Whether on the Riviera or in a log cabin in the Alps, the rich and varied French landscape offers endless possibilities for a relaxing and revitalizing yoga and meditation retreat. Here are some of the best teachers and locations around the country.
Edelweiss Yoga (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Lavender fields, mountain air, lush forest trails, beach sunsets and magnificent castles… France may not be the most obvious choice for a yoga retreat, but she offers an abundance of natural beauty and majestic old buildings in which to find inner peace, all while enjoying fresh local produce and meeting like-minded yogis from France and abroad. Enjoy quality yoga classes in English or French in superb settings from Brittany to Biarritz to Provence. Namaste and vive la France!
Bel-Air Yoga Retreats, 3 days (Dourdan, Île-de-France)
Bel Air Domaine (Photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Just an RER trip from the center of Paris, a bucolic yoga getaway awaits in the Bel-Air estate. Surrounded by the lush forest of Dourdan, this rambling, fairytale mansion once hosted Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince. It has been beautifully restored to offer a warm and relaxing space for practice (in the salon or out in the garden), as well as charming rooms for up to eight guests. Julia, Giulia and Laurent are highly qualified, caring teachers (Instruction in French with an English-speaking team). Two yoga classes a day (vinyasa, hatha, yin and meditation) are fueled by homemade vegetarian brunches and dinners. Enough to make you feel far from Paris… or anywhere else, for that matter. From $353 / 3 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Edelweiss Yoga Retreats, 3 days (Chamonix)
Edelweiss Yoga Retreat (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Chamonix isn’t all about skiing, you know. If you hit the slopes hard this winter, how better to soothe tired muscles and joints at this traditional chalet in the foothills of the snow-dusted Alps. Invigorating sunrise yoga and gentle evening yin or nidra take place on a generous terrace overlooking Mont Blanc. Caroline and Mathias lead classes and themed workshops in English or French. In your free time, take in that fresh mountain air on a trek, or simply stew in the wood-panelled sauna. From $424 / 3 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Acolyte Yoga and Surfing Retreat, 7 days (Bidart, near Biarritz)
Acolyte Yoga and Surf, Biarritz (Photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Just five minutes from Biarritz, where you’ll find France’s most imposing waves, Bidart is one of the prettiest villages along the Basque coast. Soak up sun and sea breezes in a villa with stunning ocean views, just ten minutes from the beach. Eléonore imparts a holistic approach to yoga and nutrition, concocting varied organic brunches and smoothies for al fesco dining in between two daily yoga practices in the garden (classes in English or French) preceded by meditation, pranayama or healing sound bath. Two pilates sessions, a massage workshop and an afternoon of surfing complete the experience. From $1359 / 7 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Hridaya Yoga Silent Retreat, 12 days (Beaujolais)
Hridaya Yoga, Beaujolais (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Who knew you could experience a deep spiritual cleanse in the heart of Beaujolais wine country? An hour north of Lyon in the Rhône-Alpes, the Château de Longeval hosts one of the most intensive retreats in France – not a true viapassana practice in the strictest sense, but talking is prohibited outside of the daily hatha yoga and meditation routines. The non-profit organization Hridaya insists on digital detox here, but with seven hectares of surrounding forest to explore, you won’t miss your smartphone. The vegetarian restaurant on site serves simple, hearty meals (a glass of Beaujolais nouveau won’t be on the menu on this alcohol-free retreat). Despite dispensing with the chit-chat, you will feel you have become part of a committed and compassionate community. (If it’s all a bit much, a 5-day retreat is also offered.) From $815 / 12 days
Reserve via bookyogaretreats.com
Preeti Yoga Retreat, 6 days (Cévennes)
Preeti Yoga (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
In the highlands of the Massif Central region, this six-day retreat at Les Pauses is the ideal getaway in the heart of the national park of Cévennes. The stone gîte dates back to the Middle Ages but harbors spacious, modern interiors. Explore the farmyard hamlet and surrounding hills or just lounge by the outdoor pool in between vegetarian meals and two daily yoga classes (in French). Pauline and Sandra also present crafts and creativity workshops each afternoon, from macramé and jewelry-making to ‘intuitive dance’. From $854 / 6 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Philosophie Healthy, 4 days (Île de Ré)
Philosophie Healthy, Île de Ré (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Les Portes-en-Ré is an ideal location to dive deeper into your yoga practice, on the Île de Ré just off the west coast of France. Marianne will guide you through yin and yang or hatha flows in the morning and at sunset (she leads the classes in French but speaks English), working up an appetite for the nourishing brunch served after your first practice of the day. The retreat includes a group tour of the island on bicycle to discover the Marais Salants, Port d’Ars en Ré, Plage de la Conche and Phare des Baleines. With the rustic beach house ‘Le Phare’ (The Lighthouse) as your base, you’ll have plenty of time to take a dip in one of two heated pools (if the 50m / 164ft walk to the beach seems too far). From $375 / 4 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Celonia Château, 4 days (Celon)
Celonia (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Who ever said that a 16th-century château couldn’t have a spa? The historic Château de Celon features a meditation garden, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, all on an idyllic 4-hectare estate in the heart of Berry, just three hours from Paris or Toulouse. Sylvie (an experienced naturopath) and Patrice are gracious hosts and practice a gentle zen yoga style perfect for beginners, with two classes per day (in French with English instruction available). Vegeterian brunch and dinner are included, with the possibility of undertaking a detox program during your stay. From $510 / 4 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Rise Up Retreats, 5 days (Luberon)
This 17th-century country house deep in the Luberon Nature Park is just how things should be in Provence: vast garden, private terraces, pool, and even grounds for pétanque (French lawn balls). Florence and Virginie invite you to take part in daily sessions of yoga, meditation and pranayama, and to just generally pamper yourself with a bonus workshop on facial massage (AKA ‘face yoga’). Virginie is also a gifted photographer and sends five personalized photographs to each participant at the end of the retreat, documenting your progress during the five days (and allowing you to show off your bendiest self on social media). From $968 / 5 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
Studio HappyNess, 4 days (Saint-Raphaël)
Studio HappyNess, Saint-Raphaël (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Adventure and glamour on the French Riviera: intermediate and advanced yogis wanting to try something a little different will love this beachside retreat. Lodged in a belle époque villa overlooking the sea and the Dramont area of Saint-Raphaël, you’ll enjoy hiking, a picnic at Mount Vinaigre, paddle-board yoga to test your balance out on the water, and aerial yoga to test your balance suspended mid-air. Aerial specialist Vanessa and sound therapist Marie ensure a fun and sporty yet spiritual practice, immersed in vibrant Mediterranean colors. From $641 / 4 days
Reserve via BookYogaRetreats.com
VaWanda boating retreats, 4 days (Brittany)
VaWanda boating retreat, Brittany (photo: bookyogaretreats.com)
Stretch those sea legs on a four-day yoga cruise around Brittany. Rendez-vous at the Lorient harbor. Step aboard the Lys Noir (The Black Lily), a heritage-listed sailboat, and explore the islands off the Breton coast (Groix, Belle-Île, Quiberon, Les Glénans, Bénodet… wherever the wind takes you). A morning vinyasa and chilled evening sequence take place on the beach or directly on the deck; organic vegetarian meals are prepared together as a group: it’s all hands on deck. From $1075 / 4 days