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Bring your group to Gardoussel Retreat
Bring your students to Gardoussel Retreat for a wonderful week in the Mediterranean mountains. Great food, amazing walking and river-spots, all in a quaint hamlet just over an hour from Nîmes.
Exclusive use of the centre is also possible, in which case we can take up to 24 guests, and require a minimum of 8 students for a sole booking.
General information for facilitators wishing to run a workshop at Gardoussel
Gardoussel is a small, family-run retreat situated in a picturesque hamlet in the beautiful Cévennes mountains of the south of France (Languedoc region), 1 hour from Nîmes / 2 hours from Montpellier. Run by Alex Duncan and Sharon Black, the centre is not just a business venture but a way of life which we and our family share with visitors.
Surrounded by forest and bordering a river, the centre is isolated and peaceful with no neighbours and well away from main roads. Close by, the Gardon river meanders across the valley floor, providing a multitude of shimmering bathing pools and idyllic picnic spots in summer. There is excellent walking and hiking all around, with a woodland footpath leading directly to the local village which starts from the property itself. Mountain bike hire, guided walks and donkey hire (great for carrying children and luggage and for general companionship on mountain hikes, in the footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson) also possible.
We provide a variety of themed retreats throughout the year, some run by ourselves and others by external facilitators. Currently, we can provide accommodation and full board for up to 22 participants plus 1-2 facilitators at the centre. There are several workspaces and leisure spaces available:
- Le Loft – a 55 m2 indoor hall (converted loft) with wooden floor.
- Poplar Deck - a 120m2 octagonal outdoor deck located by the river, shaded by tall poplar trees, with views across the valley.
- Chestnut Deck – a 60m2 deck situated above the river and shaded by chestnut trees.
- Boma – a 7m-diameter circular enclosed fire-pit with seating around the central fireplace. Perfect for sundowners, intimate outdoor gatherings and breathing in the mountain views.
- Pool – a 36m2 above-ground pool situated by the river. Only 1m deep; perfect for swimming and cooling off.
- 45 acres – includes 15 acres of private meadows directly below the property bordering half a mile of river, shaded woodland and a mountain stream.
Accommodation
- Gîtes - two holiday apartments in the hamlet, offering twin rooms (extra beds sometimes available) with shower & toilet.
- Five independent en-suite bedrooms adjacent to the gites, offering twin rooms, triple rooms and a four-person dorm.
- In all cases (except camping) bed linen is provided.
Single rooms are sometimes available for a small supplement.
Toilets & Washing Facilities
Each of the gîtes has its own shower room and separate toilet. Our other rooms have either private en-suite bathrooms or a bathroom share between two rooms.
Catering
Catering is normally co-ordinated by Frances Yates and consists of delicious, home-made vegetarian meals inspired by Ayurvedic nutritional principles and adjusted to a western diet. Most of our ingredients are organic and grown locally. Breakfast is self-service, continental-style (breakfast cereals, toast, jams, juices, tea / coffee etc). A cooked Ayurvedic breakfast is sometimes available. Meals are normally served in the communal living/dining room (in poor weather) or on the shaded terrace. Visitors are usually requested to help out at meal times by washing up and clearing away afterwards.
Additional Activities
Depending on the program for your event, you may wish us to arrange additional activities such as: Ayurveda talks, mantra/chanting, meditation, music-making, yoga classes, excursions to local markets and villages (advance planning essential), fêtes, river picnics, etc. Contact us for prices.
‘Extras’
Available as extras for participants and facilitators alike are: massage, (Swedish and Ayurvedic), Ayurvedic consultations, private or group yoga classes, life counselling. Other therapies are likely to become available as our local network of contacts expands. Usual prices apply.
Group size
Group bookings are made for a minimum of 8 students and exclusive use of Gardoussel is provided for groups with at least 12 participants. Smaller groups can also be accommodated in which case you may be required to share the centre with other groups or individuals. Our group maximum depends on the accommodation available, and the work your group will be doing. Our limit is 24 people.
Further Information
For full information about running an event here, please email Sharon to ask for a Facilitators Document and to check dates.
