Camino de Santiago Walking Retreat in southwest France
Camino de Santiago Walking Retreat in southwest France
Esprit Meraki, 32400 Nogaro, France
Up to 30 in group
5 Days Package (4 nights)
Retreat Highlights
- 3 unforgettable days walking the Camino de Santiago: 10km/5miles, 12 km/6 miles and your choice of 8/ 17/28 km (distances appoximate)
- 4 nights in the same comfortable room in an authentic 200-year-old French farmhouse
- Wholesome brunches and decadently delicious dinners
- Walking along vineyards, meadows, orchards, ancient woods, lakes - the ultimate way to reconnect with nature and with your authentic self
- Introduction to walking meditation and writing meditation
- Walking the Camino de Santiago can literally change your life – you can find solutions to problems, answers to questions and clarity on the way forward – just as thousands of hikers have before you, for the last 800 years
About this Retreat
Your Guides
After working for 20 years as a medical doctor in a variety of specialities including psychiatry and general practice, I came to the conclusion that many diseases have their roots in my patients’ inability to handle stress effectively. Instead of treating stress-related illnesses, I decided to look at practical ways that my patients can use to prevent stress from ruining their health. I studied a number of alternative therapies including hypnotherapy and NLP, and eventually combined my education and experience to create the transformational virtual and residential retreats that I host in the south of France.
Dr M Montagu MBChB MRCGP MedHypDip NLP Master Cert Prof Life Coach Cert Counseling CertEAGALA Cert
Details of this retreat
Would you like to reconnect with nature by walking through the vineyards, woods, sunflower fields, and lush meadows in the south of France?
Follow in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands (over 200,000 in 2018) of people, from all walks of life, who make their way to Santiago de Compostela each year.
For most, this pilgrimage to self-discovery is an unforgettable experience. Only a few return home unchanged.
This retreat is your chance to join them, to reconnect with nature, with yourself, and with others. In addition, you will receive instruction in Walking Meditation and Writing Meditation, to enable you to profoundly relax and recharge your batteries in this largely unspoiled and unexplored corner of France, the country of Dumas' D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers, and manage stress ever more effectively when you get home.
Everything will be taken care of for you.
You will sleep in the same bed each night, you do not have to carry a heavy backpack with you, and you will eat healthy locally sourced food - all you have to do is concentrate on experiencing everything that walking the Camino has to offer.
You arrive in time for dinner on Day 1, walk the Camino on Days 2, 3, and 4 and leave after breakfast on Day 5. One afternoon after your walk, you will have the opportunity to visit a local wine seller, where you can sample some of the best wines the region has to offer.
The easiest way to get here is to fly to Toulouse, take the train to Auch, and visit the glorious cathedral with its exceptional hand-carved choir - the Camino de Santiago goes through Auch and many walkers stop at this famous cathedral. You can check your luggage into temporary storage at the station. When you have had a scrumptious lunch at one of the sidewalk bistros on the square in front of the cathedral, you take the bus to Nogaro, where you'll be picked up and transferred to the retreat. The bus station is right next to the train station.
Or you can rent a car, or take a taxi, and the most entertaining and cheapest way to get here is by getting a lift from the carpooling site, BlaBlaCar(dot)fr.
A warm welcome awaits you at this 200-year-old authentic Landaise farmhouse amidst the Armagnac and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France!
Retreats start on Mondays at 18h00 and end on Fridays at 11h00.
Please contact us to confirm availability before making a booking.
Follow in the footsteps of hundreds of thousands (over 200,000 in 2018) of people, from all walks of life, who make their way to Santiago de Compostela each year.
For most, this pilgrimage to self-discovery is an unforgettable experience. Only a few return home unchanged.
This retreat is your chance to join them, to reconnect with nature, with yourself, and with others. In addition, you will receive instruction in Walking Meditation and Writing Meditation, to enable you to profoundly relax and recharge your batteries in this largely unspoiled and unexplored corner of France, the country of Dumas' D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers, and manage stress ever more effectively when you get home.
Everything will be taken care of for you.
You will sleep in the same bed each night, you do not have to carry a heavy backpack with you, and you will eat healthy locally sourced food - all you have to do is concentrate on experiencing everything that walking the Camino has to offer.
You arrive in time for dinner on Day 1, walk the Camino on Days 2, 3, and 4 and leave after breakfast on Day 5. One afternoon after your walk, you will have the opportunity to visit a local wine seller, where you can sample some of the best wines the region has to offer.
The easiest way to get here is to fly to Toulouse, take the train to Auch, and visit the glorious cathedral with its exceptional hand-carved choir - the Camino de Santiago goes through Auch and many walkers stop at this famous cathedral. You can check your luggage into temporary storage at the station. When you have had a scrumptious lunch at one of the sidewalk bistros on the square in front of the cathedral, you take the bus to Nogaro, where you'll be picked up and transferred to the retreat. The bus station is right next to the train station.
Or you can rent a car, or take a taxi, and the most entertaining and cheapest way to get here is by getting a lift from the carpooling site, BlaBlaCar(dot)fr.
A warm welcome awaits you at this 200-year-old authentic Landaise farmhouse amidst the Armagnac and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France!
Retreats start on Mondays at 18h00 and end on Fridays at 11h00.
Please contact us to confirm availability before making a booking.
Schedule
Day 1: Arrive after 18h00, in time for a scrumptious welcome dinner
Day 2: On the first day, guests walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostella from EAUZE to MANCIET. This section is about 12 km long and takes about 2,5 – 3 hours to walk. The walk meanders through woods, vineyards, meadows, orchards and sunflower fields from the Roman and cathedral city of Eauze towards Manciet, a small market town with a beautifully preserved lavoir.
Day 3: On the second day, guests walk from MANCIET to NOGARO. The route continues past an ancient church that once belonged to the Order of the Knights of Malta and an 18th-century milestone with a Maltese cross to Nogaro or Nogarium, which means ‘a place planted with walnut trees.’ This small town was established in the 11th century and has a fine Romanesque church. The walk takes about 2,5-3 hours to walk and is about 10km.
Day 4: The third day’s walk is from NOGARO to AIRE SUR ADOUR. The full walk is (28 km) but guests can opt for a shorter walk (8 km or 17 km) if they prefer. The shorter walk takes 2-4 hours to walk, the longer walk 5-7 hours. The walk is fairly flat: Nogaro is at 100m above sea level and Aire is at 80m above sea level. The path passes by several ancient farmhouses, along the vineyards towards Lanne-Soubiran and onwards towards Barcellone-du-Gers, a small town adjacent to Aire. From Barcellone the scenery changes, The vineyards give way to trees: oaks, pines and chestnuts until one finally arrives in the beautiful town of Aire-sur-Adour, on the mighty Adour river. From Aire, guests take the bus back to Nogaro.
Day 5: Leave after brunch.
Day 2: On the first day, guests walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostella from EAUZE to MANCIET. This section is about 12 km long and takes about 2,5 – 3 hours to walk. The walk meanders through woods, vineyards, meadows, orchards and sunflower fields from the Roman and cathedral city of Eauze towards Manciet, a small market town with a beautifully preserved lavoir.
Day 3: On the second day, guests walk from MANCIET to NOGARO. The route continues past an ancient church that once belonged to the Order of the Knights of Malta and an 18th-century milestone with a Maltese cross to Nogaro or Nogarium, which means ‘a place planted with walnut trees.’ This small town was established in the 11th century and has a fine Romanesque church. The walk takes about 2,5-3 hours to walk and is about 10km.
Day 4: The third day’s walk is from NOGARO to AIRE SUR ADOUR. The full walk is (28 km) but guests can opt for a shorter walk (8 km or 17 km) if they prefer. The shorter walk takes 2-4 hours to walk, the longer walk 5-7 hours. The walk is fairly flat: Nogaro is at 100m above sea level and Aire is at 80m above sea level. The path passes by several ancient farmhouses, along the vineyards towards Lanne-Soubiran and onwards towards Barcellone-du-Gers, a small town adjacent to Aire. From Barcellone the scenery changes, The vineyards give way to trees: oaks, pines and chestnuts until one finally arrives in the beautiful town of Aire-sur-Adour, on the mighty Adour river. From Aire, guests take the bus back to Nogaro.
Day 5: Leave after brunch.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Esprit Meraki, Esprit Meraki, 32400 Nogaro, France
Directions
The easiest way to get here is to fly to Toulouse airport, take the train to Auch, and visit the glorious cathedral with its exceptional hand-carved choir - the Camino de Santiago goes through Auch and many walkers stop at this famous cathedral. You can check your luggage into temporary storage at the station. When you have had a scrumptious lunch at one of the sidewalk bistros on the square in front of the cathedral, you take the bus to Nogaro, where you'll be picked up and transferred to the retreat. The bus station is right next to the train station. The trip from Toulouse vua Auch to Nogaro - takes about 3-4 hours and costs about 20-30 euros (train plus bus.) Or you could rent a car or take a taxi.
Accommodation
In the sun-blessed south of France, 3km from a lively village, hidden in the heart of an ancient forest, you'll find lush meadows surrounding a 200+-year old authentic and sympathetically restored French farmhouse. The farmhouse is the much-appreciated, much-loved home of three Friesian mares, a Borzoi (Russian greyhound) and three intimidating cats - they intimidate the dog, if no one else. Further afield, you'll find vineyards, sunflower fields, more woods, and more sunflower fields, medieval villages, bottomless lakes, orchards, and of course, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. And maybe two or three time-traveling musketeers. This easily accessible retreat venue is within less than 2 hours' drive from 5 international airports, in the foothills of the Pyrenées mountains, 90-120 minutes north of the Spanish border and 90-120 min east of the Atlantic Ocean. The downstairs bedrooms, the Sunset bedroom and the Sunrise bedroom, each has two comfortable beds, direct access outide and views of the garden, woods, and surrounding meadows. Fresh towels and linens, an iron and ironing board (used only very rarely!) and a hairdryer are provided. There is free, off-road, safe and shade parking and several seating spots around the house.
Single Bedroom
Double Bedroom for 2 people travelling together
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
This authentic Landaise farmhouse, some 200 years old and lovingly restored, with its sourrounding 5 acres of meadows, has two double guest bedrooms on the ground floor with glorious views of the surrounding woods, meadows, vineyards and sunflower fields.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Our 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.
What's Included
- 4 nights accommodation in an authentic half-timbered landaise farmhouse
- Wholesome brunches, delicious dinners (except dinner on day 4) with the option at brunch to make sandwiches to have during the walk
- Pick-up and drop-off in Nogaro at the start and end of the retreat
- Transport to and from the starting and end points of the Camino on each walking day
- Free high-speed Wifi connection
What's Not Included
- Transport costs to local airports (flights) –
- Transport from local airports to the retreat
- Personal Health Insurance and/or Travel Insurance (we highly recommend insurance cover in case you need to cancel)
- A massage at the end of the walk (subject to availability)
- Extra day/night bed-and-breakfast (starts at €89pp) at the start of the retreat
- Dinner on days 4 ~ we have this meal at restaurants nearby to support local small business owners (15-30 euro, depending on your choices)
- Alcoholic beverages
