Painting by Tanya Torres
Arrive at Toulouse airport by 2 p.m. for transport to Les Labadous Retreat Center. Unpack, unwind, and rest. Then gather for group introductions and a relaxing, yummy dinner.
Ease into the retreat with group and individual time on the beautiful property overlooking the Pyrenees. Take a short walk together or alone to the enigmatic hilltop village of Rennes le Chateau, which played an important part in the mysteries revealed in Holy Blood, Holy Grail, a book that inspired Dan Brown to write The Da Vinci Code. You can have lunch on your own at one of the restaurants there. Dinner and evening group time at Les Labadous Retreat Center.
In the morning we visit the traditional Occitan market in Esperaza, where we can pick up snacks, gifts, etc. while enjoying the French market experience: click here. We will have lunch in Couiza at Le Carnotzet. Then we return to Les Labadous Retreat Center for individual and group time before and after another delicious dinner.
We venture to the biggest fortified medieval city in Europe: Carcassonne, a well-known historical site. After a guided tour that will take you back 2000 years (!) in time, we will have lunch in the oldest inn in town. There will be time for individual explorations and shopping. Then we return to Les Labadous Retreat Center for dinner and individual and group time that evening.
We drive to St. Paul de Fenouillet for lunch in a typical French square underneath the sycamore trees. In the afternoon we will hike (20 minutes, wear good shoes) to the Hermitage of St. Antoine de Galamus, which is spectacularly situated halfway up a gorge. Here we will hear the stories of troubadours, Cathars, Templars and Franciscan monks, and Anneke (our guide) will sing the Franciscan version of the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic. In the late afternoon we return to Les Labadous Retreat Center for dinner, followed by individual and group time.
This morning we will explore historic Puivert Castle (hike: 30 minutes, wear good shoes), where you will hear the stories of the troubadours and the Cathars. Afterwards we will have lunch nearby and return to Les Labadous Retreat Center for dinner and individual and group time that evening.
We spend our last day at the gorgeous, Mediterranean Sea town of Collioure, known for its colourful houses, artisan shops and massive medieval harbour fort. Lunch and exploring on your own. We return to Les Labadous Retreat Center for dinner and individual and group time that evening.
Closing breakfast with group. Transport to Toulouse airport.
If you want to extend your stay, now is the time to talk to me about possible options and people to help you set up what you would like to do. I will be staying in the area for a few weeks, and I’m happy to support individuals as needed. This is a busy season in the area, so reservations should be made as soon as possible. Les Labadous Retreat Center is booked already that week, so it will not be an option for you.
One suggested location where you might extend your stay is Le Espinet: Click here.
You can make your own reservations, and/or sign up for spa treatments and other activities at Vayamundo Quillan: Click here. Want to see this site in English? Click here.
Our tour guides Anneke Koremans and Peter van Deursen are are also available to assist you with any further adventures or excursions you may be interested in: Click here. Anneke and Peter also have suggestions on their website here.
Rental cars can be picked up at Toulouse airport after dropping off the others who are flying out on this last structured day.
