Sharing the Gard: A French Retreat to Nourish the Self
Savour & Soothe: A French Retreat to Nourish the Self
June 21–28, 2026 | Sommières, Gard
with Andrea Rubin and Léa Perret
What the Gard means to me
Savour & Soothe: A French Retreat to Nourish the Self
June 21-28, 2026
Gard, France
Join Lea Perret & myself for a week-long restorative retreat in a 14th-century former winery in the heart of Le Gard.
I lived in this beautiful region of France when I was younger for a few years. I remember when I’d manage to get out of bed at a descent time, I’d step out of the house in my espadrilles. The air carried the scent of wild thyme from the garrigues (scrubland). I’d take a few coins from the jar by the door — a ritual I’ve kept since childhood — and walk to the village bakery to buy a fresh baguette. The baker would greet me with a smile and ask, as always, “Dorée claire, moyenne, ou bien cuite ?” — light golden, medium, or deep mahogany brown. I leave with the bread still warm in my hands, along with a croissant I’d eat as I walked back.
This corner of southern France — in the Gard — has always been my anchor. It’s where I grew up, where my family still lives, and where I’ve returned between journeys and new beginnings. It sits quietly between mountains and sea, surrounded by wild thyme, rosemary and lavender shrubs, forgotten castles and open fields where horses graze.
As a child, I would spend entire afternoons climbing to and treasure-hunt through old ruins, believing each fossil found along the way and each stone had a story to tell.
The Gard is a region that invites slowness. The villages here breathe at their own pace — tranquil and sun-drenched, yet vibrant on market days. At the cafés, people linger for hours over small glasses of rosé, pastis, or a café allongé. At the bakery, baguettes come in endless shades of golden crust; and at the market, you’ll find apricot and fig jam, wines from Pays d’Oc, Picholine and Lucque olives, tapenades and olive oils, as well as the infamous fougasse d’Aigues Mortes, a brioche infused with orange blossom water. It’s a place to savor and to soften, a gentle threshold between the life we live and the one we imagine.
Sharing the Gard with you at our retreat
To share this place now, through a retreat, feels deeply meaningful. I’m especially grateful to be co-leading it with my dear friend and colleague Andrea Rubin, who has been guiding retreats across Europe for the past five years. Andrea brings a wonderful balance of lightness and depth — expect laughter, heartful and reflective conversations, and an atmosphere that feels both grounding and free.
We’ll be staying at the Mas de La Rivoire, a beautifully restored 17th-century stone farmhouse surrounded by rosemary, lavender, vineyards, olive groves, and horses.
There’s a pool, several terraces and gardens, and rooms filled with natural light. Meals are vegetarian, seasonal, and full of Mediterranean flavor — dinners often share outdoors under the stars.
A typical day begins with a morning vinyasa class I’ll guide — a fluid, all-levels practice to awaken breath and body. Afternoons invite rest or exploration: a walk through Sommières’ cobblestone streets, a visit to the olive oil mill or the local market. In the evening, Andrea leads a soothing yin and meditation session to close the day.
We’ll share seven nights together, with time for yoga, good food, meaningful connection, and simple joy.
I hope you’ll join us — to reconnect, to breathe, and to feel at home under the southern sun.
Léa and Andrea
