Nourish Your Soul’s Journey

Join us this autumn at The French Retreat, a serene haven in the Bordeaux countryside, for a long weekend of yoga, shamanism, and nature celebration.

As the Earth pauses in balance at the Autumn Equinox — known in the Celtic tradition as Mabon — we invite you to do the same. This is your moment to rest, reconnect, and rediscover the quiet magic within.

Reconnect deeply—to yourself, to nature, and to the more-than-human world.

What Makes This Retreat Unique

Over the past five to ten years, our own journeys have brought us to a sacred meeting place: The intersection of yoga and Celtic shamanism. Between East and West. Between ancient and primordial wisdom. Shamanism is estimated to have been practiced around the world for up to 100,000 years, and yoga is estimated to have been practiced for some 5,000 years.

What have these traditions taught the countless seekers before us? What do they hold in common? And how can they serve us now—as modern humans in a chronically divided world?

These are the questions at the heart of this retreat.

Why Mabon?

Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, is a golden moment of balance, gratitude, and reflection. For millennia it has been an opportunity to pause, listen, and celebrate. It is a sacred threshold. A time of:

🌿 Soul nourishment

💛 Heart appreciation

🧘 Body kindness

🕊️ Mind peace

A time for nature’s plenty, for shared laughter and stories around the fire. A time to walk gently into the darker months with intention and grace.

The Deeper Magic of this Retreat

What sets this retreat apart at a soul level is the alchemy of ancient wisdoms—yoga and shamanism—woven with intention, love, and deep presence. This is not just a retreat—it is a sacred journey home to yourself.

We’ll guide you in discovering the path of direct revelation, where answers arise from within. Through movement, meditation, ceremony, and inner enquiry, you will find that:

• The wisdom you seek is already inside you.
• The support you need lives within and around you.
• The connection you long for is always available.

This is the heart of our work: to help you remember your power, your belonging, and your place in the sacred cycle. Held in the joyful glow of Mabon and supported by a loving community, this retreat invites you to rise rooted—grounded in who you truly are, and ready to walk forward with clarity and courage.

Your Hosts

Joanne Sumner

Reiki Master · Yoga Teacher · Coach · Shamanic Practitioner · Shamanic Counsellor

Joanne has been leading retreats and transformational journeys for 19 years. She is known for creating spaces of deep safety, insight, and soul-level transformation.

Carl Hewitt

Reiki Master · Shamanic Practitioner · Shamanic Counsellor · Transpersonal Therapist

Carl brings grounded presence, gentle humour, and deep wisdom. Together, Joanne and Carl hold a warm, nourishing container for your journey.

What’s Included

A gently powerful blend of creative and healing practices, woven into the rhythm of the days:

• Yoga & Qigong
• Shamanic Ceremony & Drum Journeying
• Reiki Healing & Coaching
• Nature Connection & Wild Swimming
• Mandala Making & Wild Voice Writing
• Play, Rest, Reflection & Shared Joy
• Bespoke Flower Essence Blend for each guest

Optional healing treatments are also available from experienced practitioners. You are always invited to choose what your body, mind, and spirit need most in each moment.

🏡 Your Accommodation at The French Retreat

Stay in beautifully restored rooms at The French Retreat, nestled in the peaceful Bordeaux countryside. Choose from charming rooms in La Grange (the converted barn) or the rustic elegance of La Loge (the manor house).

All rooms are thoughtfully furnished with comfortable beds, countryside views, and either en-suite or shared bathrooms (shared with just one other room). Whether you’re coming solo or with a friend, there’s a space to suit your needs—from cosy singles to rooms ideal for close friends or companions.

Expect peace, privacy, and rustic charm, with all the comforts you need to truly unwind.

The Setting: The French Retreat

Set in the rolling hills of Bordeaux, The French Retreat is the safe haven you’ve been dreaming of.

A former Cognac estate with a majestic manor house and a converted barn around a peaceful courtyard, the venue offers:

• Stunning bedrooms with unique charm
• Sleek en-suite bathrooms with traditional features
• Fire circles, tranquil gardens, and riverside walks
• Delicious meals prepared by a former SoHo House chef
• A supportive team guided by founder Emma Pruen

You’ll be surrounded by sunflower fields, open skies, and the nurturing embrace of nature.

The Area: A Taste of Timeless France

Just an hour from Bordeaux and a train ride from Paris to Chalais, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the sun-drenched southwest countryside.

Borrow a bike and explore the fields, visit Aubeterre-sur-Dronne—one of France’s “Plus Beaux Villages”, wander the markets, or marvel at the underground church. Or simply lie under a tree and let the breeze speak to your soul.

This is for You if You’re Ready to…

• Reconnect with your inner wisdom
• Celebrate the sacred cycles of nature
• Experience love in action
• Be held by a like-hearted community
• Build deeper relationship with nature, self, and the more-than-human

A Final Whisper…

• You are powerful beyond measure.
• The quiet spaces within are the seeds of your next evolution.
• You already know who you are, why you are here, and what you need.
• You are the one you’ve been waiting for.

Let us walk beside you as you remember.
Enter the pool of healing with a community of kindred souls, and know…
You are exactly where you are meant to be.

Getting to the French Retreat – Travel Options from the UK

There are several easy ways to join us in the French countryside. The venue has recommended drivers and will help to coordinate airport transfers. Their recommended drivers offer better prices than the airport taxis.

If you need help working out the details please contact us.

Here are the easiest options:

1. Fly to Bordeaux (BOD) – Daily flights from London, Manchester & other UK cities. Approx. 1 hr 20 min flight + 1 hr transfer to the retreat.
2. Fly to Bergerac (EGC) – Limited flights from select UK airports like Bournemouth. 1 hr 20 min from the retreat by car.
3. Train via Paris – Take the Eurostar to Paris, then a direct train to Chalais (2 hrs from Paris). We offer free pick up from Chalais.
4. Drive from the UK – For a scenic road trip, drive via Eurotunnel or ferry. Approx. 9–10 hrs from the South of England.

Travel & Ride-Share Connections

To help make your journey to the retreat smoother and more connected, we invite guests to join an optional WhatsApp group. This space is for those who would like to:

• Coordinate travel plans or ride-shares
• Connect with fellow guests before the retreat
• Ask practical questions about logistics, packing, or arrival

It’s entirely optional, and we’ll share the invite link once your booking is confirmed.