Yoga & Hiking Wellness Week in the French Countryside

Inner Equinox runs from late September into early October, timed around the fall equinox when the light in this part of France starts to soften and the pace of the season shifts. The property, Domaine De Mournac, is a 12th-century stone coach house that's been recently renovated specifically for yoga and wellness retreats. Thick stone walls keep the interior cool in summer and warm in autumn, and there's a large fireplace in the living room for evenings when the temperature drops.

Yoga happens twice a day — a morning session around 8:30am and an afternoon session around 4pm. Candace teaches strong, alignment-focused vinyasa flows; Lisa leads slower, more breath-centred practices. Both trained with Randelle Lusk in 2013 and have since taken different paths — Candace completed her 500-hour under Janet Stone and opened Cornerstone Yoga Collective in 2017, while Lisa studied with Eoin Finn and holds certifications in breathwork and meditation. The combination means you get energising movement one session and something gentler the next.

Outside of yoga, the week includes a visit to Domaine Delmas for a tour of their organic wine production and a tasting of sparkling and still wines with local nibbles. There's also a guided hike to Mont Sec, climbing to 515 metres for views across the surrounding countryside. The guide introduces some of the sacred geometry and history of the area along the way.

Meals are handled by a chef on-site — breakfast after morning yoga, a light lunch mid-afternoon, and an evening meal around 7pm. The food is straightforward and seasonal, focused on what's available locally rather than elaborate presentations. Dietary needs are accommodated if you let them know in advance.

The group is capped at 13 people, and the age range tends to be 30-60. Most participants come solo. Optional journaling prompts and group conversations are offered throughout the week, but nothing is mandatory — you can engage as much or as little as you want.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in shared rooms - 3 daily chef-prepared meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Daily yoga classes (morning and afternoon sessions) - Organic winery tour and tasting at Domaine Delmas - Guided hike to Mont Sec - Optional visit to Esperaza Sunday Market - 45-minute massage - Access to pool and yoga shala - Snacks and drinks throughout the day

What's not included

- Airport transfers - International flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Transportation to/from retreat location - Optional spa upgrades (60-minute massage, 90-minute massage, reflexology, acupuncture)