JOIE DE VIVRE
The Joy of Living Retreat with Lydia Dallas Aldrich & Simone Topel
FRANCE
12 - 17th May, 2026
Over six restorative days in the rolling hills of Southwest France, you’re invited to slow down, savor life, and reconnect with what truly matters.
This retreat is a carefully held balance of movement and rest, depth and lightness, structure and spaciousness.
You’ll practice Pilates and Yoga in intimate groups — from Classical Pilates and Sculpt to Power Vinyasa and Yoga Nidra — with personalised guidance throughout. Beyond movement, you’ll experience nervous-system–resetting breathwork, revitalising contrast therapy, and a manifestation workshop designed to help you reconnect with your desires and direction.
Days unfold with long, nourishing meals made from local seasonal produce, a hands-on French cooking class, wine tasting, and time immersed in nature. Just as intentionally, there is unhurried space to simply be — reading by the pool, jumping on the trampoline, or gathering for an outdoor movie under the stars.
You’ll leave feeling physically stronger, mentally clearer, and energetically lighter — with meaningful new connections and that unmistakable sense of joie de vivre: the joy of living well.
We can’t wait to welcome you,
Simone & Lydia
This retreat is for you if
You’re craving genuine connection and soul-nourishing friendships with like-minded people.
You need space to rest deeply and slow down.You want to come back to the joy of living: eating well, moving your body, laughing often, and rediscovering the simple pleasures of life.You love movement and want to deepen your Pilates + Yoga practice in small, supportive classes with personalised guidance.You’re ready to reignite your spark — creativity, play, and possibility — and let your inner child out to explore.You long to feel more connected to yourself — away from the distractions of city life — to tune back into your body, your intuition, and your inner voice.You’re seeking clarity and direction, ready to reconnect and move forward with confidence.You’re curious about French culture — experiencing food, wine and traditions of the region, and carrying that inspiration home.
🏡 5 nights & 6 days accommodation at our charming countryside retreat home🥑 All of your meals prepared by our private chef — nourishing, seasonal dishes made from local produce⭕️ Welcome Circle to unite the group and step into our retreat portal🧘♀️ Daily Yoga and Pilates Classes - small + personal, with hands-on guidance to help you refine your form, deepen your practice, and take your practice to the next level🔥 🧊 Contrast Therapy Workshop — learn the science and practice of hot–cold exposure to reset your nervous system, boost energy, and build resilience.👩🏻🍳 Cooking Class — discover the joy of French cooking with seasonal produce and techniques you can bring home.😴 Evening practices — nightly Yin, Yoga Nidra, or guided meditations to soothe your body and anchor calm before sleep.✨ Manifestation Workshop to help you release what’s blocking you and step into your highest expression🌿 Group hikes through the countryside — time in nature to move, breathe, and soak in the beauty of spring in South West France.💆♀️ One deeply restorative massage to support nervous-system regulation and help you truly settle into retreat mode🍷 Wine tasting — an afternoon at a nearby vineyard, sampling the region’s finest wines while learning about French terroir and tradition.🛍️ Visit to the local market & vintage shops — wander through colourful stalls, taste local delicacies, and soak in the charm of French village life.🍿 Movie night under the stars — a cosy evening to unwind together after a long day.👙 Unstructured time to recharge — float in one of two swimming pools, borrow one of the books from the library, sweat it out in the wood-burning sauna, jump on the trampoline, journal in the garden, or wander the grounds✈️ Group airport transfer to and from the retreat venue*Flights are not included*What’s Included
The Itinerary
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3-5pm Settle In & Property Tour
5-6pm Contemporary Pilates Flow
6-7pm Welcome Circle
7:30-9:30pm Dinner
9:30pm Evening Practice - Yoga Nidra
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9-10am Vinyasa & Breathwork
10:30-11:30am Brunch
11h30-2pm Free Time
2pm-3pm Contrast Therapy Workshop
3-5 pm Snacks & Free Time
5 pm Classical Pilates
6-7:30pm Cooking Class
7:30-9:30pm Dinner
9:30pm Evening Practice - Yin Yoga
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9-10am Pilates Sculpt
10:30-11:30am Brunch
12-3pm Hike
3-6pm Snacks & Free Time
6-7:30pm Manifesting Your Dreams Workshop
7:30-9:30pm Dinner
9:30pm Evening Practice - Guided Meditation
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9-10am Ass & Abs Pilates
10:30-11:30am Brunch
11:30am-2pm Free Time
2-3pm Optional Hike
3-5pm Snacks & Free Time
5-7pm Wine Tasting
7:30-8:30pm Dinner
9pm Movie Night
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9-10am Power Vinyasa
10:30-11:30am Brunch
12-4pm Local Market Visit
4-5pm Free Time
5-6pm Arms & Abs Pilates
7:30-9:30pm Dinner
9:30pm Final Evening Practice - Yin
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9-10am Core Connection + Vinyasa
10-11am Breakfast
11-12pm Closing Circle
12pm Goodbyes & Check-Out
Please note that the schedule is subject to changes and we will make tweaks to customise the schedule to our retreat guests.
Our Retreat Home
Set in South West France, just an hour outside of Toulouse, our retreat takes place in a region known for it’s stunning nature and timeless charm. Here, the pace of life slows down and moves to the rhythm of nature.Our private retreat home rests on sixteen acres of woods, rewilded meadows, and flowering gardens. From every corner, you’ll find sweeping views of rolling countryside, hilltop villages, and the horizon stretching endlessly beyond. It was recently featured in Wallpaper magazine which you can check out here!The beautifully restored stone houses preserve their original character and timeless French charm, seamlessly blended with modern comforts and thoughtfully curated interiors filled with locally sourced vintage treasures. The property has two pools, as well as a library full of books, boardgames, bicycles, ping-pong, hammocks and a wood-burning sauna.This is a place to come home to yourself — to rest, reconnect, and remember what it means to truly live well.
Pricing & Rooms Available
Triple Room: 3 beds (Ensuite) - 1 SPOT LEFT
$3,189 USD
Twin Room: 2 beds (Ensuite) - 3 SPOTS LEFT
$3,479 per person Private Room: 1 bed (Ensuite) - 2 SPOTS LEFT
$3,881 per person
Secure your place with just a $350 deposit. Pay in full or spread the cost over 6 monthly payments.
Bring a Friend!
We’re all about creating a supportive, connected group, and sharing this experience with a friend can make it even more special. We’ve added a “bring a friend” discount: $200 off each when you book together! Just mention your friend’s full name on your payment when booking and use the code BFF200 at checkout.
Meet Your Hosts
Lydia Dallas Aldrich
is a New York City–based Pilates instructor loved for her thoughtful blend of classical technique and contemporary strength training. Originally from Kentucky, Lydia grew up immersed in dance and sports before earning her BA in Fashion Design. After seven years working in New York’s fashion industry, she decided to make her Pilates side-hustle her full-time and hasn’t looked back. She blends both classical and contemporary methods into her classes, focusing on full-body strength and control. Regardless of your skill level or experience, you are sure to leave her classes feeling stronger and more empowered than when you stepped onto your mat. Lydia has been teaching Pilates in New York City for five years, specializing in Mat Pilates, Reformer / Apparatus Pilates, and Sculpt classes. She currently teaches at Fuze House, and teaches private and small-group classes for clients seeking personalized attention and lasting results.@__bylydia
Simone Topel
Simone is a passionate facilitator of transformation through movement, mindfulness, and deep inner work. With over 650 hours of training and 1,000 yoga classes taught, she’s led students everywhere from Barcelona’s beaches to corporate HQs like Meta, BMW, and PwC.As a ICF-certified coach and speaker, Simone weaves together the wisdom of the body, mind, and spirit — shaped by her time studying yoga and Buddhism in Asia and her training in ontological coaching. She coaches 1:1 clients globally on a variety of areas, most often self worth, confidence, career and entrepreneurship and relationships.She is the Founder of Held Retreats and has led retreats across Spain, France, Morocco & Portugal; facilitating retreat spaces has become one of her biggest joys as she’s discovered it is the perfect way to blend her different gifts.@simonetopelsimonetopel.comWhat people are saying about our retreats
Getting There
We recommend flying into Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS), the closest international airport, located about an hour’s drive from our retreat home.If you’re coming from within Europe, another great option is the Toulouse Matabiau train station, which connects easily to Paris and other major cities.From either the airport or train station, you have a few options:Group Transfers: For added ease and peace of mind, we'll provide a group transfer from the airport to the retreat — and back again at the end of your stay. We’ll take care of the logistics so you can arrive ready to unwind and depart with ease.Car Rental: If you’d like to explore the area before or after the retreat, renting a car at the airport is a great option. (You won’t need a car during the retreat itself.)
Need help figuring out flights, connections, or how to extend your stay? We’re happy to support you. This part of France is stunning, and many guests choose to spend extra time exploring before or after the retreat!
You’ll leave this retreat not just rested, but deeply recharged — your body alive with energy, your heart full, and your mind clear. If you’re ready to step out of autopilot, rediscover your spark, and feel that effortless sense of joie de vivre pulsing through you again, this is your invitation! Come unwind, reconnect, and return home glowing — lighter, freer, and utterly alive.Follow the link below to secure your spot with just a $350 deposit! Should you have any questions or need assistance with your payment plan, please feel free to reach out to us at hello@heldretreats.com - we’d love to hear from you!Ready to retreat with us?
Book a Call
Interested in attending, but want to chat through your questions with us first? Book a call to learn more about Joie de Vivre.
FAQs
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Not at all, most of our guests actually come solo and meeting new like-minded people becomes one of their retreat highlights. Time and time again, we've seen people arrive as strangers and leave as close friends. Past guests have stayed in touch for years, travelled together, celebrated birthdays, and even started business collaborations!
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Absolutely! We accommodate allergies, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and most other common needs, and work with the most incredible chefs to provide everyone with nourishing, beautiful meals on each of our retreats.
When you book your spot, you’ll be asked to share any dietary requirements or allergies so please share your needs with us so we can let the chef know.
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Check-in is from 3pm on arrival day and check-out is at 11am on departure day.
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Retreat payments are non-refundable, however in the event you need to cancel, we will transfer your credit in full to another retreat as long as you do so more than 60 days before the retreat! If you need to cancel after that window, we may make exceptions if we are able to fill your spot.
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Here’s what’s not included:
✈️ Flights to and from France
🚐 Transportation to the retreat villa (unless add-on purchased at checkout)
💆 Additional spa treatments or excursions not included in the itinerary, such as massages (available to book on-site)
🧳 Travel insurance (highly recommended for peace of mind) -
Below are descriptions of our classes and workshops to give you an idea of what you can expect in each!
Contemporary Pilates Flow
A creative take on Pilates, blending classical foundations with modern variations. Expect smooth transitions, playful sequencing, and a full-body flow that leaves you feeling both strong and centered.Classical Pilates
Back to the roots of Joseph Pilates’ original method. Focus on precision, alignment, and mindful movement that strengthens the core and improves posture.Pilates Sculpt
A dynamic, energising class that adds light props and playful variations to build strength and tone. Perfect if you want to challenge yourself and keep things fresh.Ass & Abs / Arms & Abs Pilates
Targeted, fun, and fiery. These shorter sessions focus on the muscles we often want to strengthen most, giving you a satisfying burn and noticeable results.Core Connection
A short but powerful sequence to wake up and deeply engage your core, creating stability and strength that supports every other practice.Vinyasa Flow
An uplifting yoga practice where breath and movement weave together in creative sequences. Builds strength, flexibility, and presence.Power Vinyasa
A more dynamic version of vinyasa that will challenge your body and energise your mind — great for building stamina and leaving you with a post-practice glow.Rocket Yoga
Playful, powerful, and a little unconventional. Rocket yoga combines traditional Ashtanga with creative freedom, encouraging exploration and fun as you build strength and flexibility.Yin Yoga
Slow, restorative, and grounding. Poses are held for longer periods to release tension, increase mobility, and calm the nervous system.Yoga Nidra
Also known as “yogic sleep,” this deeply relaxing guided meditation takes you into a state between wakefulness and sleep, supporting profound rest and integration.Guided Meditation
A calming evening practice to quiet the mind, reconnect with yourself, and prepare for deep, restorative sleep.Contrast Therapy Workshop
Discover the revitalising power of hot–cold exposure. Learn how alternating between heat and cold helps regulate your nervous system, boost circulation, and increase resilience — then experience it yourself in a safe, supportive setting.Manifesting Your Dreams Workshop
A guided process of reflection, journaling, and intention-setting. Clarify what you truly want, release limiting beliefs, and create a vision you can carry forward into your life after the retreat.
For any other questions you might have, please take a look at our general list of FAQ’s.
Here to Help
Questions for us? We’d love to support you!
Fill out the adjacent form or contact us on:
Instagram @heldretreats or by email at hello@heldretreats.com