In a world of urgent need, even contemplatives are constantly being exhorted to ‘do’ something. It is often said that the authenticity of our prayer is proved by its fruits in action and that without issuing in right action, contemplation is mere indulgence. But what exactly counts as ‘right action’? According to Edith Stein, twentieth-century Carmelite martyr and saint, ‘the more an era is engulfed in the night of sin and estrangement from God, the more it needs souls united to God’. But she goes on, ‘for the most part the formative stream of the mystical life remains invisible’, and the work it effects is unseen.
Is this pious avoidance of the real needs of the world? Or does it reflect a deeper dimension of the contemplative contribution? This retreat explores not only the connection between contemplation and action, but the nature of contemplation as action. What is the vocation of prayer itself? How, with integrity, do we give ourselves to it?
This event takes place at Bonnevaux and offers an opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical French and European heritage of the 12th-century Abbaye de Bonnevaux, as well as to explore the varied and natural beauty of the land which we cultivate as a model of ecological responsibility.
Bonnevaux (Bonne Vallée , or Good Valley) is set within a beautiful valley formed by the river Rhune (la Rhûne) which descends past the Chapel and the 12th-century Abbaye, emptying into the lake beyond. The beauty and peace of Bonnevaux´s 65 hectares (160 acres) reflects the contemplative life lived here from its foundation as a Benedictine monastery in 1119 until the French Revolution. The community is continuing this policy as a living witness to the link between ecology and the human spirit. The land has over 20 different plant habitats, some of which are of heritage value.
Bonnevaux is located near Poitiers, in the southwest of France. The closest airport and train station is in Poitiers. You can get a taxi from there to Bonnevaux which is about a 20 minute drive away.
By Road
Parking is available on site.
Bonnevaux is about a 5 hour drive from Paris via the A10 motorway. Directions
By Air
The closest airport to use is Poitiers-Biard Airport. It is served by several low-cost airlines and convenient for those coming from Europe and the UK. There is a direct Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Poitiers.
For International travellers, you will need to fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport. It is a major international hub with flights from around the world.
You could also fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport, another international option, in southwest France.
If you are flying into Paris or Bordeaux airports you will then need to take a train to Poitiers to reach Bonnevaux.
By Train
There are some direct trains from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Poitiers. Please check your connecting times.
From Paris all trains for Poitiers leave from Montparnasse Station. These high-speed trains are frequent and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.
By Taxi from Poitiers to Bonnevaux
The airport and train station at Poitiers is about a 20 minute drive to Bonnevaux.
There are several independent taxi companies you can contact to pre-book your ride:
gosebdriver.fr allocab.com poitiers-taxi.fr taxipoitiers.com
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Speakers
Leader
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Dr Sarah Bachelard
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Revd Dr Sarah Bachelard is an Anglican priest and a theologian who leads the Benedictus Contemplative Church in Canberra, Australia. She studied theology at Oxford University with Rowan Williams. She is a leading teacher with the WCCM and gave the John Main Seminar in 2019, also published as A Contemplative Christianity for Our Time (Medio Media, 2020).
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Schedule
Contemplation as Action:
The Vocation of Prayer
| Arrival | Tuesday 8 September 2026, check-in: 13.30 – 15.30 |
| Departure | Sunday 13 September 2026, after lunch (15.00) |
We understand that you may need to arrive early or depart later due to your travel schedule. We are happy to accommodate this whenever possible. Please note that the cost of an extra night will depend on the room type you have booked for the retreat. Extra nights can be arranged after you complete your retreat booking. If this applies to you, please do not hesitate to contact us on contact@bonnevauxabp.com so we can assist with the arrangements.
This is a provisional programme intended to give you an idea of the daily rhythm. Please note that some elements may be added or adjusted. The final schedule will be provided upon arrival.
| Tuesday | |
| 14.00 – 15.30 | Check-in |
| 16.00 | Tour of the Abbey |
| 17.00 | Introduction to meditation |
| 18.00 | Evening prayer and meditation |
| 19.00 | Dinner followed by Welcome and Orientation |
| If you cannot arrive until later, please let us know, so we can keep some dinner for you. | |
| Wednesday – Saturday | |
| 7.00 – 7.30 | Meditation (optional) |
| 7.45 | Morning prayer and meditation |
| 8.30 | Breakfast in silence |
| Session led Dr Sarah Bachelard | |
| Refreshment break | |
| 12.15 – 13.00 | Midday prayer and meditation |
| 13.00 | Lunch |
| Time for rest and solitute | |
| Refreshment break | |
| Session led Dr Sarah Bachelard | |
| 18.00 | Evening prayer and meditation (Contemplative Eucharist on Thursday) |
| 19.00 | Dinner |
| Sunday | |
| 7.00 – 7.30 | Meditation (optional) |
| 7.45 | Morning prayer and meditation |
| 8.30 | Breakfast |
| Closing session | |
| Refreshment break | |
| 12.00 | Contemplative Eucharist |
| 13.30 | Lunch and Good-byes |
| If you need to leave earlier, please let us know. |
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Contribution (per person)
| Single room with ensuite bathroom | 950€ |
| Single room with shared bathroom | 800€ |
| Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom | 600€ |
Membership Fee
An annual membership fee of 10€ must be paid before attending an event. This is valid from January to December.
By French law you must be a ‘member‘ of the charity (association ABP) Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre Pour la Paix in order to participate at an on-the-ground event at Bonnevaux – 86370 Marçay, France.
Membership is non-binding. It simply means that you are invited to attend the annual general meeting if you wish and that you may receive information about our events during the year.
The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. If you are able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please click here to donate.
Concessions
Full and partial scholarships are available. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. If you need a concession please do not hesitate to email us on contact@bonnevauxabp.com
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Dietary Information
We provide three freshly prepared meals per day, and throughout the day, refreshing drinks (coffee and tea) and fruit snacks are available for all retreatants.
Our kitchen offers vegetarian, non-vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free meal options. You can select your preferred option during the registration process.
Unfortunately, we cannot cater for specific intolerances and allergies as we do not have the facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
To help us ensure your comfort and safety, please inform us of any other special dietary needs by emailing us at contact@bonnevauxabp.com at least 15 days before the event. Without this information in advance, we will provide our standard menu.
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Registration
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Cancellation Policy
Reimbursement Policy for Events and Retreats
We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise that prevent participation in our events and retreats. To ensure fairness and clarity, please review our reimbursement policy below:
1 Cancellation by Participant
- Up to 31 days: full refund
- 30 – 22 days: 50% cancellation fees
- 21 – 8 days: 75% cancellation fees
- 7 – 0 days: 100% cancellation fees
An additional operational fee of 5% will be charged for any refund or cancellation.
Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable (not applicable to another person or another year).
2 Cancellation by Organizer
In the unlikely event that the organizer must cancel or postpone the event/retreat, participants will receive a full reimbursement of all fees paid. The organizer cannot be held responsible for any disrupted travel arrangements or any additional costs such as off-site accommodation.
3 Method of Reimbursement
Approved reimbursements will be issued to the original payment method within 14 business days of cancellation approval.
4 Travel Insurance
We strongly advise all participants to obtain travel insurance to cover unexpected situations such as illness and injury, family and personal emergencies, travel disruptions, event cancellations or other unforeseen situations. This provides peace of mind and protection against expenses outside the scope of this reimbursement policy.
For insurance claims, we can provide participants with an official certificate of paid contribution and non-attendance. Please email us at contact@bonnevauxabp.com to request this documentation.
The Abbey of Bonnevaux is the spiritual home of the World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) which includes a Conference and Retreat Centre dedicated to peace. The on-the-ground activities of the Abbey are organized under the responsibility of l’Association Abbaye de Bonnevaux – Centre pour le Paix (ABP). The Association, which is governed by the French law of 1st July 1901, is registered in Poitiers under the reference RNA: W863007299.
Address : Bonnevaux, 86370 Marçay, France.
Phone number : 06 33 43 71 71 / 06 61 96 57 74.
José Pype (President of the Association); Krzysztof Albinski (Executive Director)
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