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Art of Alignment Retreat: Yoga, Massage, Exploration and Relaxation in the South of France
June 1-8, 2023 in Vallabrègues Village, France
Husband and wife team, Heath and Nicole Reed graciously invite you to join them to experience their “Art of Alignment Retreat” in the south of France. Also co-facilitating is our in-house French translator Kate Rouze, and master chiropractor, Dr. Jen Nelson.The Art of Alignment is a healing expedition designed to fill your self-care reservoir by combining gentle yoga, massage, and chiropractic adjustments, with local French cuisine, art, and natural splendor–plus a healthy dose of relaxation and reflection time. Everyone and anyone who is passionate about generating deeper levels of self care, connecting in community, and mindful travel is welcome to explore, expand, and delight in the beauty inspired by Provence!
Each day will be infused with all-levels (no experience needed) yoga and qigong classes, mindful breathing, and meditation. During these daily healing sessions, Heath and Nicole will circulate throughout the group sharing moments of light massage, acupressure and/or energy work as you bask in your sustained stretching postures. In addition to these daily infusions of nurturing touch, each participant will also receive 2 mini-massages (30-minute each) from Nicole or Heath, as well as chiropractic adjustments from Dr. Jen throughout the week.
There are several scheduled group explorations (all of which are optional, including the yoga classes), as well as appointed downtime —to relax and unwind or to create discoveries on your own.
The price of the retreat includes all accommodations, transport during group explorations, and most meals, 2 mini-massages (30-minute each) from Nicole or Heath, and at least one session from expert chiropractor Dr. Jen Nelson, throughout the week. *Kindly note, flight and transport to Avignon train station (where you are picked up and dropped off nearby to the retreat house) is not included
It’s time to open yourself up to a way of travel that can be described as aligned…discover ease, joy, and awareness through heart centered connections and playful discoveries through a daily practice of appreciation and alignment.
A Snapshot of our Art of Alignment Retreat
Our explorations will encompass the unique and rich history of French art, wine, food and more. Once you arrive in France you’ll make your way to Avignon (directions below). Once in Avignon Heath or Nicole will pick you up from the train station to bring you to our retreat home; Mas de Ilon. It is a renovated farmhouse and cottage on a beautiful property, in the cozy and historical village of Vallabrègues.
Our retreat home serves as the ideal launch pad for Provence as we tour by boat the French Riviera, explore the history and charm of village markets, feast our eyes on the breakthrough art at Le Beaux, delight in fine wine and foods, and walk the vast sculpture gardens of La Costa. All of this from our Vallabrègues base where we can walk the ancient cobblestone roads, share meals in the old village, and then retreat back to our group house for rejuvenation, relaxation, and hearty connections. For detailed itinerary, click here.
Discover the Historic Retreat Property of “Mas de Ilon”
This charming 4844 sq. ft. stone farmhouse and adjacent cottage is located in the beautiful and historic Vallabrègues, France village. This is one of the few areas declared a “Gard village” or “village of character” offering authentic and historical architecture, culture, and style and is in the heart of many Provencal destinations (click here for information about the nearby Vallabrègues village).
Mas Ilon consists of 9 independent rooms with 9 private bathrooms and 9 separate toilets. All 9 rooms are air conditioned and come with a flat-screen TV. (click here for information about the property of the “Mas”.
“Mas de Ilon” is a historic property featuring a Farmhouse and Cottage with each room uniquely appointed. All rooms are updated and include air conditioning and private bathroom.
All accommodations are first come, first served.
Additional Notes: There will not be regular housekeeping service (only 1 cleaning service mid-retreat), although fresh linens will always be available. We request you clean up after you prepare any food or drinks in the kitchen and in common spaces. We recommend booking as soon as possible to confirm your preferred room choice.
The Mas
This large home has been completely renovated while maintaining its authenticity; composed of stones, cement tiles, parquet floors and high ceilings with majestic beams. The luminosity of each part of the farmhouse is an invitation to discover.
This 2-story Farmhouse consists of 6 air conditioned bedrooms, plus a loft– each room will seduce you with its neat and personalized decoration. On the ground floor, there’s a large living room, a fully equipped kitchen, large group table, and even a piano. There is also a separate lounge with armchairs and a baroque-style sofa and a bar. For more about the Farmhouse visit here.
Rooms at The Mas
Still Available
L’Ilon — This is a spacious 417 square feet master suite room and includes 1 double bed. This spacious room is a perfect fit for a couple or others who enjoy sharing a bed, or a solo traveler.
Cost: $3,100 per person for double occupancy (2 people) or $5000 for single occupancy
Rooms Already Booked by Participants
- Le Cabanon
- La Mazette
- La Fenière
- The La Vannier / The Basket Maker
- La Mistral
- Orange / L'Abricot
- La Pitchoune
Regarding Travel
You are responsible for your airfare and transfer to Avignon train station.
The cost per person listed includes all transport (beginning and ending at the Avignon train station, accommodations, events, and most meals throughout the retreat).
Travel Instructions to Avignon Train Station
The first day of the Yoga Retreat begins on June 1st. Heath and Nicole will be picking you up from the local train station in Avignon, France to bring you to the nearby retreat property “Mas d Ilon”. This is a two-step process.
- Step 1: Fly into a nearby airport: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) in Paris, Orley in Paris, or Marseille Provence (MRS) are recommended options.
- Step 2: Transfer from the airport or train station to arrive at Avignon Train Station (IATA: XZN)
Directions from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport to Avignon Train Station:
There is a train station at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport that can take you directly to Avignon which takes 3 hours and 7 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 366 miles.
For details on transferring from CDG to Avignon, please click here.
NOTE: All of this information will be reviewed and covered in our per-retreat live and recording Zoom meetings and we are available by phone or email for any questions.
There is no train station at Orly airport. You would do best to take a taxi to Gare de Lyon station, from where TGVs (high-speed trains) leave for Avignon. You will find fares and timetables from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon at http://www.tgv-europe.com where you can book up to 3 months ahead. The least expensive “PREM’S” or fares do not allow changes and are non-refundable. If you are arriving at Orly from KL? you should allow 4 hours to make the connection to allow for delays or other contingencies.
Directions from Orly airport to Avignon Train Station:
There is no train station at Orly airport. You would do best to take a taxi to Gare de Lyon station, from where TGVs (high-speed trains) leave for Avignon. You will find fares and timetables from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon at http://www.tgv-europe.com where you can book up to 3 months ahead. The least expensive “PREM’S” or fares do not allow changes and are non-refundable.
If you are arriving at Orly from KL? you should allow 4 hours to make the connection to allow for delays or other contingencies.
The taxi fare to Gare de Lyon will be about €35. There are various public transport options with fares ranging between ~€6 and €10.25 but none of them provides a particularly convenient way to get to Gare de Lyon.
Directions from Paris city to Avignon Train Station:
If you are spending time in Paris before the retreat, you’ll want to book your train departure from Gare de Lyon train station to Avignon. You will find fares and timetables from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon at http://www.tgv-europe.com where you can book up to 3 months ahead.
Directions from Marseille airport to Avignon Train Station:
When traveling from Marseille Provence airport to Avignon, you have two different transfer options, taking a taxi or the public train. Choosing a Marseille airport taxi is the easiest but most expensive option. Your journey will take around 63 minutes in normal traffic and will cost you 150€ during the day and 180€ at night. The train, on the other hand, costs only 18.30€ and takes 58 minutes, however, it isn’t a direct service.
Because the train doesn’t run directly from Marseille airport, you will need to take a shuttle bus to Vitrolles Airport train station and then take a TER train to Avignon. The journey will take 58 minutes and cost 18.30€ one-way. For more details, click here.
Payment, Refund & Cancellation Policy for South of France Retreat
There is a $500 deposit required at the time of registration to confirm your participation. Your remaining 50% balance is due on Feb 1st, and the remaining balance is due April 1st.
There is a no risk, 14-day period to cancel your registration and receive a full refund for any reason.
Participants who cancel their registration after the 14-day grace period, but prior to March 1, 2023, will be returned 50% of their deposit plus 100% of any other payments.
Participants who cancel their registration after March 1, 2023 will receive no refund. You are only eligible for a 50% refund of your deposit from canceled registrations after March 1, 2023 if we are able to fill your reservation.
We reserve the right to cancel this retreat no later than March 1, 2023. If we cancel, you will be refunded 100% of all your payments for this retreat. We will not refund airfare.