The world is becoming increasingly busy with distractions and noise all around and inside us. During this retreat we will be invited to come back to the quiet place within, letting go of external distractions, e.g. conversations, mobile phones, and other media.
Plum Village is already held within the deep silence of beautiful French countryside, broken only by birdsong and the sound of the wind in the oaks and pines.
With the practice of mindfulness, and developing concentration, we will encourage deep listening and insight, to get in touch with our deepest aspirations for this life. Following an orientation, the retreat will unfold with sessions of silent sitting, slow walking meditation inside and out, silent service meditation, teachings, group sharings and personal reflection and journaling.
This retreat includes more and slightly longer sessions of formal practice (sitting, walking) than usual Plum Village retreats, and may therefore be most suitable for those with prior meditation experience.
Arrival day & check-in times: Friday 27th February 2026, from 3pm to 7.30pm
Departure day: Friday 6th March 2026, from 7am – 12pm
Location: Upper Hamlet monastery, 437 Chemin du Pey, Thenac, 24240 France
Language: English
Costs: Contributions vary according to the price tier and the type of lodging you choose in the registration section below. The price includes lodging (except if you book as a “Commuter”), daily vegan meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), teachings and activities.
This retreat will mostly take part in silence. You will not be allowed to use your phone during the retreat.
Register in Upper Hamlet (with the brothers)
Click here to view our updated payment and cancellation policy
Registration & Payment
Payment Structure
For retreats from January 3, 2026 onwards, your contribution will be split into two payments:
- Main payment to Bienvenue Aux Pruniers S.A.S. (BAP) for practical retreat aspects (food, accommodation, facilities, administration, taxes)
- Monastery contribution to Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers (CBZ) to support the monastic community
Your bank statement will show two charges, and you will receive two invoices.
Payment Methods
Our online booking system accepts:
- Credit card payments (worldwide)
- European direct debit (SEPA) for European bank accounts
All payments are processed via the secure Stripe payment gateway. We do not store payment details. Due to strict French regulations, we cannot accept cash, cheques, or manual bank transfers for retreat payments.
Cancellation Policy
To ensure fair access for all, we have revised our cancellation policy to encourage participants to book a retreat place only when certain they can attend.
Cancellation by Participants
If you need to cancel:
- 28+ days before arrival: Full refund minus €100 admin & cancellation fee
- 14-27 days before arrival: 50% refund after deducting the €100 non-refundable admin fee
- 13 days or less before arrival: No refunds possible
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover retreat cancellation fees in case of unforeseen circumstances, including personal illness or family emergencies.
For those generously coming to Plum Village to help as a volunteer, the cancellation fee is €25 (to cover admin costs).
Cancellation by Plum Village
Plum Village reserves the right to cancel a retreat under any circumstances. If this occurs, you will receive a full refund of all payments made to us, including the admin fee.
Plum Village accepts no further liability beyond the retreat registration fee refund. We cannot be liable for funds spent on advance travel arrangements, such as flight tickets and visas. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers this.
In the buttons below:
- Indicate whether you are coming alone or with someone.
- Next, select your gender identity.
- Then carefully review the information about the price tiers and choose the tier that applies to you.
- Once you’ve selected a tier, click the “See Availability” button at the bottom of the price section to view the accommodation options.
More information about coming to practice with us