WELCOME TO LE MOULIN
Scroll down or click on links below to find out more about your stay
ACCOMMODATION
We offer a variety of accommodation at Le Moulin which includes single and shared rooms, plus Moulin tents, with the possibility to come in your own tent for certain retreats.
Rooms
Each floor in the main house share 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets.
We have 9 single ensuite rooms attached to the Tara hall.
We provide all bedding and bath towels for all rooms.
For more photos of accommodation at Le Moulin please go to Gallery.
Moulin tents
If you choose to stay in a moulin tent, we will provide you with everything. A bed (yes a bed!) quilt, bedding, lighting, torch, towel, and anything else to make you comfortable. The tent will also have space to keep your luggage and belongings.
Camping in your own tents
If the retreat you choose gives the option to camp in your own tent, you need to bring everything: tent, ground sheet, warm sleeping bag, towel, toiletries and anything else to make you comfortable. As the weather can be changeable, we highly recommend you bring a warm jumper or fleece, even in the summer time.
MEALS
During your stay here, you will be offered three healthy and tasty, and nutritionally balanced vegetarian/vegan meals, using organic and locally sourced ingredients as much as possible.
All the meals are served outside in a buffet style. Breakfast includes, fruit, muesli, porridge, bread and spreads.
The main meal of the day is at lunch time with a salad, main dishes and dessert.
The evening time you are served a lighter supper of soup and bread.
For those who have specific dietary requirements, there is a space to mention that on the application form. The kitchen will provide a simple alternative of steamed vegetables, a protein plus carbohydrate. Please bring your own supplements if needed.
Hot drinks are available all day.
All meals are included in the price you pay at booking which is all-inclusive.
Meals at the moulin are plant based and gluten free. Dishes containing gluten, dairy and eggs are served separately.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
As well as providing bedding and organic bath towels for the rooms and moulin tents, we also provide meditation mats, meditation cushions, chairs and shawls.
We have enough yoga mats for up to 30 people plus 30 bolsters. We do not provide any other yoga props.
WHAT TO BRING
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Please wear modest, loose and comfortable clothing.
The Meditation hall is a consecrated place of practice, with certain Buddhist protocols; In the hall please wear loose, modest clothing covering shoulders and thighs.
- Your own toiletries including soap
- Indoor shoes/slippers for the main building
- Appropriate clothing for cool and hot weather
- An alarm clock, which is not a phone (to help with distractions!)
- A European power adapter
- If camping in your own tent, all camping equipment, towels and toiletries
- Mosquito repellent
- Water bottle or sealed cup. Only these can be allowed in the Tara hall.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Unless otherwise specified for your particular retreat, below are the standard arrival and departure times.
Arrival day is the first day of your retreat, not the day before. Please arrive between 14h00 and 19h00, not any earlier than 14h.
If you will arrive later than 19h00 please let the office know. We will leave a note on the main notice board in the main building directing you to your room.
Supper is served between 18h – 18h30 on the arrival evening.
The retreat will start at 20h00 .
Departures take place on the last day of the retreat (not the following day).
On your departure day the final session normally ends at 12h. We ask that you vacate your room by 10h. You are welcome to stay for lunch and we ask that you leave the property by 14h.
It is only possible to arrive earlier or stay on later than your retreat dates if are attending another retreat.
TYPICAL RETREAT SCHEDULES
For an example of a typical opening day schedule, please click here.
For an example of a typical daily schedule, please click here.
For an example of a typical closing day schedule, please click here.
Please note that these schedules will apply to most Moulin retreats. For retreats where a teaching fee has been paid (not Dana), please check with the retreat organiser or teacher for the retreat schedule.
KARMA YOGA – GIVING OF SERVICE
Moulin de Chaves is a non profit Association. For most retreats everyone will contribute a small hour each day to support the maintaining and caring of le moulin. It is also a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness with a simple task with the silence and support of other practitioners. This may be anything from washing up, veggie chopping, cleaning, or gardening. We thank you in advance for this offering.
MOULIN GUIDELINES
Please read and follow the guidelines listed below. They are there for the benefit of all of us.
WELCOME TO THE MOULIN
Welcome to Moulin de Chaves
Moulin de Chaves seeks to offer a retreat environment, teachings and practices to support Freedom and Awakening. Our practice consists of skilfully meeting and inquiring into all of life: in silence and in communication, in solitude and in community, in simplicity and also amidst various daily complexities. Living here together we all need to take care with our actions and intentions; the following rules and reflections are intended to support the safety and ease of all of us.
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- The basis of any spiritual practice is bringing sensitivity and care to life. We use the 5 Buddhist virtues as a basis for this, undertaking together to honour all life here, to respect each other’s being and property, to safeguard honesty and trust, and to be with our hearts and minds as intimately and directly as possible, for the awakening of authentic wisdom and compassion.
- The daily schedule is posted on the notice board at the entrance to the community hall. Visitors are expected to participate fully. This supports the sincerity and commitment of each one of us.
- For all of us, our working meditation is an important aspect of Dharma practice here. We are asked to bring the same care, connection and interest to our work as in all other areas of life here. If you are unsure about any aspect of your work period, please just ask one of the manager team.
- The House guidelines posted below and on the notice board are for the harmony and ease of all of us. Please read and follow them fully.
We wish you an insightful and nourishing stay with us.
MOULIN GUIDELINES
- Please respect the privacy of residents and staff, and do not go into the areas marked Private. The island is reserved for the team during meal times and bikes and boats are not available for guest use.
- No use of alcohol or intoxicants is permitted during your stay at le Moulin .
- Please participate fully in the daily program, arriving on time and staying until the end of each session.
- Please don’t wear outdoor shoes from the first floor onwards in the main house, or in the meditation halls. Please bring slippers to wear upstairs.
- For everyone’s safety, no open flames are allowed anywhere on the property. Candles and incense may only be used in the Metta Mandir.
- Wi-Fi is available for use only when needed (i.e. booking travel back home). A computer is available at lunchtime in the upstairs office.
- Keep the First floor library tidy, returning books to the correct shelf (marked with coloured dots). No books should be taken outside.
- The kitchen is off-limits unless you’re working there. Please don’t enter the kitchen or help yourself to food.
- Please be on time for meals, and rinse your dishes in the bowls provided. It is helpful if you can finish by 45 minutes, so wash up can begin on time.
- Help keep toilets, bathrooms and shared spaces clean. Wipe down showers and glass doors after use; cleaning materials are provided.
- Avoid communal areas during cleaning times (karma yoga/work period).
- Please recycle: yellow bins for recyclables, grey bins for general waste.
- Sleeping areas are always silent. If sharing a room, please switch off lights by 23:00.
- Walk gently on the 2nd & 3rd floors — the old wooden structure carries sound easily.
- If the main house showers are busy, there are 3 showers and 4 toilets in the ground-floor bathroom block.
- After 22:30, please avoid using showers or flushing toilets unless needed.
- For stays over a week, a washing machine is available on the 2nd floor (€3 per use).
- Please do not bring food into rooms — it can attract mice or insects.
- Priya the cat is not allowed in the main house or bedrooms. Don’t let her in.
- You may swim at your own risk. Please let someone know before going into the river, and swim only during free times.
- Please don’t walk or sunbathe in swimwear. Cover yourself when moving between the river, bathroom block or your room.
- Dry wet towels and swimwear on the washing lines — not in or around the house or garden.
Smoking
- Smoking is only allowed in the designated areas: near the front gate by the white Buddha or outside the main building.
- Please dispose of cigarette ends carefully
Safety & Emergencies
- A first aid kit is in the downstairs bathroom block.
- Emergency numbers: Ambulance/Fire: 15 Police: 17
- A nurse and pharmacy are located in the village.
- For more details, see the Health & Well-Being sheet in your folder.
MEMBERSHIP
The Moulin de Chaves operates as a French registered Non Profit Association (loi 1901). In order to maintain this status, all activities are offered as a service to Association members. The annual subscription of €10 allows us to offer events at the Moulin for the lowest possible cost. Without membership, we would have to operate as a profit-oriented, tax-paying organisation.
By becoming a member of the Association Moulin de Chaves, you automatically get signed up for our newsletter. If you don’t wish to receive them, you can unsubscribe.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Please read our travel information page to find out more details on how to get to Le Moulin.