The property is a Mas in Les Baux-de-Provence, inside the Alpilles Natural Park in southern France, near Maussane-les-Alpilles. From the terrace you look straight at the village and its castle, with pine forest around the house. Rooms are fully furnished and air-conditioned, each with an ensuite bathroom and wifi. There is a pool, a garden, heating, a kitchen, a library and free parking.

Classes are led by four specialists, all hired by the owner for their experience and for how clearly they explain what they are teaching. Veronique and Jean Christophe have each taught for more than 25 years; Jean Christophe is a disciple of Joseph Pilates. Sophie teaches Hatha. The yoga styles on offer are Hypno Yin, Vinyasa flow and Hatha, and sessions are backed up by daily meditation and pranayama. Because the group is capped at 10, teachers can correct and adjust through a class rather than demonstrating from the front.

Food is treated as part of the programme, not a side dish. The nutritionist — a food engineer graduated from the Dijon school with a specialism in micro-nutrition — cooks the meals and runs sessions on the Mediterranean diet and the longevity diet, including how diet relates to preventing inflammatory disease. Guests can book a private consultation if they want advice on their own case. A cooking class covers Mediterranean plants and plant-based cooking.

The setting shapes the rest of the schedule. There is meditation at a lake and in the pine forest, a botanical walk, and nature hikes with a guide through the Alpilles. Nearby you can also cycle, hike, horse ride, rock climb, visit museums or go wildlife watching. The retreat closes with a mindful nature session, a farewell brunch and practical nutrition guidance to take home.

What separates this from a standard yoga week is the ratio of experts to guests and the fact that the nutritionist is also the cook — the advice and the plate are the same thing. It suits people who want to learn something about food while they move, rather than a silent detox.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation - 3 daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Pilates classes - Cooking class - Nutrition workshops with a nutritionist - Excursions and activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Botanical walk - Luggage storage - Wifi connection - Parking - Pre and post retreat support from the team

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Airport transfers (€50 per person return from Marseille Provence Airport or Avignon station) - 60-minute massage - Extra night after the retreat