2010 FRANCE LUXURY YOGA & PYRENEES HIKING RETREAT
September Sat 4th - 11th
7 nights / 8 days
All inclusive. Cost: US $2700 twin, $3200 single
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Join experienced Radiance yoga teacher Jessie Chapman for this 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 yoga practice suitable for complete beginners to more experienced practitioners and also includes awe inspiring Pyrenees mountain hikes, wonderful local culinary tastings and market tours, day trips to the beautiful coastal cities of Biarritz and San Sebastian, Spain, vineyard tour and wine tastings as well as visits to nearby historical villages and a visit to the famous pilgrimage town of Lourdes.

We stay 7 nights at 'Chateau Robert', a fully serviced 18th century Chateau set on 35 beautiful 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 extensive organic gardens full of seasonal delights picked fresh for our meals. In-house massage is available.

Yoga is taught by Australian yoga teacher and author, Jessie Chapman who's 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: we go on two main Pyrenees hikes, both are in the mountain ranges that separate France and Spain. One is fairly challenging where good walking shoes are required. This is a steady but manageable climb up to Lacs d'Ayous, which takes about 2 hours to reach 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 lunch before meandering down a different track that has incredible views through the Pyrenees mountain peaks. For those not suited to hiking there’s the option to do an easier walk through the stunning flat plateau with lakes at the base. Another day we visit the charming 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!

a sample day:
6.30 am - morning yoga with Jessie
9.00 am - healthy buffet breakfast on the terrace
10.30 am: leave for an inspiring hike or day trip (read 'retreat inclusions' for a list of all our excursions)
1 - 1.30 pm: pre lunch core strength class targeting weak abdominal muscles
1.30 pm: delicious vegetarian lunch on the terrace
5 pm: afternoon yoga with Jessie
7.30 pm: home cooked vegetarian dinner using fresh foods from the market and garden
9 pm - evening yoga nidra (guided lying down relaxation for a good night's sleep)
*Every day is different. For example on some days we leave the retreat after breakfast for one of our exciting day trips and return in the late afternoon for yoga. Other days we're out on an excursion for the morning or afternoon only. On these days there is time to simply relax and explore the beautiful retreat and surrounds..

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
2 full day Pyrenees mountain hikes with gourmet picnics
Visit to the sacred pilgrimage town Lourdes
Visit to the famous coastal cities of St Jean de Luz & Biarritz
Trip to the beautiful seaside city of San Sebastian, Spain, where tapas abound!
Vineyard tour and wine tasting with local wine connoisseur
Explorations of nearby historic 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 is available in-house
**Optional group visit to the nearby Michel Guérard thermal day spa
***Airfares are not included.

Whilst our retreat menu is vegetarian and meals are wheat, sugar & dairy free, upon occasion we do indulge in the regions specialties including wines and cheeses, pastries and other delights, and so this is not a strict cleanse but offers a healthy balance. Food is organic where possible and sourced from local markets and the chateau’s own gardens.

cost:
US$2700 twin share
US$3200 single
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If booking twin share we put you in a room with a same sex person.
All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, 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. Special dietary requests can be catered for.

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 12 pm on the last day.

getting there: Airport transfers to and from the retreat are included and Chateau Robert (www.chateaurobertfrance.com) is easily reached by the international airports of either Pau (45 min), Bordeaux ( 1hour) or Biarritz (50 min) in South West France. If arriving from outside of Europe you can fly into Paris and make your way to the retreat by a short internal flight or train ride. Or you can fly first into London and then by plane or train to France. We can also assist you with flights. Full details on how best to get there are emailed to you upon registering.

FRANCE RETREAT TESTIMONIALS

“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”

"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. 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

Click here to read more Radiance Retreats Testimonials