Our commitment
The Slow Charter of Retreatorium
Time and space to reconnect with oneself
For us, well-being begins with the possibility of slowing down, resting, and finding attention for oneself. This can be achieved through yoga, meditation, breathing, time in nature, or simply a break from daily life.
We look for stays where everyone can choose practices that suit them, with free time and a clearly announced pace. The criteria of our Slow charter help us identify venues that make this pause possible.
How we choose the venues
Before listing a venue, we examine the available information on its welcome, the pace of the stays offered, and its links with the local environment.
These three criteria guide our selection. The venue pages specify if the information has been confirmed with the venue manager or gathered from public sources. The Slow charter is our selection method, not a certification.
01 A welcome with a personal touch
A small, personal setting is about more than the number of rooms. It also depends on the care given to guests, shared spaces and the way people are welcomed.
We prioritise venues whose descriptions make it clear what a stay is like: capacity, the layout of the spaces, and opportunities to gather together or spend time alone.
A large house can accommodate a small group. A small structure can offer a very collective programme. We invite you to look at these concrete conditions rather than relying solely on a displayed capacity.
Before booking: How many people will be participating in your stay? Will you be sharing your room? Will you have access to moments and spaces for yourself?
02 Time that doesn’t need to be filled
Slowing down should not become an additional goal to achieve.
We favour programmes that leave room for rest, free time, and a practice adapted to each person. A retreat can be structured, offer discoveries, and require a personal commitment, while respecting the needs of recovery.
We do not value promises of spectacular transformation. You do not have to return ‘changed’, reach a level of practice, or make the most of every hour of your stay.
Before booking: What is the actual programme? Are the activities optional? What level of practice is expected?
03 A relationship with the venue and its environment
The setting is not limited to a beautiful view. It includes a territory, its inhabitants, its seasons and its resources.
We pay attention to concrete elements that demonstrate these local roots: seasonal cuisine, links with local producers or facilitators, rehabilitation of a building, access to the surroundings without multiplying trips.
We distinguish these approaches from general labels. A place surrounded by nature is not automatically environmentally friendly. A practice announced by a host does not constitute, on its own, measurable environmental results.
Before booking: How do you get to the venue? What travel will be required on site? What steps are explained precisely by the host?
What we do not want to encourage
Our selection is not intended to relay guilt-inducing messages, pressure to perform, or promises of extraordinary results.
We do not consider spiritual vocabulary, high prices, or polished photographs as proof of quality. What matters is being able to understand what is being offered and choose freely if it suits you.
Slow Selection How to read our venue pages
The venue pages distinguish the information verified with the venue manager and that established through a review of published sources.
The date ‘Venue page created on’ indicates the creation of the venue page, and not the date of a verification or update.
Our guiding principles, explained
Each marker has a precise meaning. None replace your exchanges with the venue or the organiser.
Slow Selection This marker indicates that the venue has been selected for its consistency with the spirit of this charter, based on the available information.
It does not mean that Retreatorium has stayed on site, tested the activities or carried out an independent audit.
Information verified with the manager For the venue pages with photos currently listed, the information and photos have been verified with the venue manager. Availability, rates, and conditions remain to be confirmed before booking.
Document review The other venue pages are based on the official website and available public sources. Review platforms are consulted when they are referenced. This review of published sources does not constitute direct confirmation by the venue manager.
Venue for hire This marker indicates a venue available for exclusive hire. It does not mean that a retreat with activities and supervision is included.
Organisers, be sure to confirm the conditions concerning your project: practice room capacity, equipment, catering, accommodation and common areas.
A selection to guide you
Retreatorium helps you discover possibilities and prepare your questions. The choice of a stay also depends on your expectations, budget, experience and the level of collective life you are looking for.
Before any commitment, confirm with the venue or organiser:
- the dates, the total price, and the services included;
- the accommodation and catering conditions;
- the programme, supervision and expected level;
- accessibility and consideration of your particular needs;
- the booking and cancellation conditions.
Open communication
Does listing a venue cost anything?
Listing is currently free. We review applications based on the Slow charter criteria. Submitting a request does not guarantee publication.
Do you receive a commission on bookings?
The directory allows you to book directly with the venue, without a booking commission paid to Retreatorium. Separate support, including help communicating across languages, may be offered subject to a quote and your prior agreement.
Information to bring to life
Venues evolve, their teams and offers too. A venue page reflects the information available at a particular time.
Have you spotted inaccurate information or a significant difference with the presentation of a venue? Write to us, specifying the venue page concerned and the elements to be reviewed.
bonjour@retreatorium.com