Connect at Chateau des Forges
a yoga retreat on castle grounds
May 11 - 15, 2026
Chateau des Forges, Commentry France
Join me at the castle
for very special retreat
Will you be one of the 11 people joining the next Connect Retreat? Come explore the castle grounds with me, practice in the stunning castle attic and soak up the beauty of the area.
Join me for a 5 d a y r e t r e a t
Stay at the Chateau's newly restored guest house
- Yoga practices:
- You will be guided through slow flow, restorative and yoga nidra practices that will bring softness, kindness, curiosity and joy to your yoga mat
- Meditation:
From movement meditation, to quiet walks around the beautiful surroundings, to invitations to move inwards. You will be guided into practices that are created to help you find ease and kindness. - Creative practices:
Through different practices we will tap into our creativity, from journaling to singing. To assembling your own jewelry with our host Julia Otilia. Allow your mind and your intuition the space to create in your way. - Time to relax:
As always, the Connect retreats offer you space to do you! Enough space to retreat and spend some quiet time when you need it.
The Castle attic
will be our Yoga space
Can you imagine rolling out your mat in this beautiful space?
Here we will meet daily for our practices and gatherings. The castle is just a short walk away from the guest house. We will walk the stairs to the attic. Here we will practice
- Yoga practices for all bodies and experience levels
- Movement chosen to make you feel good
- Restorative practices to help your body find rest and relaxation
- Yoga Nidra for guided deep relaxation.
All practices with Biddy are trauma informed and adjusted to your needs. We move from what we feel and need, instead of thinking about how poses should look.
While the practices are for all abilities, unfortunately this beautiful space comes with 3 flights of stairs.
The renovated Guesthouse
During the retreat the whole Guest House will be for our retreat guests only. The retreat will purposefully be for a small group of 11 people total.
You can choose between:
- a single room (only 3 available)
- or a shared twin room (only 4 available)
W h a t ' s i n c l u d e d
- 4 nights stay at the Chateau des Forges Guest House
- 4x breakfast and lunch packages
- 4x dinner
- Daily Yoga & Meditation practices
- Daily workshops
- Free time to explore the area, rest and relax
- Yoga mats, props are available
- Bed linen
- Towels
- Welcome Package
N O T i n c l u d e d
- Your travel expenses to and from Commentry
- Transfer to/from Commentry station (optional and price tbd)
You can find Chateau des Forges here:
03600 Commentry, France (click to open Google maps)
We recommend traveling the weekend before the retreat starts. That way you can enjoy the journey stress free and let the travel be a part of the trip where you can transition to get in the mood for the retreat.
Commentry has good connections to both Paris & Lyon by train.
Find your train trip from both cities here. Find more information about the travel options in the FAQ below.
By car the drive from Delft in the Netherlands is approximately 800 km.
P R O G R A M
Monday May 11Our program will start from 2 pm. Welcome drinks & opening circle + Yoga practice
Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday
between 8.30 and 17.30: Morning Yoga classes + Afternoon workshops
Friday Morning
Morning practice and closing circle
The program is still being created and fine tuned. There will also be one or two cozy evening practices.
Program ends Friday May 15, around 1 pm.
between 8.30 and 17.30: Morning Yoga classes + Afternoon workshops
Morning practice and closing circle
F r e e t i m e
Our program will balance activity with free time. Giving you space to also find time to explore, sit down with a book, or enjoy laying in the grass and watching the clouds float by.
You are invited to take good care of yourself and your needs, which means that there is always space for us and our program to be flexible where needed.
P R I C I N G
There are only 11 spots available!
Private rooms:
SOLD OUT
members & early bird: €1025
regular: €1215
Shared twin rooms:
members & early bird: €895
regular: €1050
Early Bird Ends December 31, 2025
About your host
Biddy is a yoga therapist, yoga teacher trainer and yoga teacher. She loves creating ways for people to Connect. To themselves, their minds, feelings and bodies. To each other on retreats like this one.
She knows that every single body is unique, that everybody has their own story. Her teachings and events aim to make the practices she offers, suit YOU. She offers trauma informed movement and rest, meant to create ease and calm, as well as curiosity and joy.
With over 1000 training hours, and almost a decade of teaching, she has only grown to love sharing yoga more and more.
About Chateau des Forges
This beautiful French Château can be found in the hills of Auvergne.
We will be among the first to enjoy a yoga retreat in the newly renovated boutique hotel and conscious retreat location. Over the past year the owners have been renovating and rebuilding the guesthouse where we will stay.
They have created a stunning place, where getting away from the daily hustle & bustle you might find yourself in, will feel soothing and calming just by the surroundings!
Take a peek at their instagram to see the journey they have been on, to create this amazing spot.
Course Pricing
Booking is now open!
Our private rooms are taken. If you are unsure about sharing a room, or have other questions, please use this link to plan a call with me so we can have a chat.
No strings attached, just a chance to ask any questions you might have!
If you prefer to pay in installments? Start by filling out this form to register,
and you will receive an email with options for your payment plan within 48 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to have Yoga experience?
You do not! Wether you have been practicing daily for years or not at all, these workshops will be accessible to everyone. In the lead up to the retreat Biddy will release a Yoga for beginners video online, so you can get in the mood!
Is the retreat wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately the castle attic where we will practice is only reachable through the 3 flights of stairs. While these steps are wide and not too high, there is no option for wheelchair users to reach the attic. Stay tuned for more retreat options later in the year, as we strive to offer you a fully accessible retreat this year as well.
What are the payment options?
Contact Biddy if you would like to spread your payments. The first downpayment to register your booking is €100. Your last payment is due on April 10th, 2026,at the latest, and we can work out a payment plan working up to that! Email Biddy for more information: biddy@yogavayu.nl
What are my travel options?
We recommend traveling the weekend before the retreat starts. That way you can enjoy the journey stress free and let the travel be a part of the trip where you can transition to get in the mood for the retreat.
🚗 By car
At the moment all participants are coming from the Netherlands. It’s an 8 hour road trip to the Castle grounds, and if you are open to traveling together we can bring you in touch! We will even make sure you have a roadtrip playlist and snack package for your trip!
✈️ By air
Fy to Clermont Ferrand (CFE).
From Amsterdam and London there are regular flights operated by KLM/Air France to Clermont Ferrand, with a transfer in Paris (4 to 5 hour average). The airport is a 75 minute car ride or train ride from Commentry.
🚆 By train
- Rotterdam - Paris: 2h 48 minutes by Eurostar
- From Paris: A 4h 45 min. train ride with 1 transfer in Riom
Train tickets can be booked 3 months before your travel date -> the earlier you book, the cheaper.
Depending on how people prefer to travel, we can arrange 1 pick up in Commentry at the train station -or- at the airport in Clermont Ferrand.
Will I have time for myself?
Yes! There will be a balance between the workshops and joined activities and time to be by yourself. You are always free to skip an activity if you need a little more space.
Do I need to bring anything special?
Comfortable clothes, including shoes that will be okay for a walk around the chateau. A water bottle and your favorite pen if you have one. If you have your own Yoga mat and accessories you can bring those, but these can also be made available to you on the location. A more detailed list will be sent to you a little closer to the retreat date.
How many people can join the retreat?
I have purposefully chosen to keep the group small. The venue our workshops will take place in holds 11 participants max. That means that there will be enough space for us to connect to each and every one of you. This allows space for your needs and experience. This of course also means that there are limited spots available, please contact me if you have any questions!
I have another question
Please email me with your question at biddy@yogavayu.nl
Biddy Messchaert
Biddy is the founder of Yoga with Biddy.
She is a yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer and is on the cusp of becoming a Yoga Therapist through the 875 hour training at the Yoga Therapy Institute. She has trained extensively in several styles of yoga, as she is always curious to learn more.
Biddy has a passion for sharing movement, knowledge and creativity, which comes together seamlessly in her work. She has been teaching group classes, retreats and private sessions since 2017. She assisted Adriene Mishler (Yoga with Adriene) in her latest European Roadshow, and also assisted Lizzie Lasater with her Restorative teacher trainings in the Netherlands. She has been a co-trainer for The Yoga Therapy Institutes 200 hour teacher trainings both in part-time trainings in the Netherlands, and in the 22 day intensive trainings in France.
Biddy's teachings are based on her knowledge of the body and movement, combined with compassion and a little bit of nerdy humor. Biddy’s style of teaching will invite you to explore, be curious and kind to yourself. She brings creativity and compassion to her sessions and teachings. Her work is trauma informed.
Her biggest passion in movement, meditation and rest is to empower her students to make the practice of yoga fit their needs and abilities.
