After a 2.5-hour drive from home, I arrived at the stunning Moulin des Bouillons in Perche, surrounded by ponds and forests. My laptop wouldn't connect, but the owners quickly reassured me—a landline is available in the living room, and Wi-Fi works in the main house.
We settled into cozy, rustic rooms that evoked the warmth of a family holiday home, scented with wood fires and countryside air. I felt instantly at ease.
Our first hatha yoga session took place in a stove-heated room. Though it was challenging to tune out the group with eyes closed, Diane Duhamel's gentle guidance soon drew me into deep relaxation during the asanas.
Dinner featured a flavorful vegetarian menu: pumpkin-ginger soup, couscous, orange salad with pistachios, medjool dates, and orange blossom. Around the long communal table, participants—couples, solo travelers, friends, mostly beginners like me—began sharing stories. Reassuring and welcoming.
Before bed, I reviewed basic postures in my yoga magazine.
Despite advice to practice on an empty stomach, I enjoyed tea and a clementine. The session started with purifying kriyas for digestion and respiration, followed by warming yoga flows—perfect for the chilly day—interspersed with tea and dried fruit. Sun salutations and dynamic asanas kept pace, ending with guided meditation I cherished.
Brunch was a mindful delight; every bite savored, even without ravenous hunger. The food here is exceptional.
Next, Caroline, the host, led a vegetarian cooking workshop, sharing tips and pantry favorites in a true communal exchange.
A one-hour walk through the 120-hectare estate at sunset painted ferns and foliage in magical hues. Phone signal was spotty, so I snuck a call to loved ones when I found a bar.
Evening brought yoga nidra, my first deep relaxation session. Diane guided us through self-study: identifying blocks, crafting a sankalpa (Sanskrit for intention)—a positive seed phrase for growth. Lying meditation followed amid stove hums and occasional snores. It fostered profound release, though sleep evaded me later—blame the full moon or resonating sankalpa?
Awake but not hungry, I nibbled a leftover biscuit before kriyas, asanas, and meditation.
Post-brunch, I departed reluctantly, missing the essential oils workshop. Diane kindly sent personalized samples with usage instructions, extending the retreat's benefits home.
The warm hospitality, enchanting setting, yoga practices, breathwork, and limited connectivity created true detachment. As a beginner, I feared judgment and soreness, but encountered neither—only mild sadness leaving this 'mill of happiness.'
Via Zen&Go, from €345 for 3 days/2 nights in a shared double room. Includes full board (Friday dinner to Sunday lunch with drinks), yoga, vegetarian cooking workshop, and train station transfers. On-site massages available for a supplement.
