Our October retreat in Provence was everything we had hoped for and so much more. Set amongst the landscapes of the Alpilles, with the luxurious Mas de la Rose as our home, we enjoyed five days of movement, adventure, relaxation, laughter and meaningful connection. Along the way there was a private Michelin-starred dinner, a table set high on a mountainside, and a wellness suite all to ourselves.

Each morning began with stretching, strength and mobility workouts designed to energise the body and build resilience. Throughout the retreat, we explored Avandra’s House of Resilience, bringing together our five pillars: Eat, Move, Rest, Connect and Think. Our longevity assessments and brain-body coordination challenges sparked plenty of conversation, healthy competition and laughter, whilst highlighting the importance of maintaining our physical and cognitive health as we age.

The Experiences

One of the most memorable moments was our guided hike through the magnificent Alpilles mountains. At the end of our climb, a surprise was waiting: a beautifully dressed table perched high on the mountainside, overlooking the valleys below. This was no ordinary picnic. With delicious food, attentive staff and a setting that felt almost too beautiful to be real, it was a truly unforgettable experience.

Our sunrise hikes were equally special. Watching the mist and clouds slowly lift from the valleys of Provence was simply magical. Coffee and treats awaited us at the summit, giving us time to pause and take in our surroundings before wandering down into the charming village of Eygalières for another coffee.

Adventure was never far away. We cycled through the Provençal countryside towards Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, passing olive groves along the way. Our padel session with a local instructor quickly turned into a lively mini tournament, full of enthusiasm and competitive spirit. Horse riding through the Alpilles was another highlight, offering a completely different perspective on this spectacular landscape.

And who could forget our pétanque afternoon? We were joined by a wonderfully enthusiastic local pétanque team and embraced a little French tradition, with plenty of laughter, friendly rivalry and some rather questionable techniques!

Luxurious poolside massages, relaxing treatments and our private wellness suite, complete with sauna, steam and cold therapy, gave everyone the opportunity to unwind and experience the benefits of contrast therapy. Carefully chosen gifts and elegant finishing touches added a final layer of indulgence to the week.

There was laughter from morning until night, new friendships, genuine conversations, encouragement, curiosity and a willingness to try something different. Some days we challenged ourselves physically, some days we learned new skills, and some days we simply took time to slow down. Every day offered something special.

At Avandra Escapes, we believe that wellness is about so much more than exercise or healthy eating. It is about creating a life filled with movement, connection, adventure, learning, joy and balance. Our Provence retreat brought all of this together in the most beautiful way.

Five days of exceptional experiences, wonderful women and memories we’ll be talking about for years to come.

Small actions. Repeated consistently. Lasting change.

Avandra Escapes | Wellness. Adventure. Connection.