As the days lengthen and the landscape of Bonnevaux transforms into a vibrant tapestry of green, we invite you to step away from the noise of the world and into the restorative rhythm of our community.
This summer, our program is designed to meet the unique needs of the human heart in these complex times. Whether you are seeking a deeper connection with the Earth, a renewal of physical wellbeing, or a contemplative dive into the arts and sacred texts, there is a place for you here.
Explore our upcoming retreats below and find your path to peace this season.
June: Healing Body and Earth
Living Reconciliation: From Separation to Contemplation 4 – 7 June | Led by Christine Christoff-Lardet
How do we heal our damaged relationship with the living world? This retreat moves beyond concepts into the concrete experience of nature. Rooted in the methodology of The Work That Reconnects and the encyclical Laudato Si’, we will practice simple gestures of reconnection—from tracking animal traces to permaculture gardening—to move from desolation to reconciliation.
Christian Meditation & Yoga 9 – 14 June | Led by Fr. Joseph H. Pereira
Create space for personal wellbeing and community. Combining the stillness of Christian Meditation with breathwork and yoga, Fr. Joe Pereira guides us in bringing clear attention and intention to our physical and spiritual lives.
Poets, Prayer and Vision: Meditating with Poetry 21 – 26 June | Led by Bishop Rowan Williams
The great 17th-century poets like John Donne and George Herbert were masters of the contemplative interior life. In these sessions, we will reflect on significant poems as doorways into silence, receptivity, and a deeper understanding of the shared background of contemplative practice.
July: Community, Gratitude, and Youth
The Bonnevaux Summer School 5 – 12 July | Led by Fr. Laurence Freeman, Briji Waterfield & Guest Workshop Leaders Building on the joy of last year, our Summer School is an immersion into the contemplative rhythm of the community. It is a week of diverse learning, shared workshops, and the deep nourishment that comes from living and meditating together in the heart of France.
100 Reasons for Living: A Diary of a Grateful Heart 21 – 26 July | Led by Revd. Richard Carter
Based on his new book, Richard Carter explores how we find meaning, beauty, and hope even in the midst of struggle. This retreat is an invitation to cultivate a “grateful heart” and discover the profound reasons for living that sustain us through life’s challenges.
Young Adults Retreat: The Courage to Be 28 July – 2 August | Led by Tayna Malaspina & the Bonnevaux Community
In a world that often demands masks, this is an invitation for young adults to pause and breathe deeply. Through silence and meditation, we explore the authenticity required to be who we are truly called to be, allowing ourselves to be loved and transformed in a safe, sacred space.
August: Deepening Consciousness
Meditation and Consciousness: An Interreligious Perspective 25 – 30 August | Led by Fr. Cyprian Consiglio The journey of meditation is a journey of self-discovery through the spectrum of our consciousness. Fr. Cyprian uses “phenomenological language” to look at what is actually happening within us during this process, offering a perspective that bridges different religious traditions and spiritual experiences.
Join Us This Summer
Bonnevaux is more than a retreat center; it is a home for the spirit. We invite you to join us in Marçay to share in our daily meditations, our walks through the woods, and our common search for peace.
