Paris + the Loire Valley:
A Soulful Journey through Food, Wine, Wellness, and Culture in France
May 29 - June 7, 2026
This experience is a food, wine, and wellness lovers dream as we take you on a journey from the streets of Paris to the alluring Loire Valley where the forest meets fairytale châteaux, centuries old vineyards, and charming medieval towns.
We meet in Paris where you will enjoy 3 days of culture and wanderlust. We’ll eat our way through the Marais district with our local food + history expert, savor a delightful group dinner, and still have plenty of time to explore the sights of the enchanting City of Lights at your leisure. From the Eiffel tower to Notre Dame, your Parisian dream awaits all before traveling onward to our award-winning estate nestled in the Sologne Forest of the Val de Loire in central France.
Tucked away amongst century-old sequoia trees, you will experience a full schedule of bespoke wellness classes, gourmet French cuisine prepared by our private chef, and excursions to the valley's most magnificent châteaux and vineyards. Wine? Why yes! Our excursions include wine tastings and tours at some of the valley's most treasured vineyards where you will indulge in local vintners and Provence-style luncheons. Take an optional day trip to the town of Blois where you will have time to wander the narrow medieval streets and enjoy a Michelin star lunch.
The Loire Valley is the perfect place to unwind, re-balance and explore your inner self all while experiencing the sights and tastes of France!
Kim and James to take care of everything from the moment you arrive...till the second you depart!
Our retreats are small group adventures and this one is no different. We can accommodate 12 clients on this amazing trip, so we encourage you to take advantage of our early bird sign up special.
(You don’t have to do yoga to come on this adventure) :)
Wellness
Yoga with Guided Meditation & Reiki Healing - Flow through nourishing yoga led by Kim, seamlessly paired with soul-centering guided meditations by James. Each class includes intuitive hands-on Reiki and personalized adjustments for a deeply healing experience.
Past Life Regression Journey - Explore the echoes of your soul’s history as James gently guides the group through a powerful past life regression, held within Kim’s deeply restorative yoga postures.
Evening Gong Sound Bath - Unwind beneath the stars with Ming-Lei’s immersive sound journey featuring gong, brass bowls, and sacred instruments—an evening ritual to soothe the nervous system and reset the spirit.
Past Life Message Circle - Gather in sacred space as James channels divine akashic energy, offering each participant an intuitive past life reading in this unique group ceremony of remembrance and revelation.
Excursions
Paris Food Tour through French History - Stroll through the heart of Paris as our expert local guide regales you with stories of Napoleon + Josephine, and how history shaped French cuisine. Visit family-run shops to taste iconic delights such as chocolate, charcuterie, pastries, cognac, and wine.
Day Trip to Chambord (pictured) + Chenonceau Châteux - Visit the gems of the Loire Valley followed by a curated wine tasting at Domaine Daridan, a local family-owned organic winery.
Afternoon at Amboise Château - Castle visit followed by a private lunch at the Montdomaine wine estate. The day ends with a wine tasting at the Vouvray Winery, one of the oldest family-owned wineries in the region.
Optional ADD ON: Michelin Star Lunch + Blois - Enjoy a 4-course lunch with premium wine pairing at Che Christopher Hay. This restaurant has two Michelin stars for culinary excellence, and 1 green Michelin star for their commitment to sustainable gastronomy.
Your hosts
Intuitive and Spiritual Teacher + owner of Bene Mudra, James Bene
Yoga Teacher + Retreat Leader, Kim Larkin
(pictured at our 2022 Sicily retreat)
We are longtime friends, creative collaborators, and passionate wanderlusters who live on opposite coasts of the U.S.—but are always finding new ways to come together and share magic with others. Over the years, we’ve co-led unforgettable group retreats in Sicily, Greece, and beyond, weaving together our unique gifts to create deeply nourishing, soulful experiences.
With a shared love for travel, transformation, and heart-centered connection, we're thrilled to bring our next chapter to Paris + the Loire Valley—a region steeped in elegance, enchantment, and timeless beauty.
Kim (me!) is a seasoned yoga teacher and retreat leader, known for her grounded, empowering approach to movement + presence, and her retreat planning + organizational skills. James is an acclaimed intuitive, spiritual teacher, Reiki master, and life coach with over 20 years of experience guiding clients through personal awakening + deep healing. Together, we offer a harmonious blend of yoga, guided meditation, energy healing, and intuitive development, inviting each participant to come home to themselves—mind, body, and spirit.
Follow us on Instagram:
find James @benemudra
find Kim @yogagrrrl
Our Loire Valley accommodations and yoga shala.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Three (3) nights accommodation in Paris, including daily breakfast.
Group welcome dinner in Paris.
Guided food + history tour of the Le Marais neighborhood of Paris.
Group transfer from Paris to the Loire Valley retreat.
Six (6) nights accommodation at our private retreat in the Loire Valley (pictured above).
Mostly vegetarian meals at the retreat center (we will have eggs, cheese, and some occasional animal protein).
All classes + workshops with Kim + James.
Two days of excursions in the Loire Valley including visits to the famous châteaux of the region, wine tours + tastings, and scrumptious lunches.
Gong sound bath.
Dance party with our resident DJ on the last night of the retreat.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
International airfare to/from Paris
Airport transfers.
Two dinners in Paris.
Michelin Star lunch in Loire Valley (optional add on).
Alcohol (available to purchase).
Travel insurance - strongly recommended. Squaremouth is a good resource to compare travel insurance coverage from many different providers, including “cancel for any reason” options.
PRICING:
A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. Early bird pricing until November 15, 2025 (payment in full by this date).
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:
Early bird pricing: $5550 per person sharing a double room with ensuite bath. Full price after Nov 29th: $5850 per person.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY:
Early bird pricing: $6650 per person in a single room with ensuite bath. Full price after Nov 29th: $6950 per person.
Cancellation policy:
If you cancel by Jan 1, 2026, your payment will be refunded less the $500 deposit. Payments are non-refundable after this date.
***We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance to cover any unforeseen events. The website Squaremouth allows you to compare many different plans and has “cancel for any reason” options.
If you are at all curious or interested, I am happy to answer any questions you have.
Feel free to fill out the below contact form and I’ll get back to you.