Dr Margaretha Montagu

Is a Margaretha Montagu Retreat The Right Retreat For YOU?

In my experience, the make-or-break factors that determine whether your retreat is a life-enhancing experience are not the location, the affordability, the food, or the activities…more important than anything else is a fully qualified retreat leader with at least a decade of experience of leading retreats and a long list trustworthy testimonials to prove it.

Bonjour et Bienvenue! I’m Margaretha.

My mission is to help you reconnect with nature, with horses as your guides, and develop effective stress management strategies that can be incorporated seamlessly into your busy personal and professional life and empower you to make a difference in other people’s lives, as well as live a long, happy, healthy and fulfilling life, full of purpose and meaning – in alignment with your unique talents, values and ideals. I am a retired medical doctor with more than 20 years of experience helping patients avoid the mental and physical damage stress can cause. I have been leading nature retreats since 2006 and I am the published author of 6 books.

If you are fed up with feeling overwhelmed, insecure and exhausted and yearn to reconnect with nature and feel safe in the knowledge that you can handle any stressful situation, if you are working towards becoming the very best version of yourself, living your best life, and doing whatever it is that you were put on the planet to do, then I can help.

Either by inviting you to come to a small group onsite nature retreat here at my 200-year-old, lovingly restored French farmhouse, on the edge of an ancient forest, in the sun-blessed south of France, in the presence of my Friesian and Falabella horses or by joining me on an online retreat, inspired by my small herd.

Maybe you feel mentally and physically drained and overwhelmed by the never-ending and ever-increasing demands made of you.

I know exactly how you feel.

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I have been feeling overwhelmed by the possibility that I might lose my sight for the last 30 years.

Coping with this fear, with the seemingly insurmountable challenges I have to face, sometimes daily, has taught me more than I learned during a decade of medical training and two decades of experience in medical practice.

As my sight continued to deteriorate over the years, I learned not only how to manage my fear, apprehension and doubt, but to live a rewarding, meaningful and fulfilling life despite it.

Over the last 10+ years, I have had the privilege of helping dozens of people, many have become friends for life, and return year after year, to reconnect with nature and recharge their batteries in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful corners of France, in the foothills of the mighty Pyrenées mountains.

Helping people navigate Life Transitions, Life Changes, and Life Challenges and starting New Chapters during solo/small group nature reconnect retreats, that include walking part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and discovering how horses can help us manage stress, is what I do best.

“Margaretha herself was the best thing about the retreat. Quietly kind, supportive, informative, insightful, and fun! She and I, and my one fellow guest at Esprit Meraki, formed such a unique and special bond and I think we will be friends for life!” Review from Julia D., testimonial verified by Bookretreats.com

You get one life. Make it meaningful, purposeful, fulfilling and magical by investing in yourself.

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Going through a life transition? then I look forward to hearing from you right away,

Today is the Day!

Welcome2Gascony@gmail.com

Dr M Montagu MBChB MRCGP NLP Master Coach Cert, Life Transitions Coach Cert, Councelling Cert, Med Hypnotherapy Dip, EAGALA Cert II

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New for 2024: Online and Onsite Retreats make Great Gifts! Gift Vouchers Now Available Find out more.

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Dr Margaretha Montagu’s Online Retreats

Become Your Best Self and Live Your Best Life, inspired and guided by a small herd of Friesian and Falabella Horses

Living with horses, 24/7, has taught me a lot over the last 17 years. I have learned that horses can heal us and make our lives easier, in just about every way we can imagine.

My little herd of Friesians and Falabellas have steadfastly stood by me while I went through one life-shattering crisis after another. Always by my side to help me pick up the pieces and support me while I desperately try to rebuild my life, ravaged by yet another drastically life-altering transition.

As long as I’m not too stingy with the carrots, of course.

During the last couple of years, as my sight continues to deteriorate, I have had to start limiting the number of residential retreats I host here in the south of France each year.

I find this incredibly frustrating because my horses and I have so much to share with our guests, and until recently I thought we could only do this if my guests were in the physical presence of my horses. Admittedly, that is still the most powerful way, but I have discovered another option, nearly as effective: I started experimenting with hosting online (or virtual) retreats, guided, inspired and supported by my horses.

This easy-to-access format has been hugely successful, especially in its hybrid form and so I started the Esprit Meraki Online Retreat Collection.

If you have always been attracted to horses, but can not attend a retreat here in person, or you have booked your Esprit Meraki onsite retreat but need some support right away, or even, you have been on an Esprit Meraki retreat and you want to prolong the benefits, you now have a choice selection of online horse-guided and inspired retreats that you can do at your own pace, in your own time, wherever it suits you.

The length, intensity and price range vary, so that there is something for everyone, from a free mini-retreat to my signature, in-depth, top-of-the-range, life-changing maxi-retreat. You get free access to my Manifest a Stressfree Life mini–retreat when you subscribe to my “Savoir Vivre Vignettes” newsletter.

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Why does it make sense to do an online retreat/course?

1. It’s convenient: One of the biggest advantages of an online retreat is that you can join the retreat from the comfort of your own home, wearing whatever you like, whenever you like, without the need to travel or take time off from work.
2. It’s easily accessible: Online retreats provide access to teachers and training that may be difficult to access in person, especially if is located far away – in the sun-drenched south of France, in my case! This can be particularly useful for people living in remote areas or with limited mobility.
3. It offers flexibility: Online retreats often offer greater flexibility in terms of pacing. You can choose to complete the retreat at your own pace and in your own time, and access it at 3 a.m. if you want!
4. It’s MUCH less expensive: Online retreats can be more affordable than in-person retreats since there are no travel or accommodation expenses. This can make retreats more accessible to people who might not otherwise be able to afford them.
5. Privacy: Some people may prefer the privacy and anonymity of an online retreat, as it allows them to focus solely on their personal practice without any external distractions or pressures.

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Esprit Meraki Online Courses

So far, the horses and I have created 5 online courses:

All these courses are available in hybrid format. A hybrid online course/retreat combines in-person online coaching with online learning. This means you can work through the retreat material at your own pace; in your own time, and add one or more one-on-one online coaching sessions at the end of the retreat.

More Information about the Retreat to ReConnect Retreats

If you subscribe to my “Savoir Vivre Vignettes” newsletter, you will be one of the first to know of each last-minute/early-bird/just-because-I-feel-like-it special offer on both my online and onsite retreats. When you subscribe, you will be able to download your free copy of my Best Ever Retreat Top Ten Tips Checklist – an extract from my book “How to Make Your Next Retreat Your Best Ever” as well as get free access to my Manifest a Stressfree Life mini-retreat!

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an extract from:

Solo and Small Group Retreats in The 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 in the presence of 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, 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:”

Dr Margaretha Montagu

Esprit Meraki Retreats

Short Themed Retreats

Schedule a Discovery Call

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

Not sure which retreat will suit you best? I’m happy to chat about the different options, so you can choose the best retreat for you. Each retreat is different, and one might suit you better than another, so I like to chat with each guest before they book, to ensure the best possible match. I love these chats, they allow us to get to know each other a bit beforehand, and offer you the opportunity to ask all the questions you may have, for example how to get here, before you pay the deposit. Just email me at welcome2gasconygmail.com to arrange a chat.

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Accommodation

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.

Location

Off the beaten track, you’ll discover Gascony, the Jewel in the Crown of Southwest of France

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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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.

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

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Journal Yourself Stressfree in a Manifestation Journal

…and Make Your Next Retreat Your Best Retreat Ever

I firmly believe in the stress-busting power of regular journaling: getting the stressful thoughts out of your mind and onto paper/into a file can be a life-changing habit. Even if you can only spend 10 minutes a day doing it. Journaling is one of the most effective ways I know of reducing mental clutter, as it allows you to both express and process your emotions.

Journaling can help you to lower your stress levels dramatically, but that is not all, it can also help you manifest a stress-free life full of meaning, purpose and fulfilment.

This e-course explains how to get the maximum benefit from cultivating this new habit in 7 bite-sized e-mails that will land in your inbox every 2 days, starting 2 days after you have subscribed to my mailing list.

You will also receive my Top 10 Tips for ensuring that you get the most you can from the next retreat you attend.

How do you make sure that your chosen retreat is the right one for you?

Spending your hard-earned cash on what you hope will be a life-changing (for the better, of course!) experience, only to walk away feeling unsatisfied is frustrating and disappointing.

Deciding to go on a retreat is a great idea, but it can be nerve-wracking to find the perfect retreat. You do, after all, want to get the most out of the dream experience of your choice.

So, before you set off on your next retreat adventure, subscribe to my retreat mailing list below and download my Ten Top Tips Checklist to discover the top tips I use to make sure I get the most from a retreat, as well as the top tips I use when I host a retreat, to make sure my guests benefit from their time with me.

• This Top Ten Tips Checklist provides exclusive trial-and-error insights, recommendations based on specific strategies, gained from personal experience, expert advice and insider tips that go way beyond general advice.
• My list condenses valuable information into a concise and easy-to-digest format, saving you the time and effort of searching for tips from various online sources.
• My list addresses common challenges guests might face during retreats and provides practical solutions. Knowing how to navigate potential obstacles can significantly enhance your overall retreat experience.

My newsletter regularly contains notification of last-minute or early-bird special offers on my retreats here in the south of France. Click on the button below and leave your e-mail address to start my Manifest a Stressfree Life e-course and download my 10 Top Tips Checklist pdf right away.

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By clicking above, I agree to receive emails from MargarethaMontagu.com. I understand that all emails contain an unsubscribe link and that I can opt out at any time.

This Top Ten Tips Checklist is an extract from my 30-page How to Make Your Next Retreat Your Best Retreat Ever e-book, available from Amazon.

Dr Margaretha Montagu’s Books to Date

In my books, as well as in my blog and my articles, I delve into the transformative experiences and profound connections that arise when we combine the ancient practices of mindfulness and meditation with the gentle wisdom and intuitive nature of horses. This collection, all French-flavoured and co-written by my Friesian and Falabella horses, offers insights, techniques, and personal stories that will deepen your understanding, inviting you to embark on a journey of self-awareness, self-discovery, and personal growth.

You can find out more about each book by clicking on its title below:

• Embracing Change in 10 Minutes a Day: Simple Strategies, Smart Suggestions and Insight-giving Stories (Fabriqué en France Book 3) 
• Mindfulness and Meditation Options: Featuring Equine-guided Mindfulness Meditation (Fabriqué en France Book 2)
• Horse Riding Confidence Secrets
• Confidence made Simple: The 7 Secrets of Supreme Self-Esteem for Women who want to live fulfilling, purposeful and prosperous Lives (Fabriqué en France Book 1)
• Your Best Retreat Ever (Fabriqué en France Book 4)

*Please note, because of the nature of digital products we do not accept returns or offer refunds. You can review our full Refund & Return Policy here.