-
STARTING AT $5495 per person
May 15-22, 2027
8-day France itinerary with an experienced Trip Host
6-16 people
Trip Highlights
Stay at a gorgeous French countryside chateau renovated in preserved historic style and sustainability at the forefront
Take daily excursions in nature, from castle ruin hikes to botanical gardens
Explore tiny French villages & markets and go back in time
Indulge in regional cuisine and take a French cooking class
Be inspired by Ariégeoise craftsmanship & traditions, such as the art of textile dying with pastel
Are you in need of a reset, a moment to hit the pause button on life? Our 8-day France retreat takes you to the southwestern foothills of the French Pyrenees for daily movement, connection with nature, and a chance to restore in an idyllic French countryside château setting. Join us as we explore a region of France that is a true hidden gem. You’ll discover quaint French villages, stroll through traditional French markets and discover Ariégeoise craftsmanship. Each day you’ll get to move your body, immerse in nature and visit historical sites and medieval ruins unique to the mid-Pyrenees region. Invoke your inner chef through a French cooking class, learn about ancient French healing traditions through herbs, and participate in a workshop about the historically famous medieval art of dying fabrics with the local pastel plant. The whole week is steeped in little-known French history and culture - including the art of leisure at your historic château - and fueled with fresh, local and seasonal French cuisine. You’ll also have numerous optional activity add-ons such as a wine, chocolate and pastry tour, e-bikes, massages, and a long day hike.
Book our 8-day France Retreat starting at $5495 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details and complete pricing in the drop downs below.
why this trip?
Testimonials
About your host
Tegan Aileen
Tegan is a Canadian plus-size model and wellness practitioner who has been living in the South West of France since 2016. She has dedicated her life to helping women feel empowered in their bodies and their travel. For the past 8 years Tegan has been traveling off the beaten path throughout France discovering the secret history of its remote countryside. She is committed to sharing the abundance of her new home with travellers from around the world and offering them the best the french countryside has to offer.
Trip Inclusions
-
2 nights boutique hotel stay in Toulouse
5 nights French château stay
-
Airport public shuttle transfer on arrival/departure day, or upgrade to a private transfer
Private van to countryside château and all planned activities
Bikes for our Community Partner excursion day
-
Daily Pilates
Toulouse walking orientation tour to learn about this historic city
Pastel fabric dying demonstration
Village visits including Mirepoix and the fortified old city of Carcassonne
Lower intermediate thru hike to see castle ruins at Montségur and Roquefixade
Free day in the chateau country surroundings with options for e-bikes, massage and nature walks
French cooking class using local, seasonal ingredients, herbs and spices
Opportunity for a longer day hike (5+ miles)
Visit to the “Rose Village” of Camon by bikes
-
Daily breakfast + 6 dinners
-
Dedicated Traverse Host throughout trip
Visit to our Community Partner + donation to their organization
Traverse representative assisting you from booking to departure
Small group experience, max 14 people
-
Massage at the Chateau
Long day hike (approximately 6-8 miles) option
Chocolate & pastry tour in Toulouse
Wine Bar tour in Toulouse
Extra nights in Toulouse
-
International airfare
Additional meals or alcohol, unless specified
Tips to your local guide, Traverse host, drivers, etc.
Required travel insurance
-
You'll be paired with a roommate of your same gender unless you request your own room.
STARTING at $5495 per person, double occupancy
+$595 'My own room' option
-
(Day 5) in your room at the Chateau
+$150 Chocolate & pastry + wine bar tour on Day 8 (May 23rd) - 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. Requires an extra night.
Extra night - Starting at +$250 (3-star) $550 (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
SEE THE DAILY ITINERARY ON STELLER!
FAQs
-
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.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
