Summer retreat 4 2026

ACCOMMODATION

CAMPING

Accommodation is available in our cosy, natural canvas dome and bell tents from Boutique Camping: 

Châtaignier

A large 4m diameter Dome Tent which is ideal for couples / friends wishing to share or even small families. NOT available for single occupancy.

Chêne

A smaller 3m diameter Dome Tent which is available for singles / couples / friends wishing to share.

Acacia

A  3m diameter Star Bell Tent which is available for singles / couples / friends wishing to share.

Bouleau

A 3m diameter Classic Bell Tent which is available for singles / couples / friends wishing to share.

Mattresses, organic cotton pillows and covers, bedsheets and towels are provided but NOT duvets or blankets. You are asked to provide your own sleeping bags, blankets or sheets.

Luggage storage facilities are available in the house for those wishing to create a clutter-free tent experience.

Shower and toilet facilities are found just a one minute walk away in the main house.

THE HOUSE

We have three rooms available in the house:

Merle

Single bed available for single occupancy.

Grive

Single bed available for single occupancy.

Hibou

Double bed available for couples.

As with the tents, mattresses, organic cotton pillows and covers, bedsheets and towels are provided but NOT duvets or blankets. You are asked to provide your own sleeping bags, blankets or sheets. 

All rooms offer sinks and clothes / luggage storage facilities and are adjacent to the showers and toilets.

MEALS

All meals which include breakfast, lunch and supper are vegan or at the very least vegetarian. Ingredients and produce are 100% organic and are sourced from our own green garden or as locally as possible from committed, passionate organic producers. The emphasis for the meals is on simplicity, on dishes that reinforce a sense of quietness and calm, inspired as we are by the teachings of Ramana Maharshi. To quote the great Saint "Food affects the mind. For the practice of any kind of yoga, vegetarianism is absolutely necessary since it makes the mind more sattvic [pure and harmonious].'

For us, vegan meals are a step further than vegetarian ones. Our interpretation of sattvic translates into dishes that are largely free from spices or such additives, are mostly gluten-free, yet which are bursting with freshness, vitality and a delicious wholesome taste. 

The meals therefore become another way of confirming our commitment to quietness.

We of course happily cater for those with special dietary requirements. Just tell us your do's and dont's at the time of booking.

RETREAT SESSIONS

The dedication to quietness colours all of the activities that are offered during each Retreat and as ever, the emphasis is on simplicity.

There are three main sessions to each day on Retreat at Being with Cows:

Morning Quietness

We greet the day with a morning quietness session, gathered together in silence to welcome whatever the day will bring, pulling attention once more to the background presence of quiet and stillness. There in no invitation to share or set intentions, just an opportunity to be, watching whatever comes and goes as thought or feeling.

Silent Walk

After breakfast, this two hour slow walk takes us through the green heart of the farm - the forests, the meadows, the stream-sides and up to the highest point offering us a quite breathtaking view of the nearby Pyrenees mountains. This is an opportunity once again to commit to a deep quietness in which the natural world ushers us into a sense of being, rather than thinking about being. Thoughts can slow down, wildlife can be glimpsed and the difference between a mind overloaded with thinking and a quiet acceptance of your heart presence can become blissfully obvious. 

Being with Cows

After lunch, a generous siesta gives way to a late-afternoon taste of what we call Cowfulness - being quiet in the company of the cows. Taking full advantage of the mellowness that naturally comes with the approach of evening, we visit first the Casta and then the Galloways. From a safe and respectful distance, we are presented with the opportunity to allow ourselves to become immersed in the coming and going of the cows, to allow the thinking mind to become distracted by their natural rhythm and behaviour. As always, the emphasis is on letting the Heart dictate the experience, working to come back to the present moment each time we become aware of a 'wandering off' into thought.

The cows are naturally generous with the quietness they exist in and with a little determined commitment, it's distinctly possible to tap into your own reservoir of calm at their side. 

Whilst it doesn't feature as an official part of the Cowfulness sessions, it is generally possible towards the end of each visit to make physical contact with several cows, particularly the Galloways, who are naturally less standoffish than the Casta. Such contact is carefully monitored by myself and guests are respectfully invited to follow my guidance at all moments. 

During all activities in the company of the cows, guest safety is paramount, Whilst both herds are habituated to the presence of groups of people, we are still talking about very large, powerful animals whose behaviour can sometimes be as unpredictable as our own. Guests are therefore requested to stay both alert and calm during any contact with them, refraining from loud talk or movements that may excite them. 

Practical info:

Weather

The climate here is typically hot and at least very warm during the summer months. The sun is strong and the heat can maintain its strength until well into the evening. However, thunderstorms that roll in from the mountains can bring with them a dramatic drop in temperature and intense, short-lived rainfall. Appropriate clothing and equipment for these changes in temperature is highly recommended, including: sun-hats and sun lotion, a warm, waterproof jacket, a water bottle and a small day-sack. 

Walking

The footpaths we use for certain sections of the Silent Walks, especially in the forest are often a little bumpy or sloping. We therefore recommend quality footwear, such as walking boots or shoes or closed-toe trekking sandals. Flip flops