Amassa
Gascony, France
About Amassa
👥: 20 guests + 4 facilitators
Situated in Gascony, often referred to as the Tuscany of France, Amassa sits in sixteen acres of woods, rewilded meadows and flowering gardens, with stunning views over rolling countryside, hilltop villages and distant views to the horizon. The houses have been restored preserving their unique character and old French charm, blended with modern comforts and stylishly curated with locally sourced vintage finds. The studios provide huge flexible space for a variety of events and all the equipment needed for yoga and pilates and creative activities.
Accommodation
Amassa offers 4 individual old stone houses with 9 ensuite bedrooms, sleeping up to 20 guests with the possibility of 2 further rooms for the host and assistants. There are also 2 renovated studios in the old barn with underfloor heating,
Facilities
15 hectares of fields, gardens and woods
Open and covered terraces
Hammocks
Indoor fireplace & outdoor fire pit
Bluetooth sound system in studios
2 outdoor swimming pools
Fully equipped chefs kitchen
Outdoor / BBQ cooking facilities
Trampoline
Outdoor sauna
Getting there
Closest airport: Toulouse International Airport
Closest train station: Agen Station
Extras
Boules
Bicycles
Ping Pong
Books, games & puzzles
Massage table
Workshop tables
A beautiful secluded rural hamlet in South West France, renovated and designed for wellness, retreats, workshops, and gatherings.
A place for people to come together to pause, to play, to grow.
Accommodation
4 houses • 9 ensuite bedrooms • 20 guests • 2 further rooms for hosts and assistants
All houses have been renovated to enhance their original features and atmosphere. They are beautiful and thoughtfully designed, allowing you to relax and feel at home. Each house has its own lounge with comfortable sofas and a table for drawing, writing or creative work, all perfect for enjoying a book, puzzles or board games. Each room has its own modernised ensuite with rain showers and WC. All houses have lovely terraces with comfortable deckchairs offering quiet space, with access to the gardens.
Fig House
3 ensuite bedrooms • 6 guests • 3 bathrooms
The lovely green views and west facing terrace of this house invite sunset watching. There are old terracotta tiles, exposed stone walls, wooden beams and underfloor heating throughout. The largest room has a wonderfully decadent free standing bath and each of the rooms can be configured as a double or twin. There is an open plan lounge with fully fitted kitchen and panoramic views of the woods and countryside beyond, framed by sliding glass doors to the terrace.
Vine House
2 ensuite bedrooms • 5 guests • 2 bathrooms
Vine House is one of the oldest remaining houses, retaining its original terracotta tiles, wooden beams and open fireplace and ancient stone sink. One bedroom with double doors to the gardens beyond can be configured as a double or twin and the second room can be either a double, twin or triple. Both bedrooms have modernized ensuites with rain showers and WC with decorative tiles. The open plan lounge and kitchenette with direct access to the gardens make for cosy living.
Pine House
1 bedroom • 3 guests • 1 bathroom + separate WC
Pine House is entirely self contained and features a spacious open-plan bedroom and lounge suite. With double doors to the gardens and its own south facing terrace, it can be arranged as twin, double or triple. It has a wonderful wet room, rain shower and separate WC.
Quince House
3 ensuite bedrooms • 6 guests • 3 bathrooms
The largest house, Quince has an open plan lounge with plenty of big sofas around the working fireplace. Quince has three ensuite bedrooms, one double, one twin/double suitable for people with disabilities and a further twin/double. The lounge has high beamed ceilings, (think more loft style than quaint cottage) and French doors leading onto a wraparound south facing terrace, and gardens facing the smaller swimming pool with stunning views beyond. The large communal dining table is in the open plan lounge and easily accessed from the professional kitchen or the terrace.
Studios
At Amassa there are two beautiful large purpose-built studios converted from an old barn. Thick stone walls keep the studios cool in summer. Huge double height glass doors frame the views of the countryside, and there are polished concrete floors with underfloor heating and a wonderful wooden ceiling with exposed 100-year-old rafters and beams. The studios are equipped with integrated sound systems, and a full range of yoga, pilates and barre equipment including mats, bolsters, blankets, straps, eye cushions, pilates weights and balls. For other workshops and events they can provide trestle tables, chairs, easels, etc. If you need something specific, just ask. There are toilet and shower facilities in the barn which are suitable for people with disabilities.
Ground Floor Studio
A 100m2 studio that can easily provide space for 25 yoga mats, or 4 to 5 large trestle tables for workshops. Views of trees, gardens and valleys beyond are framed by the old and new glass doors bathing the studio in natural light.
Ground Floor Studio
A 65m2, equally spacious studio which is a more intimate space, accessed from a wide staircase. It overlooks the studio below and is naturally lit from many windows.
Equipment
Yoga mats
Bolsters
Blankets
Straps
Eye cushions
Pilates weights
Pilates balls
Sound system
Swimming Pools
Secluded Pool (12m x 5m)
A beautiful salt water pool, accessed by wide steps.
Secluded and surrounded by lush trees and flowers, it is perfect for swimming and relaxing. There are plenty of sunloungers and parasols on the large stone terrace around the pool.
Italian Style Pool (4m x 3m)
A perfect pool with its own renaissance style water fountain.
Perfect for a quick cooling dip on hot summer days, or reading at the pool edge. Relax on reclining loungers in the garden surrounding the pool with stunning views across the valley.
Wellness
Massage & Bodywork
There is a private covered outdoor area for massage/bodywork equipped with a massage table and with fabulous views over the countryside, and another area indoors with a fully hydraulic table. Bring your favorite massage therapists or body workers, or choose to use Amassa’s recommended best from the local area and beyond.
Sauna
Amassa offers a bespoke designed wood burning sauna all the way from Latvia. It has two long benches sitting 10 people comfortably with a very large picture window onto the field and valley beyond. You can finish your sauna and dip in the Italian pool to cool off and then start all over again. The sauna is available to book for an additional fee of €100, plus €50 per two-hour session. For example, one session totals €150, while two sessions come to €200.
Cooking & dining
The fully equipped catering kitchen is in Quince House, right next to the dining room and has double doors onto the west terrace for alfresco meals. Spacious, bright and light with gas hob and electric cooker, larder style fridge and freezer, it has plenty of storage, a large original chateau kitchen table for serving up, and big pots and pans with plenty of equipment and utensils. Use one of their outstanding chefs who know how to cook up nourishing delights for your guests from local, fresh, seasonal produce or bring your own chef (with an additional kitchen hire fee).
They operate a ‘use what you need and replace it’ system so the kitchen is stocked with basics and a good range of herbs and spices, so chefs can get cooking from the moment they arrive. The local markets are a delight and provide seasonal fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, cheese and other produce grown nearby and beyond. Amassa also has its own fruit trees and a wonderful selection of herbs growing in the walled garden. You are welcome to take a pair of scissors and help yourself.
There are plenty of places to choose to eat: outside on the terrace or under the shade of the trees in the gardens or indoors. Next to the chefs kitchen is a large (70m2) dining and lounge room with garden doors to the west terrace, complete with wooden farmhouse tables for communal eating and a spacious lounge area with oversized sofas for relaxing in front of an open fireplace.
Beyond Amassa
There are many other places and activities to integrate with your Amassa stay, before, during or after:
Sustainability & Ecology
Below are some of the ways Amassa contributes to looking after their ecology:
Rainwater Recycling
Rain water is captured from the roof tops and stored in underground containers to water the gardens and flowers.
Compost & Zero Waste
Amassa encourages a zero waste kitchen and have recycling bins and their own composters on site.
Rubbish Recycling
Amassa recycles paper, plastics, wrappers, tin cans, cardboard and glass.
Re-Wilding, Tree Planting & Flowers
They have left several areas of the site to rewild, to encourage natural habitats to develop and rekindle natural ecological cycles. Their flowers are chosen for their beauty, their ability to tolerate the local conditions and be good pollinators for the bees and other insects.
Plastic Bottle Pillows & Duvets
All of Amassa’s duvets and pillows are made from recycled plastic bottles extracted from the sea.
Preloved & Upcycled Furniture
Vintage finds and re-used articles - they have made a conscious choice to try and limit as much as possible what they buy ‘new’, and buy second hand local vintage instead.
Location
Mauroux 32380, France
The nearest international airport is Toulouse Blagnac, located just one hour away by car. The closest train station is Agen, approximately a 40-minute drive.
The Amassa team is happy to assist with arranging group taxi transfers to and from the property, whether you are arriving via Toulouse Blagnac Airport, Toulouse Matabiau station, or Agen.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There is very good wifi in all the houses and across many areas of the site (some people say it's better than their connection at home!)
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Yes, there is a washing machine for you, and an iron and ironing board.
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Yes there are hairdryers in every house.
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No, not at all. The very first retreat held at Amassa was for a group of artists. They like to host a wide variety of events including wellbeing and creative and makers retreats, residencies and workshops, gatherings and weddings.
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Yes, no problem. Amassa will help you organize your retreat however you would like it, and liaise with local providers with whom they have good relationships and who can often offer you discounts.
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The team at Amassa love to support new ideas and people wanting to host their first retreat or a new type of retreat. They will share their top tips and work with you to create your bespoke retreat aligned with your vision and intentions.
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Amassa will provide everyone with a shower towel and pool wrap for their use whilst on site. They have their own Amassa hand soap and shower gel and advise you to bring your own hair shampoo and conditioner.
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The Amassa chefs will enquire about special dietary requirements prior to arrival, and will make adjustments as required. If there are any special requirements that they are unable to cater for any reason, they will let you know.
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There are inbuilt speakers in the studios which will connect with your phone by bluetooth or with a jack to your laptop.
Contact Amassa directly for more information about pricing and availability:
📞 : +33 788 88 48 80 / + 44 7970 414023