Running Retreat: "5ks, Five Days" Medieval Hilltop Villages, South West France Copy

Scenic Medieval Village Running Retreat in South West France 2026

Join our hill running retreat in South West France and experience daily 5K runs through some of France’s most spectacular medieval villages, officially recognised as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Explore dramatic hills, panoramic valley views, and winding cobblestone streets on scenic trail running routes steeped in centuries of history.

Each village offers a unique blend of medieval architecture, authentic French culture and breathtaking countryside vistas—making every run an inspiring adventure for both body and spirit.

Perfect for hill runners and trail running enthusiasts seeking challenging yet scenic routes, this running holiday in France welcomes all fitness levels. From experienced runners to those seeking an invigorating fitness escape in the French countryside, your English-speaking hosts Sophie and Lee ensure a welcoming, expertly organised retreat experience in the heart of Occitanie.

About the 5ks, Five Days Hill Running Challenge

This unique running retreat features five daily 5km trail runs, each in a different medieval village near Belvèze. Routes are carefully planned for stunning scenery, varied terrain and dramatic elevation—suitable for all levels, including runners and walkers. Experience the perfect blend of fitness, culture and nature in Southwest France.

For details about our location and the surrounding medieval villages we’ll explore, visit our location guide.

Mind, Body & Breath: A Holistic Running Experience

Beyond traditional training, our running retreat incorporates innovative warm-up techniques combining breathwork, mental focus and mindful movement. These practices can enhance performance, enjoyment and overall well-being—supporting your running journey with intention and presence throughout the hills of Occitanie.

Small-Group Running Retreat with Welcoming Community

All runners—from beginners to experienced—are welcome at our intimate retreat designed to foster meaningful connections. With a small group size (maximum 15 guests), enjoy personalised attention, expert coaching and genuine camaraderie with like-minded runners.

Non-participating partners are welcome to join—walk the routes, explore villages independently or relax by the pool. Guests wishing to extend their stay for additional exploration are encouraged to do so, in which case a hire car is recommended for maximum flexibility.

Who is this Retreat for?
This retreat calls to those who find joy in movement intertwined with discovery. Blending fitness with culture and history, it’s perfect for anyone eager to embrace a physical challenge alongside historic landscapes and charming villages. Whether deepening your running practice, savouring scenic walks or simply cherishing the slower, scenic side of life, you’ll thrive in a supportive, health-conscious community. Open to runners of all levels, this retreat invites you to engage fully with the beautiful surroundings at a pace that suits you.

More Than Just Running: Workshops & Wellness Activities

This retreat goes beyond physical training. Complement your daily runs with optional workshops designed to enhance both your running performance and overall well-being. Led by your expert hosts, these sessions explore the mind-body connection through practical techniques you can use on the trail and in daily life.

✓ Mindfulness Workshop – Learn how open and focused attention techniques enhance running performance and mental clarity

✓ Breathing Techniques Workshop – Discover how intentional breathwork influences energy, focus and emotional balance

✓ Optional Bootcamp Session – Build strength and endurance with general fitness training tailored for runners

✓ Daily Mindful Warm-ups – Start each run with energising or calming practices to match the day’s route and your goals

Workshop Schedule at a Glance

• Introduction to Mindfulness (Night 2): 30-45 minutes

• Breathing Techniques (Night 3): 30-45 minutes

• Optional Fitness Bootcamp (Day 4): 45-60 minutes

• Daily 5-Minute Mindfulness Practices: Throughout retreat

All workshops included in your retreat package.

Mindfulness Workshop for Runners (30-45 mins) and Practice 🧘

Near the start of the retreat, Sophie will lead a mindfulness workshop introducing the fundamentals of mindfulness and attention. The session is designed to support both beginners and those already familiar with mindfulness by expanding understanding beyond traditional meditation styles, often perceived as inaccessible.

Sophie highlights that mindfulness isn’t just about developing focused, narrow attention but also cultivating wide, open awareness. This dual approach helps runners and retreat guests improve mental clarity, expand their perception and enhance overall well-being.

The workshop explores various mindfulness practices and their effects on mental and physical performance, equipping attendees with practical tools to integrate mindfulness seamlessly into daily life and running. Throughout the retreat, Sophie facilitates daily moments of mindfulness, encouraging habitual practice and offering varied techniques.

Guests leave the retreat with a fresh, empowering perspective on mindfulness that enriches both running performance and everyday life.

What You’ll Learn:

How to use narrow vs. open attention to conquer tough hills and enjoy scenic stretches

Simple techniques to stay present during challenging hill climbs

Tools to integrate mindfulness into your daily routine beyond the retreat

Breathing Techniques Workshop for Runners (30-45 mins) 🫁

Sophie will lead a breathing workshop exploring how different breathing techniques influence cognitive function and emotional state. Drawing on principles of embodied cognition, the workshop explains how intentional use of the body, especially varied breathing patterns, can directly impact mood, focus and mental clarity.

Similar to mindfulness, Sophie’s aim is to broaden understanding beyond common notions of breathwork, equipping guests with practical methods to leverage specific breathing techniques for different purposes, such as calming anxiety, enhancing concentration or boosting energy.

Guest participants will gain insights into how mindful breathing activates neural pathways that regulate stress and emotions, and how these subtle shifts in breathing can foster improved cognitive performance and emotional balance—all valuable tools for running and everyday life.

What You’ll Learn:

A 2-minute breathing technique to calm pre-run anxiety (works before presentations, too!)

Energising breath techniques to boost performance

Practical breathwork you can use during any run and beyond the retreat

Fitness Bootcamp Session for Runners 💪

During the retreat, Lee will lead an optional boot camp fitness session on the grounds of Rossignols, Art de Vivre. This provides an additional challenge for attendees complementing the daily 5 km runs. The session includes a variety of general fitness exercises such as free weights, push-ups, sit-ups and bodyweight training to build strength, endurance and overall fitness. Designed to enhance your running performance and physical resilience, this boot camp is suitable for all fitness levels and offers a balanced mix of fun and effective training.

What’s Included:

Bodyweight exercises tailored for runners (lunges, squats, planks)

Free weights training for upper body and core strength

Stretching and mobility work for injury prevention

All equipment provided—just bring comfortable workout clothes

Benefits for Runners:

Builds strength in commonly weak areas (glutes, core, hip stabilisers)

Improves running economy and reduces injury risk

Complements your 5km training with targeted conditioning

Fun, supportive group atmosphere—all fitness levels welcome

Daily Mindful Practices for a Deeper Running Experience

At our retreat, we invite you to deepen your running experience through two complementary mindful practices. Start some runs with an energising routine that combines focused breathwork and narrow visual attention, sharpening your mental clarity and priming your body for dynamic effort. Other runs gently unfold through slow breathing and open, receptive awareness—cultivating relaxation, flow and a deep connection with your surroundings.

By exploring both focused and open attention techniques, guests learn to attune their mind and body to different running states, empowering them to tailor their practice to mood, terrain and goals. This unique contrast enriches physical performance and mental well-being, offering tools that extend far beyond the trail.

Additional Running Retreat Wellness Activities

Beyond our structured workshops, your retreat includes plenty of opportunities to relax, explore and recharge:

🏊 Pool Access for Recovery
After morning runs, cool down with a refreshing swim in our outdoor pool. The perfect way to soothe tired muscles while enjoying the peaceful French countryside. Pool towels provided.

✨ Nighttime Star Gazing (Weather Permitting)
End your evenings under the vast Occitanie sky. Far from city lights, Belvèze offers spectacular views of the Milky Way and constellations–simply lie back and soak in the wonder.

💪🏼 Free Weights & Training Equipment
Access to dumbbells available throughout your stay for those who want to supplement their training or maintain their strength routine.

🌿 Free Time Exploration
Each day includes unstructured time to:

Explore medieval villages independently after your morning run
Relax in the gardens with a book
Take scenic walks through the surrounding countryside
Connect with fellow runners over coffee or wine
Simply rest and reflect
Optional Add-Ons (Arranged in Advance):

Potential extended stay before or after the retreat for independent exploration (subject to existing bookings)
Partner/non-runner retreat options

All activities are entirely optional—you’re free to participate as much or as little as you like. This is your retreat to design according to your needs.