Silent retreat with Akincano M. Weber, August 20 to 26th, 2026 in Drôme Provençale, France * Institut Pleine Conscience

« Presence of mind, presence of heart«

7-day Silent Mindfulness Retreat in Residential Format in Drôme Provençale, France

With Akincano Weber, assisted by Gwénola Herbette

August 20-26 2026

– An exceptional retreati with limited group size –

It is an honor and a joy for the Institut Pleine Conscience to host Akincano M. Weber for this residential retreat in France. Akincano Weber is a highly respected teacher in Europe and the United States, where he teaches meditation and Buddhist psychology. A monk for 20 years in the Forest Tradition, a distinguished scholar deeply immersed in the teachings of Early Buddhism, he shares his deep study of the nature of the mind and decades of practice with teachings marked by clarity and authentic kindness.
This retreat, for a limited number of participants (26), takes place in a confidential location, in the heart of a natural setting of lavender, olive trees, oaks, pine forests and silence, in the Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park.

Retreat testimonials

Pictures from a previous retreat

The retreat

This retreat offers an opportunity to deepen one’s personal experience of mindfulness and to gain a fuller understanding of the practice and its liberating potential.

It is centred on contemplative practice grounded in the teachings of the Satipatthāna and Ānāpānasati—the “four foundations of mindfulness” and “mindfulness of breathing”—both of which are essential foundations of all contemporary mindfulness-based interventions. These eminently practical instructions invite us to turn toward our immediate experience, to soothe it, and, through careful exploration, to better understand the entanglements that keep us confined and how we may free ourselves from conditioned ways of relating. What emerges is a pragmatic perspective that enables us, in the midst of our lived conditions, to walk a path toward greater freedom, agency, and compassion.

During the retreat, practices will alternate between silent sitting meditation, standing and walking meditation. There will also be practice instructions, teachings, and group discussions on the practice.

The retreat is held in silence to support a deeper focus on the inner process. Participants are asked to observe silence and to consciously refrain from using electronic communication devices.

Note for mindfulness-based programs teachers (MBP):

This retreat addresses a foundational teaching of MBP. It is particularly (but not only) suitable for instructors, enabling them to deepen their understanding of the elements underlying their teaching through diligent study and practice.

This retreat meets the prerequisites for professional training pathways for mindfulness-based program teachers and is therefore suitable for mindfulness teachers. Anyone interested in exploring mindfulness practice in a traditional retreat format is also warmly welcome.

Important information

Silence: please note that this is a silent retreat.
Simplicity: while we will be welcomed in comfortable conditions, a meditation retreat is an invitation to cultivate the inner qualities of simplicity, contentment, and generosity.
Venue: Drôme Provençale, in the heart of the Parc Naturel des Baronnies, France. Accommodation on site required.
Format: residential retreat in silence, “insight meditation” format, with a group limited to 26 participants.
Language: the retreat is open to both French and English speakers. Teachings will be given in French and English (with consecutive translation provided by Gwénola Herbette).
Prerequisites: to already have a mindfulness practice.
Attendance: to register, you need to be able to attend the entire retreat. A certificate of attendance will be provided at the end of the retreat.

Who is this retreat for?

Public

anyone wishing to deepen their mindfulness practice and cultivate a better understanding of Vipassana meditation (Insight Meditation);
anyone who teaches or wishes to teach one day mindfulness in different areas of society: health, education, science, politics and business.

Professional training preresquisite

this retreat meets the prerequisites of professional training courses for teachers of MBP.

Contraindications

The practice of mindfulness meditation is contraindicated in certain circumstances. If you suffer from acute major depressive disorder, unstabilised bipolar disorder (manic depression), psychological sequelae of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, dissociative disorder, psychotic disorder (hallucinations, delusions), suicidal tendencies, participation in this retreat is contraindicated. If you wish to register, we ask you to seek advice from a health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, doctor) beforehand. The retreat is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment. Each participant undertakes the retreat under his or her own responsibility.

Biographies

Ipc aout26 akincano.004

Akincano M. Weber is a Dharma teacher and psychotherapist. He teaches meditation and Buddhist psychology in Europe and the United States. Initially a Zen practitioner, he later turned to Early Buddhism and lived as a monk in the Forest Tradition in Thailand and Europe for 20 years. Alongside his monastic training in a meditation lineage, he studied Pali and Buddhist scriptures. Grateful for these diverse influences, he is not affiliated with any particular school, tradition, or orthodox transmission lineage today.

Akincano holds a Master’s degree in Buddhist psychotherapy. He is a co-founder of Bodhi College, directs the Atammaya Center in Cologne, and contributes to the training of MBSR teachers in several institutions. His particular interests include the cultural translation of Indian Buddhist teachings, tranquility meditation, and contemplative psychology.

During this retreat, Akincano M. Weber will be assisted by Gwénola Herbette

Gwénola Herbette teaches mindfulness in a secular context since 2008. She founded the Institut Pleine Conscience in Belgium, where she teaches MBSR, trains, and supervises MBSR teachers. She also collaborates with universities in Belgium, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, Asia, and the United States.

Deeply curious about the human experience, Gwénola devoted herself to the study of psychology. A Doctor of Psychology and psychotherapist, she later discovered the practice of mindfulness. She immersed herself in the study and practice of Buddhist psychology, which deeply resonated with her sensitivity. She deepened her path through personal practice, multi-year study programs, silent retreats, and teacher training for retreats, which she completed at Bodhi College, among others under the ongoing guidance of Akincano Weber, Bob Stahl, and Pascal Auclair. She has been engaged in the teaching of retreats since 2015.

Her connection to nature and her relationship with horses are also great sources of inspiration, joy, and essential connection in her life.

Dates and times

From Thursday August 20 to Wednesday August 26, 2026.

accueil jeudi 20 août entre 16h30 et 18h00.
clôture mercredi 26 août vers 14h00 après le déjeuner.
welcoming Thursday, August 20 between 4:30 PM and 6 PM
ending Wednesday, August 26, 2026, around 2:00 PM after lunch.

It is necessary to attend the entire retreat.

The detailed daily schedule will be communicated at the beginning of the retreat. Typically, days begin around 6:30 AM and end around 9:30 PM. They are structured around sitting and walking meditation, instructions and teachings, small group meetings, as well as contemplative work periods that integrate mindfulness into routine activities and support the life of the group.

Venue

Location: la Ferme Fortia, at Montréal-les-Sources in Drôme Provençale, France (between Marseille, Lyon et Grenoble).

Immerse yourself in an intact nature for a 7-day 6-night mindfulness retreat in silence.

Venue

Ferme Fortia is located in the heart of the Baronnies Provençales Regional Nature Park. It is a confidential place, built with noble materials according to ancestral methods, where the delicate work of stone, wrought iron and wood are combined in pure Provencal style.
La Ferme Fortia welcomes guests in its charming gîtes and unusual accommodation (eco-lodges and tree house)*, in the middle of a mountain inhabited by lavender, olive trees, oak trees, pine forests and silence.
A privileged setting in a protected nature, la Fortia Farm is the ideal place to settle down, return to simplicity and nurture an intimate relationship with the natural world around you and within you. The starlit nights, untouched by light pollution, offer moments of wonder and tranquility.

Meditation hall

Meditation practice takes place in the unusual space of a riding arena with a vast wooden floor. In this semi-open space, we are both protected from the sun and in direct contact with nature, with the walls that open onto the valley and the setting sun. The Ferme’s gardens, with its secret corners, invite you to continue your meditation outside group time, early in the morning, early in the afternoon, in the evening…

Meals

Meals are taken in the Orangerie, with its panoramic terrace overlooking the magnificent valley of the Baronnies Provençales.
Our chefs Philippe, Michel and Marc will prepare vegetarian meals with care and generosity, using organic, local and seasonal produce.
Gluten-free and lactose-free meals are available on request in advance. If you have other allergies, you may bring food that you can keep in the fridge to supplement your meals (it will not be possible to cook on site).

*Sheets, towels and hairdryers are provided. All rooms have comfortable bedding.

Access to the venue

Address: Ferme Fortia – 531, Chemin des Vignasses – 26510 Montréal-les-Sources – France

Carpool: Once you’ve registered, you’ll have access to an online space where you can organize car pooling if you wish. We encourage you to share offers and needs. Thank you for your generosity.

Access:

by car: Join the A7 Lyon-Marseille highway – Take the Montélimar Sud exit – Follow signs for Nyons – Once in Nyons, take the road to Gap (D94) – As you pass through the village of Sahune, turn right towards Montréal les Sources – At the fountain in Montréal les Sources, dont’ follow your GPS but turn right, following the signs for “Ferme Fortia ».
by train: book your train ticket to « Nyons cave coopérative ». This will include a train ticket to Montélimar train station and a bus ticket to Nyons cave coopérative. 5 days before your trip, call 04 800 7000 from France or +32 4 800 70000 from all other countries, to book your regional taxi to Montréal-les-Sources at Ferme Fortia (5€, for the 30-minute drive). Please note that the 5€ taxi service is possible only if you have a bus ticket to Nyons.
by train + rental car: book your train ticket to Montélimar and from there, you can rent a car at a company.
by plane: airports of Lyon or Marseille. Then train.
taxi: for any taxi request (outside the regional service), please contact Taxi Nikos on our behalf at +33 4 75 27 84 19 (available 24/7) or by email at remuzatambulances@orange.fr.

Find the access information also online.

How to prepare for the retreat?

Silence

Meditation retreats involve a stepping back from active life. With the intention of deepening inner calm, silence supports this noble inner exploration, deep listening, and a space in which discovery can unfold. For the benefit of all retreat participants, it is essential that everyone takes care of the silence by respecting it. This includes refraining from the use of electronic communication devices.
To protect your senses and support your commitment to the retreat, at the start of the retreat you’ll be given the opportunity to hand over your electronic devices (phone, tablet, computer, connected watch) to the management team.

Detailed information

Some time before the retreat, you will receive an email with all the practical information you need to make your retreat run smoothly.

Equipment on site

a cushion and a meditation mat are provided for each participant;
feel free to bring your own yoga mat if you wish to practice early in the morning, as well as a blanket and water bottle.

Fees for the retreat

IMPORTANT: for your registration to be confirmed, you need to:

complete the registration form
pay the registration fee
pay the accommodation fees (full board).

Without receipt of one of these 3 elements, we will not be able to confirm your registration. Please note that the number of places is limited, and registrations will be taken in the order in which these 3 elements are received.

Registration fee

registering to the retreat: 549,59€ + VAT 115,41€ (21%) = [665€] VAT included
includes organisation, teaching, 21% VAT and ticketing service

Accommodation rates, full board

There are 7 types of accommodation. Eco-lodges are spacious and comfortable. Rooms are located in studios or gîtes. All beds are equipped with comfortable bedding. Bed linen, towels and hairdryer are provided. To take part in the retreat, it is necessary to stay on site. Tents are not available. Rates are all taxes included and per person.

1 lodge for 3 persons with shared bathroom [519€]
5 single lodges with shared bathroom [645€] WAITING LIST
5 double rooms* with shared bathroom [699€]
NB: stairs to access certain rooms
1 double room* with private bathroom [753€]
2 single rooms with shared bathroom [783€] WAITING LIST
3 single rooms with private bathroom [855€] WAITING LIST
NB: stairs to access certains rooms
1 tree house with private bathroom, located at a +/- 200 m walk, very comfortable, stairless access, in nature [837€] WAITING LIST
Van: Possibility to accommodate a limited number of people with their van [€423]. Please contact us.

*Would you like to share accommodation with a friend? In the registration form, please select a double room (two single beds).
Would you like to stay with your partner? In the registration form, please select a single room or the cabin.
Accommodation will be allocated according to availability.

Reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. Although we will do our best to accommodate your preference, we cannot guarantee that your choice will be satisfied.

Cancellation policy

In the unfortunate event that you would not be able to attend, please note the cancellation policy:

until April 30, 2026: 70% of reimbursement (retreat registration + accommodation)
May 1 – June 15 2026: 50% of reimbursement (retreat registration + accommodation)
June 16 – July 31 2026: 35% of reimbursement (retreat registration + accommodation)
from August 1, 2026: no reimbursement.

In order to preserve the sustainability of the IPC activity, we must apply these conditions, whatever the reasons, thank you for your understanding.

If you wish, you can subscribe a cancellation insurance (covering travel and registration) with your insurance company or broker.

Cirque baronnies bandeau

Registration to the residential silent mindfulness retreat:

1. FILL IN THE FORM

2. PAY THE RETREAT REGISTRATION FEE

3. You will then receive the information by email to pay for your accommodation directly to the host. Please, DO NOT contact the venue (by email or telephone), as they will not answer any question about the retreat.

✅ Upon receipt of your accommodation paiement, you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration at the retreat.

Please, note that:

as long as these 3 elements (form + 2 payments) have not been received, your registration will not be confirmed
registrations are taken in order of receipt of these 3 elements together (form + 2 payments).

CHECK YOUR SPAM INBOX for our follow-up emails, which regularly go to spam. We cannot be held responsible if you do not check your inbox or if you check it late.

Testimonies from previous retreats

Les enseignements étaient très clairs : Akincano a cette facilité à transmettre la psychologie bouddhiste, en nous aidant à comprendre des concepts parfois complexes, avec une grande honnêteté dans ses propos.

Nathalie 02/06/2025

Les bénéfices retirés pour moi sont une pause vitale et un retour à la pratique quotidienne que je vis comme un retour intime dans ma maison intérieure. J’ai retrouvé la confiance en l’autre et en moi, loin de l’inquiétude continue, grâce à un ensemble de ressources, les miennes et celles de la Retraite, grâce à l’enseignant, Akincano, dynamique et généreux dans ses enseignements, à Gwénola en accordage parfait, et au cadre de nature de l’endroit luxuriant et sauvage très inspirant !

Caroline 27/05/2025

Enseignements d’Akincano très riches, généreux et très didactiques.

Caroline 27/05/2025

J’ai vécu une expérience très profonde tout au long de cette semaine. J’en retire des leçons au niveau relationnel, notamment grâce au silence. J’en retire aussi beaucoup d’humilité et une grande gratitude pour ce cadeau merveilleux 🙏❤️

Nathalie 26/05/2025

Les enseignements furent d'une richesse incroyable. Les instructions étaient très claires, concrètes, illustrées d'exemples et de mises en situation pratiques et pertinentes.

Florent 02/09/2025

Cette retraite est comme un temps suspendu, en dehors du temps, déconnecté de l’horloge. Elle se déroule dans un lieu magnifique et inspirant, où Dame Nature s’offre à nous avec une abondance et une générosité sans retenue.

C’est un endroit qui nous charme, où tout est conçu et pensé pour que nous puissions vraiment nous déconnecter du monde extérieur et vivre cette expérience dans les meilleures conditions possibles.

Une expérience riche, propice à l’intériorité, à la douceur et à l’écoute de soi.

Merci pour cette simplicité, cette profondeur, et pour l’espace offert à la compréhension. La pratique n’est pas seulement un outil ; elle devient un fil subtil, vivant, qui nous ouvre à quelque chose de plus vaste, de plus grand que soi.

Nathalie 05/06/2025

Cette retraite, en silence, dans ce cadre exceptionnel et magnifique, m'a permis d'approfondir ma pratique mais aussi et surtout de mieux percevoir les mécanismes psychologiques des obstacles sous-jacents et comment les traverser.

Marie-Laure 25/05/2025

Je ressens beaucoup de bénéfices suite à cette retraite et les effets sont durables : plus de recul, plus de stabilité dans le quotidien. Merci beaucoup.

Valérie 31/05/2025

L’alternance entre les enseignements et les pratiques m’a personnellement permis de ressentir une véritable avancée dans la compréhension de mon fonctionnement. Cela m’a éclairée, m’a donné le courage de mettre de la lumière sur des zones plus sombres, dans une écoute d’une telle bienveillance qu’elle va au-delà des mots, touchant directement le cœur.

Nathalie 02/01/2026