These policies apply to all retreats and events (in-person and online) as well as this website (plumvillage.org).
About Us
Website Ownership
This website is owned by the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism (PVCEB)Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism (PVCEB), Inc. was founded in 1998 to represent Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his community in the United States. PVCEB is a U.S. tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.and managed by Congrégation Bouddhique Zen du Village des Pruniers (CBZ)Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers (CBZ) is the officially-registered Buddhist Congregation nonprofit organization for the monastics of Plum Village France.
— SIREN No. 753112333
— Registered Address: 13 LD Martineau, 33580 Dieulivol, France.
CBZ provides for the spiritual and material needs of the monastics and preserves Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings and legacy in France. Formally recognized as a religious congregation by the French Parliament on June 16, 2012, CBZ is governed by a monastic Board nominated by an elected Assembly of monastic Dharma Teachers. and Bienvenue aux Pruniers (BAP) in France.Bienvenue aux Pruniers, S.A.S. (BAP) is a social enterprise established by CBZ in 2025 to manage the practical aspects of visitors’ time in Plum Village, including food, accommodation, and care of the land, site, and facilities.
— SIREN No. 941806697
— Registered Address: 13 LD Martineau, 33580 Dieulivol, France
This website is hosted by PRESSINFRA SRL, Str. Traian Vuia nr. 18, Timișoara, Timiș County, Romania.
Retreats & Programs
On-Site Retreats
Mindfulness retreats and events at the three hamlets of Plum Village in southwest France The Three Hamlets:
— Upper Hamlet: 437 Chemin du Pey, 24240 Thénac, France
— Lower Hamlet: 1336 Route de Lalande, 47120 Loubès-Bernac, France
— New Hamlet: 13 Martineau, 757 Route Du Duras, 33580 Dieulivol, Franceare managed by Bienvenue aux Pruniers, S.A.S. on behalf of Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers.
Online Courses
Plum Village online courses are run by the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation, a division of PVCEB, on behalf of Congrégation Bouddhique Zen Village des Pruniers.
Retreat Participation Requirements
By registering for an on-site retreat in Plum Village, all participants agree to the following:
Health & Medication
- I will inform Plum Village of any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that could impact my participation, including injuries, chronic conditions, recent medical or surgical procedures, and any required medications.
- I will bring my own necessary medication and continue taking it as prescribed during my stay. I will not change or stop my prescribed dosage.
- I will not fast from food and will contact the Hamlet Registration Office if I experience serious sleeping problems or mental or physical issues.
Respectful Conduct
- I understand the monastery is a spiritual space for relaxation, reflection, healing, and transformation. I agree to respect and practice the Five Mindfulness Trainings to ensure a harmonious atmosphere for all.
- I agree to follow the monastery’s dress code: dressing modestly in loose-fitting clothes that cover shoulders, midsection, and knees. I will avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, and fragrances.
- I agree to maintain appropriate physical conduct by respecting others’ personal boundaries and avoiding behaviors that may make others uncomfortable or unsafe, including romantic advances, sexual gestures or comments, inappropriate physical contact (touching, punching, or hugging), asking another visitor to go to an isolated place, or disregarding dress code guidelines.
- If I see or become aware of concerning or inappropriate behavior, I will report it by:
- Speaking to the Hamlet Registration Office
- Leaving a note in the Hamlet “safeguarding” message box
- Emailing the Hamlet Registration Office
All concerns will be treated with respect, confidentiality, and in accordance with French law.
Monastery Guidelines
- I agree to refrain from sexual activity within the monastery.
- I understand that intoxicants and drugs are strictly prohibited on Plum Village campuses, including illegal drugs, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes, vapes, and illicit use of prescription and over-the-counter medications. I will not bring such items to Plum Village or come onsite under their influence. I understand that possession of these substances will result in immediate removal from the monastery.
- I agree not to consume or bring onsite any non-vegan products, such as meat or fish. Some dairy products may be permitted if absolutely necessary for dietary needs.
- For the protection and safety of all, I agree not to bring any pets onto the Plum Village site.
- I understand that retreats are often photographed and sometimes filmed for sharing online with practitioners who cannot visit in person. Photos may also be used for promotional purposes. By coming to Plum Village, I consent to my image being used without compensation. If I or my family members do not wish to be photographed, I will approach the photographer directly or speak to the website team.
- I understand that Plum Village has the right to ask me to leave at any time if concerns are raised about my conduct, such as causing disharmony in the community or not following community guidance or policies.
- I agree to waive Plum Village from any liability for physical, mental, or emotional conditions arising during or after the retreat.
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.
Booking Confirmation
- When making a booking, the “lead participant” confirms they have authority to accept these Terms & Conditions for all members of their party.
- Your booking is confirmed only after full payment and receipt of a confirmation email, which forms a binding agreement between you and Plum Village.
- This contract is governed by French law, with disputes under the jurisdiction of Bordeaux courts.
- Please check your confirmation email carefully and notify us immediately of any discrepancies. Changes may not always be possible.
- If full payment is not made (or the payment plan not completed), Plum Village may treat your booking as cancelled, and cancellation charges may apply.
Travel Arrangements
- You are responsible for arranging all necessary travel documents (passports, visas, tickets, etc.). Plum Village is not liable if you cannot enter France or if your tickets are invalid.
- We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance for your retreat, as delays or cancellations of trains and flights can occur in France.
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.
Privacy & Data Protection
Please see our Privacy Policy at https://plumvillage.org/privacy-policy
Copyright & Content Use
All website content, including text, images, audio, video, and teachings, is the property of PVCEB (U.S. jurisdiction) and CBZ (E.U. jurisdiction).
- Access is for personal, non-commercial use only
- Copying, sharing, or commercial use without written permission is prohibited
- Journalists and publishers wishing to print or reproduce photos can find resources in our Press & Media pages
Policy Updates
The Plum Village community and its legal entities in France and the U.S. reserve the right to modify, alter, delete, and update these policies at any time. Such alterations do not nullify our rights if infringements or breaches occurred under a previous version of these conditions.
Last updated: 2025