Pilates & Yoga Wellness Escape in the Cévennes, France

Le Vaquier is a beautifully restored stone Mas in the Cévennes National Park, surrounded by its own woodland and a river that you can swim in. The retreat is run by Paola Simboli, a fully certified yoga and Pilates instructor who has taught everywhere from the Maldives to Dubai, and who trained with Pilates Academy International in New York. Each morning starts with a traditional Hatha yoga practice that includes Jala Neti (nasal cleansing), mantra chanting, pranayama, asana and meditation. Evenings wind down with a Pilates-based workout before dinner.

The schedule keeps plenty of room for rest. Afternoons are mostly free for guided nature hikes, lounging by the heated salt-water pool, or taking one of the optional excursions to places like the local market at Lasalle. There are also two group nutrition talks that bring in ideas from Chinese Medicine, plus an aqua Pilates session in the pool. The house itself is full of character, with stone walls, spacious suites, a grand salon for evening tea, and an open-air summer kitchen beside the pool where fresh lunches are served.

What makes this stay different is how calm everything feels. There are no packed itineraries, no rush. The house sits on a mineral ridge with sweeping views, and the whole place is designed for quiet. Guests regularly mention the silence and the sense of space. Come here to switch off properly, to move your body gently each day, and to eat well without thinking about it.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private or shared suite - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), plus snacks - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily traditional Hatha yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Daily Pilates-based workouts - One Aqua Pilates session - Two group nutrition talks with Chinese Medicine insights - Cooking class - Guided nature hikes with a trusted guide - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Luggage storage - Free parking - Free wifi - Signature amenities: handmade Cévenol bath products, essential-oil soaps, spring water, turndown ritual

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Additional treatments (e.g., massage therapy) - Additional activities not in the itinerary (e.g., wine tasting, local excursions)