A Gentle Christmas
A retreat for parents spending Christmas without their children
Christmas Retreat
EN 21-26 December 2025
Early Bird - Get 20% off the price with the code THISISFORME (sign up before 1 December)
You Are Not Alone This Christmas — Come Gather in Warmth and Community
Rest. Reflect. Reconnect. A Soulful Christmas Retreat in Southwest France.
When the world gathers around Christmas trees and bright wrapping paper, some hearts fall quiet.
For many parents, Christmas without their children can feel tender and empty — a quiet space where love has nowhere to go.
This retreat is created for those tender hearts: an invitation to be held in community, warmth, and gentle belonging — to find connection and meaning in the midst of absence.
At La Commanderie, our days will unfold slowly — wrapped in candlelight, creativity, and community.
Together, we’ll create our own way of celebrating: simple, soulful, and nourishing on every level.
✨ The Intention
To soften the ache of separation and reconnect with the self that has been waiting beneath the busyness of life.
To rediscover peace in your own presence.
To celebrate the quiet strength that rises when we gather in truth and tenderness.
This retreat is not about avoiding Christmas — it’s about reimagining it.
Finding meaning, connection, and gentle joy in being exactly where you are.
The Experience
Each day will offer a rhythm of rest, reflection, and community.
December 21 – Arrival and settling in.
December 22 – In the afternoon, we’ll gather for a creative workshop to make our own natural Christmas decorations — weaving branches, herbs, and simple ornaments to adorn our shared space.
December 23 – A hands-on cooking workshop with our guest chef. Together, we’ll learn to prepare a festive vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free meal, ending with naturally sweet desserts.
December 24 – Our Christmas Eve celebration. We’ll walk around the Christmas tree and sing songs — inspired by the Danish tradition — and everyone is invited to share or bring a song, poem, or ritual from their own culture.
We’ll enjoy the meal we prepared together, gathered in warmth and light.
December 25 – A day of stillness and gratitude. Time for nature walks, rest, reflection, and gentle sharing.
December 26 – Closing circle and departure after breakfast.
Each day also includes gentle yoga, yin yoga or restorative yoga. Yoga nidra, meditation, and moments of quiet reflection, held in the serene winter atmosphere of La Commanderie.
Food & Community
This retreat is centered around community and simplicity.
All meals will be cooked and shared together, taking turns in the kitchen and preparing food with mindfulness and love.
Our meals are:
🥗100% organic
🌾Vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free
🚫No smoking, no alcohol — to support clarity and deep rest.
💖 For Whom
This retreat is for parents who are not spending Christmas with their children this year — and for anyone who wishes to approach this season differently.
You don’t have to love Christmas. You don’t have to escape it.
You are simply invited to come home to yourself, gently and deeply.
Spa, Pool & Sauna
During your stay at La Commanderie, you’ll have access to our small wellness area, created to help you unwind between sessions and enjoy some quiet moments for yourself.
Jacuzzi
Our jacuzzi is heated and ready for you to enjoy whenever you need a break. It’s perfect for relaxing tired muscles, warming up on cooler days, or simply taking a few minutes to pause and breathe.
Sauna
You’re welcome to use our sauna throughout the retreat. It’s a great way to relieve tension, ease the body, and support a deeper sense of relaxation after yoga or meditation.
Pool
For the vikings and other outdoor enthusiasts, the outdoor pool is ready for a refreshing cool dip — perfect for alternating between the warm jacuzzi, the sauna, and the crisp outdoor water.
About Us
I'm Catja—and I'm here to hold space for the parts of you that feel tender, tired, or in transition.
I hold space through meditation, yoga nidra, circles of reflection, somatic practices, and quiet ritual—tools that have helped me find my way home again and again. My work is rooted in the rhythms of nature, the wisdom of the feminine body, and the belief that we don’t need fixing—we need space to soften and be seen.
This Christmas retreat is especially close to my heart.
Every second year, when my children spent the holidays with their dad, I felt that tender quiet — the mixture of love, longing, and emptiness that can arise when the house falls silent.
For years, I searched for a retreat that could hold that feeling with gentleness and meaning.
I never found it — so now, I’m creating it myself.
A retreat where we can rest, share, and celebrate differently.
Where we replace the rush and noise of the season with warmth, presence, and community.
Where we honour love in all its forms — even when the people we love most are far away.
This is my offering: a Christmas rooted in simplicity, connection, and peace.
A space for the heart to exhale — and remember that we are never truly alone.
Dates and Prices
21-26 December 2025
Accommodation Options & Prices (per person):
Shared Room (dorm style) 650 €
Perfect for women traveling alone who are open to community.
This bright and spacious room accommodates 5–6 women. It’s a wonderful choice if you enjoy the sense of togetherness and the deep connections that arise when sharing space with like-minded souls.Capacity: 5–6 women (1 double bed (140x200) + 4 single beds)
Bathroom: Private (in the room)Shared Room (Mezzanine) 650 €
The mezzanine is located above the shared kitchen and living area and consists of an open sleeping space with three single beds. The sleeping area is separated from the rest of the space by curtains. This is a shared mixed-gender accommodation, ideal for solo travelers who appreciate a simple and communal atmosphere. The curtains around the beds create a cozy, cocoon-like atmosphere.Bathroom: Shared (in the room)
Shared Double Room 750 €
Perfect for 1–2 adults.
This room offers flexible sleeping arrangements with either one double bed or two single beds.Capacity: 2 adults in a double bed or 2 single beds
Bathroom: Private (in the room)
Ideal for: Two friends sharing, a couple, or a solo guest (single occupancy 1.100 € – contact us for availability)All prices include accommodation, organic, plant-based meals, snacks, and all on-site activities.
If this retreat speaks to your heart but the price feels out of reach, contact me — together we can find a solution.
Dates and Prices
21-26 December 2025
What’s Included
Your stay at La Commanderie is designed as a gentle, nourishing experience for body, mind, and heart.
Everything during these days supports rest, connection, and quiet celebration.
Included in your retreat:
5 nights / 5 days of accommodation in a peaceful, historic setting
Daily Yoga Nidra, meditation, and yoga practices (gentle yoga, yin yoga, restorative yoga)
Creative workshop to craft Christmas decorations
Cooking workshop with a guest chef — learning to prepare a festive, vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free meal
Shared Christmas Eve celebration — with songs, candles, and traditions from different cultures
Organic, plant-based gluten- and dairy-free meals — prepared in small teams and enjoyed together,
Sharing circles offering a safe space for reflection, support, and meaningful conversations
Access to a sauna and jacuzzi for deep relaxation
All materials for creative and ritual activities
Unlimited tea and herbal infusions throughout your stay
Not sure if this is the right fit for you? Let’s talk! You can book a free call here.
Testimonials
"I recently attended the yoga retreat at la Commanderie in the state of France and it was exactly what I needed. After finishing the Camino de Santiago, I was looking for a place to rest, reflect and ease into a life transition I’m moving through. This retreat provided the perfect sanctuary. The theme/focus on embodied movement and calming the nervous system was restorative. Catja, our host, is a loving and nurturing soul and she created a space that felt safe. I loved the balance between activities and free time and the food was nourishing and delicious. Everything was prepared with such care and love – making sure everyone’s dietary needs were taken care of. I’m grateful for the peace, reflections and connection I found here."
-Julie Owen
"The experience was magical. The place is perfect for getting some head space and healing. I would highly recommend to friends and colleagues. I leave the retreat feeling very privileged to have been able to share this amazing space with these lovely people. It has touched my heart. "
-Kate Wyman, UK, www.yoga-by-kate.com
"La Commanderie is amazing! The physical grounds and buildings wrap all activities in a kind of peace and wonder. Catja (and Etienne) create such a lovely open space that every one of the members of our group when I was there found deep connection – both within ourselves and with each other… If you are looking to find a way (back) to your most authentic self, I highly recommend this retreat, especially for women!"
-Karen D
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience with yoga and meditation?
No, you don't need any prior experience. All exercises and practices are adapted so you can participate, regardless of your level.
Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is for parents who are not spending Christmas with their children this year, and for anyone longing for a more peaceful, meaningful way to experience the holidays.
You don’t have to be a parent to join — just someone who wishes to rest, reconnect, and celebrate Christmas differently.
What is a typical day like?
Each day includes a blend of gentle yoga, meditation, creative or sharing sessions, and free time to rest or explore the surroundings.
Christmas Eve will be a special celebration with our shared festive meal, songs, and rituals.
What language is the retreat in?
The retreat will be held in English, with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all nationalities. If you feel more comfortable in Danish or French, feel free to reach out—we will make sure you feel at ease.
What about food and dietary preferences?
All meals are 100% organic, vegetarian, and free from gluten and dairy.
We will prepare the meals together as part of the retreat experience, taking turns and sharing time in the kitchen.
If you have any allergies or additional dietary needs, please let us know when booking.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely — most participants come on their own.
The retreat is designed to create a warm sense of community and belonging, even for those arriving solo.
What are the accommodations like?
You'll stay at La Commanderie, a centuries-old sanctuary in Southwest France. Rooms are simple, soulful, and shared unless otherwise requested. There is access to beautiful outdoor areas, a chapel, jacuzzi, sauna, a cold pool, and silence. For more information, look at the "La Commanderie" tab.
What if I feel emotional during the retreat?
You’re in a safe space.
This retreat is built on gentleness, presence, and care — it’s perfectly okay to feel whatever arises.
Everything will be held with compassion and respect.
How do I get there?
La Commanderie is located in the Gers region of France. The nearest airports are Toulouse and Bordeaux. Shuttle or carpooling options can be arranged—reach out and we’ll help you get here.
🚗 By car: 1 hour 20 minutes from Toulouse, 2 hours 30 minutes from Bordeaux.
🚆By train: Nearest train stations are Auch and Agen.
✈️ By plane: Toulouse-Blagnac or Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport. Carcassonne Airport is also a possibility.
I’m still not sure… can we talk first?
Absolutely. If you're unsure if this retreat is right for you, we’d love to connect.
💌 Book a free clarity call here
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