Little French Retreat - Montesquieu

Beate M.

A special and peaceful place and a wonderful hostess. The rooms are lovely and the food that Tamsin cooks is a treat. If you want vegan food, that's no problem. She also engages with the participants in the yoga practice.

Sandra R

The owner, Tamsin made us feel very welcome in her beautiful and inviting retreat. The house itself has sweeping views over fields and trees and is the perfect setting to escape London. Although the day is flexible, a typical day is 2 hours yoga, followed by breakfast, a 2 hour silent walk, lunch and time to chill, dinner and early to bed! We were lucky it was sunny while we were there over Easter so Tamsin re-jigged one of the days allow to sunbathe in the afternoon and still fit in the yoga and walk. We also enjoyed a trip to the local town and market so see where Tamsin buys her delicious, organic food - the trip was also a chance to meet the locals who all seemed to know Tamsin. The meals are a highlight - lovingly prepared by Henrietta who flew in from Denmark for our long weekend. The food is vegetarian and although I eat meat at home, I did not miss meat at all. The food is prepared with no sugar or dairy (and gluten I think?) but since it was all so delicious I did not miss my daily sugar fix and there was always plenty to eat. With regards to the yoga, Yasmin was very accommodating and patient with us two beginners. For me, it was the perfect intro to yoga, breathing and meditation and I now feel much more confident joining a class back in London. The walks were perfect, through forests, meadows and alongside vineyards and fields. Although I have never walked in silence before, I can now absolutely understand the meditative benefits and not talking enables you to truly appreciate the landscape and stunning scenery. If you want to chill, reconnect, eat well and experience a different way of life, I can highly recommend The Little French Retreat.

Olga D

I had a great time at the Little French Retreat. I joined for the 3-day Beginner's Yoga Retreat. Working in an intense & highly demanding role, I was looking for a peaceful & calm environment, where I could improve my yoga practice and nutrition habits, rest and disconnect from work. I was happy to find it all at Tamsin's Little French Retreat. Tamsin is the owner and yoga teacher, and is a lovely person who gives us a great sense of peace. The house is comfortable, located in a very small and quiet village. There are no luxuries but rather a cozy and familiar environment (max. 6 guests), that make us feel welcome and at ease. Relaxing walks through the valleys and forest. Two lovely dogs to play with. And the food was super healthy and delicious. The bedrooms are comfortable, bathrooms are new & clean. There is no room service and everyone helps clearing up the dishes after the meals. Tamsin will provide you all info needed before you arrive and will ensure you enjoy your stay.

Robert O

I spent a wonderful weekend here with my wife in September. Tamsin is the most wonderful host and gentle Yoga Instructor. We were first timers for Yoga but found the lessons and mindful meditations wonderful. Tamsin cooked all meals which were wonderfully nutritious and wholesome. We also really enjoyed the other members of the group who attended with us that week. We got a lot from our weekend in the Little French Retreat. Highly recommended for those looking for some restful rejuvenation from this chaotic world. Thank you Tamsin for such a wonderful experience. Rob and Joanne from Ireland.

BazzieUK

I set off to go to Little French Retreat thinking I must be mad for taking four days out of my hectic schedule but as soon as I arrived I knew it was a good decision. Tamsin was instantly welcoming, warm and attentive and my bedroom was light and airy with a very comfortable bed, crisp white linen and a stunning view. The yoga course was for beginners but was suitable for those who had done yoga before such as myself but needed a bit of a refresh and was interested to know more about the history and philosophy behind the practise. Tamsin is very knowledgeable and lets you go at your own pace. The vegetarian food cooked by Lina was hearty and delicious and I never felt hungry. In fact I feel totally inspired to eat less meat and processed food and be more inventive with my cooking. It's not a hotel it's a home but that's part of its charm. The house is beautiful, just like the pictures, the two dogs and cat are very charming, though kept downstairs so don't disturb yoga or rest. We had a daily walk through the forests and the meadows which was wonderfully relaxing and there was an hour or two free every day to sit in the garden with a book or have a siesta. I travelled alone and met some lovely people also on the retreat. I could definitely stayed for longer!

Stephanie N

I signed up for the retreat with the objectives to relax and improve my yoga practice. However I gained much more after 1 week with Tamsin and Annapurna. In addition to practising yoga properly, I’ve learnt how to make the small changes in my life to achieve a healthier lifestyle and receiving insights into answering the life question that’s been bugging me. Tamsin has a wonderful home with loving pets. The surrounding area is also very peaceful and beautiful. I would highly recommend the retreat to anyone who wants a break from the stress of life and looking to spend time alone.

Olivia Honychurch

A beautiful and secluded space to spend some time switching off from reality and getting to know more about yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic diet/healing.

Tamsin is a fantastic yoga instructor who helped us individually on our form and technique, and so by the end of our 5 days we felt so much better equipped to incorporate yoga into everyday life back home. We practiced twice a day.

The food is delicious and focuses on balancing the 6 Ayurvedic taste groups - and left us feeling lighter upon leaving.

We also got to explore the local countryside - facilitated by walking Tamsin’s two lovely dogs!!

Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to some time out for themselves and reset - perfect for an individual traveler or a larger group.

Catherine

Tamsin has created a wonderfully warm and welcoming retreat. Every element from the yoga sessions to the amazing nourishing home cooked food, walks and talks are centred around rest, relaxation and your personal holistic wellbeing. The house is beautifully rustic and spacious and Tamsin herself provides a welcoming calmness that makes it feel like you’re visiting friends. Especially with the gorgeous dogs and cat snoozing wherever they like. After a week I left feeling my mind, body and soul had been nourished and refreshed and Tamsin has inspired me to continue my yoga practice and learn more about Ayurvedic food. She has also given me so much inspiration as well as a new mindset to move forward and reconnect with my creativity. I cannot thank her enough for creating this beautiful retreat.