Chakra Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Ariège, France: An 8-Day Foundation Journey
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Table Of Content
Tucked between vineyards and rolling hills in southern France, this 8-day yoga and meditation retreat invites you on an inner journey through the seven chakras. Hosted at La Borde Blanque in the Ariège, the program blends classical Raja Yoga with daily meditation, ancient yoga philosophy, and slow afternoons by the heated outdoor pool. Whether you’re brand new to yoga or already deep in your practice, this is a quiet, philosophy-rich reset in the foothills of the French Pyrenees.
What to Expect
This is a true foundation retreat — solid, structured, and deeply rooted in the classical Raja Yoga tradition. Expect two practice sessions a day: an active morning of asanas, meditation, and philosophy, and a softer, restorative evening session. Afternoons are entirely yours.
- 7 nights at Domaine de Mournac, a beautifully restored 14th-century stone coachhouse
- Two daily yoga & meditation sessions plus philosophy and dialogue
- A guided journey through the seven chakras — color, symbolism, psychology and physical balance
- 3 organic, mostly vegan/vegetarian meals daily, plus snacks, herbal teas and detox juices
- Heated outdoor pool, modern en-suite rooms, and 15+ acres of woodland and vineyards
- Group capped at 12 participants for personal attention
- 50-hour partial certificate from the International Yoga Federation (IYF, EYA, AFY)
- A signed book on yoga philosophy and meditation by your teacher Elleke van Kraalingen as a gift
Who Is This Retreat For?
The program is designed to be accessible, but it’s not a “lite” retreat. It’s for anyone who wants substance — a real introduction to the philosophy and inner work behind yoga, not just a flow class with a view.
- Beginners looking for a gentle but serious introduction to Raja Yoga and meditation
- Experienced practitioners who want to deepen their meditation and refine their asana
- Aspiring teachers — this retreat counts as a foundation module of La Borde Blanque’s 500-hour International Raja Yoga Teacher Training
- Travelers seeking a quiet, screen-free reset in nature, with structure and depth
You’ll work with a range of styles — Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa, Iyengar and Kriya — under the guidance of Elleke van Kraalingen, who has been teaching yoga and meditation for more than 35 years and training teachers for 25.
Dates & Pricing
The retreat runs four times across 2026 and 2027:
- 23 – 30 May 2026
- 29 August – 5 September 2026
- 22 – 29 May 2027
- 28 August – 4 September 2027
Pricing for the 8-day / 7-night retreat (per person unless noted):
- Shared twin room (shared house): from €1,095
- Private tent (bring your own): €1,245 — currently €996 with 20% off for the August 2027 date
- Private single room (shared house): from €1,345
- Private double room for two: from €2,340
A €150 special discount is available on the May date. Booking requires a 30% deposit, with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
Location & How to Get There
You’ll stay at Domaine de Mournac, near Sainte-Colombe-sur-l’Hers, on the border of Aude and Ariège in the Occitanie region of southern France. Think Cathar castles, medieval villages, lakes for swimming, and miles of walking trails through the foothills of the Pyrenees.
- Carcassonne Airport (CCF) — 28 km, ~50 min by taxi or rental car
- Toulouse–Blagnac (TLS) — 102 km, ~1.5 hours
- Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) — 185 km, ~4 hours
- By train — Espéraza station is just 10 minutes away, served by liO buses from Carcassonne
Airport transfers aren’t included, but the host often helps connect participants traveling on similar routes (typically from Toulouse) to share rides.
Why Book Through Us?
At Ultimate Retreat Guide we hand-pick retreats that we’d genuinely book ourselves. This one earns its spot because the program has real depth — it’s not a yoga-flavored holiday, it’s a foundation training led by a teacher with decades of experience, in a venue that actually feels like France. Borde Blanque has earned strong reviews from past guests across all categories: location, food, facilities and quality of the program.
You book directly with the operator through our trusted partner, with the same best-price guarantee — and you support our work in finding more retreats like this.
Limited to 12 participants per retreat — earlier dates fill up fastest.
