
Group transportation for organized group excursion to Paris
Daily evenings are free for group games, activities, and personal unwinding
Transportation
Shuttle/chauffeurs available for group outing day, and also upon request for departure day to major travel hub
Cab-friendly location, and on location driver available for shoots
Extras
Luxe welcome goodie bag upon arrival! Think prestige beauty brand makeup, Korean skincare, on-theme swag, daily essentials, and more…
Crown making workshop!
Refer-a-friend discount and payment plans available!
PR closet available- see following sections for more details.
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The Muse’s Crossing retreat is both a self-styled experience (where you step into a character of your own creation through designs you bring),and with PR wardrobe available. This includes fantasy accessories/designer headpieces/sponsored garments/wigs in the communal PR wardrobe. These items are subject to availability to accentuate your looks, should you wish to use them, and will be revealed prior to the retreat as an online inventory, and will be of the caliber as featured in Lillian Liu’s work.
You will then be able to select what pieces you’d like to use for your transformation after registration.Please note that while we will do our best to accommodate a wide range of sizes, providing your measurements in advance gives us the best chance of ensuring a proper fit. Accurate measurements allow us to plan PR wardrobe styling more effectively.
Lillian will also guide you through a personalized styling journey for each of your three looks, helping to develop your characters. Moodboards for looks and makeup, and determining the overall ambience is essential co-creation and a part of the transformative experience.
At the retreat, assistance will also be provided if necessary for dressing and getting ready, at the client’s discretion. -
Yes! We welcome individuals of all shapes and sizes to this event, and will accommodate inclusive sizing in our closet as well.
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Please pack 2-3 different looks for your individual photoshoots depending on your package, unless you plan to use a sponsored garment(s) for a specific look.
You are encouraged to bring wigs, jewelry, and more as well- but most importantly, your enthusiasm!
Otherwise, for inside the chateau: loungewear, toiletries, comfy shoes, and whatever else suits your fancy for a cozy castle escape! Layers are encouraged for cooler evenings.
For the outdoors: outdoor-ready and/or waterproof shoes, jacket. -
Lillian Liu’s editing style is painterly and will require editing time, especially for a group setting. Timelines will be arranged as schedules are released. Priority will be given to higher ticket tier patrons.
You have an option to select your final images from a gallery across all photoshoots if you wish.
Additional images are available for purchase directly through Lillian Liu. -
Your host Wendy will be available to book as a hair and makeup artist, should you wish to be pampered! Otherwise, you will be responsible for your own hair and makeup prep for your respective shots.
Wendy’s rates for extra looks not packaged are:
Hair only: 150 euros per look
Makeup only: 200 euros per look
Makeup and hair: 300 euros per look -
Please be sure to cover the following:
Your travel to and from your home to the castle, including airfare, train, or car rental.
Costumes and accessories (with the exception of what is available to borrow from the PR closet)
Baggage, accident, cancellation, or travel insurance
Extra personal expenses, such as passports, store purchases, phone calls
Extra meals and beverages not served on grounds
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Due to the historical nature of the grounds, the castle itself is not wheelchair friendly or fully accessible to those who may need mobility assistance. We apologize for the inability to accommodate, as we cannot guarantee your comfort or safety.
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To keep events accessible, payment plans are available either in 2, 3, or 4 parts for those who might find it their preferred way of payment.
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From September onwards, we will schedule 2 group calls to get acquainted with one another, and to answer all of your questions. Lillian will also be in contact with you through the group Discord to get a feel of planning your vision as you make moodboards, design your wardrobe pairings, and offer makeup and hair inspiration.
Our Location
Resting in the gentle countryside of northwestern France, mirrored in the waters of its surrounding pond, our place of residence has stood as a silent witness to more than seven centuries of history.
First raised in the 1200s as a fortified stronghold during the reign of the Capetian kings, the château has gracefully transformed through the ages…from medieval fortress, to noble residence! The original defensive complex included a large circular "Philippian" tower, and was strategically positioned on a rocky plateau overlooking ponds and farmland. Overall, however, the design is framed by two distinctive pavilions, which tells a story of evolving architecture over the ages. One pavilion is crowned by a corbelled turret overlooking the southern gardens, while the other once served as the château's private chapel dedicated to Saint Margaret. Although medieval foundations survive, much of the château visible today reflects a major rebuilding undertaken in the 1500s, which is reflected as a date still carved above the entrance. The fortress then slowly transformed into a more symmetrical Renaissance residence while preserving elements of its medieval character.
Among its most standout features is a solitary medieval tower: it is said to have sheltered a blinded crusader knight who returned from the Holy Land. Local tales claim that his eyes had been gouged out by the Saracens during the Crusades.
While historians have found no documentary evidence to confirm the tale, it has been preserved in local folklore as a romantic legend.
Throughout the centuries, the estate passed through the hands of varying noble families. From the House of La Croix in the early 15th century, to the Fontenailles family, to the Marquis of Thorigné, and the noble families who followed, every generation has left their mark. The estate first appears in surviving written records in 1423…and at that time, the domain comprised several manorial fiefs spread across the surrounding parishes, giving its lord extensive judicial, agricultural, and ecclesiastical authority.
The château continued to evolve with every era: the elegant reception rooms were refined during the 18th century, while the 19th century introduced magnificent Neo-Gothic interiors, complete with intricate woodwork and paneling. Careful modern restorations in the late 20th century brought contemporary comforts including heating, insulation, and renovated living spaces for modern luxury.
Only 1 hour from Le Mans, 1 hour 15 minutes from Rennes, and approximately 1 hour 10 minutes from Paris by high-speed rail and car, the château offers a secluded location that remains accessible to major travel hubs. Guests can unwind beside the heated swimming pool, explore the surrounding landscapes of Mayenne, and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
For privacy reasons and the safety of our attendees, the exact location and address will be revealed only after registration.
FAQ
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This retreat is for those who feel a call toward creativity and the process of creation. You’ll be welcomed into an intimate community of creatives and thoughtful souls who value connection and shared experience.
We ask that participants come open-hearted, ready to participate, and to move with emotional awareness within a group setting.
This is not a party culture-centered escape. Instead, it is an invitation to connect and to make beauty together as a collective.Please note that this retreat is for female participants only who are 18 years of age or older. We are also gender inclusive with non-binary or trans women. However, we will mention that although the retreat is female exclusive for attendees, some staff on grounds may be male depending on their availability (ie groundskeeper, chef, drivers, etc). We appreciate your understanding as we keep this transparent.
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After receiving the exact address of the chateau after registration, you will be given more details about the easiest travel routes to reach the building.
The location is local taxi friendly as well, and a shuttle/driver will be provided from grounds to the city center/airport on departure day, should there be enough demand for the service.
Travel hubs include:-Nearest train station: Laval, about 25 km away
-Nearest airport: Rennes Bretagne, about 90 km away
-Nearest village: Fontaine-Daniel, 9 minute drive away
One hour from Le Mans and one hour 15 minutes from Rennes by carOne hour from Paris by train
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In your registration form, there will be an option to name what your allergies or restriction are.
However, if you live with serious environmental allergies (such as dust, insects, etc), please make this known in advance to your hosts prior to arrival.
For your wellbeing and safety, we reserve the authority to decline your booking request if we determine that we cannot safely meet your health needs. -
To ensure a focused and cohesive experience for all participants, we kindly ask that attendance be limited to retreat guests only, and that no plus-ones attend.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and we’re excited to make this a meaningful and productive retreat for everyone.
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To keep our retreats accessible, we do offer payment plans in 2, 3, or 4 payments. More details can be found in the pricing section of the site below.
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If you are a designer who would like to offer designs for the retreat in exchange for content, please write us at the retreat using the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Accomodation
The retreat offers space for 7 guests.
There are several accommodation options designed to suit different preferences and budgets. Due to the intimate size and historic layout of the castle, some accommodations are designed to be shared, while others are private. Guests attending the retreat may therefore opt to share a room with a roommate for a discount.
For those who prefer additional privacy, private rooms can be reserved for a higher fee, subject to availability.
To help everyone feel comfortable before arrival, we will host Discord or Zoom meetups ahead of the retreat, so guests have the chance to connect before traveling.
Note: Guests are welcome to refer a friend to stay together in the same room for a further discount of 150 euros off their ticket price (please refer to the payment section of the site for more details).
Room types are as listed below:
Shared room inside the chateau with twin bed
Single/Private room inside the chateau as a higher tier
Single/Private room inside the chateau with a day earlier arrival + extra photoshoot (upgraded)
Booking and Pricing
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Our pricing reflects the location, care, creativity, and resources that go into crafting an immersive experience. Each package includes curated activities and food, styled settings, on-site coordination, shipping of PR items, and exclusive access to the retreat environment. Full pricing details are as follows, with optional payment plans available to support flexibility while securing your place.
Discounts:
If you refer a friend and come together, both of you will also get an additional €150 off your ticket price. You will also both receive an upgraded goodie bag free of charge!
Shared rooms are discounted
Ticket prices are as follows:
Shared room with twin bed: €3250
1 hair and makeup look included. You will have 1 roommate in a dormitory-style room.Private room inside chateau: €4250, includes upgraded goodie bag and first delivery of images. You will get a room to yourself. 1 hair and makeup look included.
Single Castle room with 1 day earlier arrival (1 extra photoshoot!): €4700, to arrive one day earlier (March 15th) for one extra photoshoot! You will have an upgraded goodie bag. 2 hair and makeup looks included.
If you have any questions, we are more than happy to answer your emails or even arrange a video call.
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We are excited to welcome you!
To secure your place at the Muse’s Crossing retreat, a deposit of 35% is required at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable, and your booking will be considered a full commitment. The only circumstance in which a full deposit refund will be provided is if the event is cancelled by the organizers due to insufficient enrollment.
Refunds for all following instalments are available up until a firm deadline of October 1st, 2026, in which they will no longer be issued.
Payment plans are available if noted at registration- see points below for more information on flexible payment options.
We appreciate your understanding and commitment as we thoughtfully prepare this experience!
Payments are acceptable via bank transfer, Paypal, or Wise. -
For guests who prefer additional flexibility, payment plans are available. These plans allow the retreat investment to be divided into scheduled installments, with all payments completed by the final payment deadline of two months prior to the retreat.
Instalments can be divided into 2-4 payments depending on your individual needs. -
All payments apart from your deposit are fully refundable up until October 1st as a firm deadline, in which we will no longer be able to accommodate a refund.
Due to the nature of the experience (photoshoots, room and board, planning, materials), all payments are considered final once made after the refund deadline. This includes payment plan instalments made after October 1st. We thank you for understanding!Minimum Group Size: This retreat requires a certain number of enrollment. Only if we must cancel due to insufficient registration will you receive a 100% refund within 30 days of retreat cancellation. This is the only circumstance under which refunds are offered after the deadline.
We understand that life can be unpredictable, and while we truly wish we could accommodate every situation, any exceptions are at the sole discretion of the organizers and cannot be guaranteed.
Itinerary
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Welcome to The Muse’s Crossing!
Your adventures begins as you cross over onto grounds anytime after check in as dependent on your travel schedule after 2 pm.
Settle into your room, meet other fellow guests, and be greeted by your hosts, where you can then tour and explore the manor grounds, and sort out looks for the next day’s shooting.
That evening, the group gathers for a Welcome Mixer & Welcome Dinner in the banquet hall. We encourage you to wear something on theme for the first night, as the dinner is your first opportunity for themed content creation (including group content!). Afterwards, historical games will follow. Quiet hours will be enforced by 11 pm, to be mindful of guests who may be tired from their travels. -
Our first shoot day is designed to be streamlined and creatively inspiring. Guests can expect thoughtful direction, the joy of getting ready in a creative bubble, and plenty of space to work at a comfortable but organized pace. Your hosts will be available to help you with anything: corset tying, pinning, posing, and everything in-between.
Whether you’re actively participating during your slot, or simply enjoying the atmosphere in-between sessions, the day will feel collaborative, playful, and rooted in the magic of the retreat.
Your day will include: breakfast buffet, lunch, sit down dinner, scheduled shoots, wind down times in-between, aperitif time, and a crown-making workshop. -
One full day of the retreat is intentionally left open for either rest or adventure! Guests are encouraged to join the outing group day trip, or to privately explore the surrounding area and enjoy local sights…or simply slow down and recharge after a day of shooting.
Whether you choose sightseeing or quiet reflection, this free day offers space to experience the destination at your own pace and to savour the magic beyond the retreat schedule.
For guests choosing not to join the group outing- meals will be provided back at the chateau. -
The final full day brings together our last round of shooting and a celebratory close before departure the next morning. Expect a full schedule with creative moments and plenty of time to connect and enjoy the atmosphere together!
The final schedule for Day 4 will be announced closer to the retreat, as we continue refining shoot plans to create the best possible experience. Breakfast, lunch, and aperitif time will be offered.
We will conclude the retreat with a lush farewell dinner and drinks in the banquet hall, prepared by our private chef, followed by celebratory revelry for our final evening together.Please keep in mind that while we cannot control the weather in case of extreme cases, we will always have a thoughtful Plan B to ensure our special guests are well taken care of.
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Our final day is a slow and thoughtful close to the retreat as guests check out after breakfast and begin their journeys home. This morning is intentionally unstructured, offering time for goodbyes. We part with cherished memories, and the magic of the retreat carried forward!
Photographer’s opportunity:
Photographers not attending the retreat will have the exclusive opportunity to book a private daytime shooting session with Queen Astraea on the castle grounds and vincinity prior to the official start of the retreat. Sessions may incorporate certain pieces from our curated wardrobe collection if needed. For availability and booking details, please contact us for more information!
Join the adventure
Questions?