The most beautiful places to rent for a yoga retreat

Nestled on the edge of the Arcachon Bay and surrounded by pine trees, Villa La Tosca is a stunning Italo-Arcachon-style mansion dating back to 1903. A true local gem, it boasts a lush 4,000m² estate and a natural pool, accommodating 15 lucky guests. The vibes here are all about relaxation and connection, as the property was envisioned by Karin and her family as a place for sharing and transformation, where guests can reconnect with nature and themselves.

To bring this ambitious vision to life, the family developed a holistic center, offering retreats and workshops in yoga and sound therapy led by Céline, daughter of Marc and Karin, and Wellness Director and founder of Yuliaen. The lineup? Hatha yoga classes, yin sessions, sound journeys, hypnosis sessions… All guided by professionals and set in an idyllic environment. Where do we sign up?

While Biarritz is primarily known for surfing, yoga has certainly found its place in the Basque Country! At Villa Trinidad—a stunning Art Deco building from 1922, located on the prestigious Avenue de l’Impératrice—yoga sessions take place in an exceptional setting. Mornings begin on the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a 360° view of the Atlantic, the city, and the Pyrenees. As the yoga session unfolds, watch the sky’s colors shift with the first rays of light. Afterwards, take a meditative stroll through the 800m² of outdoor space, featuring a large 12-meter pool framed by a tropical wood deck.

In Brittany, make your way to La Maison Rouge. Tucked away in a vast forest near Dinan, and just a ten-minute walk from the village of Plélan-le-Petit, this retreat is a paradise for nature and sports enthusiasts alike. The highlight? A stunning yoga studio with large bay windows that open up to the surrounding nature, allowing you to practice in perfect harmony with the serene landscape. Early bird? Head to the extension for a morning vinyasa class with a stunning view of the garden and the rising sun. We bet it’s impossible to feel any stress here.

Head west! Nestled between Bayonne and Arcachon, Contis Beach—named the second most beautiful beach in France by The Guardian—is a true haven for wave riders and ocean lovers. For a peaceful stay, look no further than Villa Helemana. This stunning 340m² wooden villa is set amid the fine sand dunes, just minutes from the beach.

Yoga or pilates? You have three delightful spots to choose from: the sun deck, the terraces, or the dedicated studio. The thoughtful owners can arrange a class upon request, making your stay all about seamless transitions between a beach towel and a yoga mat. The hardest part will be leaving this magical retreat—but the good news is, you can always come back!

Still in the Landes, another gem beckons to yogis: Airial du Branasse. This breathtaking property, dating back to 1850, features a 65m² yoga studio with large windows that open onto the serene forest. But the tranquility doesn’t stop there—this majestic estate also boasts a 25-meter heated pool and a sauna tucked away in nature. A truly unique retreat where relaxation takes center stage.

L’Abbaye de Deauville has stood proudly for over a century and a half, retaining all the charm of the historic buildings found in Normandy’s seaside resorts. And with the comfort of a high-end hotel, it’s an ideal escape! Perched above the English Channel, two beautiful houses set the scene for a serene stay. Your itinerary is already mapped out: meditation, yoga, or Pilates sessions in the well-equipped gym or the spacious garden, all while soaking in the stunning surroundings.

Different sea, different vibe at the Couvent de Pozzo in Corsica, where the owner offers yoga classes to her guests in an exceptional setting.

On the French Riviera, the Domaine de Canaille offers a unique type of yoga that’s worth discovering: paddle yoga. For more traditional classes, sessions are organized at the estate or the nearby beach, always with a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.

In Savoie, welcome to Chalet Viñales. Originally built in the 1960s by their grandparents, Julien and his cousins have lovingly transformed the family chalet into a joyful vacation home. Nestled in a 4,500 m² garden, facing the majestic mountains, it’s the perfect setting for total relaxation. Find your calm in downward dog with the peaks as your backdrop. Between yoga and meditation sessions, indulge in Julien’s delicious vegetarian cuisine or head out for a hike in the beautiful surrounding trails. It’s the essence of slow living in Savoie, leaving you completely refreshed and revitalized!

To experience the mountains in a whole new way, head to Le 1550 in Courchevel. After a long day on the slopes, gather on the outdoor terrace surrounded by fir trees, just steps away from the cozy fire pit. Inside, the Sports & Wellness area rivals the finest hotels, featuring a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, fully equipped gym, yoga studio, and a herbal tea room. The highlight? A peaceful meditation session with a view of the Alps, watching the snow gently fall. Pure bliss!

Nestled in the Perche region, Le Moulin has been transformed with a warm, design-forward touch by the Hauvette & Madani studio. Just two hours from Paris, it’s an ideal retreat for city dwellers in search of greenery. The cherry on top? A wellness room with a serene, Japanese-inspired ambiance—linen curtains, cork flooring, and walnut furniture—complete with Hercules yoga mats. It’s the perfect spot for wellness retreats in the heart of the countryside, where tranquility and style meet.

Less than an hour from Paris, welcome to Chalo-Saint-Mars, home to La Source, a spacious countryside retreat where wellness takes center stage. For budding yogis, the itinerary is simple and serene: enjoy a Nordic bath under the pavilion, sunrise yoga sessions, and even a sound therapy experience—a soothing journey using singing bowls, where the sounds and vibrations offer pure relaxation and tranquility.

Another property close to Paris where yoga reigns supreme: La Rambolitaine, in the Chevreuse Valley. Nestled in a nine-hectare wooded park, this former farmhouse and its stables transformed into a country house provide the perfect setting to practice in nature.

In the heart of Normandy, in Sainte-Colombe-la-Commanderie, Alison and Jason have crafted their dream ryokan: Namō Ryokan, a high-end traditional Japanese inn dedicated to rejuvenation, meditation, and yoga. Staying true to the ryokan spirit, the ambiance here invites deep meditation and serenity. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with Japanese tea, setting the tone for a tranquil experience. The days pass (very) leisurely, with yoga sessions—retreats are regularly organized—nature walks, quiet moments of reflection, or a soothing sauna in the Japanese garden.

As evening falls and appetites are whetted from all the yoga, guests indulge in a delicious vegetarian meal prepared by a chef trained by Hélène Darroze. The perfect end to the day? A gong session led by Jason, offering a unique sound bath experience. If relaxation had a definition, it would certainly be Namō Ryokan.

Less than an hour from Biarritz, welcome to Domaine de l’Ermitage, a sprawling property set on a seven-hectare wooded estate. What’s on the agenda? A pool, nature walks, and yoga classes in a studio designed like a shala. Spacious and perfect for organizing workshops for all skill levels, it also offers the option to practice yoga on the terrace, with views overlooking the peaceful countryside. Total relaxation with a capital R!