THURSDAY 16 - THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER 2025

Escape for a seven-night retreat in rural South West France, combining yoga and hiking, with pool-side relaxation and fire pit chats under starry skies.

Tucked away in rural South West France, our beautiful retreat venue is a peaceful sanctuary where we will come together to relax and unwind. You'll enjoy twice-daily yoga in a stunning stone-walled barn, feast on nourishing cuisine, relax by the pools, and explore the rolling countryside on foot or by bike. We'll hike part of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle and we'll visit a local town on market day, plus there are optional activities including massage, wine tasting, climbing and a spa visit to thermal baths. At the end of the week, you'll return feeling enriched and rejuvenated.

THE VENUE

Our venue is collection of beautiful old stone cottages and barns, tucked away in the countryside in rural South West France. We'll sleep in four individual cottages, all restored keeping the wonderful old French rustic charm, blended with modern comforts and furnished with locally sourced vintage finds. Each cottage has its own lounge and kitchenette area, as well as an outdoor terrace and gardens beyond.

There are two outdoor swimming pools with stunning views over the rolling countryside, sun loungers, a trampoline, ping pong, bicycles, hammocks and boules, as well as plenty of nooks and crannies for us to find a quiet corner for group gatherings or more solitary moments with a book or sketch pad. We'll be surrounded by 15 acres of fields, gardens and woods, with fruit trees and edible garden with fresh herbs and flower beds. We also have access to a library full of books and boardgames. We'll dine together in the large dining area, with a big family style dining table and an open plan lounge with comfy sofas, an open fire, and doors to the garden.

THE YOGA

There will be two 90-minute yoga sessions each day, including meditation, pranayama and asana. The morning sessions will be dynamic to awaken your body and mind ready for the day ahead. The evening sessions will be gentle and restorative to allow for complete relaxation. One afternoon, we'll also have a yoga workshop to focus on developing form and technique.

We'll practise in a stunning new studio space in the old stone-walled hay barn, with high oak-beamed ceilings and wonderful light streaming in from the double-height sliding doors. With polished concrete floors, underfloor heating and acoustic sound, every practice will be a blissful experience. All yoga equipment is provided including yoga mats, blocks, straps, bolsters, eye cushions and blankets.

A little prior experience of yoga is recommended but not essential. You definitely don't need to be a yoga expert, and all abilities will be catered for. If you have not practised yoga with me before, you can read more about me and my teaching style and experience here.

THE ACTIVITIES

During this retreat you can do as much or as little as you wish. Relax in a hammock or beside one of the pools or play boules on the lawn. Explore the beautiful countryside and local villages by bike or on foot. We'll hike part of the Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle (The Way of Saint James) and on market day we'll visit a nearby town to enjoy the local delicacies and produce and explore the shops and cafes. In the evenings after dinner, we'll gather for star gazing and fire-side chats.

Other optional activities are available, including massage, wine tasting, climbing, and a spa visit to local thermal baths.

THE FOOD

The food will be fresh and delicious, made from local produce and prepared by our hugely talented private chef, Kelly Mason. Kelly is a personal wellness chef in Notting Hill and Cheshire and has collaborated on a number of 5* multi award-winning health and wellness retreats. Her food is a work of art and will nourish you from the inside out.

All meals will be vegetarian. All allergies can be catered for; please advise me of any specific requirements when booking.