Claire Saunders

20th - 25th April

Join Claire Saunders for a 6-day Ashtanga yoga retreat in a peaceful 11th-century château in Southwest France from the 20th – 25th April 2026.

This retreat offers daily Mysore-style yoga, chanting, philosophy, nourishing vegetarian meals, and time to rest in nature. Perfect for all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

Prices starting from €950

Be nourished, rejuvenate your body, mind and soul

This retreat is an invitation to soften into stillness and return to what’s real. Together, we’ll slow down, clear the mental clutter, and reconnect with the rhythm of the breath — all while being held in the beauty of a 1000-year-old Château.

The intention is to leave behind the noise of city life and drop into something deeper: a space where we can unplug, exhale, and be revitalised by nature, Ashtanga yoga, mantra and chanting, homemade vegetarian food, community, and comfort.

Accommodation

Ashtanga France is located at Château de Gueyze, an elegant historical 11th century Château in the idyllic and secluded region of Southwest France. It is nestled in the middle of vineyards, with uninterrupted views of the countryside.

Choose from elegantly styled rooms and inviting suites, where regal design and contemporary comfort come together to create the perfect setting for everyone.

The rooms are stunning, spacious and all with gorgeous furnishings. Most have 1 king or double sized bed. A limited number of rooms offer twin share accommodation. The bedrooms themselves are either in the Château itself or in the cottage – a secondary building located in the same grounds. Both the Château and the cottage each have their own swimming pool.

Visit our rooms

Delicious and wholesome food

All meals are lovingly prepared by our chef Jeanne, and it’s aligned with yogic and healing principles. All food is vegetarian, and most diets can be catered for. Refreshments are also available throughout the day, including tea, coffee, fresh baguettes, nuts & seasonal fruits.

Meet our chefs,

Jeanne and Octave, who prepare wholesome, nourishing meals for our retreats using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally.

Things to do and see

Asthanga France is located in a peaceful, scenic setting — perfect for rest and relaxation. But if you feel like taking a break away from the house or the calm rhythm of the retreat, there’s plenty to enjoy in the nearby area. Here are a few suggestions:

• Cycle along the canal

• Visit charming local villages such as Nérac, Condom, Lectoure, and Agen

• Shop fresh produce and handmade goods at the local markets

• Take a gentle walk in nature

• Or simply pick up a yoga book from the library and relax by the pool

Sightseeing day

To give everyone a chance to explore a bit more of the region, there will be one free day with no workshops during the retreat. Students will vote on their preferred destination from the following options: Bordeaux, Toulouse or Saint-Émilion. If there is enough space in the car, the host will be happy to drive students to the chosen destination. Otherwise, travel by train will be the alternative (1h20 min journey).

Please note: train tickets are not included in the retreat price.

More information

  • • Check-in on the 19th April after 3pm

    • First Class on the 20th April

    • Last Class on the 25th April

    • Check-out on the 25th after Brunch

    Please note:

    • Arrangements for the free student pick-up and drop-off service to and from Agen train station will be organized closer to the retreat date

    • We kindly ask students to vacate their room by 10:30am, although they can stay at the property longer if their flight/ train are in the afternoon or early evening.

  • EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - valid until the 5th February 2026.

    Everything included

    • Private bedroom (double size bed), shared bathroom with two other bedrooms 1,210€ - single occupancy only

    • Shared bedroom (with two single beds), shared bathroom with two other bedrooms 950€ per person

    FEES AFTER 5TH FEBRUARY 2026

    • Private bedroom (double size bed), shared bathroom with two other bedrooms 1,350€ - single occupancy only

    • Shared bedroom (with two single beds), shared bathroom with two other bedrooms 1,100€ per person

    Please note: if you wish to share the double bed with another person, an additional fee applies.
    Please contact us for the shared-rate price.

    Click here to see the Cottage rooms

  • EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - valid until 5th February 2026

    Everything included

    • Private bedroom (king size bed) luxurious ensuite with shower and bathtub 1,550€ - single occupancy only

    • Private bedroom (king size bed), shared bathroom with one other room, with a shower only 1,390€ - single occupancy only

    • Shared bedroom (two single beds), luxurious ensuite bathroom with shower and bathtub 1,150€ per person

    FEES AFTER 5TH FEBRUARY 2026

    • Private bedroom (king size bed) luxurious ensuite with shower and bathtub 1,690€ - single occupancy only

    • Private bedroom (king size bed), shared bathroom with one other room, with a shower only 1,550€ - single occupancy only

    • Shared bedroom (two single beds), luxurious ensuite bathroom with shower and bathtub 1,350€ per person

    Please note: if you wish to share the king bed with another person, an additional fee applies.
    Please contact us for the shared-rate price.

    Click here to see the Château rooms

  • What is included

    • 6 nights in a beautiful and comfortable accommodation

    • Daily Ashtanga Asana Class (Mysore Style and/or Led Sanskrit)

    • Workshops

    • Pranayama, Mantra Chanting, Guided Relaxation,

    Philosophy, Mythology and Storytelling

    • Delicious and nourishing vegetarian meals twice a day (brunch and dinner)

    • Seasonal fruits, nuts, tea, coffee and fresh baguettes available all day

    • WIFI (Star Link 200MBS connection speed)

    • Time to explore the beautiful French countryside

    • Yoga equipment (Manduka Pro Yoga mats, blocks, belts and blankets)

    • Yoga Library for you to read during your stay at Ashtanga France

    • Free Group pick-up and return from/to Agen station, from/to Ashtanga France

    What is NOT included

    • Massages and other therapies (available on request)

    • Train tickets

    • Flights

    • Taxis

    • Car hire

    • Sightseeing activities that require

    payment

    • Food and drinks when we are outside exploring

  • Closest Airports: Toulouse and Bordeaux

    • Bordeaux Airport:

      Hire a car: at the airport and drive to Ashtanga France / Château de Gueyze (approx. 1h15).

      Train: Take a taxi to Bordeaux St Jean train station, then a train to Agen Station (approx. 1h30). Pick-up from Agen Station is provided.

      Train tickets can be purchased in advance at www.trainline.com

    • Toulouse Airport:

      Hire a car at: the airport and drive to Ashtanga France / Château de Gueyze (approx. 1h30).

      Train: Take a taxi to Toulouse Matabiau train station, then a train to Agen Station (approx. 1h30). Pick-up from Agen Station is provided.

    • From Paris:

      Direct trains from Paris Montparnasse to Agen Station (approx. 3h11). Pick-up from Agen Station is provided.

      Train tickets can be purchased in advance at www.trainline.com

  • To confirm your booking, please fill out the form below and indicate which accommodation option you would like.

    Deposit Details for Early Bird Discount:
    To secure your place with the early bird discount, please send a deposit of €400 by 15th January 2026 to the following account:

    • Account Holder: Saunders D Acunto Claire Phoebe

    • IBAN: FR76 1131 5000 0108 0255 3052 768

    If your deposit is made after 15th January 2026, the required deposit will be €480.

    After Payment:
    Once you have made your payment, please confirmby email at retreat@ashtangafrance.com, including:

    • Your full name

    • Date of payment

    Booking Confirmation:
    Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have received and verified your deposit. We will send you a confirmation email when your payment has been processed.

    Important Notes:

    • The deposit is non-refundable.

    • The remaining balance is to be paid upon arrival.

    • We kindly ask you to read our Terms and Conditions before making your payment.

Request your room

Claire Saunders 20th - 25th April 2026

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Bring a friend or a partner

If you'd like to share the same bed with a close friend (who won’t be joining the yoga sessions) or your partner, they are very welcome to join the retreat for an additional fee of €690. They'll enjoy all the same amenities and experiences with you — except for the yoga classes and workshops, which are reserved for registered participants.

About

Claire Saunders

Claire is a dedicated lifelong student and teacher of the traditional Ashtanga Yoga method. Since 1999, she has travelled to India almost every year to study yoga, Indian classical music (with a focus on the bansuri), Ayurveda, mantra, meditation, and Vedic philosophy.

She studied directly with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois for five years and has been a student of his grandson, R. Sharath Jois, for nearly two decades. Under Sharath Jois’s guidance in Mysore, Claire completed the full Advanced A (Third) Series — a milestone achieved by very few practitioners worldwide.

Deeply inspired by the vast healing potential of Ashtanga Yoga, Claire remains committed to exploring its transformative power on every level — physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Her teaching style reflects this balance: disciplined yet gentle, structured yet compassionate. Through a holistic approach, she guides students to discover how movement and breath can calm the mind, open the heart, and cultivate peace, joy, and creativity — even amid life’s challenges.

In addition to her Ashtanga practice, Claire has spent many years under the direct guidance of Swami Niranjanananda and his teachers, studying Bhakti and Tantra Yoga.

Originally from Australia, Claire founded Ashtanga Yoga Shala Provence in 2012, where she teaches in both English and French to a diverse community of local students and international visitors.

Alongside her yoga practice, Claire is a devoted mother to her young daughter, Ananda. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, a Master’s in Linguistics from the University of Sydney, and a Postgraduate qualification in English Language Teaching from Cambridge University. Before dedicating herself fully to yoga, Claire worked for over two decades as a university professor at leading institutions around the world.

With this strong foundation in education, Claire has a unique gift for meeting each student exactly where they are — and skillfully guiding them beyond where they thought they could go.