FAQ You've got questions? We have answers.

Expect a personalized experience in a private home, offering time for stillness and reflection; thought-provoking conversations that open your mind to new perspectives; 44 hectares of serene nature perfect for hiking; exclusive access to a secluded estate, complete with a 19th-century orangery and a historic chapel; rejuvenating meditation and Forest Bathing; SoulCollage®, Dreamwork, and the tranquil beauty of Wabi Sabi; nourishing meals; uniquely designed private suites; and peaceful nights under a star-filled sky.

All retreat guests stay in the French home of teacher-host couple Thomas van Praag and Véronique Van Hoye who have made it their life to lovingly restore the old estate. The place boasts a large house ( the château), a chapel, and several other outbuildings. The retreat activities take place indoors and out; there are spacious working and relaxation areas, comfortable private suites, a large fireplace, and a hot tub.

WABI SABI

Throughout the restoration we apply the principles of the Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy, a view of the world where beauty is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Patina and wear, visible repairs, anomalies of previous restorations, these all add character. The house is decorated with things we have made ourselves or that were designed for us by artisan friends, with found objects and weathered furniture. Everything in the house has a story to tell.

For you to get the most out of your retreat, we encourage you to unplug. We also recognise that you may want to stay in touch with work and/or family and we schedule time for this each day. We have free wi-fi available based on our 4G connection, there is no land line.

A key element of your stay is the delicious, vegetarian food that we prepare. Ingredients are fresh and wherever possible organic and locally sourced. If you have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, we try to build these into the menu. A wide range of hot and cold drinks is available at any time.

How to sustain growth is a strong theme of our retreats. It starts with the in-take conversation you have with us before you arrive and leads into the range of practical tools and techniques you can use at home. To make sure that the transformation you’ve made during your time with us continues when you return home, we will follow up with you for an IFS session a few weeks after your departure.

All fitness levels are welcome. We will send you a packing list for every season– which always includes soft slip-on shoes or slippers to wear inside the house, a swimsuit for the hot tub experience (it’s clothing optional), indoor shoes, suitable footwear and layered outdoor clothing. We provide yoga mats, bathrobes and flip-flops.

The health and safety of our guests are of paramount importance to us and we follow the Covid-19 guidelines provided by the French government. Click here for full details in English:   https://www.gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus-covid-19.

Physical distancing is easy at Lescure. The estate comprises more than 44 hectares of woodland and we spend much time outside during the workshops. The house we share is large, all suites are spacious with windows to bring fresh air in and have private bathrooms. We provide individual soap, hand sanitisers and towels in all the rooms. In the kitchen (dining area) we provide liquid soap and paper towels.

Despite our size, we cater to small groups only.

By road:
We are in the Larzac village of Lapanouse de Cernon in the Aveyron region in Southern-France. We provide details for Google maps. We have off-road parking on our property.

By air:
Montpellier, Béziers (both 1,5 hours drive) and Toulouse (2,5 hours drive) are the closest airports and are well served by flights from all over Europe.

By rail:
Our nearest train station is Montpellier, which is connected to Paris by high-speed TGV.

Public transport and taxi services are very limited. We recommend renting a car. You can also contact us to discuss transfer services.

You'll be invited to a free introductory call or meeting with Thomas, along with at least one IFS session before booking (with no obligation). This allows him to understand your story and ensure you get the most out of your time at Lescure.

No.While some people seek intensives specifically for Internal Family Systems work, many come simply looking for a deeper, more transformative approach to overcoming a block,  healing from trauma, or preparing for a major life change.

We can discuss whether it’s a good fit for you during a free consultation. If committing to a weekly schedule feels tough right now but you’re eager to make quick progress, a retreat with an intensive approach might be exactly what you need.

Research shows that IFS is highly effective in addressing trauma, anxiety, relationship challenges, difficult childhood experiences, perfectionism, and more. Many of my IFS intensive clients grapple with toxic family dynamics, workaholism, grief, overachievement, and self-doubt. Unlike traditional talk therapy, IFS intensives can help uncover and heal the root causes of these struggles much more quickly.

An IFS intensive offers a focused, accelerated approach to this work without the need for the regular sessions. While the frequency and intensity may differ from traditional therapy, the healing power of the IFS modality remains just as effective.  Our retreats offer a deep, immersive experience over a concentrated period. This allows for extended exploration, uninterrupted focus, and transformative breakthroughs that may take longer to achieve in standard therapy. Additionally, we integrate other practices such as nature immersion, and creative processes, fostering a more embodied and restorative healing journey.

Intensives are, by nature, deeply immersive, allowing us to focus on you, your challenges, and your goals for much longer than a typical therapy session.

That said, IFS is a profoundly respectful and gentle approach that never pushes or bypasses any part of your system. As a result, IFS intensives should feel rich, deep, and transformative. Throughout the process, Thomas will stay attuned to your needs.