South of France
vin et Vinyasa
Yoga in a French Chateau
Château de Rhodes
Get ready to experience the beauty of the South of France as you embark on your Yoga Teacher Training journey. Our grand 18th-century château is situated in a newly designated natural park at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, just three kilometers from the village of La Bastide De Serou. The Department of Ariege nestles in the central Pyrenees, next to Andorra, its highest peaks visible from Toulouse. It is one of the most unspoiled regions of France, whose inhabitants have held fast to their traditions. The countryside is wild but easily accessible. Top grade trout streams rush down forested mountainsides into rivers where kayakers paddle. Waymarked walking trails lead to 3000 metres peaks where isards (chamois), marmots and even bears roam. Cyclists can take in a stage of the Tour de France, mountain bike down tracks or gently pedal in the valleys.
Numerous species of butterflies, orchids and raptors thrive here thanks to the endurance of ancient farming practices such as the transhumance, when cows, sheep and Mérens horses are led up to the high summer pastures.
Its many prehistoric caves, Cathar chateaux and WWII escape routes over the mountains are testament to the ways Ariège has served as a place of refuge and resistance throughout history.
The Pyrenees
Walk the Walk
Ariège is a walker’s paradise, laced with a hundreds of kilometres of waymarked paths for all abilities, from unpaved tracks through rolling countryside to blazed footpaths used by mountain inhabitants for centuries to high-altitude transpyrenean hiking trails that extend from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. A variant of the Way of Saint James skirts along the foothills to join up with the main trail at St Jean Pied de Port. Trails from France to Spain through the high mountains were used over the centuries by smugglers, Cathars fleeing persecution, downed WWII Allied pilots and refugees and now are named for them: the Chemin des Bonshommes, the Chemin de la Liberté.
Divine
Wine & Unwind
Your yoga (or culinary) experience will be intense, but Château de Rhodes is filled with 18th and 19th century antiques, and Persian rugs, the château will create incredible memories for all who stay here. There are two very large reception rooms, chateau dining room, library, billiard room, games rooms, terrace dining-room for thirty plus, cinema room, original chateau kitchen, plus a fully equipped professional kitchen.
There are outside dining tables and chairs for 30+ and sun beds, shades, etc. Around the pool and terrace. The grounds are encircled by a tranquil walking path, and are accentuated by both a river and a stream. There are many ancient trees in the well-tended landscape.
From the terrace one can hear the soft flowing arize river which meanders through the château’s park. From the sparkling swimming pool are dramatic views of the Pyrenees. Tennis buffs will be thrilled with the hard tennis court. An antique snooker/ pool table is available indoors, plus a further games room and exercise room which will definitely appeal to the younger set.
Optional excursions may include visits to two local farmers’ markets, which are touted as some of the best in all of France, and a thermal hot spring spa!
Special all-inclusive pricing for a limited time
UPCOMING PROGRAM DATES
$3699 (All-Inclusive) for both our 14 Day / 21 Day YTT’s if you pay-in-full at the time of registering up to 90 Days before start date.
$3999 (All-Inclusive) for both our 14 Day / 21 Day YTT’s when you book within 90 Days of start date OR if you secure a spot with a $500 deposit.
Both 14 Day & 21 Day YTT’s have the same start date!
For our 300-hr (RYT 500) Advanced YTT click here!
2023
TBD
Environment
Vineyards & Vegetables
Location
The land of d’Artagnan, pre-historic cave paintings and thermal hot springs.
Location
The Department of Ariege is known for having high vibrations and attracting artistic, progressive and eco-conscious people!
Location
Snowcapped mountain peaks. . .
Click here for information on getting to Château de Rhodes
Lakshmi Rising will help organize group transportation between the Foix train station and Château de Rhodes on Sunday August 28th, 2022, cost depending on how many people riding together. Plan to arrive in Foix around 4pm. Check-out time is 10:00am on Saturday, Sept 17, 2022 (or Saturday, Sept 10th, 2022, for 14-day YTTs). All participants are responsible to organize their own travel inbound to and onward from France.