Presented by Bramble and Rose + SecondHalf Fitness
Because the second half of life isn't a slowdown
— it's a renaissance.
There comes a time when what you need isn’t another trip — it’s a reset.
A chance to pause, breathe, and remember what it feels like to be fully present.
We have created The Second-Half Experience for that exact moment — for those ready to move past burnout, distraction, and noise, and return to joy, purpose, and strength.
This experience isn’t about escape.
It’s about reconnection — to wellbeing, to vitality, and to life’s possibilities after 50.
Set in the heart of France’s Loire Valley, in a 16th-century Renaissance castle, this six-day, five-night restorative retreat offers a rare blend of reflection, vitality, and la belle vie — the good life.
A Week That Redefines Renewal
The Second-Half Experience manifests from a simple truth: joy and vitality don’t fade with age — they deepen through awareness.
Throughout the week, you will enjoy mindfulness sessions and conversations inspired by the forthcoming book by Dr. James Bramson with Lisa Rosenthal, The Geezer’s Guide to the Galaxy: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Second Half.
These discussions are complemented by Vann Duke’s COMMAND™ philosophy — a framework that blends physical vitality with mental resilience, clarity, and personal agency. Together, they create a holistic blend of movement, mindfulness, and meaning that defines this retreat.
You’ll explore what it means to live with renewed purpose — not through lectures, but through shared dialogue, mindful practice, and moments of quiet clarity. Each day builds gently, helping you reconnect to what brings you energy, freedom, and genuine fulfillment.
The Journey
Six days. Five nights. One transformative retreat.
You’ll begin each morning with mindful meditation and movement — a calm, grounding blend of breathwork, mobility, and gentle stretching designed to awaken your body and center your mind.
Each sunrise session introduces the theme of the day, setting the tone for reflection, exploration, and renewal. It’s a practice that meets you where you are — accessible to all levels, focused not on performance but presence.
After breakfast, you’ll gather for a late-morning workshop or guided discussion designed to deepen the day’s theme — blending insight, practical tools, and shared reflection. These sessions create the bridge between intention and action, helping you translate awareness into meaningful change.
Afternoons invite freedom and adventure. Cycle through vineyards, paddle a canoe along the Loire River, explore nearby villages, enjoy a spa service at the chateau or relax by the pool with a glass of rosé and an easy laugh shared with new friends. You choose your pace — every option designed to rekindle joy, movement, and discovery.
There’s also time for stillness — unhurried afternoons to read beneath the trees, book a massage, or simply wander the château gardens. Renewal happens not only through motion, but through the rare luxury of space and calm.
Optional add-on services to complement the retreat’s rich offerings include massage and 1:1 coaching sessions.
Evenings bring it all together: candlelit dinners prepared by our private chef, long conversations around the table, laughter, music, and the kind of ease that only comes when time itself feels generous.
By the end of the week, you won’t just feel rested — you’ll feel renewed. Every guided session meets you where you are, whether you’re rebuilding momentum or refining your edge. Each day brings a natural balance between energy and restoration, so that you leave grounded, clear, and connected — in body, mind, and purpose.
The Experience
Our home for the week is Château de Jalesnes, a restored 16th-century Renaissance château — elegant, expansive, alive with history.
Every guest enjoys a private bedroom with en suite bath, set within beautifully appointed suites that feature shared salons, kitchens, and lounges — modern comfort wrapped in old-world charm. A limited number of private studio and one-bedroom accommodations are also available for those who prefer complete solitude, offered on a first-reserved basis.
The château’s charm lies in its authenticity: stone walls, winding staircases, centuries-old beams, even a moat. Beyond the gates, you’ll find rolling vineyards, peaceful walking paths, and the quiet magic of rural France.
The Setting
Here, food is nourishment, artistry, and bliss.
Our private chef, Mhairi, whose unforgettable menus have become a hallmark of SecondHalf retreats, curates delicious meals crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients — a colorful fusion of seasonal produce, regional flavors, and balanced nutrition.
Expect long, beautifully plated lunches, vibrant dinners — the kind of food that feels indulgent yet deeply restorative.
The Cuisine
Each guest enjoys a private one-bedroom suite for the week—spacious, quiet, and thoughtfully appointed. Our accommodations span three tiers: Standard, Premium, and Signature, with the Signature+ Clock Tower offering a standalone two-bedroom retreat.
Suites may be reserved for single occupancy or shared by two guests. Signature Suites (and the Clock Tower) require two guests traveling together.
Reservations are completed in this section.
Browse the suites below and choose the space that best fits your stay.
If you are traveling solo and are interested in sharing a suite with another guest, let us know here.
Your Suite for the Week
The Loire Valley is often called the garden of France — and this retreat lets you experience it fully. Your week included two immersive outings, each revealing the depth, beauty and soul of the region.
Bastille Day Experience
A day shaped by celebration, culture, and the spirit of France.
You’ll explore one of the Loire Valley’s iconic wine estates with a private tasting, enjoy unhurried time in one of the region’s most charming towns, and end the evening under the glow of Bastille Day festivities.
Angers Discovery Day
Later in the week, we slow the pace and open space for wonder.
You’ll experience the historic city of Angers—its medieval roots, walkable streets, and vibrant cultural heart—through a curated rhythm of exploration, delight, and connection.
All excursions are included in your retreat investment, created to enrich your time in France with a spirit of play, presence, and exploration.
Excursions — Discover the Loire
Meet Your Hosts
This retreat is guided by three people who live what they teach.
Dr. James Bramson is a licensed psychologist and executive coach with more than 25 years of experience helping people lead with clarity, resilience, and purpose. He serves as Director of Organizational Solutions and is the Co-Founder of the East Bay Mindfulness Center, the San Diego Mindfulness Center, and the West Coast Mindfulness Institute. His work blends clinical psychology, neuropsychology, organizational consulting, and mindfulness. Jim has delivered international keynotes and has led retreats and professional trainings across Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Turkey, Greece, Nepal, and Myanmar. Jim also trains executive teams in communication and creative problem-solving, and is the author of the forthcoming book, A Geezer’s Guide to the Galaxy: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Second Half of Life.
Vann Duke is the Founder of SecondHalf Fitness and the creator of the COMMAND™ program.
For more than 25 years, he has coached clients across the U.S. and abroad — from Oscar-winner Viola Davis to executives, founders, and private clients seeking a smarter, long-term approach to strength and longevity. With a master’s degree in Exercise Science and early pioneering work in virtual training dating back to 2011, Vann specializes in helping adults in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond stay strong, mobile, and deeply engaged in their lives. His retreats blend science-backed training with grounded, real-world coaching that meets people exactly where they are.
Lisa Rosenthal is a certified executive coach, facilitator, and attorney who helps people navigate conflict, transition, and reinvention. She created the UNSCRIPTed Method™, a framework for overcoming limiting narratives, finding inner peace, and leaning into possibility. With a psychology degree from UC Berkeley and a coaching credential from the Haas Business School, Lisa guides individuals and couples through pivotal decisions and life changes. She brings warmth, wisdom, and humor in empowering clients to harness their full potential in all stages of life. Lisa is a contributor to and editor of the forthcoming book, A Geezer’s Guide to the Galaxy: Finding Joy and Meaning in the Second Half of Life.
Together, they’ve meticulously curated an experience that restores energy, balance, and inspiration — not through intensity, but through intention.
From Past Retreat Participants
My second European retreat with Vann was spectacular. The balance of thoughtful training, meaningful excursions, exceptional food, and a beautiful French countryside setting made the experience both energizing and deeply enjoyable. I left feeling inspired, well cared for, and with memories that will stay with me. It’s as much a wellness retreat as it is a vacation, with vitality and movement sessions, mindfulness workshops, guided excursions, and group transfers.
— Past Retreat Participant
As a carnivore, and one who is allergic to exercise, the SecondHalf Fitness retreat in France was a blast! Who would believe that “rabbit food,” as I call it, could result in the most tasty and artful vegetarian meals as presented on beautiful table settings at every meal. And the giggles throughout the daily workouts made the fitness exercise program doable and the wonderful massages well earned. Would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
— Past Retreat Participant
I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but the experience exceeded anything I imagined. The balance of movement, laughter, exceptional food, beautiful surroundings, and thoughtful programming made the week feel both energizing and restorative. I left feeling inspired, well cared for, and already wishing I could do it again.
— Past Retreat Participant
Retreat Pricing & Inclusions
Each reservation includes the full Second-Half Experience: six days/five nights at the château, chef-prepared meals, all vitality and movement sessions, mindfulness workshops, guided excursions, and group transfers.
Your selected suite simply determines your rate.
Shared Suites (Most Popular)
From $4,900 per guest
Designed for friends, partners, or retreat companions sharing a suite.
Single Occupancy
From $5,400 per guest
For guest who prefer full privacy and personal space throughout the week.
Clock Tower — Signature Standalone Suite
From $6,000 per guest
Two-guest minimum.
Exact pricing is determined by suite selection. Availability is limited.
Early Commitment Rates
Early commitment pricing is available through January 31, 2026.
Preferred rates apply to all suite categories and are reflected within each suite listing.
After January 31, standard retreat rates apply.
Notes & Structure
• All suites are ensuite and fully private.
• Shared rates apply only to guests registering together.
• Suites are reserved on a first-booked basis.
• Attendance is intentionally limited to preserve an intimate, high-touch experience.
What’s Included
• Six days / five nights of château lodging
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by our private chef, with wine served at dinner.
• Daily vitality sessions and wellness workshops
• Curated excursions (including Bastille Day experience)
• Access to pool, gardens, e-bikes, and all amenities
• Group transfers from the designated train station
What’s Not Included
• Airfare to and from France
• Train travel to the designated pick-up station
• Travel insurance (recommended)
• Optional add-on services (massage, coaching, etc.)
• Personal expenses
Reservations and suite selections are completed in the Your Suite for the Week section above.
For practical details to help you plan with confidence, view the Frequently Asked Questions.
July 13–18, 2026 | Loire Valley, France
Summer in the Loire is pure magic. Golden light stretches until nearly 11 p.m., twilight that feels endless.
This week includes France’s Fête Nationale (Bastille Day), a grand celebration of freedom and joy that perfectly mirrors the spirit of The Second-Half Experience.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please reach out to us at retreats@secondhalffitness.com.