Yoga and Mindfulness Week in Provence with Village Excursions and Chef-Prepared Meals

The retreat runs from Saturday afternoon to the following Saturday morning. You arrive at the villa, settle into your room, and join a gentle grounding session before dinner. From Sunday through Friday, mornings start with vinyasa or flow yoga — usually around an hour and a half — followed by a slow breakfast on the terrace or wherever you like to sit. The rest of the morning and early afternoon is free: you might walk into Murs for a coffee, hike one of the trails nearby, swim, read, nap, or learn pétanque from whoever else fancies a game.

Lunch is served at the villa on most days, then later in the afternoon there's a second, softer practice — restorative, slow-flow hatha, or yoga nidra. Dinner is communal, unhurried, and prepared by a chef who specialises in retreat cooking. Some wine is included; evenings are quiet, left open for conversation, stargazing, or going to bed early.

Two days break the rhythm with excursions. One takes you to the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, the famous view over Gordes, the Sénanque Abbey, and the village of Goult — with lunch on your own in whichever café or bistro catches your eye. The other is a longer loop to Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Rémy (where Van Gogh painted), and the medieval fortress village of Les Baux. That day ends with pizza back at the house instead of a formal dinner.

What sets this retreat apart from a generic yoga holiday is the specificity of place and leadership. Amy and Kathleen have run retreats together for years and know how to balance structure with space — you're not herded from session to session, but you're also not left to fill the time yourself. The villa is genuinely private (no other guests, no hotel lobby), and the excursions are curated rather than optional add-ons. It's aimed at people who want good yoga, good food, and the chance to see Provence without having to plan everything themselves.

The teaching is accessible. Morning sessions move, afternoon sessions rest. You don't need to be able to do a headstand; you do need to be willing to try yoga nidra and meditation alongside the physical practice. The pace suits anyone from a first-timer to someone who practises daily — the instructors adjust.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in a private villa with private bathroom and terrace - Airport pickup and drop-off from Marseille Airport - Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by a local chef (except independent lunches on excursion days) - Water, tea, coffee, and snacks available throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Daily morning yoga classes (vinyasa/flow) - Daily afternoon yoga classes (restorative, hatha slow flow, or yoga nidra) - Daily meditation sessions - Daily breathwork (pranayama) sessions - All transportation during the retreat - Guided nature hikes - Curated group excursions to Provençal villages (Gordes, Roussillon, Goult, Aix-en-Provence, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux, Abbaye de Sénanque) - Pre and post retreat support - Free parking at the villa - Free wifi - Luggage storage

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Independent lunches during excursion days (self-pay at local restaurants) - Personal wine purchases (some wine included with dinner) - Optional private yoga classes - Personal expenses