Salut, fam! We can’t wait to adventure with you in France oh-so-soon. In the meantime, here’s all the info you need to get ready {but if you have other questions, don’t hesitate to drop us a line!} Please take a few minutes to help us get to know you with the pre-retreat survey, below.

packing tips

PYC retreats are about connection, to a new place and also to your truest self. So come as you are, or as you'd like to be. We'll have one or two nicer meals, but for the most part, you can be as casual or as put-together as you like. Do what makes you feel good.

There are, however, a few things we want to be sure you remember…

• comfortable clothes for movement and meditation // Aim for layers, to keep you covered for sweaty moments and sweet Savasana in the breeze. in fact…

• layers are très chic // Daytime temps tend to hover in the high 70s, while it dips down around 60 at night (that’s highs around 25 and lows around 15 celsius) - yet another reason September in Provence is so dreamy. We recommend dressing in layers for comfort.

• walking shoes // We always recommend comfortable shoes for cobblestone-wandering, but for this retreat in particular, you’ll be well-served by sturdy walking/hiking shoes, as the trails can be rocky or slippery in places.

• swimwear // for pool time, beach time, and tucked-away swimming holes. (and cliff-jumping?? …that’s up to you).

• things for reading, writing, being // poolside doomscrolling? non merci! pack yourself a book, a journal, a pen - something to inspire more ‘being’ than ‘doing’

• any medications you may need // French pharmacies are stocked differently than you may be used to, which can be fun to explore, but if you think you'll want any specific comforts, may as well bring them along. That said, you should also have…

• room in your suitcase! // There are so many treasures to discover here, from soaps and perfectly French striped knits to unique handicrafts and other packable works of art.

• and of course, don’t forget your passport 😉

a note on currency:  The vast majority of shops and cafés accept cards and tap-to-pay with your phone (and your meals are already covered!); you should only need cash Euros for small transactions like a coffee and pastry. There are plenty of secure ATMs available, but check to see if your bank/cards have foreign transaction fees. 

got a little extra time? here are a few nearby dreamscapes you might want to visit…

Marseille
My adopted hometown! Marseille has been a major immigration hub for 2,000 years, making it a cauldron of diverse cultural and gastronomic influences unlike anywhere else in France. I am obsessed with this city and will tell you all the best places to stay, eat, beach, hike, and wander. Come to Marseille for natural beauty wildly different from home; funky-cool neighborhoods and an innovative food scene; high-speed train links to Paris, Italy, and Spain.

Nice
We love Nice’s classic old-world vibe, abundant English speakers, and the hidden gems you’ll find along its winding streets. It’s almost like a bigger, more cosmopolitan version of Cassis. Visit Nice for old-Hollywood glamour meets modern infrastructure; beach-front cocktails; and colorful tableaus. You can also easily visit Cannes and Saint-Tropez from here, if that’s your jam.

Paris
In addition to being, well, Paris, the City of Lights is my second home in France and if you stop through even for 24 hours, we’ll have loads of recommendations tailored to your desires. (I especially love Paris’ quiet corners, perfect for slowing down with a book and an espresso, watching the city dance around you; if you think you’ve “done Paris,” please allow me to convince you otherwise).

Menton
This little gem of the Riviera (pictured above) is a postcard come to life. Menton’s seaside, colorful buildings and hilly cobblestone streets will charm you from morning to starry night. Also, from here you can hop a 20-minute train to Italy, just for lunch or a cannoli or whatever - how fun is that??