Notes from France
“Notes from France” is the brainchild of Josh Lynott and Tom Reynolds; it will be the first-ever running and mindfulness retreat Josh has led from Europe and it will be hosted here, at Zero Neuf.
In a world obsessed with the utility of speed, slowing down is an act of rebellion. This retreat will be a launchpad to become a higher and more aligned version of yourself, an opportunity to connect with 12 other incredible global runners, and a gift to yourself.
“Notes from France” comes with a twist; it’s going to feature newly developed writing workshops alongside personal development workshops, and of course, incredible trail running on our local farm tracks, the foothills and high mountain paths of the French Pyrénées.
In short, this is for you if:
• You like trail running and words.
• You like long table family-style dinners.
• You like getting up for sunrise and drinking coffee.
• You need to slow down but you don’t know how.
• You feel a life change coming but you don’t have the frameworks to facilitate it.
• You want to learn more about running.
This is not for you if:
• You don’t want to improve yourself.
• You want to be on your phone at dinner.
Dates
September 2nd – 6th, 2026
What’s Included
Four nights, full board accommodation at Zero Neuf (in twin rooms)
All workshops, activities and transport during the retreat
Return transfers from Toulouse to Zero Neuf
ITINERARY
(click on arrow for daily details)
Day One
10:30am: Crew Arrives at Minifundi Coffee
? : Minifundi Coffee, Toulouse
12:00pm: Bus Pick Up from Minifundi Coffee
01:30pm: Arrivals at Zero Neuf.
02:00pm: Introductory Workshop.
03:00pm: Afternoon Run.
04:00pm – It’s the One Percenters Workshop
05:30PM – Free Time.
07:00PM – Dinner
08:30PM – Briefing
Day Two
06:00am: Meditation by the River. (Zero Hour)
06:30am: Tea & Coffee.
07:00am: Run Session.
08:30am: Breakfast & Shower.
10:00am: Long-Form Writing Workshop with Tom Reynolds.
11:30am: Free Time
12:00pm: Lunch.
1:00pm: Free Time.
2:00pm: Decision Making Workshop.
3:30pm: Free Time // Pick your own Adventure.
6:00pm: Dinner.
8:00pm: Briefing.
Day Three
06:00am: Meditation by the Water (Zero Hour).
06:30am: Tea & Coffee.
07:00am: Run Session.
08:30am: Breakfast & Shower.
10:00am: Go Slow Workshop
12:00am: Lunch
1:00pm: Free Time.
2:00pm: Risk Taking Workshop
3:30pm: Free Time // Pick your own Adventure.
7:00pm: Dinner.
Day Four
06:00am: Meditation by the Water (Zero Hour).
06:30am: Tea & Coffee.
07:00am: Long Run in the Mountains.
12:00pm: Lunch
1:00pm: Free Time
3:00pm: Support and Smash Negativity Workshop.
6:00pm: Creative writing workshop and shares.
7:00pm: Final Dinner.
Day Five
06:00am: Meditation by the Water (Zero Hour).
06:30am: Tea & Coffee.
07:00am: Optional Run.
08:30am: Final Breakfast.
10:00am: Pack and Exchange.
11:00am: Transfers to Toulouse.
A little more information
RUN SUPPORT
We’ll ensure you’re spending your time being present, immersed in this wonderful part of the world.
For our foray into the mountains, our van will have food and drinks and your kit will also be accessible, in the event of need. Our guides will be on hand to keep you safe, motivated and on route!
This a go-slow adventure. Our no drop runs ensure everyone can move at a pace they are comfortable with, so we’ll have guides front and back
ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND DRINK
You’ll stay on site at Zero Neuf and eat thoughtful, seasonal food, freshly prepared by co-owner and resident chef, Joss.
You’ll get plenty of time to kick back and relax in the garden, by the pool, the passing river, or grab a drink in our Cowshed Bar.
Life is less hurried here and there’s a library of books, printed media and maps for all to enjoy.
LOGISTICS
Inbound: Fly / Train to Toulouse (TLS Airport / Toulouse Matabiau Train Station)
Outbound: Fly / Train from Toulouse (TLS Airport / Toulouse Matabiau Train Station)
Meeting Point: Minifundi Coffee, Toulouse
Meeeting Time: 11:00am
THE RUNNING
Distance: Base 40km across the five days*
Total Elevation: 1,000m
Terrain: Tracks, Trails & Tarmac
Ideal For: Runners who can comfortably run 10-15km
* The run distance is scaleable depending on your ability and the afternoon runs are always optional.
Notes from France
September 2nd to September 6th, 2026
Notes from France – the backstory..
The world needs to slow down; this has been a long-standing belief of Josh Lynott. In 2019, he hosted his first running and mindfulness retreat in Siargao, The Phillippines. Typically, Siargao is an island where people from all over the world go to surf. Instead, Josh took people to run, write, and adventure. Every guest was given a notepad, a pen, and a coconut upon arrival. Across the following week he took the group running every morning, led them through six personal development workshops, and turned a group of 10 strangers into a global family.
Since then, Josh has hosted his running and mindfulness retreats all over the world but chose to nurture them in Derby, Tasmania after covid. In 2025, Josh took his most renowned “Go Slow” workshop to Wales, which is where he met another writer and runner, Tom Reynolds. It was a brief “hi,bye” in Wales, before they connected again in NYC for the New York City Marathon.
Other than a few keynotes and private workshops, Josh pulled the handbrake on hosting retreats in 2025. He believed that until ‘the right’ opportunity revealed itself, he wasn’t going to do another retreat unless it was both collaborative and aligned to his current mission. 2025 was the year of birthing Notes Running to the world, with a huge focus on poetry and empathetic feeling-based story telling.
Tom’s deep connection to Zero Neuf and support of Josh’s work was the missing piece of the puzzle Josh was looking for.
About Tom
Tom Reynolds is a long-form storyteller – in print and on screen.
Across a 20-year career as a journalist he has written for national newspapers, independent magazines, global websites and a couple of coffee table books.
On screen he is a producer & director of BBC Sport long-form documentaries.
Finding angles for sure, but most importantly finding time to tell slow tales with colour at their core.
At the Notes in France camp – he’ll lead a long-form running & writing session that will quietly exist across your weekend.
Run long, write long. What story will you tell when you really make time to slow down?
