Experience A Majestic Feast For Your Senses In France.
We are thrilled to announce our newest addition to Kim James Retreats, Paris & The Loire Valley! This experience is a food, wine and wellness lovers dream as we take you on a journey from the streets of Paris to the alluring Loire Valley where the forest meets fairytale chateaus, centuries old vineyards and charming medieval towns.
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We meet in Paris where you will enjoy 3 days of culture and wanderlust. Enjoy sabering champagne bottles and eating your way through the Marais district with restaurateur-turned-guide Mathieu Mercier, a delightful group dinner and plenty of time to explore the sights of the enchanting city of lights at your leisure. From the Eiffel tower to Notre Dame, your Parisian dream awaits all before embarking to a 5 star retreat center nestled in the Sologne Forest in central France.
Tucked away amongst the red wood trees, you will experience a full schedule of bespoke wellness classes, gourmet French cuisine prepared by our private chef and excursions to the valley's most magnificent chateaus and vineyards. Take a day trip to the town of Blois where you will have time to wander the narrow medieval streets and enjoy a Michelin star lunch. Wine? Why yes! Our excursions include wine tastings and tours at some of the valley's most treasured vineyards where you will indulge in local vintners and Provence-style luncheons.
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The Loire Valley is the perfect place to unwind, re-balance and explore your inner self all while experiencing the sights and tastes of France!
This retreat will allow you to fully let go and surrender as Kim and James will take care of everything from the moment you arrive...till the second you depart!
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Learn more about the Kim James adventure and wellness retreat in France and start your journey to booking this amazing trip! Who knows, there may even be a dance party!
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Our retreats are small group and can usually accommodate 12-14 students so we encourage you to take advantage of our early bird sign up!
What's Included
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Paris: 3 nights in Paris at a boutique hotel in the city center, easily accessible to all the sights including a food and city tour with a local artist and a welcome dinner.
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The Loire Valley: 6 night stay at a 5 star wellness retreat center in central France located in the Sologne Forest amongst the red woods.
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Gourmet Meals: Savor lovingly prepared French-gastro inspired vegetarian meals (with some meat options) crafted by our private chef, using the freshest ingredients.
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Wellness: Enjoy yoga with meditation and reiki, inspired workshops and sound bath that will be sure to enlighten the senses and restore balance.​
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Excursion: Tours to some of the most magnificent chateaus and vineyards in the valley, group lunches, wine tastings and a visit to the town of Blois.
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Group Transfers: Transportation provided from Paris to the retreat center.
“This retreat is pure magic. Between Paris, the castles, the wine, and the deep sense of calm woven into every class, I felt like I was returning to myself in the most beautiful way. It is the perfect balance of rest, connection, and French indulgence.”
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Découvrez la splendeur de la France
Wellness
Yoga with Guided Meditation & Reiki Healing
Flow through nourishing yoga led by Kim Larkin, seamlessly paired with a soul-centering guided meditation by James Bene. Each class includes intuitive hands-on Reiki and personalized adjustments for a deeply healing experience.
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Past Life Regression Journey
Explore the echoes of your soul’s history as James gently guides the group through a powerful past life regression, held within Kim’s deeply restorative yoga postures.
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Evening Gong Sound Bath
Unwind beneath the stars with Ming-Lei’s immersive sound journey featuring gong, brass bowls, and sacred instruments—an evening ritual to soothe the nervous system and reset the spirit.
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Past Life Message Circle
Gather in sacred space as James channels divine akashic energy, offering each participant an intuitive past life reading in this unique group ceremony of remembrance and revelation.
Excursion
Paris
Begin your journey with a guided Parisian food and history tour led by a local restaurateur who brings the city's past and present to life. Picture yourself strolling through cobbled streets that feel like a movie set, all while tasting flaky, buttery croissants and other regional delights that awaken your palate and spirit.
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Chambord & Chenonceau Castles
Step into the grandeur of French royalty with a visit to two of the Loire Valley’s most iconic châteaux—the opulent Château de Chambord and the romantic Château de Chenonceau. Afterward, enjoy a curated wine tasting at the Daridan family estate, followed by a farm-fresh countryside lunch.
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Amboise Castle & Wine Tour
Walk the storied halls of Amboise Castle, where Leonardo da Vinci once roamed, then relax with a picnic lunch and tasting at the Touraine-Amboise winery. The day ends with a visit to the Vouvray Winery, the oldest family-owned winery in the region, where you’ll learn about their time-honored winemaking process.
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add-on: The Town of Blois & Michelin Lunch
Spend time in Blois, a riverside gem brimming with cobblestone charm, historic architecture, and the grandeur of the royal Château de Blois. Feel the magic of this quietly enchanting town as you wander its storybook streets and indulge in a Michelin-starred lunch at Fleur de Loire before continuing your exploration.
Luxury In The Loire Valley
Tucked just moments from the world-famous Châteaux of the Loire Valley, is a refined luxury retreat center designed for deep rest, reconnection, and beauty in every detail. Just a short and easy journey from Paris, this peaceful haven is surrounded by lush forest and centuries-old trees—offering a perfect blend of seclusion and sophistication.
Begin your day with meditation or movement in the light-filled yoga shala, then unwind by the heated saltwater pool, or stroll directly into the enchanted forest trails that begin just beyond the grounds. Each space at Oranga, from the converted barn to the elegant indoor lounge areas, invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel completely at home. We will have the entire estate to ourselves!
At the heart of the experience is a gourmet, sustainable food program designed by a world-class chef. Drawing on Israeli, Chinese, Brazilian, and French roots, the cuisine is vibrant, healing, and unforgettable—a true celebration of global flavor crafted to support digestion, energy, and joy in every bite.
Whether you're soaking in the silence of nature, connecting with others over herbal tea in the garden, or resting in your beautifully styled room, the center nourishes every layer of your being. The design is clean and modern, with soft textures and calming tones that invite serenity at every turn.
This is not just a place to stay—it’s a place to return to yourself.
Your Hosts
Intuitive & Spiritual Teacher + Owner of Bene Mudra, James Bene
Yoga Teacher + Retreat Leader, Kim Larkin
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Kim and James are longtime friends, creative collaborators, and passionate wanderlusters who live on opposite coasts of the U.S.—but are always finding new ways to come together and share magic with others. Over the years, they’ve co-led unforgettable group retreats in Sicily, Greece, and beyond, weaving together their unique gifts to create deeply nourishing, soulful experiences.
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With a shared love for travel, transformation, and heart-centered connection, they're thrilled to bring their next chapter to Paris and the Loire Valley—a region steeped in elegance, enchantment, and timeless beauty.
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Kim is a seasoned yoga teacher and retreat leader, known for her grounded, empowering approach to movement and presence. James is an acclaimed intuitive, spiritual teacher, Reiki master, and life coach with over 20 years of experience guiding clients through personal awakening and deep healing. Together, they offer a harmonious blend of yoga, guided meditation, energy healing, and intuitive development, inviting each participant to come home to themselves—mind, body, and spirit.
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​Follow us on Instagram:
find James @benemudra
find Kim @yogagrrrl
Kim James Retreats: @Kimjamesretreats
Traveler Testimonials
"Just wow! Had a fantastic adventure in Sicily with Kim and James who provided their students with a top shelf experience. From the beautiful accommodations, thoughtful and well paced classes, to the excursions, transfers, and logistics, every detail was anticipated and provided for us before we even had to ask. Highly recommend any event with this duo. Looking forward to attending another retreat together soon! Grazie Mille!"
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By Thomas D for Sensational Sicily - Yoga, Culture + Self Discovery in Italy on Sep 12, 2023
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"Gorgeous historical property for accommodations, and the staff who help to keep it tidy and running smoothly could not have been kinder. AMAZING and healthy food prepared fresh for every meal by the most affectionate and hard-working chefs. Thoughtfully planned day trips and meditation sessions, restorative yoga and gently encouraging spiritual work thanks to Kimberly and James. Ten out of ten; hope to retreat again! Grazie di tutto!"
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By Katharine B for Sensational Sicily - Yoga, Culture + Self Discovery in Italy on Sep 11, 2023
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"What a truly sensational experience! From beginning to end, Kim and James made sure our group of yogis were guided and cared for. They fostered an environment for deep rest, connection, and exploration. I came away feeling refreshed and nourished. Sicilian Spirit which hosted the retreat is absolutely sublime with amazing vistas, comfy quarters, a warm/friendly staff, and the most amazing food. 100% recommend any retreat that Kim and James lead."
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By Cindy Y for Sensational Sicily - Yoga, Culture + Self Discovery in Italy on Sep 20, 2023
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"How do I begin to describe the magic of this retreat? There was yoga, sound baths, reiki, creativity workshop, and Greek mythology mindfully and masterfully weaved in by the incredible duo @yogagrrrl and @benemudra in the most beautiful Greek island setting.​ But there was so much more. There was drama (who stole the buggy? Who's getting voted off next?). There was romance (will Amanda and I finally push our beds together and get our Greek love story?). There were calculating salsa sailors, rival Yoga Dojos, incredible meals, boat trips, some (healing) tears, lots of cats, and so much laughter. There was reconnecting with friends who feel like you've known them for many lifetimes and meeting new friends who have such different stories but still so much in common and truly seeing one another.​ There was the healing combination of nature, wellness, and sharing laughs, stories, and experiences with amazing humans. I cried tears of gratitude many times for this incredible retreat, the clear blue waters, the sky full of stars, the friendships, the further self discovery, and the magic of this human experience."
By Nina P for Glorious Greece: A Yoga + Wellness Adventure on Jun 17, 2024
What’s included
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3 nights in Paris
Located in the 5th Arrondissement, in the center of Paris. Breakfast included.
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Welcome dinner
A group welcome dinner in Paris
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Paris food tour
A 3 hour food + history tour with our expert local guide, sampling iconic classics from family-run shops as we stroll through the heart of Paris.
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Transfer to retreat
A group transfer from the Paris hotel to our Loire Valley accommodations.
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6 nights Loire Valley
An estate located in the “Grande Sologne”, the largest forest in Europe, surrounded by century-old sequoias. Our modern day accommodations include a beautiful pool + yoga shala.
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Loire Valley meals
Brunch and dinner are included each day. Meals are vegetarian, tasty, organic, gourmet, and local French cuisine.
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Chambord Excursion
Full day excursion to Chambord and Chenonceau Chateaus with private guided tours, and visit to the Daridan Winery
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Amboise + wineries
Full day excursion to the Amboise Chateau followed by private lunch in a family wine estate and a visit to the Vouvray winery.
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Yoga
Kim will lead active, gentle, and restorative yoga classes throughout our time in the Loire Valley.
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Guided meditations
James will lead the daily guided meditations at the beginning of morning yoga classes. He will lead a separate group past life regression journey.
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Group readings
Gather in sacred space as James channels divine akashic energy, offering each participant an intuitive past life reading in this unique group ceremony of remembrance and revelation.
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Gong sound bath
A skilled practitioner will lead us through an evening gong sound bath.
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Last night dance party
Our resident DJ will host a final night dance party for our group.
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Gratuities
Staff gratuities
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What’s not included
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airfare to/from Paris
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optional activities
massages, additional excursions
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alcohol
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airport transfers
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Michelin Star restaurant
Add on: Four course lunch with wine pairing at a two-star Michelin restaurant in the Loire Valley. Includes round-trip transfers.