When friends come from afar, isn’t it a joy?
Confucius
We welcome you, dear friends, to this week of rejuvenating the body and refreshing the mind as we prepare to greet the Year of the Horse.
Discover the spiritual and cultural significance of the festive decorations, the food preparations, the deep cleanings … and jump right in to be a part of it all.
Open to experienced practitioners in the Plum Village tradition, with some foundational sessions tailored for those who are new to our simple, embodied ways of living with awareness, compassion, and peace.
More Information
- English with French Translation
What to Bring
- Creative art material
- Gardening gloves
- Small musical instrument
More Information
Arrival day & check-in times: Friday from 3pm to 7.30pm
Departure day: Friday from 7am to 12pm
Language: English with French Translation
Location: Lower Hamlet: Village des Pruniers, 1336 Route de Lalande, 47120 Loubès-Bernac, France
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.
Who can register: Women, Men, and couples (mixed/women)
Registration
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.
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.
Note: For retreats taking place in 2025 until January 3, 2026, retreat contributions are received by Communaute Bouddhique Zen du Village des Pruniers, the religious nonprofit 1901 association operating our activities from 1988-2025.
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.