17 Sep - 20 Sep 2026
Ayahuasca Retreats in Spain, Conducted in French
Connecta Life welcomes you to the Montseny in Catalonia for 3- to 6-day retreats with preparation and integration
Retreats in Catalonia
Upcoming available retreats
3- to 6-day formats, in French, with preparation, on-site support and group online integration session 2 weeks after returning home. Prices from 480 €.
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8 Oct - 11 Oct 2026
Ayahuasca Retreat, Bufo, Kambo, Yopo
View this retreat -
29 Oct - 1 Nov 2026
Ayahuasca Retreat, Bufo, Kambo, Yopo
View this retreat
Looking for an Ayahuasca retreat in Spain, close to France and conducted in French? Connecta Life runs 3- to 6-day stays in the Montseny Natural Park in Catalonia, with preparation, supported ceremonies and integration. This page also explains the legal framework, medical precautions and practical flow before you book.
Spain has become an important destination for French speakers wishing to experience ayahuasca in a respectful ritual and spiritual context. Thanks to its geographical proximity, a more nuanced legal situation than in France and the quality of some centres, Spain offers a setting conducive to inner work.
🌿 Why choose Spain for your ayahuasca retreat?
⚖️ Legal context and caution
Ayahuasca is in a more nuanced situation in Spain than in France, where it remains prohibited. A serious centre should still avoid promising absolute legal certainty: the setting, confidentiality, informed consent and absence of substance export remain essential.
🚗 Proximity to France
Reachable within a few hours from Paris, Lyon, Marseille or Toulouse. No need for a long-haul flight to South America. You can easily plan a weekend or a retreat week.
🗣️ French-speaking support
Stéphane Lavergé, an experienced facilitator, accompanies you in your native language. This is essential for deep inner work and clear integration of the experience, including during the group online session 2 weeks after returning home.
🏞️ Authentic and secure setting
Our centre combines respect for ancestral Amazonian traditions with a modern approach suited to European culture, in a natural environment conducive to introspection.
💰 Excellent value for money
Save on travel costs compared with South America while benefiting from high-quality professional support and European hygiene standards.
🏥 European standards
Quick access to medical services if needed, modern infrastructure, hygiene and safety standards aligned with European norms for your peace of mind.
⚖️ Ayahuasca in Spain: legal and cultural context
Spain has established itself as a European hub for ayahuasca retreats thanks to its more nuanced legal position than France. Ritual use exists in an area of uncertainty where context, preparation, absence of export and the way ceremonies are held matter greatly.
🇫🇷 Why Spain and not France?
In France, ayahuasca is classified as a narcotic due to its DMT content. Its possession, use and distribution are strictly prohibited, even in a ceremonial context. In Spain, some legal decisions and analyses have taken the ritual dimension into account, but every situation must still be approached with caution.
🌟 The Spanish framework: between tradition and modernity
Spain is home to several recognized centres that operate while respecting Amazonian shamanic traditions and integrating modern preparation and integration practices.
This position makes Spain the preferred destination for French, Belgian, Swiss and other European participants wishing to experience ayahuasca without travelling to South America.
📅 How does an ayahuasca retreat in Spain unfold?
🎯 Before the retreat: essential preparation
Preparation starts several weeks before your arrival:
- Personalized interview to understand your intentions, your state of health and any contraindications
- Mental and spiritual preparation: meditation, introspection, clarification of your intentions
- Comprehensive documentation on what to expect and how to maximize your experience
🌟 During the retreat
Our retreats in Spain follow a tried and tested protocol:
Thursday
- 17:00 Welcome and snack
- 18:00 Check-in and individual interview
- 20:30 Introduction circle
- 21:00 Ayahuasca ceremony
Friday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 12:00 Integration workshop
- 13:00 Bufo (optional)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 18:00 Snack
- 20:00 Ayahuasca ceremony
Saturday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 12:00 Integration workshop
- 13:00 Bufo (optional)
- 14:00 Lunch
- 18:00 Snack
- 20:00 Ayahuasca or Magic Mushrooms ceremony
Sunday
- 09:00 Kambo (optional)
- 09:30 Breakfast
- 10:00 Integration workshop
- 12:00 Lunch
🔄 After the retreat: crucial integration
Integration is just as important as the ceremony itself. We offer:
- Group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat to revisit the experience with participants and clarify the next steps
- Access to a participants' support group
- Resources to integrate the teachings into your daily life
- Recommendations of therapists trained in psychedelic integration
Location: Easily accessible from France
Our centre is located in a preserved region of Spain, close to the French border.
- From Paris: 2h30 by plane or 8h by train to Barcelona
- From Lyon: 5h by road or 2h by plane
- From Marseille: 4h30 by road
- From Toulouse: 3h by road
- From Perpignan: 2h by road
Each participant must make their own way to Cardedeu. No transfers are provided from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona; the team only provides the group pickup at Cardedeu station at exactly 16:00.
👥 Who can take part in an ayahuasca retreat?
Ayahuasca is not for everyone. Our retreats are aimed at people who:
- Wish to explore a complex emotional experience (grief, blockages, crisis periods, difficult events)
- Want spiritual development and consciousness expansion
- Wish to work on repetitive patterns or behaviours that are difficult to transform
- Are searching for meaning and direction in their lives
- Want to reconnect with themselves and with nature
⚠️ Important contraindications
Ayahuasca is contraindicated for people suffering from:
- Psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, severe bipolar disorder)
- Serious cardiovascular diseases
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Epilepsy
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Psychotropic treatments, notably SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and lithium: mandatory safety evaluation, with partner doctors consulted when a sensitive signal appears
Online booking does not constitute final acceptance: the medical questionnaire sent immediately and the individual interview are mandatory before participation is approved.
📚 What scientific research suggests
Ayahuasca has been the subject of growing scientific research since the 2000s, especially in clinical and ritual contexts. Here are some studies published in peer-reviewed journals — they open up avenues, without constituting a promise of results or medical advice.
- Treatment-resistant depression. Palhano-Fontes F. et al. (2019). "Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression". Psychological Medicine, 49(4), 655–663. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291718001356
- Depression (single dose). Osório F.L. et al. (2015). "Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report". Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 37(1), 13–20. DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2014-1496
- Addictions. Thomas G. et al. (2013). "Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada". Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 6(1), 30–42. DOI: 10.2174/15733998113099990003
- Medium-term affective and cognitive effects. Uthaug M.V. et al. (2019). "Sub-acute and long-term effects of ayahuasca on affect and cognitive thinking style and their association with ego dissolution". Psychopharmacology, 236(9), 2653–2666. DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5155-6
- Personality and neuropsychological functioning. Bouso J.C. et al. (2012). "Personality, psychopathology, life attitudes and neuropsychological performance among ritual users of Ayahuasca: a longitudinal study". PLoS ONE, 7(8), e42421. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042421
These studies suggest promising avenues but constitute neither medical advice nor a guarantee of results. Each person reacts differently. A retreat is not a certified therapeutic protocol and does not replace professional medical follow-up. The benefits reported depend strongly on the setting, preparation and integration work on return.
🏠 Why choose Connecta Life?
🔄 A unique integrative approach
Our centre stands out for its approach which combines:
- Ancestral tradition: respect for authentic shamanic rituals
- Modern psychology: trauma-informed support, structured preparation and integration, on site and then in a group online session 2 weeks after returning home
- European culture: adaptation to the needs and sensibility of Westerners
- Maximum safety: rigorous medical protocols, continuous presence of supporters
👨⚕️ Stéphane Lavergé: a founder's journey
A former IT engineer, Stéphane shifted towards facilitation in 2012, following a near-death experience. Trained as a facilitator at the Floresiendo school, where he then worked for a year before launching Connecta Life, he now accompanies 500+ French-speaking people in their work with sacred plants.
✨ Hundreds of transformation journeys
Since 2012, several hundred French-speaking participants — French, Belgian, Swiss, Quebecois — have travelled this path of transformation with us. Their feedback — difficulties as well as successes — drives us to constantly refine our approach: finer preparation, close support during ceremonies, reinforced integration follow-up with a group online session 2 weeks after the retreat.
"After hesitating for months, I decided to take part in a retreat in Spain. The proximity to France and the French-speaking support reassured me. I found a serious, human and safe setting to go through a very deep experience. The support before, on site and the online integration session a few weeks after the retreat helped me a lot to integrate what I had experienced."
🚀 Ready to book your retreat?
Check the next dates or contact us to verify whether the setting matches your situation.
See upcoming datesOr call us for a free interview: +33 7 66 65 87 74
Prepare your trip to Spain
Required documents
- Valid ID card or passport
- European Health Insurance Card (free request)
- Full medical questionnaire (provided at registration), with the exact medication list, dosages, durations, last changes and associated treatments
What is included
- Accommodation
- All vegetarian meals
- Number of Ayahuasca ceremonies depending on the selected package: 2 to 5
- Personalized support before, during and after
- Integration workshops (breathwork, meditation, sharing) + group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat
- Access to nature and rest areas
What is not included
- Transport to the meeting point in Cardedeu (at your expense; no transfers from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona)
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
Other destinations: why Spain rather than...
Spain vs Peru / Colombia
Advantages of Spain: Accessibility (3h flight vs 12h+), no jet lag, no vaccinations required, European safety standards, ease of communication, lower total cost.
Peru/Colombia: More "authentic" experience in the Amazon, total cultural immersion, sometimes lower retreat rates (but very expensive flights).
Spain vs the Netherlands
Netherlands: Complex legal framework, less pleasant climate, centres often more "urban", and an approach that can be more recreational and less structured.
Spain: Mediterranean climate, exceptional natural settings, more respected shamanic tradition, French-speaking support more widely available.
Spain vs Portugal
Portugal has laws similar to Spain. Both countries are excellent. Spain offers a wider choice of centres and is slightly more accessible from France.
❓ Frequently asked questions about ayahuasca retreats in Spain
Is ayahuasca really legal in Spain?
In Spain, ayahuasca sits in a more nuanced legal area than in France: legislation does not treat it in the same way as synthetic DMT, and some religious, spiritual or ritual contexts have been assessed case by case. This does not mean that « everything is legal » or that a general authorization exists. Connecta Life works in a private, closed-circle setting, with no export of substance, signed informed consent and great caution around these questions.
Why Spain rather than France, Peru or the Netherlands?
Spain combines four advantages: geographical proximity from France (3 hours by car or train from Perpignan), a more nuanced legal context than France, a Mediterranean climate suitable for outdoor work, and French-speaking support. Peru offers an older tradition but involves a long and expensive journey, jet lag, and variable medical standards. The Netherlands also have a complex framework, often more urban and sometimes less structured.
Where exactly is the centre located?
The retreats take place in the Montseny Natural Park, in Catalonia (north-east of Barcelona), in a private farmhouse rented for each retreat. This preserved natural setting — forest, mountain, silence — is an essential part of the work. The exact address is shared with participants once their registration is validated. The administrative headquarters of Connecta Life are in Vilafranca del Penedès (province of Barcelona).
Do I need to speak Spanish to come?
No, not at all. The retreats are conducted entirely in French. Stéphane Lavergé is a native French speaker, and all exchanges — preparation, ceremony, on-site integration and group online integration session 2 weeks after — take place in your mother tongue. This is a deliberate choice: working with sacred plants requires great subtlety of expression, and the mother tongue is irreplaceable for that.
How much does an ayahuasca retreat in Spain cost?
Regular formats: 3 days / 2 ceremonies · 4 days / 3 ceremonies. Special New Year edition: 5 days / 4 ceremonies · 6 days / 5 ceremonies. All packages include full-board accommodation, organic vegetarian meals and support. Up-to-date prices are detailed on our Pricing page.
How do I get to the centre from France?
From France, several options: Paris-Barcelona in 2h30 by plane or 6h30 by high-speed train; Lyon-Barcelona in 5h by road or 2h by plane; Marseille-Barcelona in 4h30 by road; Toulouse-Barcelona in 3h by road; Perpignan-Barcelona in 2h by road. Each participant must make their own way to Cardedeu: we do not provide transfers from airports or from train stations in Barcelona or Girona. The team only provides the group pickup at Cardedeu station at exactly 16:00, with no late pickup possible.
How many days off should I plan for in total?
Plan for the duration of the retreat (3 to 6 days) + at least 2 days of integration on your return. The experiences can be physically and emotionally intense: going back to a demanding professional activity the very next day is not recommended. Most of our participants take 5 to 8 days in total (retreat + travel day + 2 to 3 days of decompression). Insights and integration work can then unfold over several weeks, supported by a group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat.
Is ayahuasca dangerous?
Ayahuasca presents real risks if taken outside of a proper framework, without safety evaluation or in combination with psychotropic treatments, notably SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and lithium. In a supervised ceremonial setting, with a serious medical questionnaire and an experienced facilitator continuously present, these risks are greatly reduced. The normal effects (nausea, vomiting, intense emotional variations) are part of the purification process and are not dangerous in themselves. After booking, psychiatric and medication-related contraindications are systematically checked before participation is approved, with partner doctors consulted when a sensitive signal appears.
Can I come alone?
Yes, and it is even the most common situation: the majority of participants come alone. The small group format (8 to 16 people) quickly creates deep bonds between participants who share the same approach. Coming alone often fosters freer inner work, without the restraint tied to the presence of a loved one. You will never be left to yourself — the team is present at every stage.
How long do the effects of ayahuasca last?
A ceremony lasts 4 to 6 hours, with the most intense effects spanning 2 to 4 hours. The next morning, you are generally tired but clear-headed, with a particular emotional clarity. Insights, inner shifts and changes of perception can unfold over several weeks or even several months after the retreat. That is why integration work, on site and then in a group online session 2 weeks after returning home, is as important as the ceremony itself.
How do I book my spot?
The process has four steps: (1) you book directly online and choose your payment method, (2) the confidential medical questionnaire is sent immediately, (3) a team member contacts you within 96 hours for the mandatory individual interview — the interview and questionnaire may be completed in either order, (4) the team gives final approval to your participation after both checks. A medical response remains valid for three months; fifteen days before the retreat, we check that it still covers the date and send a new questionnaire if necessary. If a sensitive signal appears, the case is reviewed with partner doctors. If Connecta Life declines your participation for safety reasons, all amounts paid are refunded in full.
