Retreats in the South of France

Dr Margaretha Montagu’s Most Popular Retreats in The South of France

Your Invitation to the sundrenched south of France

The most awesome and precious experience I can offer you is a week away from the hustle and bustle, in the sun-drenched southwest of France, in a 200-year-old farmhouse, set in lush meadows on the edge of an ancient forest, so that you can relax, without a care in the world, recharge your batteries and reconnect with your authentic self and with nature by interacting with my Friesian and Falabella horses and by walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Especially if you are currently struggling with some tough challenges.

Working all hours as a medical doctor 17 years ago, I was overworked and exhausted, and in desperation, I attended my first retreat. I was hooked from the moment I arrived, and I have since attended a variety of retreats. I so profoundly believe in the beneficial effect of attending retreats that I have made hosting retreats – online and onsite – my life’s work.

At Esprit Meraki, the little French farmhouse I always dreamed of owning, I offer a choice of retreats including one Teacher Training Retreat:

Dr Margaretha Montagu

Esprit Meraki Retreat Collection

Christmas Binge Reading Retreats Celebrate Jolabokaflod with other Bookworms

Easter Camino de Santiago Walking Retreats Celebrate Easter with Gâteaux de Pâques, Pain perdu de Pâques and an Easter Egg Exchange

“Write Your Story” Writing Retreat and walk the Camino de Santigo de Compostela

Grief Resolution Retreats – with the support of a small herd of Friesian and Falabella Horses – coming soon

Please note: 5-day retreats start at 18h00 on Saturdays and end at 11h00 on Wednesdays (Christmas retreat excepted.)

Your Home-from-Home during Your Retreat will be an authentic French Farmhouse

La Maison Meraki (a house made with love) huddles in the middle of a sunny clearing in the heart of a great and ancient forest, like a little old lady gathering her shawl around her bony shoulders. She has been here for at least 200 years, from her elevated position she looks out over the treetops to the mighty Pyrenées mountains. Who knows who has ventured over her threshold, maybe D’Artagnan himself, the chateau where he was born is only a few kilometres away. Yes, this is indeed Gascony, land not only of milk and honey but also of divine wines, persillade, garbure, foie gras, cèpes, duck confit…all less than two hour’s drive southeast of Bordeaux.

Gascony is a land of undulating hills, fertile valleys, and quaint villages that exude rustic charm. This picturesque landscape, often described as the “Tuscany of France,” never fails to captivate my guests with its timeless beauty and rich tapestry of colours and textures.

Rolling hills, draped in emerald-green vineyards and golden sunflower fields, stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a patchwork of vibrant hues that dance in the sunlight. Prepare to be enchanted by this until-now-well-kept-secret region, reminiscent of a bygone era when life unfolded at a slower pace and community bonds ran deep, far from the hustle and bustle of modern life. In the ancient villages, some dating back to the 11th century, you’ll find narrow cobbled streets lined with charming cafés, artisanal shops, and centuries-old churches. Time seems to stand still here, where the rhythm of life is dictated by the changing seasons and the age-old traditions of the countryside.

As the sun sets over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the mighty Pyrenées mountains, the landscape takes on a magical quality, bathed in hues of gold, crimson, and violet. We barely have any light pollution here. The air is filled with the scent of wildflowers and the chorus of crickets, as the countryside settles into a peaceful serenity that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

I’m so looking forward to introducing you to this region, conservatively named “Glorious Gascony!”

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Find out what previous guests have to say about attending retreats at Esprit Meraki

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As a handy reminder of everything on offer at Esprit Meraki Retreats, Click Here to download our Brochure

At Esprit Meraki Retreats, we promote Solo, Slow and Sustainable Tourism

During our retreats, I do my best to foster an environment where everyone feels understood, valued, supported and inspired. This includes providing opportunity and access for people of different races, ages, colours, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, and socioeconomic orientations. I actively invest in my own development to help me create an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, equitable and inclusive setting.

Would you like to find out more? Let’s chat!

I would like to invite everyone interested in coming here on retreat to book a connection call to make sure your chosen retreat will suit you. Each retreat is different, and one might work better for you than another, so I chat with each potential guest before enrollment, to ensure the best possible match for each guest. As the right of admission to a retreat is reserved, no monies are due until we are both sure that a retreat is a good fit for you. If I feel your chosen retreat is not right for you at this time, I’ll be happy to offer an alternative suggestion. I love these chats, it allows us to get to know each other a bit beforehand, offer you the opportunity to ask questions and make sure that you will benefit from your retreat.

Every Retreat includes hiking part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (optional.)