7-DAY YOGA RETREAT featuring hiking, communication workshops, personal development, a cooking class, fun, and depth!

Das Frogs' House ist ein wunderschön restauriertes Hotel aus dem 19. Jahrhundert, das sich im Herzen eines mittelalterlichen Dorfes befindet.

During the retreat, you will be served an organic breakfast/brunch every day, and a homemade picnic or light lunch during Monday’s hike (see program).

The welcome cocktail with dinner, as well as all dinners during the week (except Thursday), are also included in the retreat. On Tuesday, there will be a cooking class with a professional French chef, followed by a 3-course meal.
On Friday, we’ll have a farewell dinner to celebrate the week!

All meals are prepared using local, organic, and natural ingredients whenever possible.

Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements.

For Thursday evening, or if you’re in the mood for a snack, there is a selection of 4 restaurants within walking distance in Saint Jeannet, or takeout from local shops—the large open kitchen is entirely at your disposal.

FROGS HOUSE YOGA RETREAT PROGRAM 2023

ARRIVAL DAY: SUNDAY

Note: We recommend arriving on Sunday and starting the retreat from the very beginning to take full advantage of all activities. … If this does not fit with your travel plans (earlier or later arrival), please contact us, and we will see what other options we can offer you.

• 3:00 PM Check-in is available starting at 3:00 PM.

• 6:00–9:00 PM Welcome evening with an introduction to frogs' house and the yoga retreat, followed by a welcome cocktail dinner served by frogs' house.

MONDAY

• 8:00–9:30 AM Yoga and meditation session

• 9:30–11:00 AM Homemade breakfast on the sunny terrace and time for conversation

• 11:00 AM–6:00 PM Hiking day: Following the philosophy of the Buddhist Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, let every step be a deepening of the present moment …

"Every breath we take, every step we take, can be filled with peace, joy, and serenity. We just need to wake up and live in the present moment."
- Spring and Fall: This hiking day takes us into the local mountains known as the “Baou.” Once we reach the summit, we’ll enjoy a homemade picnic lunch (featuring local and organic products), with a fantastic view of the entire French Riviera and the Southern Alps.

*Required equipment: The frogs' house provides backpacks with Camelbak (hydration packs) and hiking poles upon request. Each guest must bring comfortable shoes (running shoes are a minimum but usually sufficient), sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, and, in case of cooler weather, a windbreaker and/or rain jacket.
*Hike description: 8 km, +350 m uphill on a rocky trail, -350 m downhill on a rocky trail, 4 hours + picnic lunch at the summit

- In summer: A “water hike” that takes you into a gorge/canyon, where you’ll hike along the edge and sometimes even through the river. Waterfalls and freshwater pools where you can jump in or swim will be the highlights of the day. The perfect activity during these warm summer months.

*Required gear: same as in spring and fall + swimsuit and towel

*Hike description: 5 km, -100 m uphill on a rocky trail, +100 m downhill on a rocky trail, 2 hours + picnic lunch and swimming in the river

• 6:00–7:00 PM Meditation session

• 7:00 PM Dinner organized by frogs' house, self-service/buffet

TUESDAY

• 8:00–9:30 a.m. Yoga and meditation session

• 9:30–11:00 a.m. Homemade breakfast on the sunny terrace and time for conversation

• 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Communication workshop based on the Nonviolent Communication approach with a certified expert. Introduction

• 1:30–2:30 PM Light lunch

• 2:30–5:00 PM Free time to relax, meditate at your own pace, enjoy a massage, or take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Saint Jeannet or the surrounding mountains…

• 5:00–7:00 PM Cooking class with our friend Noel PICARD, a professional French chef, in our large open kitchen, using fresh local and organic ingredients. A moment to discover or rediscover the pleasure and joy of cooking together, and to practice greater mindfulness—so we can nourish both body and mind.

• 7:00–10:00 PM 3-course meal (prepared during the cooking class), wine included

WEDNESDAY

• 9:30–11:00 AM Yoga and meditation session

• 11:00 AM–1:00 PM Homemade brunch on the sunny terrace. Time to share thoughts on yoga, meditation, or the inspiration of the moment and individual needs

• 1:00 PM–6:00 PM Free time for a massage, to relax, to meditate at your own pace, or to take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Saint Jeannet or the surrounding mountains …

• 6:00 PM–7:00 PM Yoga and meditation session

• 7:00 PM Dinner organized by frogs' house, self-service/buffet

THURSDAY

• 8:00 AM–9:30 AM Yoga and meditation session

• 9:30 AM–11:00 AM Homemade breakfast on the sunny terrace and time for conversation

• 11:30 AM–1:30 PM Communication workshop based on the Nonviolent Communication approach with a certified expert. Practice

• 1:30–2:30 PM Light lunch

• 2:30–5:30 PM Free time to relax, meditate at your own pace, enjoy a massage, or take a stroll through the picturesque streets of Saint Jeannet or the surrounding mountains …

• 5:30–6:30 PM Yoga and meditation session

• 7:00 PM Dinner of your choice

FRIDAY

• 8:00–9:30 AM Yoga and meditation session

• 9:30–11:00 AM Homemade breakfast on the sunny terrace and time for conversation

• 11:00 AM–5:00 PM Free Flow Day: To stay present and put into practice what is close to our hearts, we keep Friday’s schedule open. As the week progresses and we get to know our guests better, we’ll decide together what we’d like to experience. Here are some examples of activities we’ve done in the past: Beach trip, visit to the chapel designed by Henri Matisse, tour of Saint Paul de Vence with its art galleries, a quiet, meditative walk through the village followed by a picnic and a dip in the cold waters of the local river, a wine tasting at a local winery, swinging through the tree-climbing forest on ropes (at extra cost), etc.

• 6:00–9:00 PM Farewell dinner, wine included. Sometimes we play fun games, sometimes we dance, sometimes we just chat quietly, but we always have a great time and celebrate the week we’ve spent together and the connections we’ve made.

DEPARTURE DAY: SATURDAY

• 9:30–10:30 AM Retreat farewell ceremony

• 10:30 AM–12:00 PM Homemade brunch on the sunny terrace and check-out

Note: Please note that all rooms must be vacated by 12:00 PM. We are happy to store your luggage if you would like to stay in Saint Jeannet a little longer.

NOTE regarding dinner:

The ingredients are 100% organic, homemade, and sourced locally whenever possible. We primarily offer vegetarian or vegan cuisine. With advance notice, we can accommodate gluten-free, lactose-free, and other dietary needs.

If you need a snack or are looking for dinner on Thursday (which is not included in the program): You have a choice of 4 restaurants in Saint Jeannet (within walking distance), or takeout from local shops (1 grocery store, 1 butcher shop that also offers vegetarian options, 1 bakery, 2 cafés/pubs… This makes living in the village very pleasant for both locals and tourists—and allows you to prepare your own dinner at Frogs’ House, where the large open kitchen is at your disposal!

OUR YOGA TEACHERS:
Benoit has been practicing yoga and meditation regularly since 2010, shortly after meeting his current spiritual teacher, Somasekha. He has successfully completed the 200-hour teacher training at Yog Nisarga International Training School and the 300-hour teacher training at Sampoorna Yoga. Both schools are located in India, where he traveled to complete his training and become a certified yoga teacher. Both centers are certified by Yoga Alliance, the largest non-profit organization representing the yoga community, whose mission is to promote and support the integrity and diversity of yoga teaching.

Jean has undergone extensive training to provide sound massages using Tibetan singing bowls. He began his yoga practice 15 years ago in Kolkata. His philosophy is based on the idea that yoga practice allows us to live better, reduce suffering in ourselves and those around us, and discover universal unity. He emphasizes breathing and its integration into a physically active yoga practice to create strength, freedom, and a sense of ease. Jean and Benoit have been school friends for over 30 years.

Travel by train or plane, as well as transfers, are not included.

Arrival by plane:
The nearest airport is Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE). From the airport, you can take a taxi or Uber; we will send you more detailed information regarding local transportation.

Arrival by bus:
There is a direct bus to Saint-Jeannet: Bus No. 54 departs from the CAP3000 shopping center or Grand Arenas, both of which are very close to the airport.
From Saint-Jeannet, you can reach Nice via Bus No. 54 (via the tram or bus). Bus No. 54 also passes through Saint Laurent du Var, a train station from which you can reach Nice or other coastal towns by train (Antibes, Cannes, Monaco).
Bus No. 47 departs from below the village and provides a connection to Vence. From Vence, you can easily reach St. Paul de Vence (connection via Bus No. 9).

Arriving by train:
The nearest train station is Saint Laurent du Var, just 8 minutes from Nice’s main station and a 20-minute drive from Saint-Jeannet.
You can also take bus No. 54 directly from the Saint Laurent du Var station to Saint-Jeannet.

Arriving by car:
We’d be happy to send you a link to our website with a map, photos, and directions on how to find frogs’ house and where to park.