Colomba le Roc
Where retreats can be adapted to your own personal needs and interests
Retreats
We recommend staying at Colomba le Roc for a week but it is of course possible to stay for a shorter period though we feel that to benefit from your stay a minimum of three nights is advisable.
Retreats are about reflection; taking time to walk with God, time to rest, be refreshed, and find peace. Each retreatant can do this in his or her own way.
However to help our guests in this journey we have prepared paths in our woods which take you to different reflective areas. Each area was inspired by a specific Bible text, and if you want to know which these are, a leaflet is available to explain the area.
You may of course prefer to let our little piece of God's creation speak to you more personally. Joanne is available for guidance in English, French or Dutch. Ready-made retreat work sheets to help focus on specific theme can be provided. Craft materials are available in our shepherd's hut.
Themed retreats which link biblical themes with our locality (think of The Vine, The Shepherd...) are also on offer. Contact us for more information here.
We are hoping to offer day retreats for local groups too, by arrangement only.
Rhythm of the day for retreats
Breakfast: 7 am-9 am (Self service)
Morning Prayer: 9.30 am
Morning: time for personal prayer, meditation, work or other activity
Lunch: 1pm
Afternoon: time for personal prayer, meditation, work, or other activity. Silence is kept between 2 pm and 4 pm
Dinner: 7 pm (from October till April) | 8 pm (from May till September)
Compline: 9.30 pm
Silence is kept between 11pm and 7am
The Way of St. James
Your stay can also be combined with a day or more on the Way to Compostella which passes through our local town of Montcuq, only 6km away. Or if you are walking all the way from le Puy en Velay to Santiago de Compostella you could stay for a few days with us to rest and reflect on your journey so far.
Group bookings
Maybe you would like to spend some time at our retreat house with friends or family to celebrate a special occasion or just to spend quality time together but would prefer to be completely independent.
In that case you can book the whole guest house and cater for your own needs. Pool (summer only), garden, woods and chapel will of course be at your disposal.
Price per week: Euros 850.-
For more information about this option please contact us here.
What to bring
walking boots
other hiking gear if you are planning to spend a few days on the pilgrimage route to Compostella
swimming gear, sun hat and sun cream in summer, late spring and early autumn
thick jumper and waterproof clothing in spring and autumn (you never know)
journal , your favourite pen
Camera, paints and pencils (though some craft materials are available)
Our recommendation
To enable you to fully benefit from your time at Colomba le Roc we would strongly recommend (unless you come specifically on study leave) that you leave your laptops and I-pads at home. However if you need to bring these then we kindly ask that you keep them switched off whilst at the retreat. After all you have come for a retreat and not to catch up with unfinished work.
We understand that guests will want to bring their mobile phones, but again out of respect for other guests on retreat and in order to profit as much as possible from your break away from daily pressure we ask you to keep these switched off, to be used only in emergencies.