Sarah Sullivan is a creative innovator from Navigators, Australia. For the past 7 years, she has been an educator in Hong Kong where she developed a passion for … [Read more...]
Well-Being
You want to feel good again.
At La Muse, you will have the time to experience life fully.
Stop rushing. Stretch when you wake. Smell your coffee. Taste your food. Experience the many walking and hiking trails. Drink spring water straight from the mountain:
Relax in your breathing. Move your body. Dip your toes in a mountain stream. Listen to the wind in the trees. Laugh a lot.
Give yourself the mission of doing what you love, every day.
Well-being usually comes to you when you live in a tranquil healthy natural environment, eat well and exercise regularly.
Plato, along with a lot of others seems to think the same thing:
Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.
Our retreat is set in the middle of a national hiking trail system, (that's one of the many signposts above) surrounded by the chestnut trees and green oak.
Below John gives you a video tour of the mountains about 15 minutes above the retreat and village.
The altitude of our village (440 meters) in the peaceful Montagne Noire mountains enables you to enjoy clean, fresh mountain air.
La Muse itself, the Manor house, is in the center of an unspoiled village.
The village and the forest around it are perfect for introspection in nature, walking, hiking, running and creating.
At the retreat we also have yoga mats, blocks and belts for those of you who want a yoga retreat on the side while you create. In the past we have had many writers and artists who were yoga teachers too.
Oftentimes they hold free yoga classes early in the morning in our living library.
In addition to the national walking trails right outside the front door there is also the wonderful local food.
Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.
Hippocrates
France is famous for its food, for its recipes, famous chefs and restaurants. But it doesn't end there.
There are just over 25,000 organic food producers in France and the French government wants to double the amount of organic land to produce even more.
Also, France is against genetically modified foods, unlike its neighbor Spain.
Not only that but every section of France is protected by regional laws on anything from how you make cheese to how you make a bottle of wine. Look at nearly any bottle of French wine and you'll see the words appellation d'origine controlle on the label, meaning the specific grapes in that bottle had to be grown in a specific area of France, or as they say here, in a specific terroir. All this leads to very high quality of local produce.
Writer Jane Litscher on Retreat
I’m an American retiree, living two-thirds of the year in the mid-west near Lake Michigan, and the other third with my daughter in Tucson, Az. I’m passionate … [Read more...]
Walk to the Rocks Fire Track
Why? It's the La Muse classic. Runners and joggers love it up there. Once you get on the track by the rocks it's level, obvious and carries on for miles. So … [Read more...]
How to Help While on Retreat?
Chop Wood, Carry Water I have just completed my third writing retreat at La Muse, and can affirm that my experience of time and creativity there continues to … [Read more...]
Walk to the Waterfall
Why? My favourite walk. On a clear day nothing beats the breath-taking views of the Pyrenees. It's a pull up, but definitely worth it. Plus you really … [Read more...]
Walk to Roquefère
Why? Everyone should do this walk. Roquefère is the village below Labastide-Esparbairenque, home of La Muse. It has a lovely lunch … [Read more...]
Walking Tips on Retreat
One of our Advocates, English writer Helen Reynolds, has written a load of great posts on walks near and far around the retreat. Below are her walking tips for … [Read more...]