The French Retreat, Bordeaux Region
About venue
Welcome to The French Retreat, a beautiful workshop and retreat centre born from years of experience in teaching, attending, and writing about residential workshops. Our vision was to create a space that holds deep emotional work while offering a deeply relaxing and natural environment. We found the perfect location in a beautifully restored Manor house, where history and modern comfort intertwine.
The centrepiece of our retreat centre is the stunning double-height French barn. With its vaulted ceiling and authentic materials, this versatile space is designed to cater to a wide range of workshops and gatherings. Whether you're hosting a small group or a larger event, the barn provides a light-filled, airy ambience that sets the stage for transformative experiences.
Accommodation at the French Retreat is carefully designed to offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Each bedroom has its own distinct character, ranging from simple French country twin rooms to the luxurious four-poster bedroom of the Lord of the Manor. The en-suite bathrooms strike the perfect balance between modern elegance and traditional charm, creating a comfortable and inviting space for our guests.
Beyond the workshop and accommodation spaces, we offer a range of treatments and therapies to enhance your retreat experience. Our team of skilled practitioners can provide massages, family and systemic constellations, shamanic healing, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), REIKI, and more. These healing modalities are tailored to support your personal growth, relaxation, and overall well-being.
Surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of our region, The French Retreat offers a plethora of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Immerse yourself in the picturesque vineyards, valleys, and walking routes that dot the landscape. History enthusiasts will delight in the wealth of Chateaux, Bastide towns, and churches waiting to be explored. And during the summer months, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture by visiting the lively evening markets and attending spectacular events.
Whether you're seeking inner transformation, restorative relaxation, or a combination of both, this Retreat Centre provides the perfect sanctuary. Come and experience the magic for yourself, as we invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the French countryside.
- Yoga studio
- Outdoor yoga deck
- Yoga mats
- Bolsters
- 5 more
- Projector & screen
- High speed Wi-Fi
- Sound system
- Flipcharts & whiteboards
- 3 more
- Outdoor pool
- Relaxation / silence room
- Massage room
About host
Location
The French Retreat was a former Cognac estate but is now surrounded by farmland growing sunflowers, winter barley and corn.
Set in the heart of France's wine region, our area is famous for its walking routes through vineyards, and valleys and we are very close to the famous Camino walk which eventually finishes at Santiago de Compostelle in Northern Spain.
For the lovers of history, there is a wealth of Chateaux, Bastide towns and churches.
How to get there
BY TRAIN
The French Retreat is accessible by rail. Our nearest station is Chalais and we support all rail travellers with free transfers from Chalais train station to the French Retreat. Our nearest TGV stop is Angouleme.
Angouleme is on a TGV line between Paris and Lille to the north and Bordeaux to the south. From Angouleme you can take a direct local train to Chalais.
If you are coming from Bordeaux the main station (also known as Bordeaux St Jean) to Chalais takes an hour and costs €15.70.
If you are travelling from London by Eurostar you can change in either Lille or Paris. You can book TGV tickets here.
BY AIR
The French Retreat is accessible from Bordeaux Merignac (75mins) and Bergerac airport (85 mins). British Airways fly from Gatwick to Bordeaux daily. EasyJet have irregular Bristol-Bordeaux, Luton-Bordeaux flights and daily Gatwick-Bordeaux flights. RyanAir fly from Stanstead-Bergerac/Bordeaux. Prices can be cheaper if you fly midweek and add a few days to your stay.
You can hire a car from Bordeaux Airport, or take the airport bus to Bordeaux St Jean train station and from there a train to Chalais where you can be picked up by Emma
If you need a taxi, the airport taxi rank is very expensive and if you are booking in advance we can find you better rates. Uber also operates in the area and is half the price of the airport cars.
DRIVING
For car sharing, we use and recommend the excellent car share website BlaBlaCar.
We are marked on google maps as The French Retreat. Head for the town of Chalais (16210) and from Chalais exit the town in the direction of Brossac on the D731 and take the 2nd left after you see the end of Chalais crossed out signs. The retreat is at the end of the track.
- Airport 96.00 km
- Train station 5.00 km
- Bus station 5.00 km
Availability & Dates
Venue pricing
Long stay discounts
Accommodation
About accommodation
There are 6 bedrooms in La Grange, the stunning converted barn which also houses the group room.
The bedrooms can accommodate up to 13 people sharing, (although 12 people is usually preferable). The bedrooms are arranged on two floors. Upstairs bedrooms are all twins, each very different in style all with deep oak window seats. Downstairs there currently is one double room, one twin room and one 'family room', ie a double and a single bed, and all have French doors onto a patio. However, all accommodation is flexible and we will move beds in and out to give you the preferred arrangement.
When these rooms are filled, there are also five bedrooms in the main house. There is one double with an en-suite and four twin rooms sharing 2 bathrooms plus a separate toilet, which are shown in the floor plans below.
For those seeking extra space and a unique experience, we offer three furnished bell-tents that can accommodate an additional three people. Referred as Bedroom 6 type below.
Rooms & Facilities
- — 1x queen bed (approx. 160 cm wide)
- — 4x single bed
- — 1x king bed (approx. 180–200 cm wide)
- — 3x single bed
- — 1x king bed (approx. 180–200 cm wide)
Meal plan
Things to know
Current weather
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No extra feesNo commission, no markups — you pay the host directly.
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Direct connectionWork directly with hosts to shape your experience.
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Places with soulCurated venues with character and meaning.