This retreat-seminar will help us discover the true meaning of integrated health and understand the mysteries of the body and mind as a self- healing system. We will explore how this can be felt even more strongly in times of sickness when we may feel the weight of our own mortality.
A contemplative approach assures that all levels of awareness are heightened allowing us to see more clearly and deeply. With gentle power, meditation enhances this awakening helping us to experience life in all its fullness.
Participants will be helped to create a personal contemplative approach to sleep, nutrition, posture, movement and emotional wellbeing, all of which will be based around a daily practice of meditation with the Bonnevaux community.
Experienced teachers from different backgrounds will guide the retreat in the peaceful beauty of Bonnevaux.
Each day we will join with the Bonnevaux community in their rhythm of meditation times. This daily rhythm will integrate talks, discussion and practice across the following areas:
- Meditation (adapted for beginners and regular practitioners)
- Yoga (inclusive of beginners and those with limited movement)
- Lectio (rediscovering the art of reading wisdom texts)
- Lifestyle Health: each day we take a contemplative focus on one of the key pillars of healthy living: Sleep, Food, Movement and Cognitive/Emotional balance
- 1-to-1 discussion with the teachers
We warmly invite you to this retreat experience to share and learn a contemplative approach to health and healing which you can go on to apply in all aspects of your life.
This retreat is both for the novice and more experienced and ongoing meditator. Several periods of meditation a day will be offered to accommodate your level of practice. Breakfast is in silence and there will be times of rest and solitude as well as conviviality with new friends.
Barry White
Laurence Freeman
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.
This retreat is both for the beginning and ongoing meditators. There will be four periods of meditation a day to accommodate your level of practice. Mornings will be in silence through breakfast and lunch, with the afternoon opening to times of rest and solitude and a convivial dinner where you can get to know your neighbour.
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 near Poitiers, France, southwest of Paris. It is 20-minute ride from Poitiers Airport and train station. The journey by train to Poitiers is about 90 min from Paris (Montparnasse).
By road
5 hour drive from Paris along the A10. Parking is available at Bonnevaux. Get directions here
By air
Fly into Poitiers Airport, served by low-cost airlines. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the Abbaye. To the Poitiers Biard Airport website
Fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.
Fly into Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport – click here to get all travel info to and from the airport.
By train
1.5h by TGV from Paris to Poitiers station which is about 20 minutes drive from Bonnevaux. To the Gare de Poitiers Train Station website
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Speakers

Leader
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Dr Barry White
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Dr Barry White is a physician from Ireland. He is a specialist in haematology and has held senior leadership roles within the Irish health service. Together with Laurence Freeman, he has introduced the practice of meditation to healthcare staff. He has conducted clinical research demonstrating the psychological and physical benefits of meditation for health care staff.
Other Leaders

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Laurence Freeman
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Fr Laurence is a Benedictine monk of the Monastery of Sta Maria di Pilastrello, Lendinara, in the Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto. He is Director of Bonnevaux and of The World Community for Christian Meditation.

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Therese Conroy
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Therese Conroy is a Holistic Therapist working in the area of Massage, Reflexology and Yoga. She has a diploma in Nutrition and Health Coaching from the IINH and is passionate about all things health and well-being. Her aim is to help others to make simple changes in their diet and lifestyle in order to achieve optimum health and energy. She lives in Dublin and enjoys time spent in nature and with family.

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Giovanni Felicioni
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Giovanni Felicioni’s professional career spanned 30 years as a bodyworker, movement instructor and therapist in London and Europe. He studied yoga with visionary and pioneer Mary Stewart (Vanda Scaravelli) and regularly taught on her London-based Yoga Teacher Training. He is a certified Advanced Rolfer®, a Rolf Movement™ practitioner and has served on the faculty of the Rolf Institute since 2000. Giovanni taught for Independent Dance, founded in London by Siobhan Davies, Gill Clarke and Fiona Milward. He taught the Masters in Creative Practice at Trinity Laban, run by Independent Dance and Siobhan Davies Dance. He was also a contributor at the PAL, Movement and Meaning laboratories, founded by Gill Clark and Susan Benn. In 2012 He founded the British Academy of Rolfing in London. Most importantly, these 30 years of personal research into the relationship between touch, movement, awareness and contemplation led him to over two decades of study with movement scientist Hubert Godard during Hubert's development of Tonic Function Theory.
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Schedule
Fully Alive Retreat
A Contemplative Experience of Health and Healing
Arrival | Tuesday 24 June 2025, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30 |
Departure | Sunday 29 June 2025, after lunch (14h00) |
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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 |
The prices reflect the need to achieve self sufficiency. Therefore if you’re able to give a little more we would be very grateful. Please, click here to donate.
If you need a concession please let us know. We do not turn anybody away for lack of resources. Please, click the email address <contact@bonnevauxabp.com> to contact us.
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Dietary Information
At Bonnevaux, we aim for healthy, well-rounded, and nutritious meals. Please indicate your meal preference (non-vegetarian, vegetarian) below within the registration process.
* Unfortunately, we cannot cater to specific intolerances and allergies — we do not have the team or facilities for this. Please also be aware that traces of allergens (e.g. nuts) may be found in the food at Bonnevaux.
* We are committed to balancing protein, carbohydrates, fats and fiber from organic meat, plant-based proteins, vegetables, un-processed carbs, grains, legumes and fruit.
* Gluten and Lactose intolerance: we cannot create individually tailored meals. Should the main course at lunch contain your intolerance, you can always choose from the vegetables on offer and rice (plus non-gluten bread). The salad and soup bar in the evening will offer you a variety to balance out and complement what you have eaten for breakfast and lunch.
* Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at: contact@bonnevauxabp.com.
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Registration
Cancellation
— Please ensure you have travel insurance in place as we cannot refund cancelled travel for any reason.
— If you cancel your Bonnevaux booking up to 30 days before the event starts, you will be refunded the full cost of the event. Cancellations occurring within 30 days of the event start will be offered a voucher for a future event. Bonnevaux reserves the right to cancel events at any point – cancellations occurring within 30 days prior to the event start date will be subject to the voucher refund policy only.
Membership Fee ** – 10€
Membership fee is paid once per year, valid from Jan – Dec.
** 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 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.
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)
Site hosting: Flywheel
Image by Counselling from Pixabay