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Three Luxury French Fitness Retreats To Book In 2024

All tennis, Latin & Afro dance and fitness fans need to read about Chateau Lou Casteou’s luxe residential breaks.

March 29, 2024

Let’s Salsa And Afro Dance Retreat

April 18-21 and Oct 10-13

Learn the different dance disciplines of Cuban Salsa, Zouk, Kompa, Salsa, Kizomba, Bachata, Regaetton, Merengue, ChaCha and Semba on this four-day, all-inclusive luxe retreat.

Dance classes are small, intimate and relaxed, with approximately six guests per class. With much opportunity for questions, improvement, and practise throughout the retreat. Classes are held in the chateau’s beautiful historic cloisters, around the pool or in the elegant, air-conditioned reception rooms. The retreat’s dance teachers are amongst Europe’s finest - an award-winning team hailing from London and Paris, with many years of combined experience.

The retreat caters for dancers of all abilities wishing to improve their skills - from beginners to advanced. Dancing is complimented by fitness activities designed to improve core and leg muscle groups used in dance. These include core strengthening, TRX and fun Swiss ball sessions, plus water and Latino aerobics. Wine tasting, champagne and evening cocktails are enjoyed around the pool each evening with a relaxed dance class, followed by elegant gourmet dinners and themed dance party nights.

Details: Three nights’ full board costs £1,395 per person in a private en-suite room with sea- or mountain-view or £1095 for two guests sharing. Price includes all meals and wine, a quality open bar over the four days, a champagne reception, daily dance and fitness classes, excursions and transfers from Nice airport (+44 (0)7990 573 287, loucasteou.com).

The Lou Casteou Tennis Academy

April 10-14 (including one day at Monte-Carlo ATP) and May 8-12

This five-day tennis and padel event is curated by renowned tennis expert James Rose, former head of tennis at La Manga Club.

Tennis sessions are held at a wonderful nearby club offering clay, hard and indoor courts and led by James and his experienced team of French and English tennis professionals.

Six hours of tennis coaching is offered daily. Focused group coaching sessions take place each morning, catering for players of all levels of ability and experience, with strategy sessions, practise and singles or doubles played in the afternoons. A tournament is then held, followed by an elegant gala, celebratory dinner.

The event caters for up to 20 guests, on a luxury all-inclusive basis. Healthy and delicious gourmet meals, plus drinks and wines are included and served around the chateau’s heated infinity pool, in its historic cloisters or period reception rooms.

Non-playing partners are welcome to attend the event and can relax by the heated swimming pool or visit the Cote d’Azur’s local beaches and historic attractions. Local town Frejus holds a Provencal market and the picturesque beaches of Agay and St. Aygulf are a short drive away.

Details: Four nights’ full board costs £1,550 per person in a private en-suite room with sea- or mountain-view or £1,398 person for two guests sharing. Included are all meals, drinks and wines over the five days, including elegant three-course dinners, daily professional tennis coaching sessions, a Tennis Tournament and Awards Dinner and transfers from Nice airport (+44 (0)7990 573 287, loucasteou.com).

Body Tonic Fitness Retreat

June 5-9 and Sept 25-29

Held in the beautiful French Riviera countryside, Body Tonic at Lou Casteou provides guests with a balance of energetic, fun training and sporting activities. These include circuits, yoga, TRX, resistance sessions, boxercise, swim club, tennis workshops, padel, stunning coastal and mountain treks, Afro fit, beach fitness HIIT and vibrant Latin dance classes.

Guests enjoy luxurious chateau accommodation and healthy gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs. Champagne and cocktails are included by the heated pool each evening with a relaxed, fun dance class. This is followed by an elegant three course dinner with fine wines.

Body Tonic is designed to appeal to all ages and levels of fitness, whether seeking to improve strength and well-being or kickstart a healthy regime.

Details: Four nights’ full board costs £1,848 per person in a private en-suite room with sea- or mountain-view or £1,680 for 2 guests sharing, with all meals with wine over the five days, a champagne reception, daily fitness and dance classes, coastal treks, water aerobics, yoga & stretching classes and transfers from Nice airport (+44 (0)7990 573 287, loucasteou.com).

THE DETAILS

For more information about the new dance or any of Lou Casteou’s other retreats or hiring the chateau for corporate or private events, please contact Morag McLaren Baxter by email on morag.mclarenbaxter@yahoo.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)7990 573 287.