La Maison des Marronniers, an idyllic, gourmet yoga retreat within easy sailing distance

Imagine a holistic place where you can take yoga retreats and disconnect without leaving the Paris region? La Maison des Marronniers is just such a haven, within easy navigational reach, where well-being and indulgence reign supreme. We take you on a tour of this unusual spot in Essonne.

Looking for the perfect place to unwind? We've found the perfect haven for you in the Paris region. La Maison des Marronniers awaits you in Essonne, in Ris-Orangis, not far from the RER station. We'll take you down a private lane lined with chestnut trees (hence the name!) to stop in front of this 1870 millstone building, which has many surprises in store for you.

The concept behind Maison des Marronniers is to offer a holistic place to unwind in a beautiful green setting. It's here that Alena and Jean-Victor, the charming couple behind this spot, await you. With their combined talents, the two lovers aim to bring you the peace you've been looking for. WhileAlena teaches yoga, Jean-Victor is busy in the kitchen concocting delicious vegetarian dishes to reward your efforts!

For those of you who are Parisians for a day or a lifetime, and who may be tired of the hectic pace of the capital, Maison des Marronniers offers yoga retreats in a variety of formats to suit your timing and budget. Whether it's for a morning, a day or a weekend, you'll find a wide range of programs awaiting you, including photo workshops, tarot draws and other surprises.

During our visit, we tried the Phytodéjeuner Flâneur, which takes place over half a day. Offered at €65, it's the perfect plan for discovering the concept or for a gift that's both original and affordable. The experience includes a yoga class, a sound bath and lunch, and it's all about disconnecting!

As soon as you step inside, you find yourself at the crossroads of several eras, with beautiful antique pieces. The dive into their world has already begun! You're welcomed here like good friends: after removing our shoes, Alena leads us to the garden side, taking us through the yoga studio under a beautiful glass roof before settling us comfortably on deckchairs around the pool. Beyond, a verdant garden where plants roam freely is the chickens' playground. The hustle and bustle of the capital seems far away.

As the various guests introduce themselves in a warm atmosphere, Jean-Victor wakes up our taste buds with an iced tea with melon and mint from Milly-la-Forêt, spoilering us with the plant around which he will build the day's lunch. After this refreshing tasting, it's time to follow Alena back into the sunlit studio. Everything is provided, including eye pillows: all you have to do is come dressed!

That day, it was Yin Yoga, a gentle practice inspired by Chinese medicine. Alena' s teaching style makes the class a real moment of well-being and sharing, for novices and regulars alike. With gentleness and kindness, she corrects positions, shares tips on how to easily reproduce certain poses at home, and explains the benefits and situations in which they can provide the best relief. Places are limited to a dozen guests, so no one is left out!

Then Alena invites you to lie down and relax. With your eyes closed, you let yourself be transported by the astonishing vibrations and sounds she produces using chimes and bowls. This ancient method originating in Tibet and China is based on the principle that our whole body, not just our ears, is sensitive to sound, and that sound can harmonize the whole. Lulled by this strange melody, we clear our heads and let Alena guide us.

Once refreshed, it was time for lunch. Jean-Victor organizes his menus around a plant to introduce his guests to, and this time it was mint from Milly-la-Forêt, as we mentioned earlier.

Seated in the garden, among the chickens, we savor spring rolls, roasted vegetables, cauliflower and potato croquettes, all terribly tasty and well-balanced plates that leave no room for doubt: Jean-Victor is a culinary artist, and by following the thread of his inspiration, he manages to surprise the taste buds with his vegetarian recipes while respecting the natural flavor of the products and keeping waste to a minimum. The meal culminates in a dessert of mint panna cotta with melon granita.

This brings today's escapade to a close. Our adventure ends as it began, with a taste of melon, mint and conviviality. It feels like a weekend's rest, yet the day is still ours. As for stress, we've left it far behind, and now we've got the antidote to sluggishness and Parisian spleen!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.