The Retreat Week is now a full week, Saturday to Saturday!
At Le Pas Opton, relaxation and refreshment are always a top priority. So this week will give you all the usual holiday opportunities – great food and drink, four-star holiday facilities and quality accommodation in a Christian environment.
The Retreat Holiday offers far more, however. It’s an opportunity to step away from the everyday and invest time in exploring your faith with the support of an experienced Retreat Guide. You can make this a personal retreat or join a small group for discussion and prayer. Scroll down to read more from our Retreat Guides Tom and Ruth Duncanson.
This week’s programme will differ slightly to other weeks. We will welcome you on Saturday evening with Welcome Drinks in the bar creating a space to find out more about the programme ahead, catch up with old friends and begin making new. On Sunday we will hold a morning Sunday service followed by our traditional Sunday Street Party. With tables set up, BBQs on and available to cook your own food, and various take away options for those who prefer not to cook, Street party will provide another space to get to know your fellow Retreat guests at the start of the week. The programme will then begin on Monday and run through to the following Saturday.
Are you in Church Leadership?
Within the Retreat there will be optional extra sessions exploring leadership issues and providing the opportunity to talk through and share together. All of this in the relaxing holiday environment that is described as a ‘thin place’ where many have met with God and experienced His blessing. These sessions deliberately run from Monday to Saturday making it more accessible for Church Leaders who cannot be away from their churches on Sunday Mornings.
Accommodation
Choose from a wide range of accommodation including villas, mobile homes or a Luxury Tent. All of our accommodation options are comfortable and equipped with everything that you need for a relaxing holiday.
Prices
Prices start at just £330 for accommodation in a Luxury Tent or £410 to stay in a mobile home. That's per unit for the whole retreat, not per person! All bookings include a free Dover-Calais ferry crossing and access to the full programme of activities, the optional spiritual programme and all the on-site four-star facilities.
Prices for solo travellers start at £175 (room to yourself in a shared mobile home; upgrade to an en-suite room for £55), not including ferry. Call or email us for more information.
Early arrival option
If you'd like to start up to 5 days early, you can extend your holiday for as little as £50 (in a tent or Firgrove; £70 in a Pinewood 2). The programme will be very light in that first week, but you'll be gaining 70% more holiday for 15% just more cost.
Facilities
From the swimming pool to the relaxing Vendée Vous Café, there are plenty of facilities to enjoy at Le Pas Opton. Enjoy a pizza from the takeaway, wine from the bar or a walk down by the river. Le Pas Opton has everything that you need for a relaxed holiday! Take a look at our facilities here.
Tom and Ruth write:
A definition of Retreat is ‘to draw back’ or ‘take a step backward’. It can also include the intention to withdraw to a safe place in order to reflect, be refreshed and ready to return - something Jesus did often. (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16 & 6:12)
LPO’s vision includes a desire for guests to be refreshed and renewed spiritually, mentally and physically. The Retreat Holiday focuses a little more on the spiritual ‘R’s. We provide an opportunity for more intentional Reflection, time to Re-focus on one’s personal relationship with God, and even Revived ready to return home - all whilst Relaxing in LPO’s holiday environment.
There will be opportunities for led prayer, worship and Bible reflection and encouraged personal times with God. Options will be available for those with a more creative flair to assist with their reflections, such as an introduction to artistic journalling or creative writing. For some, a walk through the park, or along the river with a camera will give time and space to reflect on the Bible passage or God’s creation.
There will also be a short time for optional Morning and Evening prayers.
To quote Henry Nouwen we can be ‘preoccupied with being occupied’. Our busyness can unconsciously lead to exhaustion and becoming ‘weary in well doing’ (Gal 6:9). This in turn can lead to discontent personally and relationally in our relationship with God.
Our desire is to make this retreat holiday fully accessible – with all activities remaining optional. Whether you’re in church or workplace leadership or living with the constant demands of family life – this holiday will give you space to draw back, listen and withdraw in order to advance.
Please note,children are welcome but there is no children’s programme during the Retreat Week.
