Le Castellane
Kathryn M Ireland, British born and Los Angeles based, is most well known as an interiors and fabric designer… or if you are in the US… as one of the personalities on Bravo’s, Million Dollar Decorators… Kathryn’s colourful fabrics are well known the world over and her homes have been featured in many design magazines… Her two books, Creating a Home and Summers in France are fabulous reads and inspirational if interiors are your passion, as they are mine… In truth she needs no introduction…
What I didn’t know is that she and two friends host yoga retreats in her French home several times throughout the year. Kathryn, Jan and Maya have designed this yoga retreat at La Castellane in southwest France, the most idyllic place to escape from the every day. The week long program includes yoga, meditation and breathing instruction as well as all the reasons we love to be in France… antiquing and local markets… hiking or biking… eating and drinking…
The Entrance Hall at Le Castellane
Maya and Jan are both certified yoga teachers. Maya has her own unique style of yoga based on the Kundalingi principals; her focus is on good health and living and at the same time striving for inner peace and self confidence. You can read more about her here… Jan has studied spiritual healing and spiritual bathing the world over… You can read more about her journey here… What appealed to me most about this Extreme Balance Retreat… is not only the company of three fabulously successful and interesting women but the idea of really unwinding in such a stunning and personal environment…
The Kitchen at Le Castellane
The program, apart from the yoga sessions leaves plenty of time to visit the nearby village of Montauban and the surrounding countryside… there are trips to the local farmer markets… museum visits… flea market discoveries and private house and garden tours… and there is plenty of time to indulge in Le Castellane and enjoy Kathryn’s French retreat… Imagine sitting around that table above or having dinner in the covered dining area below… It would seem to me to be a week of total heaven for any Francophile…
Indoor... Outdoor at Le Castellane
Le Castellet, built around 1760 has seven bedrooms in the main house and three in the adjoining Pigionnier… accommodation is on a share basis. There are three spots still open in August between the 13th -19th and there is a December retreat, between Christmas and New Year, now open for bookings…. Next year there will be six Extreme Balance Retreats between the summer and fall… To read more of the details or make a booking please click here…
Kathryn's 'Summers in France' Signature Fabrics
This idea… to escape to a beautiful part of France… to be welcomed into Kathryn’s home… to keep company with interesting women from all over the world… and to focus on yoga and relaxation really struck a chord with me… This is somewhere I would adore to go… maybe next year….. fingers crossed… xv
Summers in France by Kathryn M Ireland…
“Home decorating has never been more simple and easy than Summers in France! Come along to Europe with designer Kathryn M. Ireland who celebrates summer living and entertaining in the French countryside. Ireland introduces readers to the town of Montauban, which is near the farmhouse she renovated and remodeled in her classic shabby chic style. Kathryn shares inside details of her remodel along with tips and ideas about entertaining and how to make guests comforable.
Through family photographs, journal-styled entries, and detail shots of the bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchen areas, readers are treated like family as they discover how Kathryn makes a room come together. Using her signature fabrics – seen in draperies, linens, cushions, duvets, bedding, and more, Kathryn shows what she did to brighten and enliven the atmosphere of each room. Kathryn’s style also illustrates how easy it can be to decorate while on a budget by combining fabrics with antiques and vintage decor found at local flea markets.”
Yoga for Real Life by Maya Fiennes… .
“The effervescent, charismatic Maya Fiennes introduces her method of Kundalini yoga, shares her life story, and reveals the secrets that have helped her and her students to manage the stresses and strains of everyday life. Kundalini is a very direct form of yoga with an immediate effect, combining movement, breathing, and chanting to energize the body and relax the mind, while strengthening the body’s nervous and immune system. Through a lively combination of yoga poses and exercises, recipes, massage tips, mantras, and personal stories, Maya demonstrates how yoga practice and philosophy can effectively be incorporated into all aspects of everyday life. Covering such topics as self esteem, staying youthful, love, and relationships, this a book for your handbag, your desk, and your bedside table: your indispensable guide to achieving the most from your daily life—for the rest of your life.”
What a lovely spot she’s created. Very relaxing and inviting. “Summers in France” is on my book list. I’m thinking of getting the Kindle version to read on my Ipad. There aren’t many decorating books available for e-readers and that’s a shame.
Sam
I agree Sam… I wish there were more available for Kindle… xv
Summers in France…I could get used to that! Lovely pictures…
Wow, I can take or leave the yoga, but that home and view is stunning. Enough to recharge my batteries. Beautiful.G.x
Love Love Love that house. Very similar in design to what we will be building. Love the shutter details and vines. The front door is just amazing. I may need to start doing yoga and plan a retreat here!
::sigh::: Deep happy sigh.
Gorgeous place…and WHAT a perfect venue!
So lovely Vicki! I would be thrilled to getaway to a yoga retreat like Kathryn’s!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Hmmm…could you have posted anything, anything that would make me dream more? Let me think about that for a…no.
Even if Kundalini scares me a teeny bit because it can be so powerful, what an awesome event for a real retreat. Truly, this sounds like Heaven–it covers all of my favorite things. If there is ANY way you can go next year–do (and I will live vicariously through you)!!!
What a beautiful place for a retreat – and so heavenly and relaxing. Thanks for sharing!
Vicki,
I’d be tempted to skip class (yoga) and just absorb the beauty of the home and countryside and visiting nearby villages.
Karen
Sounds heavenly – I hope you manage to go next year.
The setting and place would definitely inspire paintings.
Helen xx
I can’t think of a more perfect retreat! My girlfriends and I have been dreaming a bit about a girls trip to France next year… maybe this is the trip? Just looking at the photos have me breathing deeper!
Have a lovely week, Vicki!
I was fortunate to receive Kathryn’s new book for my 50th from a friend. I have read it cover to cover and open it “just for a quick trip” still. I love her interiors too. But yoga as well a being at her abode would be just too wonderful! Thanks for sharing about it.
This would be amazing!!! Such beautiful photos! I will have to check out her book.
Have a wonderful week Vicki!
xo
I am not a Yoga devotee, but I would become one just to stay at this lovely location. What a way to relax.
Wow, the country house is so beautiful. I love the big kitchen, the big dining table and red chairs. Love the table setting in the barn too. That travel experience must be fun.
Vicki-
All of these books are beautiful. I would also love to go the retreat. Please blog about it when you go!
Kathryn’s design is so relaxed and colorful. I love Million Dollar Decorators, and can’t wait for the new season.
Happy Monday.
Teresa
xoxo
Chère Vicki !
You’ve blown my socks off. I gasped when I saw that first photo. I clutched my chest as I read on, breathless. To discover Kathryn is holding balancing/spiritual/yoga retreats in this amazing home broke my heart.
Let me explain…. I share this retreat dream (and have finally started talking out loud about it). So at first I was breathless because someone else had already manifested my dream (non!). Then when I continued to read on, I relaxed, knowing it is a truly beautiful idea… and holy cats she has done a brilliant job. Then I wanted to go there…. and I knew seeing your post this morning is precisely what I needed today.
Thank you Kathryn for lighting the way – you strike a deep, happy chord for me. You have created magic there near Montauban. I would so love to experience it
And MERCI Vicki for this most perfectly timed post, zipping into my inbox at the precise moment I needed it. You inspire me daily (not the least of which through your My French Life book which lives on my coffee table) with your musings and unique way of seeing the world.
Je l’aime.
Bises,
Hollie Olivia
PS – I’ve pinned your mas as inspiration for my retreat and now will add Kathryn’s. Yippeee!
What a beautiful place + Yoga. I am in heaven just thinking + looking at it. Thank you, VA. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Count me in, Vicki!
Thank you all for amazing comments. These Bespoke retreats are like no other, we would love to host you all.
Love Kathryn
What a way with words and pictures, Vicki! Thank you for great in depth coverage of our retreats. I swear I want to GO to it instead of WORK it!!
and yes, it is going to be the most divine and fun week! especially with our guests coming from all over the world, what a treat. If anyone has questions, please email me @ lacastellaneretreat@gmail.com.
We’d love to have all of you! 4 spots left for August 13 week.
Thanks again to Mdm Vicki Archer! xx
Beautiful photos.
I really love the opening shot and the one of the kitchen.
This looks and sounds absolutely blissful, the photos are honestly so gorgeous that I am almost lost for words….thanks for sharing this Vicki XX
Total heaven! Just looking at the photos are a retreat. Thank you!
It looks so lovely and just another reason to come to France! I love the idea of doing yoga in this gorgeous sun drenched place!
xo Mary Jo
Vicki, what a lovely post. I’ve seen Kathryn’s home in the South of France for years but didn’t realize the three women held Yoga retreats there. How perfect! I think I’ll retreat to my own lovely Yoga spot now, as your post has truly inspired me to do so. Many thanks. Perhaps I’ll see you there next summer. Shiree’
I love Kathryn Ireland’s fabrics. What a beautiful location to hold a yoga retreat. My eyes are glued to the beautiful Summers in France fabrics. Gorgeous!
Oh my…I love the photos, love yoga and the whole idea. What a beautiful retreat. Will have to read more about these women and their stories. Thank you for your visit. Am enjoying the transformation of your site, Vicki. Bon mardi.
Kirsten
Sounds wonderful am sure you would come away with your body recharged and your soul invigorated….such a beautiful space!
Carla x
My husband and I are moving to Paris with our 4 children this summer…after all of the stress surrounding our move, I would love to recharge here!! Just ordered Summers in France!
Just take the train and we will pick you up in Montauban, its a great way to see the country. We will look after you…the place is so much better when you are there… thankyou for you interest
Vicki:
Another beautiful blog article with photos by the master herself! Next year I’m signing on for yoga in France! Gorgeous!!!
We are working on 2013 dates in the next months, so stay posted and check out my website…. looking forward to having you
What a lovely place! I am especially obsessed with the indoor/outdoor dining area. I can only imagine the parties that would take place here with good food, good wine, and most importantly, good friends.
Have a *fancy* day!
Jenna
It just could not be better than the blue shutters against the red brick on the first photo…the old machinery is real country style (: What a retreat, increadible. The stone walls and arch is breath taking.
hugs Z
Yoga in retreat in France…fancy health journey. Good food and good sites to see. (Im very late to Anita’s party, but you can still come see me.) Merci, Mary
Namaste Baybeee I’m in!!
i could use a week in france, the photos are fantasic. Wish i could go, i bring my Tresor Paris bracelets
I’m always inspired by Kathryn’s work. She is amazing at what she does.