A Magical 5-day Retreat in the Southwest of France: 22-26 December annually
How many times during Christmas holidays 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/gluhwein in your hand, a Christmas tree twinkling in the corner, a soft rug warming your knees and your feet tucked under you in a comfy chair? At this Christmas Binge Reading Retreat, your wish can become reality.
When all you wished was to sit quietly and undisturbed, with your nose in your favourite book, you instead had to cope with a house full of guests. You had to get the Christmas Day meal (with all the trimmings) ready, listen to your family endlessly complaining about this, that and the other, clean up after everyone and keep the children from killing each other, or the dog or the cat etc.
Undisturbed Reading Bliss is within Reach
at this Christmas Reading Retreat
If this sounds like Christmas last year, how about escaping this year to a winter wonderland in the south of France, where you’ll be able to spend the whole day reading if that’s what you want? You won’t have to worry about meals, or about keeping the peace, or about keeping the house standing. No one will make demands on your time, or make ever-more-desperate attempts to get your attention, or blow up the kitchen in an attempt to help with the cooking…
Here in the heart of the Cotes de Gascogne vineyards, you can read to your heart’s content. You can go for short (or long) walks in the glorious surrounding countryside. You can sit down to scrumptious meals without having to do any cooking, and sleep as long as you want in a cosy bedroom in this 200-year-old, lovingly restored French farmhouse.
Why do Book Lovers gather here for a Christmas Reading Retreat year after year?
“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 on Christmas morning. Join me in the reading room. The reader on the chair next to the Godin wood burner 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 hot chocolate 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 7th 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 Christmas Reading Retreat, is Dr Margaretha Montagu, a five-time published author and voracious reader herself, who has hosted retreats for more than a decade. Every Christmas, she invites a small group of solo travellers and couples into her home. 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.
What makes this Christmas Reading Retreat unique?
On Christmas Eve, we celebrate Jolabokaflod, an irresistible Iceland Christmas tradition. Jolabokaflod translates into “Christmas Book Flood.” The tradition is to give and receive books on Christmas Eve and then read until early Christmas morning. In November, a free catalogue of Iceland’s newest books called the Bokatidindi lands in every home’s mailbox and Icelanders head for the bookstores. We do something similar: each guest brings one (or more) books as Secret Santas to share on Christmas Eve.
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 Christmas 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 wish them Merry Christmas.
Your Host: Dr M Montagu
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
Glorious Gascon Food
Esprit Meraki’s food is simple but delicious and 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 Christmas Day we have at a local restaurant to help regenerate the local economy post-COVID. The cost of this meal is not included.
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 Christmas Day.) 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 Christmas Day ~ we have this meal at restaurant nearby to support local small business owners.
- Alcoholic beverages
When can you come to a 5-day Christmas 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 From the 22-26 December. The retreat starts at 18h on Day 1 and ends at 11h on Day 5.
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 1099€ for a single bedroom and €I999 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 |
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.
Are you ready for an unforgettable retreat that will leave you feeling vibrantly alive, full of joie de vivre, deliciously indulged and profoundly relaxed from the top of your head to the tips of your toes? Contact me at welcome2gascony@gmail.com to inquire about availability and to pay your deposit to secure your spot.
Ready to immerse yourself in the books you love? Join us for the Christmas Book Lovers’ Binge Reading Retreat and reclaim the joy of uninterrupted reading. Reserve your spot today and get ready to escape to Gascony!
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©MMontagu Description frequently updated
