Alpine Renewal: A 4-Day Yoga & Ayurveda Wellness Retreat in the French Alps

The retreat is held in the host's own family chalet, a short walk from the centre of Guillestre and just 10 minutes on foot from access to spectacular hiking trails. The Queyras Regional Park is on your doorstep—a wild, relatively undiscovered corner of the French Alps that feels a long way from the busier resort towns. This is a proper Alpine setting: think snow-capped peaks in the distance, crisp mountain air, and a village that still has a real, lived-in character.

Each day follows a structure that balances learning, practice, and generous free time. Mornings begin with a 45-minute vinyasa-style yoga class that's intentionally gentle and grounding, and tuned to the energy of the season. The afternoons rotate between workshops: a sensory introduction to Ayurveda, a face and cranial self-massage session using the Shiro-Mukha Abhyanga technique, an Ayurvedic cooking class, and a natural cosmetics workshop where you'll create your own plant-based blends—including a signature perfume made with pure rose essential oil and traditional Ayurvedic oils. One afternoon is set aside for the trip to the thermal springs at Plan de Phazy. Evenings close with 15 minutes of pranayama or guided meditation.

What makes this retreat different from a standard yoga holiday is the explicit focus on teaching you something you'll keep using. The host, Lucille, is an Ayurvedic body therapist and yoga teacher who trained at schools across India and France. She keeps every session personal and small. The group size is deliberately capped at eight, so there's genuine space for individual attention, whether that's adjusting your yoga posture or tailoring the Ayurvedic principles to your own constitution and daily routines.

The retreat also acknowledges the season—it's timed for the winter-to-spring transition, so the teachings are all about adapting your lifestyle accordingly: seasonal nutrition, rituals, and coming out of the heavier winter months with renewed energy. It's a thoughtful, grounded approach that sets it apart from more generic wellness escapes.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in double or triple rooms (single room supplement applies) - 3 daily Ayurvedic vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks - Welcome drink - Daily 45-minute morning yoga classes - Daily 15-minute evening pranayama/meditation sessions - Daily meditation classes - Introduction to Ayurveda session - Face & cranial self-massage workshop (Shiro-Mukha Abhyanga) - Ayurvedic cooking class - Natural cosmetics creation workshop - Group excursion to the hot springs at Plan de Phazy - 30-minute massage - 1-hour Ayurvedic treatment - Free Wi-Fi - Luggage storage - Pre- and post-retreat support from the team - Transportation during the retreat (to/from activities) - Seasonal Ayurvedic wellness kit

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Extra nights - Additional Ayurvedic treatments (beyond the included massage and 1-hour treatment) - Personal expenses