Ayahuasca Retreat in Spain, French-led

Our retreats unfold over 3 to 6 days depending on the chosen format. A typical day alternates preparation time in the morning (meditation, intention sharing, body work), rest and nature during the day, then a sacred plant ceremony in the evening, supervised from start to finish. The next morning is dedicated to sharing and integrating the experiences. The last day closes the work with an integration circle and concrete tools to take home, then a group online integration session, organized 2 weeks after the retreat with the participants, helps anchor the changes in daily life.

Regular formats: 3 days / 2 ceremonies · 4 days / 3 ceremonies. Special New Year edition: 5 days / 4 ceremonies · 6 days / 5 ceremonies. Each ceremony itself lasts between 4 and 6 hours. The total duration always includes preparation time before, on-site integration and a group online integration session 2 weeks after returning home — these are not « optional » times, they are an integral part of the safety and effectiveness protocol.

Our groups count between 8 and 16 people, with a strict cap of 16. This framework allows quality individual support — each participant is seen, heard and personally followed before, during and after the ceremonies, including during the group online integration session 2 weeks after the retreat. We deliberately refuse the large groups of 30 or 50 people sometimes seen in South America or Europe: the depth of the work depends directly on this.

The ceremonies are led by Stéphane Lavergé, founder of Connecta Life. His path of support began in 2012 following a near-death experience. A former computer engineer, he left his profession to dedicate himself full-time to guidance work. He trained at the Floresiendo school where he then practiced for a year as a facilitator, before launching Connecta Life. He accompanies today 500+ French-speaking people in their work with sacred plants.

For a first experience, we generally recommend the 3 or 4-day retreat with Ayahuasca. This format allows for a complete first ceremony, an immediate integration time the next day, and a gentle return. Bufo Alvarius and Kambo are possible as a complement but rarely alone for a first time: Ayahuasca offers a longer framework that leaves room for inner dialogue. We discuss the most suitable format during the preliminary interview.

Online booking and the deposit do not constitute final acceptance. The detailed medical questionnaire is sent immediately after booking. It covers psychiatric history, cardiovascular diseases, ongoing treatments with the exact name of each molecule, dosage, duration, date of last change and associated treatments. A distinct section also asks about anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, medication taken during a crisis and sleep treatments, even when taken only as needed. The questionnaire also covers possible pregnancy, allergies, active addictions, ongoing withdrawal, severe insomnia and recent anxiety crises. A team member makes contact within 96 hours for the mandatory individual interview; the interview and questionnaire may be completed in either order. The team approves participation only after both checks. A response remains valid for three months and its validity is checked fifteen days before the retreat. If a sensitive signal appears, the case is reviewed with partner doctors. If Connecta Life declines participation for safety reasons, all amounts paid are refunded in full.

It depends on the treatment. SSRI means selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; SNRI, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor; MAOI, monoamine oxidase inhibitor. These families, as well as certain atypical antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and lithium, may create serious interaction risks with ayahuasca. No pause, reduction, substitution or restart should be decided alone or under pressure from a retreat. The team evaluates your situation from the questionnaire and shares sensitive cases with partner doctors; if a treatment adjustment is considered, it must remain medically supervised beforehand. The detailed guide is available on the blog: Ayahuasca and antidepressants, contraindications and precautions.

Experiences with sacred plants can bring up intense emotions, buried memories or moments of disorientation — it's a normal part of the process. The facilitators remain present continuously throughout the ceremony. In case of acute difficulty, the team intervenes immediately with centering techniques (therapeutic touch, breath, grounding). A medical protocol is in place for emergencies.

Preparation begins 2 to 14 days before depending on the medicine. Diet side: exclusion of red meat, alcohol, fermented foods and stimulants (ideally light vegetarian the week before). Mental side: clarification of your intention, writing or meditation, avoid anxiety-provoking content. Practical side: reduction of sexual activity, regular sleep. A detailed document is sent to you after your participation is approved, adapted to the chosen medicine.

The price includes full-board accommodation, organic vegetarian meals, all ceremonies of the chosen retreat, preparation and integration workshops, continuous support by the team, and post-retreat integration follow-up: a group online session 2 weeks after returning home + access to the participants group. Not included: transport to the center, travel insurance and personal expenses. The complete details and up-to-date prices are on our Pricing page.

Both expressions are often used by people looking for a supervised experience with ayahuasca. At Connecta Life, we usually speak of an ayahuasca retreat, because the format includes several days on site, preparation before arrival, supervised ceremonies, on-site integration time and a group online integration session 2 weeks after the stay. It is not an isolated session or a theoretical stage.

In France, ayahuasca is prohibited. Spain has a different legal framework, more tolerant in certain private, religious or ritual contexts. Connecta Life organizes its retreats in Catalonia, close to the French border, with French-language support and a structured safety framework. The Ayahuasca in Spain guide explains the legal context, preparation and precautions.