New Year's Retreat

Is the new year really new, or only the old one repeating itself? Thich Nhat Hanh posed the question plainly: it depends very much on us. This wellness retreat at Plum Village France, in Thénac in the Dordogne, offers a week to rest, reconnect and let that question be answered through practice rather than resolution.

Held across the turn of the year, the New Year's Retreat gathers practitioners in the community founded in the lineage of Thich Nhat Hanh. It is a gentle way to release the old year with gratitude and welcome the new with presence and care, whether you are returning to a long-standing meditation practice or arriving for the first time.

The retreat takes place across all three of Plum Village's hamlets: Lower Hamlet, New Hamlet and Upper Hamlet. You choose your hamlet when you register.

What to Expect

The week is shaped around rest, reflection and renewal of the commitment to mindful living. Days include collective practice, moments of noble silence and special celebrations marking the transition into the new year. On New Year's Eve, the community closes the year in reflection together and then welcomes the new one.

- A supportive community. Practice is held together, so the collective energy of the sangha carries and steadies you.
- Time for stillness. Noble silence and shared practice create room to slow down and listen inwardly.
- A meaningful threshold. The New Year's Eve gathering and celebrations give the turning of the year a shape beyond the usual countdown.
- Language. Teachings are given in English with French translation.

Participants are asked to stay for the full retreat, arriving and departing only on the designated days, which helps preserve the stability and collective energy of mindfulness. If you would like to spend the whole Christmas period at Plum Village, the Christmas Holiday Retreat takes place the week before and can be joined as well.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Plum Village France, 437 Chemin du Pey, Thénac, in the Dordogne. Check-in begins at 3pm on the arrival day, a Monday, and departure is between 9:30am and noon on the closing Monday.

The contribution varies with the price tier and the type of lodging you select during registration. It covers lodging (unless you book as a "Commuter"), daily vegan meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner, teachings and activities. Payments are made online by credit card or by SEPA direct debit for European bank accounts, and the cancellation policy is set out in the registration section of the event page.

If you are new to Plum Village retreats, the organizers offer an introductory guide to what a stay is like, which is worth reading before you book.