AWAKENED HEART
SOUTH OF FRANCE RETREAT
JULY 19-26 2025
7 Days of Yoga, Sacred Pilgrimage & Heart Awakening in the South of France With Amanda Giacomini & Chantal Russell
with guest ceremonialist Alli Mary Epp
Step into the unparalleled beauty and timeless power of Southern France, where vineyards, lavender fields, and ancient stone villages invite you to slow down and savor life. The Awakened Heart Retreat is a sacred journey designed for you to immerse in the heart-healing energies of this land, with its deep ties to Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary. Held at the charming Château Rieucaze, this retreat will be a journey into beauty, spirit, and the depths of your own heart.
Guided by Amanda and Chantal, you’ll experience the unique magic of this region with heartfelt practices of yoga, meditation, sacred pilgrimage, and soulful storytelling. Each day invites you to let go, breathe deeply, and reconnect to what truly matters, all while surrounded by the rich history and quiet beauty of this land that has been touched by countless seekers and pilgrims.
Photos by Brittany Judd Photography
WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE
Each morning, we’ll ease into the day with gentle yoga and meditation, soaking up the warmth of the French sun as it rises over the château gardens. We’ll dive into transformative practices inspired by the sacred teachings of Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary, reconnecting with the rich myths of the Rose Line, the priestess lineage of love and deep feminine wisdom rooted in this region.
Together, we’ll visit the healing waters of Lourdes, where Mother Mary appeared, inviting each of us to tap into our own capacity for renewal. We’ll explore ancient caves adorned with prehistoric art, where the mysteries of human connection and creativity live on, grounding us in the beauty of this land’s past and the timeless strength of the heart.
This retreat is designed to nourish every part of you. Picture delicious meals shared with like-hearted souls, art workshops that rekindle your creative spirit, and quiet moments of reflection in the château gardens. It’s an invitation to honor the sacred within and around you, to listen deeply, and to awaken to the beauty and wisdom of your own heart.
-
Gentle, heart-centered and earth based practices to open your heart, strengthen your vessel and soothe your soul.
-
Experience the legendary healing energy of Lourdes, drink from the sacred waters and bathe in the mystical love of the Divine Mother.
-
Step back in time as we visit caves adorned with prehistoric art, experiencing the beauty and mystery of this sacred land.
-
Discover the mythic, heart-centered wisdom of Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene, high priestesses of divine love and feminine power, as a pathway to profound inner transformation.
-
Come together in the warmth of community, where we’ll share myths, rituals, and stories that invite connection, healing, and joy.
-
Savor the flavors of Provence with fresh, farm-to-table meals, and enjoy ample time to relax and reflect amidst the beauty of the château.
About Château Rieucazé & Occitania Retreats
The historic château was constructed in 1786, just 3 years prior to the outbreak of the French Revolution, belonging to the family of the Comte Du Pac until 1960. The property encompasses a sprawling 10-acre park with gardens designed under different themes: French, English, Asian and Mediterranean. The grounds also include a pond where koi fish and wild ducks swim, a salt-water pool, a steam room, gym and a greenhouse.
Nestled among rolling hills and bathed in the golden light of Southern France, Château Rieucaze is a place where you can truly unwind. The château’s elegance, peaceful gardens, and timeless charm invite you to let go, breathe deeply, and be fully present. It’s the perfect sanctuary for our retreat, offering space for pure rest, inspiration, and connection to the surrounding beauty.
WhAT’S INCLUDED
-
Choose from private or shared room options.
-
Brunch and dinner daily, with the exception of Tuesday dinner out in Lourdes, are included.
-
Daily yoga sessions, creativity workshop, heart centered ceremony and rituals throughout the week. Yoga facility is fully equipped with mats, blankets, straps and blocks
-
Caves of Gargas (Grottes de Gargas) in the Pyrenees region of France are known for their cave art from the Upper Paleolithic period - about 27,000 years old.
WhAT’S not INCLUDED
-
International airfare not included.
-
Ground transportation and rental vehicles are not included.
-
There will be lots of down time during the day for you to explore the near by towns, associated costs are not included.
-
Optional local wines will be available for purchase but are not included.
-
Optional massages throughout the week are not included.
ROOM OPTIONS
-
$3500 USD/ 3200 EUR
-
$3000 USD/ 2750 EUR
-
$3000 USD/ 2750 EUR
-
There are two rooms each with two beds that share one bathroom.
$2300 USD/ 2100 EUR
A non-refundable/non-transferable deposit of $500 USD/per person is required to reserve your space upon registration. Final payment owing by March 1st 2025. All payments are non refundable we recommend getting travel insurance to protect your investment
About your guides, Amanda, Chantal & Alli
Amanda and Chantal have spent over a decade leading retreats and exploring the world together, creating unforgettable memories along the way. Some of their favourite adventures together have included riding camels in Morocco, savoring fresh pasta in Rome, wandering the charming streets of Paris, dancing with mariachis in Mexico, and basking in the Costa Rican sun. This retreat is especially dear to their hearts as they return to the beautiful Occitania Retreat, inviting you to reconnect with the magic of being alive, the joy of adventure, and the warmth of new friendships. They’re delighted to welcome the luminous Alli Mary Epp as a special guest, who will lead sacred ceremonies and healing dream temple sessions, weaving even more depth and beauty into the retreat.
-
Amanda Giacomini aka 10,000 Buddhas is an artist, yogini and gifted storyteller. Her 10,000 Buddhas project was inspired by ancient Buddhist artwork in the Ajanta caves in India. This experience sparked an awakening which led her on a mission to paint 10,000 Buddhas. Now 10,000+ later, 10,000 Buddhas has become a worldwide, highly sought after art project, including large scale murals, fine art paintings, works on paper, and apparel. She’s taught yoga everywhere from prestigious art museums & yoga conferences, to The White House and the Forbidden City in China. She’s also the co-founder of Point Reyes Yoga, a studio she and her husband, MC YOGI, started in 2001.
Amanda is a kind and compassionate teacher. She calls on her more than two decades of practice to support students in letting go of stress and opening up to their own innate peace and joy. During the retreat she will offer nourishing yin and gentle yoga woven with mythic stories from the yoga and Buddhist tradition. She will also share the wisdom she has gained on her own path as an artist and offer tools and practices to spark your own creative play.
-
Alli Mary Epp is a lifelong seeker, clinical hypnotherapist, ceremonialist, Kundalini yoga teacher, sacred storyteller, and mother of two. With over 20 years of experience traveling the world and studying diverse spiritual paths, she has been on a quest to uncover the ultimate feeling of aliveness and joy. Through her journey, she has discovered that no expensive plane ride or multitude of gurus can provide this experience. Instead, the portal to true freedom lies in rediscovering the everyday sacred. Alli inspires others to imagine a life so filled with light and radiance that each day becomes an embodiment of purpose and gifts. Learn more at allimaryepp.com.
-
Chantal Russell is a passionate yoga teacher, holistic nutritionist, Ayurvedic wellness coach, initiated priestess, and equine-facilitated wellness professional with over 20 years of experience. She’s deeply committed to empowering women to live wild, embodied, and liberated lives. Through her work, Chantal blends her love for travel, holistic healing, and soulful connection to create transformative retreats and experiences. Whether guiding a yoga class, offering wellness coaching, or working with horses, she inspires women to reconnect with their inner strength, nourish their bodies, and embrace the adventure of life with joy and authenticity.
getting there
Flight / Transfer
Occitania Retreats, is located one hour from Toulouse airport, with direct flights to 83 cities in 20 countries. Book your flights far in advance to take advantage of better prices. For those wating to use public transportation, you can take a direct bus from the airport to Toulouse main train station (Toulouse Matabiau) and from there you can take a one hour train to Saint Gaudens, a city just 10 minutes away from Occitania Retreats, from where you can book a taxi in advance or get a ride to Rieucazé.
Rental car
We definitely recommend you to share a car rental with other participants for this week, we can help you coordinate that. Occitania Retreats is wonderfully secluded in nature, only an hour away from Toulouse, Lourdes and other great places to visit.
RSVP
RSVP
Thank you for your interest in the Retreat to the South of France July 19-26 2025. Last time, this retreat sold out in 3 days!
Please fill out the form below and be sure to let us know your room preference. We will get back to you with availability.
Photos on this page by Brittany Judd Photography