Les Joly Dames

30/08/2026

19/06/2026

What a joyous weekend we have just had with this fabulous group of Solo Joly Dames!
The sun shone, Mel guided like the pro she is, Heather cooked up an interesting and varied vegetarian storm and Rosie stretched them until they fell asleep on their yoga mats. They hiked, they ate, they partook of a glass or two of rosé, they swam in the river, picnicked, laughed, chatted and through it all became the best of friends!
These solo weekends are really what Les Joly Dames is all about. We absolutely ❤️ hosting them and get so much joy out of seeing their pleasure!!




Rosie Kelly Melissa Hart

13/06/2026

Link to book in bio

01/06/2026

Our fabulous, fun and feisty group of military wives were back for their FOURTH LJD weekend of walking and yoga this time in the Soča Valley, Slovenia and what a weekend it was!!

The Dames enjoyed stunning walks led by our wonderful Slovenian guide, Alenka, in 30* temperatures, cooled down in the rivers and lakes, ate ice cream, sampled the local food, learnt about the history and cultures of this beautiful country and spent precious time together as a group.

Basing ourselves in a lovely, bright, airy chalet in the charming village of Most na Soči, the Dames were able to walk to and from the door, linger at the dining table, enjoy yoga in the chalet’s very own studio and hang out in the garden. It really was a home-from-home Joly Dames weekend experience!!

04/05/2026

Walking with friends, when the talk touches on all things interesting, when the pace is set with time in mind and the sun high in the sky, when we stop to watch the vulture flying high above, or help each other across the fast-flowing river, or laugh til we cry at a throw away comment or a joke well made. This was a Joly Dames day if ever there was one.


Thank you for the loveliest of days!

06/04/2026

What a stunning Easter Sunday hiking with family and friends!

We popped the lamb into the oven to slow cook and headed up to Miage and Truc for a quick stroll.

I was expecting spring flowers and rushing rivers, instead we were up to our thighs in snow!!! All I can say is thank goodness for walking poles and crampons.

But the sun was shining, the chat was good and we had Easter eggs and slow roast lamb waiting for us at home.

There is nothing quick about walking in snow but there is nothing like the pressure of over cooked food to hurry us along. So after a quick 4hrs we were back at the car desperate for our celebratory Easter lunch.

We had a fabulous day with great friends and I was reminded once again how lucky I am to live here. The mountains, the views, the sunshine, the food. Everything that makes this Joly Dame happy!!

So from me to you, Happy Easter - albeit a day late!!

26/03/2026

We have two places left on our writing and walking workshop 18-22 June here in the French alps.

This is a weekend for those who seek time out to write, be inspired, breathe, dream. Following the usual idyllic Joly Dames format of walking, delicious food, yoga, massage, fine wine and good friends but with a difference.

This weekend we are offering only morning hikes in the stunning surrounding mountains so the afternoons will be free for writing, dreaming and much-needed time out.

Come and reset the creative mind, body and soul with three days and four nights in a beautiful traditional alpine chalet in the French alps. Hike, write, breathe, relax.
No pressure. No fuss. Come join us on what promises to be a magical weekend. Link to book in bio☀️📚🖊️🥾🌻

Ps the wild flowers should be awesome too!!

19/03/2026

From the second we first chatted on the phone, I knew we had found a kindred Joly Dames spirit in Alenka . So many things aligned. Alenka is wise, grounded, intelligent, extremely capable and has so much knowledge of her home country, Slovenia. We have chosen a slightly different area to explore this year and Alenka and I walked some fantastic walks, trying them out for the upcoming weekends at the end of May/June. There is nothing like walking for talking and I learnt so much about this fantastic, fascinating and diverse country. The history, the politics, the people, the traditions, the mountains and the food.
With Alenka, I met new people, made new friends, saw new places and tried out new foods. It was a total meeting of Joly Dames minds and I am so excited to head back with our Dames in a few weeks’ time and introduce them to Alenka. I know she will guide them beautifully and safely and give of her heart and her soul.
A huge thank you Alenka for showing me absolutely the BEST time this week and welcome to the Joly Dames family of wonderful and inspiring women!

23/02/2026

The talented, clever, inspirational, award-winning author, Laline Paull, is hosting a writing and walking weekend 18-22 June 2026 with us, Les Joly Dames, here in the French Alps. If you would like to unleash your creative spirit for the first time or talk through a work in progress or just find the inspiration and headspace to put pen to paper, then join us on what promises to be the most incredible weekend of walking through alpine meadows, writing workshops and lively discussions. All in the company of like-minded and inspiring women. In the mountains! In springtime!

As Laline says “writing and walking have a lot in common: one step at a time can take you to astonishing places”.

06/02/2026

Here’s to good girl friends and fun times!!
To hot chocolate. Vin chaud. Long lunches on the mountain. Dancing. Skiing. Cups of tea. Blue skies. Snow.
In a world that feels uncertain and chaotic right now, I feel it is all the more essential to celebrate the things we do have control over. Female friendships, time out away from the harshness of reality, the beauty of nature, our good health.
Here’s to you and all that’s like you.