THE renaissance retreat
SOUTH OF FRANCE
JULY 11-18 2026
7 Days of Yoga, rEJUVENATION, and creative renewal in the South of France
With Amanda Giacomini & Chantal Russell
Join us in the South of France for a week devoted to rebirth, renewal, and creative awakening. Set amidst the old-world beauty of Château Rieucaze, this retreat invites you to reconnect through daily yoga and guided creativity workshops.
Inspired by the spirit of the Renaissance, a time of beauty, art, and discovery, you’ll be supported to shed what no longer serves and awaken fresh inspiration in body, mind and heart.
Led by artist and yogini Amanda Giacomini and somatic wellness coach & equine therapist Chantal Russell, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from everyday life, unplug from technology, and immerse yourself in nature and genuine connection. You’ll be invited into the creative magic of this region which has inspired artists throughout the centuries.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Surrounded by the rich history and quiet beauty of a land that has inspired artists and seekers for centuries, reconnect to what truly matters and rediscover the joy of creative renewal.
Morning Rituals:
Each day will begin with yoga, meditation, and journaling, a gentle awakening of body, mind, and spirit. Morning rituals designed to rekindle your creative energy.
Afternoon Creativity workshops :
Afternoons will be devoted to guided creativity sessions, including painting, drawing, and writing. Here, art is celebrated as a practice of rebirth and renewal, a way to express, reflect, and reconnect with your inner artist. No prior experience is necessary, only the desire to explore, play, and let your imagination flourish.
Sacred and Cultural OUTINGS:
The retreat includes transformative excursions that honor human artistry and creativity across time:
A visit to a Paleolithic cave adorned with 30,000-year-old paintings, offering a profound connection to the earliest expressions of human creativity and imagination.
A pilgrimage to Lourdes, a place of devotion and renewal, where the energy of the land invites healing, inspiration, and the awakening of the soul’s creative potential.
gourmet local cuisine
Savour the flavours of the region with fresh, farm-to-table, vegetarian meals prepared by a private chef. Well balanced and healthy with plenty of fresh bread, local cheeses and artisanal butter. Meals are served twice daily, brunch and dinner.
-
Daily yoga to open up your body, calm your nervous system and get your creative energy flowing
-
Afternoons are devoted to guided creativity sessions, including painting, drawing, and writing. Here, art is celebrated as a healing practice, a way to express and reconnect with your inner artist. No prior experience is necessary, only the desire to explore, play, and let your imagination flourish.
-
Step back in time as we visit caves adorned with prehistoric art, experiencing the beauty and mystery of this sacred land.
-
Experience the legendary healing energy of Lourdes, drink from the sacred waters and bathe in the mystical love of the Divine Mother.
-
Enjoy ample time to relax by the pool, read a book in the hammock, unwind in the traditional Hammam steam room, or walk the land surrounding the château.
Photos by Brittany Judd Photography & Carolee Beckham
About Château Rieucazé & Occitania Retreats
The historic château was constructed in 1786, just 3 years prior to the outbreak of the French Revolution, belonging to the family of the Comte Du Pac until 1960. The property encompasses a sprawling 10-acre park with gardens designed under different themes: French, English, Asian and Mediterranean. The grounds also include a pond where koi fish and wild ducks swim, a salt-water pool, a steam room, gym and a greenhouse.
Nestled among rolling hills and bathed in the golden light of Southern France, Château Rieucaze is a place where you can truly unwind. The château’s elegance, peaceful gardens, and timeless charm invite you to let go, breathe deeply, and be fully present. It’s the perfect sanctuary for our retreat, offering space for pure rest, inspiration, and connection to the surrounding beauty.
WhAT’S INCLUDED
-
Choose from private or shared room options.
-
Brunch and dinner daily, with the exception of Tuesday dinner out in Lourdes, are included.
-
Daily yoga sessions, creativity workshop, heart centered ceremony and rituals throughout the week. Yoga facility is fully equipped with mats, blankets, straps and blocks
-
Caves of Gargas (Grottes de Gargas) in the Pyrenees region of France are known for their cave art from the Upper Paleolithic period - about 27,000 years old.
WhAT’S not INCLUDED
-
International airfare not included.
-
Ground transportation and rental vehicles are not included.
-
There will be lots of down time during the day for you to explore the near by towns, associated costs are not included.
-
Optional local wines will be available for purchase but are not included.
-
Optional massages throughout the week are not included.
ROOM OPTIONS
-
$3500 USD/ 3200 EUR
-
$3300 USD/ 2750 EUR
-
$3000 USD/ 2750 EUR
-
There are two rooms each with two beds that share one bathroom.
$2300 USD/ 2100 EUR
All payments are non refundable. We recommend getting travel insurance to protect your investment.
About your guides, Amanda & Chantal
Amanda and Chantal have spent over a decade leading retreats and exploring the world together, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Some of their favourite adventures together have included riding camels in Morocco, savoring fresh pasta in Rome, wandering the charming streets of Paris, dancing with mariachis in Mexico, and basking in the Costa Rican sun. This retreat is especially dear to their hearts as they return to the beautiful Occitania Retreat, inviting you to reconnect with the magic of being alive, the joy of adventure, and the warmth of new friendships.
-
Amanda Giacomini aka 10,000 Buddhas is an artist, yogini and gifted storyteller. Her 10,000 Buddhas project was inspired by ancient Buddhist artwork in the Ajanta caves in India. This experience sparked an awakening which led her on a mission to paint 10,000 Buddhas. Now 10,000+ later, 10,000 Buddhas has become a worldwide, highly sought after art project, including large scale murals, fine art paintings, works on paper, and apparel. She’s taught yoga everywhere from prestigious art museums & yoga conferences, to The White House and the Forbidden City in China. She’s also the co-founder of Point Reyes Yoga, a studio she and her husband, MC YOGI, started in 2001.
Amanda is a kind and compassionate teacher. She calls on her more than two decades of practice to support students in letting go of stress and opening up to their own innate peace and joy. During the retreat she will offer nourishing yin and gentle yoga woven with mythic stories from the yoga and Buddhist tradition. She will also share the wisdom she has gained on her own path as an artist and offer tools and practices to spark your own creative play.
-
Chantal Russell is a passionate yoga teacher, holistic nutritionist, Ayurvedic wellness coach, initiated priestess, and equine-facilitated wellness professional with over 20 years of experience. She’s deeply committed to empowering women to live wild, embodied, and liberated lives. Through her work, Chantal blends her love for travel, holistic healing, and soulful connection to create transformative retreats and experiences. Whether guiding a yoga class, offering wellness coaching, or working with horses, she inspires women to reconnect with their inner strength, nourish their bodies, and embrace the adventure of life with joy and authenticity.
getting there
Flight / Transfer
Occitania Retreats, is located one hour from Toulouse airport, with direct flights to 83 cities in 20 countries. Book your flights far in advance to take advantage of better prices. For those wating to use public transportation, you can take a direct bus from the airport to Toulouse main train station (Toulouse Matabiau) and from there you can take a one hour train to Saint Gaudens, a city just 10 minutes away from Occitania Retreats, from where you can book a taxi in advance or get a ride to Rieucazé.
Rental car
We definitely recommend you to share a car rental with other participants for this week, we can help you coordinate that. Occitania Retreats is wonderfully secluded in nature, only an hour away from Toulouse, Lourdes and other great places to visit.
RSVP
RSVP
Thank you for your interest in The Renaissance Retreat to the South of France July 11-18 2026.
Please fill out the form below and be sure to let us know your room preference.We will get back to you soon with availability and payment information.
Photos on this page by Brittany Judd Photography