Voice & Nature Retreat: singing, yoga and hiking in the Drôme Provençale region
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationFrench Alps / Drome
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions36.75 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Explore the power of your personal expression during a timeless 4-day retreat nestled in the heart of the soothing landscapes of the Drôme region . This unique retreat invites you to use your voice as a true tool for introspection , far removed from any pursuit of performance. In the idyllic setting of a charming stone cottage with a swimming pool, you will alternate between restorative silences and breath-free expression.
The program seamlessly blends traditional Indian chanting (raga) , an ancient meditative practice, with yoga and pranayama workshops to ground your body. The reconnection continues outdoors with mindful hiking , an ideal sensory immersion to harmonize your emotions with the rhythm of nature.
Accessible to all, with no technical prerequisites, this retreat is an invitation to fully inhabit your voice and rediscover profound serenity. Between contemplative walks and vocal vibrations, offer yourself a sacred space to breathe and reconnect with your essence. A unique sensory and human experience to cultivate your inner garden.
The highlights
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Exploring the voice as a space of resonance, calming the mind & releasing tension
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Yoga, pranayama, chanting & immersive hikes with passionate and experienced professionals
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Luxury stone cottage, stunning natural setting & full vegetarian board
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
Hiking : easy, suitable for those able to hike for 3 hours at a time and manage 400m of elevation gain. The focus is on immersing yourself in nature; there's no competition. The enriching experience shared with the group is more important than athletic achievement. Perfect for discovering hiking in a relaxed and peaceful setting.
Yoga and singing : No prior experience in yoga or singing is required. The practices are simple, progressive, and accessible to all. This retreat is for anyone curious to explore their voice, breath, and body in a gentle, non-performance-driven, and respectful approach.
In figures
Yoga
- Average duration/day: 1h30
- 1 average daily practices
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 6 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 435 m
- Average daily descent: 435 m
Management
French
Teacher of vocal practice and sensitivity to living things.
After numerous collaborations in live performance as a musician, actor, and circus performer, he discovered Indian classical music, which has since become his primary source of inspiration. Through Indian culture, he also embraces a philosophy of life that he applies in his daily life and during his workshops and retreats. Music and yoga have thus coexisted for over 25 years, alongside his immersions in the mountains.
A mountain guide, physiotherapist, and Kundalini Yoga teacher (KRI certified) for about ten years, Alexis will be your guide. He understands the mechanisms of the body and mind and enjoys sharing a lifestyle where all these dimensions are in harmony with each other and with the cycles of nature.
Program
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To settle down and find one's footing
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Arrival at the cottage at 3 pm. We will welcome you on the shaded terrace with a light snack. A tour of the property and a gentle walk in the surrounding area will follow.
Opening circle: intentions and framework of the practice
First vocal exploration in a room
7:30 pm: Dinner
Dhrupad is an ancient form of Indian classical singing. Slow and meditative, it explores the voice as pure vibration, sustained by the breath. More than a musical style, it is a path of presence that connects the body, listening, and silence.
Day 1 -
The science of vibration
- Transportation Car - 00h15 - 5km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h15
- Number of practices per day 1
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Distance 5 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
7:30-9:00: Yoga, postural, breathing and vocal practice
9am-10am: Breakfast
10am-3pm: Mindful hike in nature: walking, observation, sensory breaks, picnic
Afternoon and evening:
Time for oneself, shower and swimming, integration
4:30-6:00 PM: Singing practice and exploration of ragas
6 p.m.: Guided relaxation
7:30 pm: Dinner is served and the evening is free to enjoy the enchanting setting of the gîte
Day 2 -
Explore, walk, sing
- Transportation Car - 00h08 - 3km
- Activity Yoga
- Duration of the activity 1h15
- Number of practices per day 1
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 7 km
- Positive elevation gain 470 m
- Negative elevation 470 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
7:30-9:00: Yoga, postural, breathing and vocal practice
9am-10am: Breakfast
10am-3pm: Mindful hike in nature: walking, observation, sensory breaks, picnic
Afternoon and evening:
Time for oneself, rest, swimming pool, integration
4:30-6:00 PM: Singing practice and exploration of ragas
6 p.m.: Guided relaxation
7:30pm: Dinner is served and the evening is free to enjoy the enchanting setting of the cottage.
9pm: Open Concert
Reno explores the territory of classical Indian music through voice, chaturangi, tempura, harmonium, and other looping instruments. He closely examines the melodic lines and contours of the ragas, laying a subtly nuanced sonic palette upon the silence. It is an intimate and unique listening experience that is offered.
Day 3 -
Integration and feedback
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
The end of the internship is approaching…
- Body awareness and vocal practice
- Breakfast
- Storage time
- Last singing practice
- Closing circle and integration
- Lunch all together
Then it will be time to pack up and take one last moment to enjoy the place and the people.
The internship will end around 2pm.
Day 4
Accommodation
Our charming cottage is located in the heart of the Drôme Provençale region, nestled in a pristine natural landscape between mountains and wild hills. This former 18th-century sheepfold, authentically restored with fine materials, offers a warm and peaceful atmosphere, ideal for relaxation and unwinding.
The estate offers comfortable living spaces, a large panoramic outdoor pool and three spaces dedicated to practices: a parquet room for movement and voice, a vaulted room conducive to recentering and inner listening, and a vast covered terrace facing the mountains.
The house offers different types of rooms that can be selected as options:
- Two single rooms with private bathrooms (at an extra cost): please contact us to check availability
- 3 shared rooms (standard price shown): contact us to check availability
Each room offers privacy and meticulous comfort in a welcoming yet tranquil setting. Every detail—from the décor to the natural light—contributes to an authentic, rejuvenating, and deeply connected experience.
Access
Go to the starting point
Frequent connections:
- TGV Paris–Valence (around 2 hours)
- TER Lyon–Valence (approx. 1 hour)
- TER Valence-Crest (40min approx.)
Upon leaving Crest train station, take bus line D27 towards Bourdeaux (https://www.laregionvoustransporte.fr/lignes/d27-crest-bourdeaux). We can pick you up in the village of Bourdeaux and take you to your accommodation. Please contact us for this service.
In addition, a WhatsApp group will be opened the month before the stay in order to finalize the organization of travel and organize possible carpooling between participants.
Another option is to take a taxi - WARNING: Remember to book in advance.
Taxi du Val de Drôme - 04 75 25 11 11
Tower Taxi - 07 65 89 62 21
JO taxi - 04 75 21 01 01
Via the D540, approximately 20 minutes from the A7 motorway
From Montélimar: ~45 min
From Valence: ~1 hour
From Lyon: ~2 hours
The cottage is well-listed; you'll easily find it on your GPS. Full contact details will be sent to you by email one month before your arrival.
It is possible to leave your car in the parking lot for the entire duration of your stay.
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in an eco-lodge for 3 nights / 4 days in a shared room
- All meals are made with fresh, seasonal produce.
- Tourist taxes
- Yoga classes led by a qualified professional
- The teachings of traditional singing
- Hiking in the great outdoors
- Workshops tailored to the group's needs, advice regarding practice or health
The price does not include
- Transportation to the place of stay
- Your personal yoga and hiking equipment
- The single room
- Anything not listed under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
Hiking
- A small backpack (20 or 30 L)
- Appropriate walking attire (flexible trousers and a breathable jacket)
- Hat or cap, sunscreen and sunglasses
- A water bottle
- A waterproof jacket in case of bad weather
- A pair of shoes suitable for walking
Yoga
- Comfortable clothing for practicing
- A rug (we have some on loan)
- A relaxation blanket or shawl
- A seat cushion or zafu (we have some available to borrow)
- A notebook and pen to jot down a few notes
The evening
- A warm sweater is essential as temperatures drop quickly in the evening.
- A short book for relaxing hours
- A swimsuit and a pool towel
