STARTING AT $4995

May 17-24, 2025 Pilates with Lee Vallely

8-day France itinerary with an experienced Trip Host

6-16 people

International airfare

Additional meals or alcohol, unless specified

Tips to your local guide, Traverse host, drivers, etc.

Required travel insurance

Arrive at any time in the morning or afternoon at the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS). An airport shuttle is provided from the airport to our centrally located boutique hotel. You can also opt for a private transfer upgrade.

Take time to settle in and perhaps take a stroll around the area. We’ll celebrate the beginning of our French countryside retreat with a seasonal meal in true French style served up with fresh, local ingredients.

Meals: D

This morning wake up to French serenity as we begin our day with petit déjeuner at the hotel. We’ll then take a short walking orientation of the charming city of Toulouse. Known as “La Ville Rose” (the pink city), Toulouse dates back to the height of the Roman Empire’s expansion. It has a secretly epic past relating to the French economy,, and most importantly the Cathars, a Christian fraction from the medieval ages that greatly influenced the cultural landscape of the region. 

Enjoy the rest of the morning to wander around town and explore, soaking in the relaxed French art of being! Lunch is on your own at one of the many cafés in town. 

This afternoon learn about one of the hidden gems of southwestern France: pastel. Isatis tinctoria is an unassuming, yellow-flowered plant that has a long and impactful history as the “blue gold” of southwest France. Used as a dye dating back to the 15th century, pastel gained much notoriety in its use by many famous artists including Quentin de la Tour and Davinci. The plant contains the same chemical that produces the “true indigo” from the indigofera tinctoria plant from India that eventually overtook pastel by the 19th century due to trade with the East. We will venture on foot to visit the workshop of a local pastel artist where we will get to see how the brilliant blue dye is used for textiles and how the industry is thriving today in and around Toulouse. If you prefer not to walk, you can take a taxi or Uber and meet us there.

Enjoy a free evening in the beautiful town of Toulouse.

Meals: B

Enjoy a leisurely morning before we venture out into the French countryside. We’ll drive about 1½ hours from Toulouse to our French countryside château tucked in the lush forest of this region. Along the way we’ll stop in the charming village of Mirepoix to enjoy its Monday market, a perfect spot for lunch! Steeped in medieval history, Mirepoix was once an important textile center and is noted by its cobblestone streets, charming central square and timber-framed houses in beautiful pastel colors. Much of the woodwork is original, with carvings that tell the stories of days past. The name Mirepoix is also the same one for the French classic recipe base of carrots, onion and celery. 

Once we arrive at the chateau, we’ll check in to our beautiful rooms and enjoy an orientation walk around the property with our local host. Springtime heralds beautiful wildflowers and also brings the scent of fresh elderflower, which locals use to adorn fruit desserts or make an evening aperitif called sambual. Enjoy some free time to rest up before dinner.

Meals: B, D

We will spend the day hiking between two epic local sites related to the diverse and fascinating history of the area. Starting with the “Chateau” ruin of Montségur we will take an one-hour-ish hike to its peak where we will explore the ruins and their history. Montségur holds a profound historical significance as the site of one of the most infamous episodes of Cathar history during the 13th century.

This imposing mountain peak was home to the Cathars, a Christian sect considered heretical by the Catholic Church. In 1244, after enduring a lengthy siege, the Cathars surrendered to the forces of the Inquisition, and over 200 believers were burned at the stake at the foot of the mountain.

Montségur became a symbol of resistance against religious oppression and a rallying point for those who sought spiritual autonomy. Today, the ruins of the Cathar fortress atop the mountain serve as a poignant reminder of this turbulent period in history, attracting visitors from around the world who come to pay homage to the enduring spirit of the Cathars and to contemplate the complex interplay between religion, power, and belief. Here we will break for a picnic lunch.

Once we have finished, we will descend and continue our journey to another local ruin in the village of Roquefixade, which also bears witness to centuries of history and holds a unique significance in the region. Perched dramatically atop a rocky outcrop, Roquefixade is dominated by the remnants of its medieval castle, which served as a strategic stronghold during the Middle Ages. The castle played a pivotal role in the defense of the region, guarding the ancient route through the Pyrenees. Over the centuries, it witnessed numerous conflicts and battles, leaving behind a legacy steeped in tales of valor and resilience. Today, Roquefixade stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of Ariege's past, offering visitors a glimpse into the region's storied history and a chance to marvel at its rugged beauty. 

Once we’ve finished our explorations, we’ll head back to our chateau for a relaxing evening.

HIking Note: The total hiking time is about 4 hours along a lower intermediate trail. We will take a leisurely pace with many stops and a picnic break. You’ll want sturdy shoes with tread. 

Meals: B, D

Wake up to your healthful breakfast then decide on your activity for the day! 

Option 1: Enjoy the day at the chateau. For those that would rather stay back and have a leisurely day, you can stay at the chateau. Options such as bike rentals and in room massages are all available to book (with advanced notice upon your arrival). You can also explore the chateau forest created in the style of the Romantics and enjoy small hikes around the property. It’s also a great chance to read a book, journal, and practice the French art of being.

Option 2: 5k roundtrip intermediate hike at Pic des 3 Seigneurs For the adventurous out there that want an aerobic boost during their retreat, join our day hike! The lush landscape of this region is filled with epic hiking trails that take you high into the peaks of the mountains for some of the best views of the French Pyrenees fairy-like forests with streams, flora and fauna that will leave you truly refreshed. We’ll depart early with a packed breakfast and drive about 1 hour 20 minutes to the start point. The hike will take around 4 hours with a stop at the summit for a picnic lunch. We’ll be back at the chateau early afternoon so that you can shower and freshen up before our cooking class together. Note: Be sure to bring hats, sunscreen and proper footwear (hiking or running shoes with tread).

French cooking class. This afternoon we’ll all take part in a cooking class together. It may come as a surprise that French cuisine is both simple and complex at the same time. The French take great pride in their ingredients, including French butter (life changing!), wild foraged herbs, and bursts of flavor like the Espelette pepper from the Basque region. One of our evenings will be spent in the kitchen learning the technique of French cooking to bring out the best flavor combinations in such simple yet powerful ingredients. Each tiny department in France is like a microcosm of its own culture. For example, herbs de Provence, while used in French-American cooking for all things French, is really a blend specific to the southeast of France (and we are in the southwest). The French are very particular about these things so this is where learning the small nuances is so important.

Meals: B, D

Today after breakfast we’ll explore a very interesting village in the Department of Aude,  the fortified old city of Carcassonne. You can pick your own adventure as you explore the area. Tour the fortified walls to learn more about Carcassonne and its history while enjoying breathtaking views of the French countryside, wander around the shops and plazas of the old city. We highly recommend visiting the Basilica of Saint Nazaire, and stopping for an aperitif in the garden of the Hotel de la Cite just nearby.  

We’ll depart in the afternoon to head back to our beautiful chateau for the evening and dinner.

Meals: B, D

After breakfast, we’ll visit our Community Partner Atout Fruit in Chalabre. This local association is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the fruit growing heritage of the Aude and Ariège regions mainly in the communes along the Voie Verte Canal du Midi to the Château de Montségur, where they had a fruit conservatory open since 2017. To date, more than 600 old-variety fruit trees have been planted and other wild fruit trees have been grafted along this route, which is open to everyone. Wild fruit is harvested and processed into jam, juice or syrup, which is then sold. All these activities are carried out with the help of volunteers, either on planting sites or in harvesting and processing workshops. This is where your trip donation goes.

We’ll return to the chateau in the evening for a special Farewell Dinner to bid adieu to our beautiful home away from home! 

Meals: B, D

Today we’ll wrap up our retreat with a final farewell over a delicious breakfast. We’ll take a van to the Toulouse airport together, arriving by 12:00 noon. Please plan your departure no earlier than 2:30 p.m.

If you’d like to extend your French experience a bit longer, opt to take our optional food tour starting with chocolate and pastries and ending with some savory snacks and wine! French pastries are much more than just butter and flour. Each variety such as the Toulousian fenetra or bite-sized demi-gateaux have their own unique story, steeped in history and tradition and often hyper local. What you’ll find in Toulouse, you won’t find in Paris! Chocolatiers in Toulouse also take their craft seriously, and you’ll find rare combinations like violet-infused or one of our favorites, a chocolate studded with pine nuts and honey. Your local host will then take you to her favorite wine bar in the city, where you'll learn about the wine regions surrounding Toulouse and pair your sips with cheese and charcuterie for an unforgettable "apéro" experience.

If you need an extra night in Toulouse we are happy to help make arrangements.

Meals: B

Optional add-ons: Food tour, extra night

You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.

$4995 per person, double occupancy

+$595 'My own room' option

+$115 Chocolate & pastry + wine bar tour on Day 8 (May 24th) - A delightfully indulgent afternoon excursion through the best of Toulouse’s bakeries and chocolate shops with samples and stories through each. We'll then segue into an early evening hop around Toulouse’s best wine bars during apéro to sip on local wines and learn about how each one has carved out a place for itself in the region. Approximately 3-4 hours

Extra night - Starting at +$220 (3-star) $400 (4-star) extra night in Toulouse, per room. Price confirmed at the time of booking.

Private arrival transfer upgrade - starting at $50, final price determined closer to departure

This retreat is booking up quickly, so we'd recommend soon! The retreat has a maximum of 16 participants.

This retreat starts and end in Toulouse, so you'll arrive/depart from the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)

When you arrive at the Toulouse airport, Tegan will be there to greet you and will take you to an airport shuttle. You'll ride a short 15 minutes to the closest stop to our hotel, which is just a short 5 minute walk.

If you prefer a private transfer you can upgrade and we'll arrange a car to pick you up.

YES! Some of the best travel is done by yourself. You have no roles to play and you get to be yourself, explore aspects of yourself in a supportive group setting. And without a doubt, you'll leave with new friends!

The menus always include some vegan and vegetarian choices rotating everyday to provide a wide selection of tasty farm to table French cuisine throughout your stay. The local chefs also cater to visitors who eat gluten-free or have other dietary restrictions. You can let us know your needs in advance and our chefs will prepare for your arrival with many delicious options to choose from.

The official train is the SNFC and you can visit SNFC Connect to buy your tickets. We suggest booking the TGV (high speed train) which takes 4.5 hours to get to Toulouse from Paris. Ticket pricing ranges from 50-120 euro depending on the time of booking. It’s best to book train tickets earlier rather than later.

For all transportation around France, it is always best to be prepared for delays or strikes, as they can happen at any given time especially when the weather is nicer and people move more. Usually if you catch wind of a strike you can go onto the SNFC website since more info on changes will be listed there. It might not happen but it happens enough that you should be aware and be prepared to have patience. If you have an obligation on the other end of your trip, traveling a day early is best as a due diligence.