Pilates Retreat |Loire Valley
Kickstart your healthy lifestyle away from distractions in the beautiful Loire Valley, France.
COMING SOON FOR 2022Pilates Health Retreat with May Simpkin
Once again, I have gathered a fabulous team of experts and will be running my Pilates retreat for the second year - dates TBC.
Escape to a beautiful location with comfortable accommodation, carefully considered food, organised exercise activities, good facilities and access to professional therapists, without any other distractions and the long lasting effect of a retreat can have a significant impact.
What are you waiting for?
If you’re struggling to motivate yourself or your health regime is a little haphazard, a health retreat is a perfect opportunity to kick start a healthy lifestyle!
£250 Booking Deposit to secure your spot.
Have you imagined going on a Pilates health retreat but never managed to commit to one in your busy schedule?
Now is the time to go for it and book that health retreat you’ve always dreamed of... Join me for a 4-night Pilates Health Retreat in the Loire Valley, France.
“I loved every minute of May’s retreat. It was so relaxing, I felt really looked after and we ate the most amazing, nutritious food. I enjoyed the daily yoga sessions and my massage session was just what I needed. I can’t wait to go back!”
*****
Exquisite location
This retreat is based at Chateau de la Vigne, a holiday property I have owned and run for the past 20 years.
I’ve put together a fantastic schedule, based very closely on last year’s highly successful Pilates health retreat with my expert team and I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing this dream break with you all.
"Running my first health retreat 8 years ago was an incredible experience both professionally and on a personal level. I urge anyone who is interested in improving their lifestyle and making changes to their health and wellness to prioritise a health retreat in their busy schedules."
Let's get you started
Start building your healthy lifestyle on our next retreat!
"Give yourself the break you deserve”
I’ve put together a fantastic schedule, based very closely on previous years’ highly successful retreats with my expert team and I’m absolutely thrilled to be sharing this dream break with you all.
We’ll practice Pilates twice daily, walk or cycle in the peaceful and tranquil French countryside, cook some fabulous recipes together and enjoy delicious healthy meals. With a relaxed programme of discussions, activities, massage treatments and lots of friendly advice, we will explore, over the 4 days, what it really means to “eat well” and how to go about doing so in our busy lives.
We’ll also get out and about and you’ll have an opportunity to visit the beautiful nearby town of Saumur, the local vineyards and even enjoy a private wine-tasting session with a top sommelier.
You’ll leave at the end of the retreat with plenty of empowering knowledge, tasty recipe ideas, as well as a goodie bag and a clear idea of how to embark on and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
With the weather gorgeous but the summer crowds reduced, June and September are perfect months to visit this beautiful region.
Please note that this retreat is open to all level when it comes to Pilates, from beginners to long-time enthusiasts. Our expert instructor, Jo Luckman is a body control trained Pilates instructor with years of experience behind her; she believes Pilates is for everyone, no matter what level of fitness or ability and that classes should be about having fun.
This retreat will kick start a regular pilates routine and you will leave with a personalised routine from Jo to help you build on the progress you’ll make over the 4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the health retreat?
- Pre-Retreat Guidance
- Daily Morning & Evening Pilates Sessions
- Daily Exercise Activity Sessions
- Therapeutic Massage
- Cookery/Nutrition/Personal Development Workshops
- Delicious Healthy Meals/Snacks/Juices/Smoothies
- 4 Nights Luxury Accommodation with Ensuite
- Local Wine Appreciation Tasting Evening
- Post Retreat Follow Up
- Transfers from Nantes Airport
When is the next yoga health retreat?
The next retreat will be spring 2022 - watch this space for details.
Where do we stay?
Remember, this is an intimate retreat in a historic home! The Chateau is large and luxurious with a rustic chic feel. It has 5 bedrooms- 3 double, 1 twin and 1 four-bedded room – all ensuite. The top floor has a very large king bedroom with ensuite bathroom/separate shower, plus a four-bedded room, with ensuite shower room. On the middle floor, there is a double room with ensuite bathroom. There is also another double room, with ensuite shower and a twin room with ensuite. The reception rooms downstairs are very spacious and well furnished; perfect for large groups! All the rooms are beautiful and well furnished and accommodation will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis
What if I am not sure it is the right retreat for me?
You’re welcome to email me at may@simpkin.com with any questions or concerns whether this is the right retreat for you.
If you’re struggling to motivate yourself or your health regime is a little haphazard, a health retreat is a perfect opportunity to kick start a healthy lifestyle!
- Magpie Anthology review
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Here’s the retreat in pictures
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5 reasons why you should invest in yourself and prioritise a health retreat short break.
What is not included?
Flights & Travel insurance
How much does it cost?
The 4-night retreat costs £1195pp – all-inclusive OR £995pp for 2 sharing or £895pp for a group of 4 sharing
These retreats offer exceptional value and have extremely limited spots – don’t miss out!
A £250 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot and payment plans are available
Full payment will be required 8 weeks prior to arrival
Do you have to be good at yoga?
This retreat is open to all levels of yogis from beginners to long-time enthusiasts.
How do I get there?
The easiest way? Fly into Nantes airport from London Gatwick and we’ll pick you up.
Once dates are confirmed I will list the flights below that we will arrange transfers for, so feel free to go ahead and book these once you’ve confirmed your spot
Prices are around £25 each way.
*please do get in touch with other flight/travel options and we will do our best to arrange transfers to suit*
The car option? Of course, you can always drive; it takes 5 hours from Calais and it’s an easy run all the way through.
What does each day look like?
Keep scrolling down and you will see a sample daily schedule!
What sort of food will we eat?
Keep scrolling down and you will see a sample retreat menu!
Pilates health retreat sample daily schedule
| Time | Activity | Where |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Morning Smoothie | Chateau |
| 08:30 – 09:45 | Energising Pilates | Studio |
| 09:45 – 10:15 | Revitalising Breakfast | Chateau |
| 10:15 – 11:00 | Personal Time | |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | Cooking Workshop | Kitchen |
| 12:30 – 13:00 | Power Walk | |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | Energising Lunch | Chateau |
| 14:00 – 16:00 | Vineyard Visit/Visit to a local town | Courtyard |
| 14:00 – 17:00 | OR Personal Time | |
| 17:00 – 17:30 | Afternoon tea | Salon |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Restorative Pilates | Poolside |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Personal Time | |
| 20:00 – 21:30 | Dinner | Chateau |
| 21:30 – 22:00 | Evening Discussions | Library/Salon |
Pilates health retreat sample menu
Pre-Pilates ENERGISER
Energy Booster Smoothie
Revitalising BREAKFAST
Cleansing Juice
*****
Bircher Muesli served with a selection of toppings including Fresh fruits, Cacao nibs, coconut
*****
Selection of Teas & Coffee
Energising LUNCH
Shakshuka with Homemade Seeded Bread
Afternoon Tea
Apricot & Coconut Slice
Gourmet DINNER
Prawns with Mango, Avocado & Red Onion Salsa
***
Cauliflower and Lentil Masala with Brown Rice
***
Spiced Apricot Compote with Crispy Granola Topping
Before Bed
Selection of Sleep Enhancing Teas
Pilates Health Retreat | Loire Valley
“I have just come back from a 4-day retreat lead by May which was both relaxing, informative and fun. May knows everything you might want to learn about nutrition and manages to convey it in a relaxed and fun manner along with lots of ideas for simple, time-efficient recipes. She is brilliant at inspiring others to try and eat and cook in a more healthy way. Thank you.” September 2019
COMING SOON FOR 2022
"Live the life you imagine – you deserve it!”
Whether it’s a family gathering or an adventurous trip of a lifetime, a holiday to me signifies a time when I’m allowed to withdraw from the usual day-to-day activities, break from routine and attempt a period of rest and relaxation, with the aim of resuming my normal lifestyle with vigour and energy 2 weeks later.
Well, that’s the theory but as many of you will agree, long-distance travel, being away from home conveniences and the challenge of another language and culture can mean that your holiday routine and activities are far from restful nor relaxing and you return at the end of a long-awaited holiday without fulfilling the fundamental aim of relaxing and recharging.
A health retreat, however, quite simply offers you the perfect opportunity to do just that; retreat from the day-to-day routines with the sole purpose of focusing on your own health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically.