Gardoussel Retreat offers themed
Ayurveda and yoga holidays, writing workshops, gîtes
and unstructured residential stays. Set in the lush Cévennes
mountains of the Languedoc region, Gardoussel ('guardian
of the birds') is a magical oasis of calm in one of the most
beautiful and untouched parts of France. A place of stunning
simplicity and incredible natural beauty where guests can
truly relax without the distractions of TV, crowds or traffic.
Secluded yet within easy access
to pretty villages, it offers the perfect opportunity to
tune into nature and to ourselves. Served with delicious,
home-made, organic vegetarian meals.
“The only time I’ve
been away and enjoyed the food.”
“Enjoyed a wonderful
week. Obviously a lot of time, effort and energy has gone
into making it such a beautiful and comfortable environment.”
"One of the most peaceful
and beautiful places I have had the privilege to visit."
Surrounded by glorious pine and holm oak forests,
Gardoussel is a picturesque hamlet set in 45 acres of private
meadow and woodland in the heart of the Mediterranean mountains,
1 hour from Nimes and 2 hours from Montpellier.
“A simply wonderful area to explore.
The walks up the mountains and down the valley were superb
adventures full of rewards; views, chestnuts, rushing water – a
true paradise.”
During events, guests are accommodated in our
gîtes (holiday apartments) and independent, en-suite
bedrooms.
'Highly Recommended': The Good
Retreat Guide (5th edition) by Stafford Whiteaker.
'A beautiful setting... very peaceful... comments from
guests are full of praise for this place'
Our two beautiful, independent gîtes,
sleeping 4-6 people each, are also available for weekly rentals
for those who want to do their own thing at Gardoussel.
"Please do not alter the simplicity
of a very special place. A big, big thankyou."
All our guests are welcome to make use of our
workshop spaces which include an indoor loft, two outdoor yoga
decks and a 'boma' seated fire pit.
"I have learned
so much that I can use for my everyday life in the city.
They'll keep me calm and peaceful and spirited. The most
important is that I'm more focussed and relaxed now, able
to see things more clearly. My body and soul are ready for
a new way of living."
On-site therapies include Ayurvedic massage,
Swedish massage, Ayurvedic consultations, yoga classes, craniosacral
therapy, acupuncture and Ayurvedic cookery lessons. For the
more enegetic, the local area offers a wide variety of hiking
trails, river bathing, mountain biking, donkey rental, tennis,
a local Sunday market... or simply explore the hills behind
the hamlet or relax in a hammock in our peaceful gardens & grounds.
Ayurveda Events
New Ayurvedic E-Learning Training. See www.ayurvedicnutrition.com for
details.
Gardoussel Retreat regularly hosts Ayurvedic
massage courses, Ayurvedic nutrition & cooking workshops
and other trainings organised by the European Institute of
Vedic Studies (www.atreya.com).
