9 Jul - 12 Jul 2026
Ayahuasca in Spain: guide, safety and French-led retreats
Understand the Spanish framework, precautions and steps to book a supervised retreat in Catalonia
Retreats in Catalonia
Upcoming available retreats
3- to 6-day formats, in French, with preparation, on-site support and integration after returning home. Prices from 480 €.
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23 Jul - 26 Jul 2026
Ayahuasca Retreat
View this retreat -
13 Aug - 16 Aug 2026
Ayahuasca Retreat
View this retreat
Looking to understand ayahuasca in Spain, close to France, in a carefully held and prudent setting? This guide helps you distinguish the legal framework, medical precautions and the practical flow of a retreat. Connecta Life also organizes French-led ayahuasca retreats in the Montseny Natural Park in Catalonia.
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.
This content can become a lived experience
Connecta Life is not only an information website: we organize French-led retreats in Catalonia, in small groups, with preparation, support and integration.
The essentials at a glance
- Location
- Montseny Natural Park, Catalonia (Spain), about 1 hour from Barcelona — private venues reserved for each retreat.
- Language
- Retreats are conducted in French.
- Group size
- 8 to 15 participants.
- Duration
- From 3 to 6 days depending on the chosen package, with one ayahuasca ceremony per night.
- Upcoming dates
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- 9 Jul – 12 Jul 2026
- 23 Jul – 26 Jul 2026
- 13 Aug – 16 Aug 2026
- 17 Sep – 20 Sep 2026
- 8 Oct – 11 Oct 2026
- 29 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
- Pricing
- From 480 € (3 days, 2 ceremonies) to 1 100 € (6 days), accommodation and vegetarian meals included; Bufo, Kambo or Yopo as options. See full pricing details
- Booking
- 200 € deposit, balance paid on site (bank transfer, card or cash).
- Cancellation
- Deposit transferable to another date up to 15 days before the start; after that, neither refundable nor transferable.
- Safety
- Mandatory medical questionnaire before registration: contraindications (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, cardiac or psychiatric conditions…) checked beforehand.
- Support
- Preparation before the retreat, on-site guidance by Stéphane Lavergé (facilitator since 2012), online integration session after returning — included.
🌿 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 online session 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:
Jeudi
- 17:00 Accueil et collation
- 18:00 Enregistrement et entretien individuel
- 20:30 Cercle de présentation
- 21:00 Cérémonie Ayahuasca
Vendredi
- 09:00 Kambo (optionnel)
- 09:30 Petit déjeuner
- 10:00 Bufo (optionnel)
- 12:00 Atelier d'intégration
- 14:00 Déjeuner
- 18:00 Collation
- 20:00 Cérémonie Ayahuasca
Samedi
- 09:00 Kambo (optionnel)
- 09:30 Petit déjeuner
- 10:00 Bufo (optionnel)
- 12:00 Atelier d'intégration
- 14:00 Déjeuner
- 18:00 Collation
- 20:00 Cérémonie Ayahuasca ou Champignons Magiques
Dimanche
- 09:00 Kambo (optionnel)
- 09:30 Petit déjeuner
- 10:00 Atelier d'intégration
- 12:00 Déjeuner
🔄 After the retreat: crucial integration
Integration is just as important as the ceremony itself. We offer:
- Online post-retreat integration session to revisit the experience 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
We can arrange transfers from the main airports and train stations.
👥 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
A detailed medical questionnaire is mandatory before any registration.
📚 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 online 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 450+ 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 on return with an online post-retreat session.
"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 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.
Book your retreatOr 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
- 3 ayahuasca ceremonies (depending on retreat duration)
- Personalized support before, during and after
- Integration workshops (breathwork, meditation, sharing) + online post-retreat integration session
- Access to nature and rest areas
What is not included
- Transport to the centre (but we can arrange transfers)
- 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 online integration session — 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?
Our packages cover 3, 4 or 6 days with 1 to 5 ceremonies depending on the format, full-board accommodation, organic vegetarian meals and support included. Up-to-date prices are detailed on our Pricing page. Compared with a trip to Peru (retreat + long-haul flight + transfers + pre/post accommodation), our value for money is very competitive for a European standard.
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. We arrange transfers from Barcelona airport or train station for participants who wish them — details shared after registration is validated.
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 an online post-retreat integration session.
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 prior 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. Vigilance focuses on psychiatric and medication-related contraindications, systematically checked before registration, 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 15 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 online after returning home, is as important as the ceremony itself.
How do I book my spot?
The process has four steps: (1) you contact us via the form or by phone, (2) we arrange a prior interview to understand your intention and check for contraindications, (3) you fill out the detailed medical questionnaire, including the exact name of each medication, dosage, duration, date of last change and associated treatments, (4) after safety validation by the team, you confirm your spot with a deposit. If a sensitive signal appears, the case is reviewed with partner doctors. No registration is finalised without this validation — even if that means postponing your visit to a later session.
