‘Surpassed our expectations’

Our experience at Chateau de Bardouly in the Dordogne region of France far surpassed our expectations.  The accommodations were elegant yet comfortable.  Our rooms were filled with lovely details like high thread-count sheets, lush towels and luxurious soaps and shampoo.  The quiet and picturesque French countryside was the perfect setting for a yoga retreat.  We really felt like we could just exhale and relax.  The yoga studio was professional-grade and had all the equipment we needed.  Doing yoga on the outdoor platform surrounded by the gorgeous vistas was heavenly. The food was also exceptional.  We started our mornings with coffee and tea and home-made pastries.  Lunches and dinners were prepared by their private chef.  She used local fresh ingredients to create healthy meals that somehow also felt gourmet and decadent. We also thoroughly enjoyed the Southwest of France.  Although it is not as well known as some of the other parts of France, we all fell in love with its charm and history.  The day trips visiting castles, wine tasting and canoeing on the Dordogne river were all wonderful.  One of the  highlights was going to the local open-air markets and indulging in every French delicacy you can imagine — including the best cheeses, breads and fresh fruits we’ve ever tasted.   The yoga retreat ran smoothly from start to finish.  There was extensive assistance with the planning and organization of the retreat.  The on-site staff was caring and responsive to our needs.  We highly recommend Bardouly having run two retreats there and will happily return.