Omar B.
I came to Château de La Pierre ready to be hard to impress, suspicious of anything promising “a return to oneself,” and not expecting the old oaks or medieval setting to win me over. Eight days later, the trees and the whole experience had got to me. My original plan was completely wrecked, which is honestly annoying. Celine’s cooking may have ruined every other kitchen for me. I arrived with digestive problems expecting bland vegetables and pitying looks, but her vegetarian meals were so thoughtful and tasty that my stomach finally settled down. I still don’t know what she does in that kitchen, and I just want to come back. I also had several massages, sometimes two in one day. Each one was different and seemed to match exactly what my body was complaining about that morning. I came in tense and left loose, bendy, and a bit emotional. My shoulders feel so different I hardly recognize them. Marrian taught yoga patiently, even as this stiff skeptic gradually became a slightly less stiff one. Clement led meditation sessions I planned to spend mentally answering emails, but somehow I ended up quiet in a forest anyway. Against my will, apparently. I’d joked that I wanted to ride a horse and expected a polite “we’ll see.” They booked it. Galloping across the open field is now one of those perfect moments I’ll keep telling strangers about at dinner parties. So yes, five stars, though I’m a little annoyed about it. I arrived expecting not to be impressed and left rested, well fed, ridiculously relaxed, and strangely emotional about a horse. Thanks to Celine, Marrian, Clement, and the whole team. You’re so good at this that I have to come back. See you soon. Clearly I can’t be trusted to relax by myself.
