Pilates Retreat at Margot

ARDÈCHE, FRANCE
JUNE 12 - 19 2026

Join Emily for a week of Pilates, relaxation and incredible food at the magical Margot at the foot of the Mont d’Ardèche, nestled among mountains and set deeply into the chestnut woodland of the Bourges valley.

Come and join us in this green paradise. Move in nature’s rhythm. Come swim in wild rivers and escape in the magic of Ardèche. Breathe. Let your lungs fill with clean air. Listen to the trickling of the stream and rustling of leaves through the treetops. The birds sing their morning song, the butterflies flit around. Watch the stars at night. Laze in a hammock.

The retreat will be a chance to switch off and reconnect with both body and mind, with plenty of Pilates, guided relaxation, and time to reconnect with yourself in this beautiful venue surrounded by the stunning Ardèche countryside.

Accommodation

Margot is set in the heart of nature, and each accommodation has its own unique and private outside area immersed among woodland and mountains. There are many beautiful wild swimming spots within walking distance. Walking guides, boardgames and a curated selection of books & magazines are available in all of the accommodation.

There are several different accommodation options for this retreat, all equally special but in their own particular ways…

LITTLE HOUSE

With its stunning soft pillowy valley views, set against the mountain and nestled among trees you will find the little house on what once was a working chestnut farm.

This little house is on a mission to bring you great times as well as inspire you. It has been kitted out almost entirely with recycled materials with a keen eye on style, comfort, and sustainability.

A small typical Ardèche stone house; it comprises of a spacious loft style bedroom with a power shower. Downstairs you find the toilet and an open-plan salon with log burner, a fully fitted kitchen with an assortment of gadgets for the coffee aficionado, and a vinyl player with a collection of classic records too.

Outside is a covered veranda terrace as well as another open-air space to sunbathe or drink wine under the stars until the early hours. There is a large double hammock for lounging too.

Suitable for: a couple or a couple of friends (double or twin beds).

WOODLAND CABIN

Come into the woods and stay in the cozy wooden cabin by the big poplar tree at the foot of the Chalambelle mountain. The Masel stream can be heard in the distance and cold dips can be taken in it out of the summer season. Many of our guests have spotted wildlife, butterflies, fire salamanders, birds of prey, deer, and wild boars.

Partially off-grid, the cabin gets its water from the Masel stream which originates from the mountain directly behind the cabin. Simply furnished and heated by a log burner, there is ample wood chopped for a comfortable stay. There is an outside hot shower and composting toilet (cleaned twice a day).

Next to the outside covered veranda is a double daybed for day slumbering or watching golden hour in late winter afternoons. Some guests spend entire days relaxing on it or sleep here.

Suitable for: a couple or a couple of friends (double or twin beds).

MUSHROOM HOUSE

The mushroom house is a tiny old stone room. It has its own grounds and entrance. Formerly a turbine house, It is suitable for one person who prefers privacy and their own space. 

Decorated in warm tones, there is a comfortable large single bed, and there is ample space for luggage. 

Showers or baths are taken in the shared space of Camp Margot less than a minute’s walk away. There is both a running and a dry toilet nearby. 

Suitable for: a single person (large single bed).

CAMP MARGOT

This is true forest bathing: with green space all around, come and take a hot shower next to the trees or take a bath under the light of the moon. A 24-hour soothing playlist from the birds around. Take refuge in the beautiful vintage cotton tents with real beds and all the creature-comforts.

The forest owls calling each other at night in the distance, the cuckoos early in the morning and the thrushes’ easy listening chansons. Nature’s call at its most beautiful.

The camp has the most magical outdoor bath for bathing under the stars and a power shower set among the trees (both with ample hot water), its own composting toilet (cleaned twice a day), and hammocks for lounging.

There are three tents that can be made up as double or twin occupancy, and one tent that is single occupancy only.

Suitable for: a couple or a couple of friends (double or twin beds)/a single person (single tent).

All accommodation includes bath towels, a hammam towel for river dips, dressing gowns & premium-brand environmentally-friendly shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. All cosmetics are paraben/chemical free and natural in order to look after the land at Margot.

Food & Drink

Food and drink is huge part of the experience at Margot and great pride is taken in preparing food that is artisanal, yet simple and accessible, with local, seasonal, wild and organic ingredients.

Mushrooms, berries, wild herbs and plants are foraged, fruits and vegetables are grown and fermented, and kombuchas and kefirs are brewed. Pastas are homemade using French flavours and locally sourced, natural biodynamic wines and craft beers are poured.

The kitchen is headed by Lottie who was trained in catering companies and restaurants in London. She has cooked around the world as a private chef for sports teams, in the fashion industry and had her own café and catering business in Northeast London. Her café won several accolades in national press in the UK.

There will be a leisurely and filling brunch following the first class of the day and a delicious dinner in the evening. Additionally, an abundant fruit bowl, tea and coffee are available throughout the day.

A selection of local, natural wines and beer will be also be available during the week.

All dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.

Pilates

The Pilates sessions will be suitable for all levels, and will range from gentle and relaxing, to more flowing, strength and stamina-building practices to challenge those who already regularly attend Pilates classes. Class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs so that everyone attending will deepen their understanding of Pilates and strengthen their own practice. 

There will be a maximum of 12 guests at the retreat, meaning that students will be able to receive the individual attention that can be more difficult with larger class sizes. Emily will also be available throughout the retreat to answer any questions or queries that you may have regarding your Pilates practice.

Approximate Daily Schedule
Day 1
4.00pm Arrival & Settle In
7.00pm Welcome Dinner

Day 2 - 7
8.30 - 9.30am Pilates
10.00am Brunch
Free time/walks in the countryside/river dips/exploring Burzet and the local area
5.00 - 6.30pm Pilates & Guided Relaxation
7.00pm Dinner

Day 8
8.30 - 9.30am Pilates
10.00 am Brunch & Farewells
Departure by 12.00pm

DETAILS/PRICING

• Luxury Bell Tent (twin or double bed): £1,295.00 per person (sharing with one other)

• Luxury Bell Tent (single bed): £1,495.00 per person (single occupancy)

• Mushroom House (single bed): £1,595.00 per person (single occupancy)

• Woodland Cabin (twin or double bed) with en suite bathroom: £1,595.00 per person (sharing with one other)

• Little House (twin or double bed) with en suite bathroom: £1,595.00 per person (sharing with one other)

*Please note that unfortunately we cannot organise shared rooms unless you are attending the retreat with the person you wish to share with.

Included: 

• 7 nights accommodation at the beautiful Margot, Ardèche, France.

• 2 Pilates classes a day (except for travel days)

• Brunch/Dinner

• Coffee, tea and fruit throughout the day

Not included:

• Travel to France

• Transfers to Margot

• Alcoholic drinks

It is a requirement of booking that you are in possession of private travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the holiday in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment.

Travel

Arrival is from 4.00pm on the first day of the retreat.
Departure is by 12pm on the final day.

The Ardèche has no airport, no trains, and the bus service is limited. This means that there is beautiful clean mountain air and pretty much non-existant plane traffic overhead. It also means that your adventure begins from when you set off, and by the time you arrive at Margot you will have already switched off.

The most environmentally-friendly option to get to Margot is to take the Eurostar to Paris, and then a train to Montélimar from where we can organise transfers to Margot. Alternatively, you can fly into Lyon and then either hire a car and drive to Margot (approximately 3 hours), or take a train from Lyon to Montélimar.

If you decide to fly, car hire is strongly recommended, simply because the region is beautiful and having a car will give you much more opportunity to discover the Ardèche. Car hire is possible from airports, Montélimar and most other big train stations as well as big supermarkets.

By plane, no car:

1. Fly to Lyon
2. Take short train to Lyon Part-Dieu
3. Transfer to train to Montélimar
4. Taxi from Montélimar to Burzet

By train, no car:

1. Train to Paris
2. Paris to Montélimar
3. Taxi from Montélimar to Burzet

Transfers

Taxis can be arranged for those arriving into Montélimar at the recommended time.
We will arrange people to share taxis at the cost of €130 for 4 people or €140 for 8 people (one way). The exact cost will be confirmed according to the number of people sharing a taxi.

If you are arriving at a different station/airport or at a different time, transfers to Margot will be your own responsibility but we are happy to help with taxi or car rental company suggestions if required.

Margot is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Montélimar train station.

Location:
La Fesaye,
331 Route de Pratmiral, Burzet,
07450, Ardèche,
France