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The Summer School

Led by Laurence Freeman, Stefan Reynolds, Briji Waterfield & the Bonnevaux Community
Briji Waterfield

Leader

Briji Waterfield

Briji Waterfield is a spiritual director, retreat leader and has had a life-long interest in meditation and the Christian mystical tradition. Recently retired as Director of Meditatio, the outreach of WCCM she continues to participate in the life of the Community.

Other Leaders

Dr Stefan Reynolds
Dr Stefan Reynolds

Dr Stefan Reynolds is WCCM National Oblate Coordinator for Ireland. He has a Doctorate in History and MA in Theology and is the author of books on meditation and on Scripture: ‘Living with the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness in Christian Spirituality’ (DLT, 2016) & ‘The Wisdom of Love in the Song of Songs’ (Hikari Press, 2019). He organizes architectural tours and is a poet, painter and gardener.

Laurence Freeman
Laurence Freeman

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.

Date

13 - 20 Jul, 2025

Location

Bonnevaux Retreat Centre
86370 Marçay, France

A summer experience for immersing with others in the contemplative rhythm of Bonnevaux, share in simple daily tasks while enjoying the stimulus of learning and sharing in a diverse community.  The daily meditation and teaching from Laurence Freeman will help you reach a deeper silence, more energising stillness and more refreshing simplicity. Led by Stefan Reynolds you will discover the surprising riches of the Christian mystical tradition. Other workshops will be offered by members of the Bonnevaux community – exploration of the beautiful grounds, yoga and breath-work, cooking, movement and dance, the labyrinth. There will be time for personal reflection and convivial suppers outside!

This week is open to all whether you are new to meditation or not. It is a unique opportunity for a summer reset, for learning and friendship, joy and serenity. 

Briji Waterfield

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 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

  • Speakers
Briji Waterfield

Leader

Briji Waterfield

Briji Waterfield is a spiritual director, retreat leader and has had a life-long interest in meditation and the Christian mystical tradition. Recently retired as Director of Meditatio, the outreach of WCCM she continues to participate in the life of the Community.

Other Leaders

Dr Stefan Reynolds
Dr Stefan Reynolds

Dr Stefan Reynolds is WCCM National Oblate Coordinator for Ireland. He has a Doctorate in History and MA in Theology and is the author of books on meditation and on Scripture: ‘Living with the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness in Christian Spirituality’ (DLT, 2016) & ‘The Wisdom of Love in the Song of Songs’ (Hikari Press, 2019). He organizes architectural tours and is a poet, painter and gardener.

Laurence Freeman
Laurence Freeman

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.

  • Schedule

The Summer School

ArrivalSunday 13 July 2025, check-in: 13h30 – 15h30
DepartureSunday 20 July 2025, after lunch (14h00)
  • Contribution
Single room with ensuite bathroom€1330
Single room with shared bathroom€1120
Shared twin room with ensuite bathroom€840                                 

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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Enos Mantoani

Briji Waterfield

Leader

Briji Waterfield

Briji Waterfield is a spiritual director, retreat leader and has had a life-long interest in meditation and the Christian mystical tradition. Recently retired as Director of Meditatio, the outreach of WCCM she continues to participate in the life of the Community.

Other Leaders

Dr Stefan Reynolds
Dr Stefan Reynolds

Dr Stefan Reynolds is WCCM National Oblate Coordinator for Ireland. He has a Doctorate in History and MA in Theology and is the author of books on meditation and on Scripture: ‘Living with the Mind of Christ: Mindfulness in Christian Spirituality’ (DLT, 2016) & ‘The Wisdom of Love in the Song of Songs’ (Hikari Press, 2019). He organizes architectural tours and is a poet, painter and gardener.

Laurence Freeman
Laurence Freeman

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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