Escape to the Book Lovers’ Binge Reading Retreat

Pure Bliss for Book Worms, Book Dragons and Book Devourers, in the southwest of France

A 5-day Getaway starting every third Saturday of the month from March to November

Calling all book lovers! Have you been burning the midnight oil, lost in the pages of your favourite novels, after a stressful day’s work, only to wake up feeling like a zombie the next morning? It’s time to hit pause on the sleepless nights and treat yourself to the ultimate book lovers’ binge reading retreat where you can indulge your passion for reading while reclaiming those precious Z’s.

Treat yourself to rest and reading to your heart’s content at the Book Lovers’ Binge Reading Retreat!

How many times in the past have you wished to be left alone to read your book in front of a roaring fireplace, with a mug of coffee/chocolate/tea in your hand, a soft rug warming your knees and your feet tucked under you in a comfy chair? Or under an ancient oak tree, comfortably reclining in a deckchair, a frosted glass at your elbow, birds singing above and a gentle breeze tempering the sun’s sweltering rays? At this Reading Retreat, your wish can become reality.

Why attend a Reading Retreat?

A reading retreat is ideal if you are yearning for a tranquil environment free from distractions, allowing you to unwind and recharge your batteries in a peaceful setting.
To escape from the demands of daily life, a break that will provide an opportunity to escape the stresses and responsibilities of work and home in favour of indulging without restraint in the pure, undiluted pleasure of reading.
To broaden your horizons and embark on exciting adventures, explore far-off lands, and experience different cultures and time periods. This reading retreat offers you a temporary escape from reality, allowing you to travel to new worlds, real and imaginary, from the comfort of your reading nooks.
To get to know yourself better. Your reading retreat provides you with an opportunity for introspection, self-discovery, and contemplation, as you engage with themes, characters, and ideas that resonate with your own life. Immersing yourself in a diverse range of literature can spark creativity, stimulate the imagination, and provide fresh perspectives on life, leading to personal growth and self-discovery.
To meet other like-minded people who share a passion for literature, during a retreat that fosters a sense of camaraderie, community, and shared interests among retreat participants.
To look after your mental health. Reading for pleasure has been linked to improved mental well-being, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased feelings of happiness and fulfilment, and greater overall life satisfaction.

So if you’re ready to get rid of your reading frustration and restless nights, escape this year to the sun-blessed south of France, where you’ll be able to spend the whole day reading if that’s what you want and join us at the Book Lovers’ Reading Retreat!

Undisturbed Reading Bliss is within Reach

at this Unique Reading Retreat

Guests return year after year to the heart of the Cotes de Gascogne vineyards, to read, walk short sections of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, indulge in scrumptious home-cooked meals, and sleep as long as they want in a cosy bedroom in this 200-year-old, lovingly restored French farmhouse.

Testimonials

Why attend this Binge Reading Retreat?

“Lire au lit dans le silence, la paix, la chaleur et la lumière la mieux adaptée est un des plus grands plaisirs de la terre.” Jean Giono

Imagine for a moment that it’s brunch time one morning on the retreat. Join me in the reading room where the heady aroma of croissants and fresh coffee scent the air. The reader on the chair under the window is Samantha. She has been curled up in that chair since early this morning, lost in a world of her own. If she is staring round-eyed at the words on the page, it’s because Sam loves horror stories. Let me just get her a cup of tea to keep her sugar levels up. Lucille is still in bed, she does her best reading there. I am just going to get a brunch tray ready for her…she may join us later today, still in her PJ’s, with a mohair blanket wrapped around her. She’s into murder mysteries. This is her second reading retreat. Tucking into a scrumptious brunch are Sandra and Emily, sounds like they are discussing the merits of the various fantasy sub-genres. On her back on the sofa is Liz, and that must be her 4th romance novel since she arrived two days ago. Just between you and me, she reads them back to back, I don’t think she has slept a wink since her arrival. Better wait until she has finished this chapter before I suggest going to walk part of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Just to get the blood circulating again, you know? Communing with nature, and all that.

Read to your heart’s content, without feeling guilty, selfish or lazy.

Your host for this Reading Retreat, is Dr Margaretha Montagu, a five-time published author and voracious reader herself, who has hosted retreats for more than a decade. She will make sure that you can finally enjoy the stressless retreat of your dreams. Her one priority is to offer you a home-from-home and enough time to read in peace and quiet. You can choose solitude and spend your time with only your favourite books for company, or you can choose to share some of your time with other readers. Fast-speed internet is available throughout the house, so you can read your books on your tablet or phone, if you prefer, and indulge in watching videos back to back the whole night long if you want.

I have been a book addict for as long as I can remember and for me, reading has always had a remarkable ability to alleviate stress, offering a soothing escape from the pressures of daily work and home life. As I immerse myself in a story, my mind is transported to another world, allowing the stress, worries and tension to melt away. I believe that reading can divert the mind from stressors and promote a sense of calm, even if you are reading a horror story! So it made sense to create a reading retreat, to help my guests reduce stress, and it must be working, because my guests come back year after year to attend this retreat.

Dr M Montagu MBChB MRCGP MedHypDip NLP Master Cert Prof Life Coach Cert Counseling CertEAGALA Cert

Reading Retreat Program

Anytime: Wake up, pop your glasses on your nose, and start reading.
A while later: Get up to get a hot chocolate/coffee/tea with cookies. Go back to bed (optional.)
Mid-morning: Buffet Brunch
After brunch: Read a bit (or a lot) more.
Mid-day: weather permitting, walk a stretch of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (optional)
A bit later: Gather for afternoon tea and a chat with other readers.
Early evening: Dinner
After dinner: Read a few more chapters.
Midnight: Sleep (optional)
At your convenience: Short text/call to family and/or friends to let them know you are still alive.

Glorious Gascon Food

Esprit Meraki’s food is simple but delicious and we aim to give your digestive tract as much of a rest as the rest of you while feeding your body as well and as generously as your mind.

This is a celebration of the wonderful variety of fresh local produce available from our garden as well as from the local weekly fresh food markets.

In the morning we serve you a scrumptious brunch buffet, consisting of cereal, fruit, bread, confiture, honey, milk, yoghurt, typical cheeses and patés of the region. Tea and coffee are available from early, and throughout the day. You can also make sandwiches and take some fruit/yoghurt with you, to eat during your walk.

Dinner is served early and consists of a homemade soup (hot/cold depending on the season,) a healthy and hearty main course, often vegetarian and often heavily influenced by the cuisine of our Spanish neighbours, followed by something sweet, if required. Only water is served at the table.

Dinner on day 4 we have at a local restaurant to help regenerate the local economy post-COVID. The cost of this meal is not included – usually 15-30 euros, depending on your choices.

We cater for most diets (Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low fat, Sugar conscious, Egg-free, and Dairy-free but we do not cater for Vegans.) if you have any intolerances, allergies or dislike some ingredient or food, please let us know during your booking, at the latest two weeks before your arrival. Complicated diet requirements may incur an additional fee.

What’s Included In this Package

4 nights accommodation in an authentic half-timbered landaise farmhouse
Wholesome brunches, and delicious dinners (except dinner on day 4.) You can also make sandwiches and take some fruit/yoghurt with you, to eat during your walk.
2 unforgettable days walking the Camino de Santiago
Introduction to Walking and Writing Meditation
Introduction to the Meraki Morning Program
Transport to and from the starting and end points of the Camino on each walking day

What’s Not Included In this Package

Transport costs to local airports (flights)
Transport from local airports to local train stations (ex. Auch) to Nogaro
Personal Health Insurance and/or Travel Insurance (we highly recommend insurance cover in case you need to cancel)
Additional activities not included in the itinerary
Personal or Group Life Transition coaching (might be available at an additional fee)
Dinner on days 4 ~ we have this meal at restaurants nearby to support local small business owners (15-30€, depending on your choices)
Alcoholic beverages

When can you come to a 5-day Book Lovers’ Binge Reading Retreat?

I’d love to welcome you to my little part of paradise here in the sun-blessed southwest of France on the first or third Saturday of every month from March to December. The retreat starts at 18h on Saturdays and ends at 11h on Wednesdays.

How much does a 5-day Book Lovers’ Binge Reading Retreat cost?

Are you ready to step out of the chaos and into an experience that renews, refreshes, and realigns you? Join us on this retreat—the time to recharge is now.

This potentially life-changing 5-day 4-night retreat includes accommodation, meals, transport to and from the Camino and costs 949€ for a single bedroom and €I799 for 2 people in a double bedroom. (2 people travelling together)

Please read the Cancellation Policy and Terms and Conditions before booking.
Full payment is due 30 days before the retreat starts

👉 Send an email to welcome2gascony@gmail to claim your spot. Only 3 spots are available per retreat starting date. Retreats start on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Act now to secure your place!

Prepare to be a different person by the time you have to tear yourself away from this profoundly restful and peaceful haven to return home.

In only a few other places you will find all the ingredients of a perfect holiday combined with such abundance as in Gascony: fabulous food, outstanding wine, generous people and the breathtaking beauty of mountains, rivers, lakes and medieval villages perched on hilltops.

So seize this exceptional opportunity to spend a few nights here NOW…a warm welcome awaits you amidst the Armagnac and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France.