Join experienced Radiance yoga teacher Jessie Chapman for a holiday of a lifetime exploring the beautiful region of South West France staying in a gorgeous 18th century French Chateau. The retreat is based on dedicated twice daily yoga practice suitable for complete beginners to more experienced practitioners and also includes awe inspiring Pyrenees mountain hiking, wonderful regional food and wine tastings, guided market tour, day trips to the beautiful coastal cities of San Jean De Luz, Biarritz and San Sebastian, gourmet picnics and visits to nearby historical villages..

retreat inclusions:
7 nights deluxe French Chateau accommodation
Airport transfers to and from the retreat
Twice daily yoga with Jessie Chapman
All gourmet vegetarian meals & healthy morning juices
Market tour with our private chef sampling the regions specialties
Healthy cooking class and meal demonstrations
3 guided Pyrenees mountain hikes with gourmet picnics
Visit to the famous coastal cities of St Jean de Luz & Biarritz with a seaside picnic lunch
Trip to the beautiful port city of San Sebastian, Spain, where tapas abound!
Wine tasting with a local wine connoisseur followed by a stroll to an ancient Chateau where we enjoy a gourmet champagne picnic...
Explorations of nearby historic and medieval villages
Evening yoga nidra (lying down guided relaxation for a good night's sleep)
Pre lunch core strength classes to target weak abs and lower back muscles
Meditation, bhajans and more...
*Massage and body treatments are available in-house
**Optional group visit to the nearby Michel Guérard thermal day spa
***Airfares are not included.

We stay 7 nights at 'Chateau Robert', a fully serviced 18th century Chateau set on 35 acres between the towns of Biarritz, Bordeaux and Pau in South West France. The grounds include a 52 metre outdoors heated pool, tennis court and organic gardens full of seasonal delights picked fresh for our meals. We have our own drivers to explore the area and in-house massage and body treatments are also available.

Yoga is taught by Australian yoga teacher and author, Jessie Chapman whose inspirational classes are designed for all levels from the beginner to the experienced practitioner. Jessie has been practicing yoga since 1991 and teaching since 1996. An assistant will be helping to give individual attention and adjustments in the classes with special attention given to yoga beginners. There will also be guided seated meditations, pre lunch core strength classes and evening yoga nidra (a lying down guided relaxation). Click here to read more about Jessie Chapman, the yoga and the facilitators.

about the hikes: during the retreat we go on three main hikes in the Pyrenees mountains that separate France and Spain. Two are fairly challenging where good walking shoes are required however optional easier walks are also available for those wanting more gentle walks. One of our day hikes is a steady but manageable climb up to Lacs d'Ayous winding through woods of pine and beech, with ever-widening views of the valley scattered with herds of horses and cows and flocks of sheep. Once we reach the Refuge d'Ayous at 1960 m we rest with a well deserved picnic lunch before meandering down a different track that has incredible views through the Pyrenees mountain peaks. Stunning! For those not suited to this hike there’s the option to go with a guide on an easier walk through the stunning flat plateau with lakes at the base. Another day we visit the beautifully situated village of Lescun at 900 m altitude. With its old buildings and narrow streets, Lescun exudes a pleasant old village charm. Being here is like stepping back in time. From Lescun we walk up the hill behind the village with dramatic scenery of its mountain backdrop and into an enchanted forest that loops back to Lescun. Gorgeous! The third walk is the Chemin De Mature with dramatic cliff and valley views.

A sample retreat day:
7.00 am            morning yoga
9.00 am            cleansing juice and nutritious buffet breakfast
10.00 am          leave for an inspiring guided hike or day trip
1.00 pm            core strength class targeting weak abdominal and lower back muscles
1.30 pm            delicious lunch on the terrace
5.30 pm            afternoon relaxation & restoration yoga
7.30 pm            pre dinner cooking demonstration with our chef
8.00 pm            gourmet dinner using fresh foods from the market and gardens.
9.30 pm             meditation or evening yoga nidra (guided lying down relaxation for a good night's sleep)

*Every day is different. On main Pyrenees hiking days morning yoga is earlier so we can enjoy a full days hiking. Some days we leave the retreat after breakfast for a day trip and return in the late afternoon for yoga and dinner. Other days we're out for the morning or afternoon only. On these days there's free time to relax in the beautiful chateau surrounds, enjoy the pool and walks around the area...

about the food: our retreat menu is gourmet vegetarian with lots of healthy meals based on what's in season and the regions specialties. As we are in France we indulge in organic cheeses, breads (wheat free options are available), pastries, organic wines and many other French delights, and so this retreat is not a cleanse but offers plenty of healthy choices. Food is organic where possible and sourced from local farmers markets and the chateau’s own gardens. We encourage guests to get involved in the kitchen and enjoy discovering the varied ways of preparing what's in season. Special dietary requests can be catered for.

cost:
US$2950 twin share / per person
US$3450 single all inclusive
Click here for currency converter
If booking twin share we put you in a room with a same sex person.

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs, hand embroidered bed linens, sunset valley or sunrise garden views and elegant décor. There’s a laundry with washer and dryer for guest use, high speed internet and WIFI, TV and games room with library and lots of private areas and different lounge rooms to soak up the French atmosphere.

check-in and check-out: Due to flights people arrive at different times of the day. Aim to arrive early so you have time to relax before afternoon yoga. Lunch will be available between 1 pm- 3 pm and the first yoga class is at 5 pm. Retreat check-out is 11 am on the last day. When booking your return flights or trains aim to book for later in the day so you can enjoy morning yoga until 9 am followed by a farewell breakfast.

getting there: Airport transfers to and from the retreat are included. Chateau Robert (www.chateaurobertfrance.com) is easily reached by car from the international airports of Pau (45 min), Bordeaux ( 2 hours) or Biarritz (1 hour) in South West France. You can also catch a train to DAX (45 min), Bordeaux or Biarritz. If arriving from outside of Europe you can fly into Paris and make your way to one of the above pick-up points via a domestic flight or a fast TGV train. Or you can fly first into London and then by plane or train to Biarritz, Pau or Bordeaux in France. More details on how best to get to the retreat are emailed to you upon registering or email for more information. We can also assist you with flight bookings.

FRANCE RETREAT TESTIMONIALS

"Sensory overload in a truly wonderful way is the only way to describe being on Jessie’s France retreat. Chateau Robert provided a touch of luxury, as the elegant back drop, to a week filled with fabulous yoga with the amazing Jessie, wonderful vigorous hikes, local day trips, beautiful vistas, delicious food and a truly lovely group of people to share it all with. What a fantastic way to step outside the hectic routine of life and spend a week in France . It was such a great way to experience such a gorgeous country, all the while stretching and invigorating mind and body, simply perfect."
Josanne, Marketing Director - France Retreat 2011

"Thank you for the great experience you provided in the retreat in a truly wonderful part of the world. I enjoyed it immensely and am grateful to have been able to be a part of a unique week. I could feel my body responding and "waking up". It was a powerful experience. My breathing awareness also improved. The chateau was incredible and I absolutely loved my room. Looking out through the French windows to the stars at night was absolutely magical. The hikes were fantastic too, especially the stunning scenery at Pic D'Ayous. Exploring the villages, the markets and the wine tasting were all wonderful experiences. There was just so much to do, and we didn't want to miss out on anything!"
Melissa, Physiotherapy Manager – France Retreat 2010

" When I signed up for the retreat I hadn’t done any yoga for over 3 years due to various factors and I was not sure what it would be like.  I was very surprised to find that by day 5 there was a large improvement, much more than I anticipated.  The retreat surpassed my expectations in many areas.  It usually takes a week for me to completely relax after starting holidays but I found that I had forgotten all about work after the first night. I felt I was in a very safe, supportive space while at the retreat, something I haven’t experienced for a long time. I didn’t want it to end! The hiking was beautiful and, for me, very challenging as this was my first time ever.  The scenery was worth it and the feeling of accomplishment was extraordinary. The local produce was divine and a reminder of what food should really taste like!!  The chateau was fantastic as was the location.  I’d love to go every year J.  I had an amazing experience - it totally surpassed my expectations."
Claire, 51 - France Retreat 2010

“If it is possible to have a better balanced ‘holiday’, we can’t imagine one.  Jessie’s France Retreat had more than enough daily yoga to qualify as a proper ‘yoga retreat’, with that ability Jessie has to satisfy beginners through to yoga lifers equally well.  But with the added attractions of hiking in the most fabulous mountains we have seen in a long time, tennis and a pool on hand, and country walks just at the end of the drive, this was something special.  As for the food and drink, the balance of healthy options and a smattering of indulgence is just what we wanted from our time in France – after all, this was a holiday, not an exercise in denial.  And Jessie is the perfect host, caring and concerned about her disciples at all times, personable and approachable and always fun, and a shining inspiration to everyone lucky enough to meet her.  Same time next year, then!"
Andrew, 42, Consultant & Jane, 41, Pharmacist - France Retreat 2009

"They say “life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away” and that is exactly what happened to me on our wonderful eight day yoga retreat to Chateau Robert. Located near the picturesque little town of Montgaillard, in the south of France, the Chateau is amazing. A step back in time to sheer elegance, and the ambiance of the yoga room - perfect. I feel so privilaged to have been able to share this experience with my daughter and it was a joy to have been surrounded by such beautiful, young, like-minded people. We all shared so many adventures, sightseeing, lots of interesting conversations, shopping and coffee escapes! Not forgetting all our invigorating / restful yoga, guided by Jessie who is an inspiration. One particular highlight for me was our day trip hiking the Pyrenees, it was just spectacular. The sort of day that draws one to tears it is so overwhelmingly beautiful. It is expensive but one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences...a must. This is the second retreat I have done with Jessie and certainly hope it won’t be my last."
Kathy - France Retreat 2009

“As a yoga teacher it was great to be nurtured, be a student and have the chance to deepen my asana, pranayama and meditation practice.”
Sally, 46, Yoga Teacher - France Retreat 2009

Click here to read more Radiance Retreats Testimonials