Project: “Le Refuge“
When dreams take root
đż From Haute-Savoie to the Indre
For a long time, I imagined this heart-driven project would come to life in the mountains of Haute-Savoie. The “vallĂ©e verte” called to me â its familiar contours, deep forests, and cocooning winters. I had started laying the groundwork: in my head, on paper, in daydreams. And then⊠life took me somewhere else.
A few months ago, without any real expectation, I set foot in the Indre. Just a short escape, a long weekend and much curiosity⊠And then, it struck me. A quiet, gentle certainty. A deep feeling of alignment I wasnât expecting.
The soothing landscapes, the unique light, the heartfelt connections⊠Everything whispered that this was the place. Not elsewhere.
What I had long envisioned in Haute-Savoie suddenly found a new setting. Against all odds, my heart spoke â and this time, I truly listened.
đ„ A radical â and meaningful â decision
When this inner knowing emerged, I chose not to hesitate. I know myself: when a project is close to my heart, if I donât give it top priority, it can quietly fade into the background⊠until it becomes a tender dream that never comes to life.
So, I set a short deadline â on purpose. I handed in my notice, even though I didnât have a new place yet, nor a detailed plan. Just a deep trust in life. A sense that when things fall into place with such ease, you have to say yes.
And right now, everything is falling into place â with unexpected fluidity. So Iâm trusting. Moving forward with an open heart, even though I donât yet know exactly what the next few months will look like.
đ± Le Refuge: a dream born in 2017, ready to bloom
Somewhere between the temples of Cambodia and a persistent intuition.
I pictured it as a cocoon â simple, soft, deeply alive.
A space that welcomes without judgment, supports without pressure.
It brings together everything that makes me feel alive: slowness, yoga, meditations, holistic healing⊠and above all, space to create, breathe, and slow down.
đ Today, the project is taking a new shape: renovation.
Iâll be sharing this adventure through video â the work, the doubts, the choices, the wonder â because little by little, this dream is becoming reality: Le Refuge.
đ„ Sharing, so we donât lose touch
Leaving Haute-Savoie also means leaving a community.
Though itâs not the first time Iâm moving hundreds of km away, this time, I want to bring you with me. Not keep this journey all to myself.
So Iâve decided to create a YouTube channel, to let you witness the behind-the-scenes of Le Refuge â this beautiful, gentle madness â and to share my vision of a space for transition, welcoming, and reconnection.
Simple, honest videos to keep weaving this bond that supports me through this next chapter.
âš Le Refuge: a space to reconnect with yourself
Le Refuge is meant to be a place of connection.
Youâll live at your own pace, cook if you feel like it, share meals around a large table, pick up a brush, a notebook ⊠or choose to do absolutely nothing.
Itâs a space where solitude and community can coexist gently, in full respect of each individual.
Youâll be able to come for three nights or more, to reconnect with your body, your breath, your creativity. Youâll eat simply, exchange around a welcoming table, record a podcast, paint, write, go for a walk, or simply restâŠ
Itâs a place for encounter, sharing, and replenishment.
A living place, rooted in nature, deeply human.
No rigid program. Just a soft and inspiring frame to take care of yourself, recentre, and express who you are.
A day at Le Refuge looks like this:
đ§ââïž Start the day with an accessible yoga practice, to stretch, breathe, and ground yourself.
đ Then, enjoy a simple, locally sourced breakfast offered by Le Refuge, to be shared in the common kitchen or outside, depending on the season.
đż The rest of the day is yours: walks, rest, reading, writing, painting, podcasting⊠Everyone shapes their own retreat at their own pace.
đł A simply equipped kitchen is available to prepare meals solo or with others.
đ At the end of the day, a second yoga practice invites you to deeply unwind, followed by a guided meditation or Yoga Nidra, to gently return to yourself before drifting into sleep.
đ§ââïž And while I wait⊠I prepare the ground works
This transition requires presence and energy, so Iâm getting ahead on everything I can:
- đ§ scheduling podcast episodes,
- đ§ââïž uploading yoga classes,
- đ pre-writing my newsletter â Murmures bienveillants,
- âïž drafting blog articles.
So when the time comes, I can fully devote myself to settling into Le Refuge, bringing it to life, welcoming its first guests, overseeing the renovations, and rooting myself in this new land.
đ Thank you for being part of the journey
This project is carried with all my heart. And Iâm so happy to share it with you today.
Thank you for being here â reading, following, listening. Itâs because of this connection, built over time, that I feel ready to take this leap.
Iâll continue sharing the behind-the-scenes of Le Refuge here on the blog, and in my newsletter.
And soon, I hope, Iâll welcome you there â for a moment out of time.
See you soon, for the next step of the journey đ
Angélique
Well-being awakener
Creator of Le Refuge