Summer 2013 yoga & meditation retreat, SW France

Availability: we have one standard room left (single or double/twin occupancy); one triple room place left; and the annex still available.

August 25 - 30 (arriving Sunday, leaving Friday)

yoga meditation retreat south west france august september 2013

We have run retreats to the tranquil area of SW France, for the last two years, and will be returning in late Summer 2013.

This quiet, rural region, near Bordeaux, is characterised by rolling fields of sunflowers and corn.

We love the leisurely Slow Travel option: taking the train down (a journey of around seven hours from London, involving one change in Paris or Lille) to Angouleme. Transfers from Angouleme to our venue (around half an hour) will be arranged.

The retreat centre is 45 minutes from Limoges airport, and four hours' drive from St Malo (eight hours from Calais).

Our venue

yoga meditation retreats south west france august september 2013

Our host venue is a stunning 18th century Maison de Maitre ('master's house') surrounded by extensive gardens and a large outdoor swimming pool.

Formal gardens and a long, tree-lined drive greet visitors at the front of the building, while a large studio, swimming pool and wide sun terrace are tucked away to the back.

The house boasts six large, characterful bedrooms on the first and second floors, two of which are en-suite. The other four rooms share one bathroom between two rooms.

Outside, a large, double height yoga studio looks out onto peaceful gardens (though, weather permitting, we hope to practice outside at least some of the time).

There is plenty of space in which to relax and spread out, including a spacious, light-filled living area with sofas and piano.

One one day, there will be an optional, free, half-day trip to a nearby lake, where you can indulge in sun-bathing, water-sports, and more chiling out in general!

Please note: to sustain the reflective retreat atmosphere, and to optmise health & wellbeing, this will be an alcohol-free retreat.

Sample schedule

We like to keep the schedule relaxed, with classes beginning at a reasonable hour (and please note all sessions are optional)! The schedule will be flexible, depending on the wishes of the group. We suggest the following:

8.15-9am - morning meditation

9-10.30am - Yoga and meditation class, al fresco, or in the yoga studio

11 am - Brunch! A medley of organic and locally sourced (where possible) cereals, home-baked bread, fresh fruit, pancakes made to order, free range eggs.

12 noon - 5.30pm - Free time to relax!

5.30 – 7pm - Restorative yoga and meditation, to promote deep physical and mental relaxation

7.15pm – Dinner! Food is home-made, vegetarian, and organic/locally sourced where possible

Cost/room details:

Single room: £899.

Double/twin room: £599 per person.

Annex space, with separate lounge/small kitchen: (suitable for two people): see description below. £599 per person

Large triple room (en-suite): £479 per person - one triple room place left

Note on the rooms: Most of the rooms - which are large, with lovely, countryside views - share one bathroom between two rooms. The annex is attached to the main house but is a self-contained space with mezzanine floor, separate bathroom, lounge and kitchen areas. The decor is a little below the standard of the other rooms, but this is more than compensated for by enjoying extra space and privacy. The annex has a double bed downstairs and two twins upstairs (which can be made into a double bed). Suitable for two people booking together.

Cost includes?

Beautiful accommodation, all food (brunch and three-course dinner), all yoga/meditation tuition (almost four hours daily), return transfers for a half-day trip to a nearby lake (for sunbathing, watersports. chilling out).

Travel to France and transfers from Angouleme station (40 euros return) are not included.

Arrivals/departures...

Arrivals Sunday August 25, departures Friday August 30.

Arrivals after 4pm, departures before 10am.

Travel: By Train

We strongly recommend taking the train; it's more comfortable and less stressful than flying. The journey this way is also more enjoyable and more environmentally-friendly.

Situated just north-east of Bordeaux, the nearest Eurostar station is Angouleme (direct from St Pancreas, there is one change in Paris or Lille.)

Eurostar prices from £109 return. Transfers from Angouleme Rail Station to the retreat centre can be arranged.

Please note: Eurostar tickets can be booked 12 weeks in advance. Last minute bookings tend to be far more expensive.

Travel: By plane

There are also plenty of flights to nearby Limoges and Bordeaux: make your way to Angouleme station, where transfers to the retreat centre cost 30 euros per person return.

A word about the teacher

The teacher for this retreat will be Lucia Cockcroft. Lucia teaches hatha yoga and meditation in the mindfulness tradition. She is passionate about the potential of these practices to transform on many levels, and is keen to encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to practice.

Lucia initially trained with the highly regarded Sivananda school of yoga, and has since completed teacher training intensives with Sarah Powers (Yin and Yang yoga, with mindfulness meditation), Fiona Agombar (Yoga for Chronic Fatigue/Chronic Illness and Judith Lasater (Restorative Yoga). She has studied mindfulness meditation with Christina Feldman, John Peacock, Ed Haliwell and Bhante Gunaratana, author of Mindfulness in Plain English. Lucia is also a registered Relax and Renew Trainer®.