What if, this summer, true luxury wasn’t about travelling far away, but about travelling better? About choosing a place where you can truly breathe. A place where days are no longer measured in notifications, schedules to keep or to-do lists, but in steps along a trail, in the light on the peaks, in rediscovered silence, in bursts of laughter over brunch or in a long break at a spa after a day outdoors.
The mountains have long been associated with exertion, achievement and conquering heights. They remain, of course, a wonderful playground for adventure, but today they reveal a different side: gentler, more sensory, more intimate. A mountain where people come to walk, practise yoga, spend a weekend with friends, enjoy a massage, sleep in a cabin, discover a table d’hôte, treat themselves to a hot bath with a view of the mountains, or simply rediscover that precious feeling of finally having time for oneself.
For women seeking a pressure-free break, the mountains are increasingly ticking all the right boxes. They offer a chance to reconnect with your body without excessive physical exertion, to escape the urban hustle and bustle, to reconnect with the bountiful natural world, and to enjoy authentic experiences, often led by passionate hosts. Here, there’s no need to choose between hiking and comfort, between activity and relaxation, or between fine dining and well-being. The latest mountain destinations know how to blend it all together with elegance.
From Switzerland to the Pyrenees, from the Écrins to the Chartreuse, from Orcières to Valloire, here are six ideas for a getaway for a girls’ trip, a trip with friends, a sisters’ break, a mother-and-daughter holiday, or simply for women who fancy a bit of a break.
Verbier: yoga and hiking at Cabane Louvie, in the heart of the great outdoors
There are places where you quickly realise that your stay begins even before you arrive. In Verbier, the Cabane Louvie experience begins in Fionnay, with boots on your feet, a rucksack on your back, and a steady breath. You gradually leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind and enter a landscape that is vaster, more rugged, and quieter.
At the end of the path, Lake Louvie appears as a reward. All around, the mountains assert their presence with gentle grandeur. The Grand Combin watches over the panorama, majestic, whilst the hut offers that rare sense of simple yet precious shelter. You arrive just the right amount of tired, glad to have walked, ready to shed the unnecessary.
The experience, designed around hiking and yoga, fits in perfectly with the rhythm of the place. On the first day, after about two hours’ walk, the participants settle in, enjoy a warm welcome from Claudia, the hut warden, and then end the day with a yoga session at sunset with Amelie. It’s hard to imagine a better setting for relaxing your shoulders, stretching your body and letting the golden light wash over the mountains.
The next day begins in an even more special atmosphere: yoga at the first light of day, opening the chakras, followed by another guided hike through the flower-filled mountain pastures. Walking then becomes a way of experiencing the mountains, of feeling the terrain, of seeing things in a different light.
This getaway is perfect for those who love the idea of a short but action-packed weekend, with just the right amount of physical activity, unspoilt nature and relaxation. A simple, beautiful and deeply rejuvenating experience.
- Day 1: 2-hour walk + yoga
- Day 2: Yoga + a 4½-hour walk
- Dates: 6–7 June, 13–14 June, 3–4 October
- Prices: CHF 280 for the 2 days, all-inclusive
Pays des Écrins: Maison Abeil, a charming spot on the edge of the National Park
In the Pays des Écrins, Maison Abeil cultivates a different kind of well-being: that of homes with a soul. Situated right next to the Écrins National Park, this fully renovated guesthouse welcomes travellers all year round in an atmosphere that is simple, warm and soothing.
Behind this establishment is Arielle. A former flight attendant, she swapped aeroplanes and busy airport concourses for the open landscapes of the Écrins. This change in lifestyle is reflected in the spirit of the place: Maison Abeil is not a run-of-the-mill establishment, but a home designed for hospitality, listening and taking time to relax.
For yoga enthusiasts, Arielle offers Hatha Yoga classes as well as themed workshops during the summer holidays. The setting obviously adds a great deal to the experience: the sessions take place in an old barn with the scent of larch wood, a detail that makes all the difference. You’re not in an impersonal room, but in a place imbued with texture, light and history.
In the morning, breakfast showcases local produce. Here again, the experience is all about a combination of little pleasures: a bountiful table, mountain flavours, the calm of the early morning, the desire to go for a walk or simply to take your time. A place to visit as a couple, with friends or on your own, if you’re looking to combine yoga, nature, authenticity and the art of hospitality.
Price: €120 per night (including 2 breakfasts) in high season (€110 in low season)
Chartreuse: Mahila Essence, a holistic retreat dedicated to women
Perched on the hills above Novalaise, with views over Lake Aiguebelette, Mahila Essence certainly lives up to its name. This new wellness experience in the Chartreuse has been designed as a sanctuary for women, a space where the body, movement and nature become gateways to tranquillity.
Coline, the hostess, has created a retreat entirely dedicated to women. Not with the aim of excluding anyone, but with the intention of creating an intimate, reassuring and deeply caring environment. Here, a stay is not merely a series of activities; it creates a rhythm. Yoga, mindful walking, Abhyanga-inspired massages, meditation, creative workshops, sharing circles… each element invites you to slow down, breathe, let go of what weighs you down and rediscover a sense of being present with yourself.
Our signature package, the “Rejuvenation” retreat, includes an overnight stay accompanied by two deeply relaxing treatments. The experience can be enjoyed alone or as a couple, and is tailored to suit each individual’s needs: extendable duration, specific treatments, and an optional gourmet interlude featuring organic and locally sourced produce. This flexibility is one of the venue’s greatest assets. It is not about following a rigid programme, but about crafting an experience that is just right, according to your energy levels, your needs, and your current stage of life.
For those who prefer to enjoy the surroundings at their own pace, the 65 m² holiday cottage can also be booked for private use. With two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace with panoramic views, a seasonal swimming pool and, coming soon, a hot tub: everything you need for a girls’ getaway, combining the best of an intimate retreat and a nature break.
Mahila Essence is designed for women who want more than just a weekend away: a proper break. A chance to take a deep breath amidst the lake and mountains, in a setting that naturally lends itself to reflection.
- Prices: Rejuvenation Break (1 night + 2 treatments): from €200 (single) / €350 (couple).
- Holiday cottage rental (2–4 people): €110–€180 per night. Minimum stay of 2 nights (5 nights in July and August).
Saint-Lary: Maison Seignou – a cosy Pyrenean retreat and private chalet
In the Pyrenees, certain places possess the understated charm of those spots you’d like to keep to yourself. In Azet, a small village of stone and slate roofs overlooking Saint-Lary, Maison Seignou is one of those homes that immediately makes you want to settle in.
Owned by the same family for several generations, the old barn has been transformed into a charming, cosy, gentle and soothing retreat. The setting alone is a promise: the view of the mountains in the Aure Valley is magnificent, the village retains its authentic character, and the whole place invites you to enjoy a form of unpretentious mountain cocooning.
Chalet Seignou, designed to accommodate up to ten people, is the newest addition to this guesthouse. It’s a particularly appealing option for a break with friends: you have your own private space, share breakfasts, organise your days as you please, and then return in the evening to the comfort of a chalet designed for getting together.
The real highlight? The spa area with sauna and jacuzzi, perfect after a hike or a day spent exploring the valley. Added to this is the guest dining experience “À la Table d’Ambroisine”, which showcases local produce with a set menu of starter, main course and dessert at a reasonable price. Packed lunches for hikes round off the experience with that simple generosity that is the charm of mountain lodges.
Maison Seignou is the perfect choice for those who enjoy cosy, gourmet breaks with a strong local flavour. A Pyrenean getaway to enjoy with friends, filled with laughter, hot baths, delicious meals and sweeping views.
- Prices : from €120 for a double room
- Details: Maison Seignou 65170 AZET
Orcières: yoga, brunch or drinks at the Refuge Ibex
In Orcières, well-being is all about being out in the great outdoors, in a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. At the Refuge Ibex, Marlène welcomes the day’s yogis for an experience that combines walking, yoga, local produce and the joy of sharing a moment away from the hustle and bustle.
There are two options available: one in the morning, the other in the late afternoon. The choice will depend mainly on your mood. Are you more in the mood for the fresh morning light on your shoulders, a gentle physical wake-up and a gourmet brunch? Or perhaps the golden hour on the mountain peaks, deep breathing, renewed mobility and an aperitif at altitude?
In both cases, the experience begins with a short, reflective walk of around thirty minutes along the path leading to the mountain hut. This walk is important: it prepares the body and mind, gradually helps you leave your everyday worries behind, and allows the group to settle into the rhythm of the mountains.
The yoga session lasts around an hour and a half. In the morning, it is designed to be energising and rejuvenating, featuring a gradual physical wake-up, deep stretches, and exercises to promote grounding and vitality. In the evening, the session focuses more on flexibility, breathing and reconnecting with oneself.
Then comes the time for culinary delights. Whether it’s brunch or an aperitif, the pleasure is unashamed. Local, fresh and seasonal produce: the senses take over after the exertion. We savour the food, chat, laugh and gaze at the mountains. And we head back down into the valley with that wonderful feeling of having enjoyed a real break from it all.
- Yoga Brunch: Departure at 9.30am, return at 1pm Price: €65 per person
- Yogapéro Departure at 6pm, return around 8.30pm / 9pm Price: €80 per person
Valloire: Les Cîmes d’Auréa – 4-star wellness
For those who love the mountains but want a touch of luxury, head to Valloire and the Les Cîmes d’Auréa**** residence & spa. Here, the experience is all about high-end well-being, in a cosy, contemporary and relaxing atmosphere.
The residence offers apartments suitable for groups of any size, accommodating up to eighteen people. It is therefore the perfect choice for a holiday with friends, a family reunion for women, or a multi-generational getaway. Guests come here to enjoy the mountains, of course, but also to rediscover the pleasure of spacious, stylish and practical accommodation.
The wellness area really brings the living room to life. With its Himalayan salt wall, couples’ massages and relaxing pool, evenings here take on a special quality. After a hike, a stroll through the village or a busy day, you can treat yourself to a proper moment of relaxation. Your body unwinds, your mind slows down, and the conversation flows.
Les Cîmes d’Auréa will appeal to those who wish to combine the great outdoors with four-star comfort. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Valloire without compromising on luxury, offering that extra touch of elegance that transforms a simple weekend away into a true wellness retreat.
Price: From €190 per night for a minimum stay of 2 nights (including access to the spa)
With Verbier, Les Écrins, La Chartreuse, Saint-Lary, Orcières and Valloire to choose from, there’s something for everyone. The adventurer will choose Cabane Louvie. The contemplative type will prefer Maison Abeil. Those in need of a proper retreat will head to Mahila Essence. Friends looking for a pampering break will meet up at Maison Seignou. Active foodies will love the yoga brunch or yoga aperitif in Orcières. Those who prioritise comfort will choose Les Cîmes d’Auréa.
One thing links them all: the idea that you can head to the mountains to do yourself some real good. Not to tick off a challenge, not to fill a diary, but to rediscover a sense of balance. And perhaps also to remind ourselves that, amongst women—whether on a trail, in a spa, around a table or facing a mountain peak—the most beautiful journeys are sometimes those that bring us back to ourselves.
