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Women’s Wellness Retreat Workshops & Activities
Creativity, Mindfulness & Breathing
Experience creative workshops, mindful movement sessions, breathwork practices and explore medieval villages, all designed to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This small, women-only retreat offers connection, renewal and wellness in the scenic South West France region.
Take part in hands-on creative or culinary workshops alongside expert-led mindfulness, breathing and gentle movement sessions. These activities provide practical techniques to improve focus, manage stress, cultivate calm and boost vitality during the retreat and beyond.
With a maximum of 15 participants, the intimate workshops offer personalised attention in comfortable indoor settings, as well as tranquil outdoor spaces in the gardens for movement and mindfulness.
All workshops and activities are included in the retreat package, creating a supportive environment for your wellness journey.
Workshop Schedule at a Glance
• Mindfulness Workshop (30-45 mins): Cultivates internal and external awareness to enhance focused attention, presence and mental clarity.
• Creative Art or Gastronomy Experience: Hosted by local artists or onsite (no prior experience necessary)
• Breathing Techniques Workshop (30-45 mins): For cognitive clarity and emotional calm
• Daily Mindfulness Moments: Gentle practices throughout the retreat
• Daily Gentle Mindful Movement practices throughout the retreat
All workshops included in your retreat package.
Mindful Morning Movement to Awaken Your Body and Spirit
Start each retreat day gently with a short, mindful movement session designed to awaken your body and calm your mind. Lasting around 10 minutes, these sessions include light stretching and simple movements accessible to all levels. They set an intentional tone for the day, enhancing your sense of wellbeing and preparing you to embrace the cultural explorations ahead. No prior fitness experience is required—just a willingness to move mindfully and connect with yourself in peaceful surroundings.
Mindfulness Workshop (30-45 mins)
Early in the Women’s Vistas & Villages Wellness Retreat, Sophie leads a mindfulness workshop focused on cultivating present-moment awareness and strengthening your connection with yourself and the tranquil landscapes of South West France. The workshop develops a balanced attention practice—combining focused, narrow awareness to steady the mind with open, expansive awareness to relax and refresh.
Sophie highlights that mindfulness helps both concentration and open presence. This approach helps reduce stress, improve mental clarity and support emotional balance, enabling you to fully engage with your retreat experience.
During the workshop, you will explore various mindfulness techniques designed to deepen your sensory and emotional connection to the peaceful Occitanie countryside and charming medieval villages. These practical methods prepare you to integrate mindfulness into daily life, promoting ongoing well-being well beyond the retreat.
Throughout your stay, Sophie facilitates gentle daily mindfulness moments, encouraging calm reflection and attentive presence. These brief practices support relaxation and meaningful connection in the serene rural environment.
By retreat’s end, you will gain an empowering perspective on mindfulness, equipped with tools to foster calm, clarity and joy in everyday life and your continuing wellness journey.
What You'll Learn:
How to balance focused and open awareness to reduce stress and deepen connection
Practical mindfulness techniques to nurture present-moment attention in daily life
Ways to integrate gentle mindful moments into your retreat and beyond
Led by Sophie - Nonverbal Communication Specialist and mindfulness practitioner
Creative & Culinary Workshop
Participate in practical, hands-on sessions designed to enhance your retreat experience in the scenic Plus Beaux Villages de France and Occitanie countryside. Led by local artisans or hosted onsite, these workshops offer opportunities to explore art, craft or gastronomy. Whether painting, crafting or tasting, these creative moments foster joy, inspiration and mindful presence—integral to your journey of renewal and connection. No prior experience needed, just bring curiosity and an openness to learning!
Breathing Techniques Workshop (30-45 mins)
Sophie guides participants through intentional breathwork exercises designed to enhance mental clarity, emotional balance and sustained vitality—essential qualities for embracing every moment of your wellness journey. Drawing on the science of embodied cognition, this workshop explores how mindful breathing activates neural pathways that regulate stress and emotions. It offers practical tools to reduce anxiety, boost focus and deepen your connection with the serene landscapes of the Plus Beaux Villages and beautiful Occitanie countryside. It’s more than just slowing your breath and relaxing—you’ll gain insight into how mindful breathing transforms your inner experience when you intentionally practice it.
Beyond common perceptions of breathwork, Sophie broadens guests’ understanding by teaching specific breathing techniques suited to a variety of needs—whether calming the nervous system during moments of anxiety, energising the mind for greater concentration or fostering ongoing emotional balance.
Throughout the workshop, participants gain insights into the transformative power of breath and leave equipped with accessible, effective breathwork practices to integrate calm and clarity into both their daily lives and retreat experience.
What You'll Learn:
Calming breathing techniques to soothe anxiety and promote relaxation
Energizing breath exercises to enhance mental clarity and focus
Practical breathwork methods that support well-being beyond the retreat
Led by Sophie - Expert in embodied cognition and body-mind connection
Daily Mindfulness Moments
Throughout the retreat, Sophie leads gentle daily mindfulness practices designed to cultivate calm awareness for relaxation or focused awareness to enhance clarity and productivity. These brief sessions invite participants to pause and attend to a specific stimulus for a few minutes, helping develop greater presence and mindful attention. This fosters deep reflection, emotional awareness, improved self-regulation and a peaceful connection with the surrounding environment.
Ready to Nourish Your Body, Mind and Spirit in South West France?
Join us for the Women’s Vistas & Villages Wellness Retreat and experience the perfect blend of gentle movement, mindfulness, creative exploration and cultural discovery in the breathtaking Plus Beaux Villages de France.
Reserve your spot today and embark on a transformative journey of connection, renewal and joy in the heart of the Occitanie region. Limited spaces available–to ensure a warm and intimate retreat experience, book now to secure your place!
Additional Wellness Retreat Activities
Beyond the daily workshops, your retreat offers plenty of opportunities to relax, explore and recharge at your own pace:
🏊 Pool Access for Relaxation
After morning village visits, take a refreshing swim in our outdoor pool. Enjoy peaceful moments surrounded by the natural beauty of the French countryside. Pool towels provided.
✨ Nighttime Star Gazing (Weather Permitting)
Spend your evenings beneath the expansive Occitanie sky. Far from city lights, Belvèze offers breathtaking views of the Milky Way and stars—perfect for quiet reflection and wonder.
🌿 Free Time Exploration
Each day includes unstructured time to:
Discover your ideal spot for mindful moments in village cafés or scenic outdoor settings
Relax in the gardens, by the pool or with a good book
Take leisurely walks in the surrounding countryside
Connect with fellow retreat participants over coffee or wine
Simply rest and reflect
Optional Add-Ons (Arranged in Advance):
Extended stays before or after the retreat for independent exploration (subject to availability)
All activities are optional—feel free to engage as much or as little as you wish. This retreat is designed to support your unique needs and pace.
For the complete day-by-day schedule showing when workshops occur, view the full itinerary →
Meet Your Workshop Leader
Sophie -Mindfulness & Breathing Workshop Leader
MSc(Dist) Communication, Behaviour and Credibility Analysis
Former Professional Artist (Ceramics & Wood Carving, 15+ years)
Sophie began her career as a professional artist, specialising in ceramics and wood carving for over 15 years. During this time, she completed commissions for museums and galleries, led workshops and teacher training, and received multiple awards. Her sculptures are part of the permanent collection at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Later, Sophie transitioned into the field of nonverbal communication, earning a master’s degree and becoming a specialist in embodied cognition and behaviour analysis.
Blending her artistic sensibility with scientific knowledge, Sophie investigates how the body influences mental and emotional states—a principle she applies to help retreat participants harness mindfulness practices for improved focus and well-being. Her approach moves beyond traditional meditation stereotypes, offering accessible and varied techniques suited to busy lives and active minds.
Sophie’s breathwork workshops draw on neuroscience research, demonstrating how intentional breathing activates neural pathways to regulate stress, enhance concentration, and boost energy. With a warm, engaging teaching style, simple explanations, and a unique blend of creative expression and body-mind expertise, Sophie equips everyone—from beginners to experienced practitioners—with valuable tools that enrich daily wellness.
Take the Step Toward Renewal and Connection
Your journey to calm, creativity and community awaits in the stunning villages of Occitanie. Don’t miss this opportunity to nourish your body, mind and spirit surrounded by beauty and sisterhood.
Join us and let this retreat be the renewal you deserve. Reserve your place today.
From €1,350 per person | Limited to 15 Guests
Common Questions About Our Workshops
Q: I've never done mindfulness/breathing work before. Will I feel lost?
A: Absolutely not! Sophie designs her workshops for complete beginners. No prior experience needed.
Q: Are the workshops mandatory?
A: While we highly recommend them, all workshops are optional. You're free to rest or explore instead.
Q: What if I'm not artistic? Can I still enjoy the creative workshop?
A: Absolutely! The creative workshop is designed for everyone, regardless of artistic experience. It's about exploration and self-expression, not creating masterpieces.
Q: Can I get one-on-one support?
A: Yes! Sophie is available throughout the retreat for personal questions and guidance about mindfulness, breathing techniques and creative expression.
Tips for an Amazing Experience
Before You Arrive:
Pack comfortable shoes for exploring medieval villages and local walks
Bring loose, comfortable clothing suitable for mindful movement and creative workshops
Optional: Bring your glad rags and dress up for dinner if you like—an opportunity to feel elegant and celebrate the evening in style.
Consider bringing a journal or notebook to capture reflections and insights during the retreat
Don’t forget any personal items that help you feel relaxed and comfortable
During Your Retreat:
Approach the workshops with an open mind, whether you’re new to mindfulness, breathwork or creative activities
Find your favourite peaceful spots—in the gardens, by the pool or quiet corners—to rest and reflect
Connect with fellow participants, sharing experiences and inspiration
Feel empowered to slow down, take time for yourself to rest, pause activities, or enjoy a rejuvenating afternoon nap
Take photos to remember the journey, but also remember to be fully present in the moment
After Your Retreat:
Continue practicing mindfulness, breathwork or creative habits at home to maintain your sense of calm and clarity
Share your experience on social media and tag us @rossignols.artdevivre to stay connected
Stay in touch with your retreat community for ongoing support and inspiration
Use journaling to capture your wellness journey and insights gained from the retreat
Consider joining us for another retreat to continue your path of renewal and connection
Embrace Your Wellness Journey
Step into a retreat experience designed to rejuvenate your body, calm your mind and inspire your creativity. Join our Women’s Vistas & Villages Wellness Retreat in South West France and connect with a community of like-minded women. Secure your spot now.
Limited to 15 guests