You only pay 10,00% deposit now
Free cancelation 162 days before check in
Free accomodation for organizers
Cognac Manor Retreat Centre
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Privacy of guest
Private
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Bedrooms
14 bedrooms
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Type
Retreat resort / centre
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Bathrooms
10 bathrooms
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Capacity
up to 26 persons
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Minimum stay
3 night
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Free accomodation for retreat organizers
If the retreat organizer brings a groups of 8 guests: 1 free accommodation for the organizer(s)/instructor(s).
About venue
Welcome to Cognac Manor Retreat Centre, a truly special workshop and retreat center born from years of experience in teaching, attending, and writing about residential workshops. Our vision was to create a space that embraces deep emotional work while offering a serene and rejuvenating environment. We found the perfect location in a beautifully restored Manor house, where history and modern comfort intertwine.
The centrepiece of our retreat centre is the stunning double-height French barn. Step inside and be captivated by the spaciousness and tranquillity that surrounds you. With its vaulted ceiling and authentic materials, this versatile space is designed to cater to a wide range of workshops and gatherings. Whether you're hosting a small group or a larger gathering, the barn provides a light-filled, airy ambience that sets the stage for transformative experiences.
Accommodations at Cognac Manor Retreat Centre are carefully designed to offer a unique and unforgettable experience. Each bedroom has its own distinct character, ranging from simple French country twin rooms to the luxurious four-poster bedroom of the Lord of the Manor. The en-suite bathrooms strike the perfect balance between modern elegance and traditional charm, creating a comfortable and inviting space for our guests.
Beyond the workshop and accommodation spaces, we offer a range of treatments and therapies to enhance your retreat experience. Our team of skilled practitioners can provide massages, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), REIKI, and more. These healing modalities are tailored to support your personal growth, relaxation, and overall well-being.
Surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of our region, Cognac Manor Retreat Centre offers a plethora of opportunities for exploration and discovery. Immerse yourself in the picturesque vineyards, valleys, and walking routes that dot the landscape. History enthusiasts will delight in the wealth of Chateaux, Bastide towns, and churches waiting to be explored. And during the summer months, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture by visiting the lively evening markets and attending spectacular events.
Whether you're seeking inner transformation, restorative relaxation, or a combination of both, Cognac Manor Retreat Centre provides the perfect sanctuary. Come and experience the magic for yourself, as we invite you to embark on a journey of self-discovery, surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the French countryside.
Yoga
Host your workshop in a stunning double height French barn, fully restored using authentic materials with a modern and tranquil atmosphere. This is a very versatile space, providing a light and airy setting for your course, and is able to cater for small or larger groups.
The group room has a well insulated, 70m2 French oak floor suitable for sitting/lying on, plus chairs, sofas and wonderful views near and far through the glass doors on either side. From the front there are far reaching views over the surrounding farmland; from the back the lush courtyard with its Mediterranean feel.
La Grange can accommodate up to 16 yoga mats or 18 on sofas around the room, or more theatre style. For larger guest numbers a marquee can be connected to either side of the barn.
Food & Wine
Wine lovers are spoiled for choice. We are surrounded by hundreds of vineyards where wine can be tasted and bought many can be reached by bicycle, we can provide maps and hire you suitable bicycles. We are only 40 minutes away from St. Emilion, the most famous wine town in the world. Private wine tours can be booked here. Bordeaux is just over an hour away and has many more wine tours on offer. And if you love brandy you have to visit Cognac, which is only an hour away.
view moreHorse Riding
There are riding stables nearby, run by an Anglo-French family, with offers for all riding levels in both French and English.
view moreHiking & Trekking
Our region is famous for its hiking trails through vineyards and valleys. We are very close to the famous Camino, which finally ends in Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain.
view moreArt & Music
view moreSelf-development
The retreat owners Emma and Matthew Pruen have long experience as facilitators and coaches. Matthew is a Supervising teacher for the Hoffman Institute and a Couples Coach, Emma is a Systemic and Family Constellations Facilitator and Shamanic Practitioner. They can be hired to add these elements to your retreat.
view moreAyahuasca
Emma is available for Shamanic Healing sessions and group drum journeys if you would like to add these elements to your retreats. (We do not offer Ayahuasca.)
view moreThere are 6 bedrooms in La Grange, the stunning converted barn which also houses the group room.
The bedrooms can accommodate up to 13 people sharing, (although 12 people is usually preferable). The bedrooms are arranged on two floors. Upstairs bedrooms are all twins, each very different in style all with deep oak window seats. Downstairs there currently is one double room, one twin room and one 'family room', ie a double and a single bed, and all have French doors onto a patio. However, all accommodation is flexible and we will move beds in and out to give you the preferred arrangement.
When these rooms are filled, there are also five bedrooms in the main house. There is one double with an en-suite and four twin rooms sharing 2 bathrooms plus a separate toilet, which are shown in the floor plans below.
For those seeking extra space and a unique experience, we offer three furnished bell-tents that can accommodate an additional six people. Referred as Bedroom 6 type below.
3 rooms like this
1 rooms like this
4 rooms like this
2 rooms like this
1 rooms like this
3 rooms like this
The French Retreat was a former Cognac estate but is now surrounded by farmland growing sunflowers, winter barley and corn.
Set in the heart of France's wine region, our area is famous for its walking routes through vineyards, and valleys and we are very close to the famous Camino walk which eventually finishes at Santiago de Compostelle in Northern Spain.
For the lovers of history, there is a wealth of Chateaux, Bastide towns and churches.
How to get there
BY TRAIN
The French Retreat is accessible by rail. Our nearest station is Chalais and we support all rail travellers with free transfers from Chalais train station to the French Retreat. Our nearest TGV stop is Angouleme.
Angouleme is on a TGV line between Paris and Lille to the north and Bordeaux to the south. From Angouleme you can take a direct local train to Chalais.
If you are coming from Bordeaux the main station (also known as Bordeaux St Jean) to Chalais takes an hour and costs €15.70.
If you are travelling from London by Eurostar you can change in either Lille or Paris. You can book TGV tickets here.
BY AIR
The French Retreat is accessible from Bordeaux Merignac (75mins) and Bergerac airport (85 mins). British Airways fly from Gatwick to Bordeaux daily. EasyJet have irregular Bristol-Bordeaux, Luton-Bordeaux flights and daily Gatwick-Bordeaux flights. RyanAir fly from Stanstead-Bergerac/Bordeaux. Prices can be cheaper if you fly midweek and add a few days to your stay.
You can hire a car from Bordeaux Airport, or take the airport bus to Bordeaux St Jean train station and from there a train to Chalais where you can be picked up by Emma
If you need a taxi, the airport taxi rank is very expensive and if you are booking in advance we can find you better rates. Uber also operates in the area and is half the price of the airport cars.
DRIVING
For car sharing, we use and recommend the excellent car share website BlaBlaCar.
We are marked on google maps as The French Retreat. Head for the town of Chalais (16210) and from Chalais exit the town in the direction of Brossac on the D731 and take the 2nd left after you see the end of Chalais crossed out signs. The retreat is at the end of the track.
Airport
Bergerac - 79 km
Bordeaux - 92 km
- Outdoor pool
- Yoga studio
- Garden
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Parking
- Fireplace
- Free wifi
- Retreat planning services
- Holistic treatments
- Bike rental
- Airport transfer
- Outdoor terrace
- Outdoor exercise possibilities
- Dishwasher
- Linen & towels provided
- Catering services
- Massages
- Cooking
- Meditation room
- Outdoor yoga deck
• We offer a full catering service: 3 ethically-sourced and home made meals per day plus all refreshments. Our food is highly acclaimed.
• All food intolerances and allergies can be catered for with advanced notice at £12 per day.
Breakfast: cereal, yoghourts, homemade seed bread, baguette, brioche, croissants and jams, boiled eggs, regular and dairy free milk.
Daily options including smoked salmon and scrambled eggs; avocado on toast; Turkish breakfast platter (feta, cucumber, tomatoes, olives); Ayurvedic breakfast bowls; porridge with sliced banana and toasted nuts and seeds; Chia seed pancakes with homemade hazelnut butter and maple syrup.
Sample Lunch:
* Carrot and Ginger Soup & baguette; Greek Salad, Lentil and Walnut Salad, Green salad.
* French Onion soup with gruyere croutons , Cherry tomato Tartelette with Asian Slaw, Cheese board and Green salad
* Roasted courgette soup with cheese twists. Chicken Caesar Salad, Chickpea and Sweet Potato salad, Green Salad
Sample Dinner:
Starter, Main course, side dish and Dessert including organic/free range meat or Vegan options.
* Starter: Hummus, crudité, flatbreads.
Main course: Free Range Chicken and Lemon Tagine, cous cous, mint taboulé, Pudding: Lemon sorbet with homemade lavender biscuits.
* Starter: Tricolore salad (avocado, tomato, mozzarella)
Main course: Organic Beef Lasagne, garlic bread, green salad; Pudding: Tiramisu.
* Starter: Samosas
Main course: Aloo Gobi, Dhal, Basmati rice, Cucumber raita, beetroot chutney Pudding: Deconstructed Cinnamon Apple Crumble with crème fraiche.
Breaks: In group room kitchenette: Premium Herb teas (eg Pukka); organic ‘Clipper’ Tea and Earl Grey, decaf Earl Grey, Ground coffee and decaf coffee, unlimited fruit bowl and biscuits; milk and dairy free ‘milk’.
With this package, we are delighted to work with you to create bespoke menus eg Ayurvedic or Vegan
- Full board
- Standard / Local / Traditional
- Organic
- Breakfast
- All inclusive
- Vegan
- Ayurvedic
- Half board
- Restaurant / a la carte
- Vegetarian
- Special dietary needs catered for
- If you book for 14 days you get discount 5,00%
- If you book for 30 days you get discount 10,00%
- wifi
- Transfers from train station
- Use of bicycles
Free cancelation 162 days before check in
Guests will incur a fee 20% if they cancel their booking 132 days before check-in
Guests will incur a fee 50% if they cancel their booking 102 days before check-in
Guests will incur a fee 70% if they cancel their booking 72 days before check-in
Guests will incur a fee 100% if they cancel their booking 42 days before check-in
