Fitness and well-being Holidays For all abilities and levels - body and mind

We offer you the opportunity to relax, stay fit and unwind with this unique Fitness and Wellbeing Holiday. On our estate, we have 80 acres of gardens, woodland and meadows as well as a 20-acre lake for you to explore, unwind and relax. Our Fitness and Well-being Holidays are a mix of both fitness training and well-being activities combined with fun, laughter and a healthy menu option. With accommodation in our 16th Century converted barn, great French cuisine and facilities such as our salt water heated pool and sauna, La Ribiere Retreat is a great place to get away from it all – unwind, stay fit and recharge your batteries, body and mind. 

The Holidays

Our holidays run 7 days Saturday to Saturday and are led by our experienced group fitness tutor Paul Matthews. Holidays are outdoor mix-fitness, cardio, strength, core and full body. This is designed to put your body through its paces but be fun and is aimed at all levels from someone who just wants to get a little fitter to those that want to push themselves a little bit harder. Wellbeing activities normally take place in the afternoon or evening depending on the time of year and include meditation, massage, connecting with nature in our woodland and night-time star gazing to name just a few. 

Paul will be your fitness coach for your stay, he teaches in the UK in Worcestershire, where he runs outdoors and boxing fitness classes aimed at all levels of fitness and ability. He is a fully qualified instructor and works with people who share a passion to get fit and stay mentally healthy.   

Paul's own journey is an inspiration to anyone.  

When asked about his own fitness journey, Paul said “During my twenties and early thirties I was very fit, but as soon as a desk job and self-employment came my way, I found myself working crazy hours and never exercising, plus eating far too much bread and cheese and drinking a lot more alcohol than I should have. So, at the beginning of 2018, I announced to my wife that I wanted to be fit for my 50th birthday, which would be in the following January. 

Fast forward to Summer 2018 and after spending the previous 6-7 months saying that I’m too busy to exercise, my wife booked me in for the NHS “MOT” which I failed spectacularly! I had a worryingly high Systolic blood pressure of 166Mg (120Mg being the ideal), high cholesterol and was borderline Type 2 Diabetes. My BMI was over 30 (obese!) and at 5ft 8 inches, I weighed in at 90.4Kg which is over 14 stone, had a heart age that was 10 years older than me and was at twice the national average risk of developing a Cardiovascular Disease.” 

So began his journey  

Within 3 months from receiving the bad news from the doctor, he had shed 3 stone and had control of his blood pressure which was back into the “normal” range.  

This was the point that he felt ready to give military bootcamps a go and absolutely loved the experience! After realising that he was actually a lot fitter than he’d thought, he progressed to the next level within a couple of weeks.  

With the help, knowledge and support of the bootcamp instructors, he reached the top fitness level and then decided it was time push himself further and enrolled onto a fitness instructor course, which he passed with flying colours in just a few weeks and secured his position as a fully-fledged instructor. 

What to expect

We pick up guest from Limoges Airport. There are flights from London Stanstead, East Midlands, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol throughout the summer months and from London Stanstead, East Midlands and Manchester throughout the year. 

On arrival at Ribiere Retreat, you will be greeted with a drinks reception and light healthy buffet (vegetarian options are available). You will meet the other guests, your instructor, Paul, and Ribiere Retreat owners/hosts, Heidi and David. You will be shown around the site and to your accommodation. Paul will give a short overview of the week and show you some of the things we have planned for you to do.

Most weeks consist of breakfast 07h30-09h00 with the mornings exercise class starting at 10.00.   Classes are aimed at all abilities, and will be fun and lively. They will include days working on cardio, strength building, body core, all over body workout and mixed with some fun activities using our  woodland location and lake setting to the max. 

Lunch at 12h30. At 14h00 you will have wellness options to choose from. On days when you are off-site, lunch will be either in a local restaurant or we will bring a buffet lunch for 12h30. 

The afternoon sessions will be a mix of fitness and relaxation - light physical activity or meditation and well being activities - meditation, yoga, massage etc. Some of which are outlined below in the next section.  You will have the option on doing more physical activity or doing a mix of well being activities and exercise. or focusing more on one activity. Depending on your level of fitness etc. The afternoon session finishes around 16h00, allowing you time to relax before dinner at the pool or go for a nice walk around the lake/surrounding woodland walks. Dinner is served at 19h30 and is a four-course dinner with a traditional French flavour. (see our food menu examples here)

We build in some free time during your stay to relax and enjoy yourself at the pool/sauna, take in local sights or walk in the local countryside. The evening before departure we enjoy a social evening and drinks reception. Transport to the airport is provided on the day of your departure. 

Dates for 2021 - April 3rd - 10th - May 29th - 3rd June - September 4th - 11th. 

Each day we build in a range of activities which help you unwind and relax. Some are just plan old sitting and doing nothing. Others involved more organised sessions and can include the following depending on the time of year.  The whole aim is to get you away from the everyday and reconnect you to nature and to yourself. 

Massage - we offer a relaxing 30-minute body massage to relax your body and set the tone for the rest of your evening. 

Lake swimming at dawn - let's take a jog down to the lake at dawn and start the day off in the best way possible with an invigorating plunge. 

Star gazing and outside sleeping - We get no light pollution here. You can see the stars for miles and miles, see the planets, and wave at the international space station. You will be amazed at what you can see. 

Meditation - If you want to take time out and meditate we have an outdoor area for simply relaxing and finding time to connect with yourself. 

Sauna - Relax and unwind with a hot sauna and cold plunge. 

Yoga - stretch, balance, relax with our hour-long yoga classes. 

Woodland animal walk at dawn and at dusk - When was the last time you listened to the dawn chorus or heard the animal world wake-up? At dusk, see the owls, deer, hedgehogs and the bats.