Waking up to breakfast delivered to my patio at Villa Cosy in Saint Tropez, showering and then shoving everything back into my two pieces of luggage to meet our amazing driver Sophie out front by 8:30 a.m. is pretty typical of a press trip. I was finally well rested again and ready to rock and roll! We were given our itinerary a few days prior to the trip however I wasn’t stressed as Atout France is very professional and wouldn’t leave us hanging. So I would look at it in the van each morning and ask questions along the way. The gals were beat though, all of them and soon dozed off. Then we hit the windy roads leading up the mountain to tiny one way roads in Carcès, France. Some got car sick and I gave out peppermint gum as a tummy calming cure – mint is also a lifesaver. Not me though, I swear I can be on any sized boat, plane, car or whatever mobile and I’m just vibing. So I popped out ready to meet new people and learn all about the next place.
Welcome to a bohemian beatnik artists dreams come true at La Maison de la Chapelle! Located up windy roads into the mountains of Carcès, France sits an 11th century monastery, home to a cultural institution, studio and residency program in the South of France. All just a lot of words for an artists commune, think back to the 60s and 70s where creatives would come together to create masterpieces in the peace and quiet of the French countryside. New Yorker Garen Barsegian, his French wife and Siberian cat Leo created an escape oasis to think and create for their select artists collective. Musicians, poets, photographers and other creatives have been inspired here for set amount of months… unfortunately no authors as writing has no timeframe, it simply comes or goes as it chooses. I am absolutely loving this concept of being fully immersed in creativity with no real outside distractions. And I think Leo would help me be inspired too. What a handsome, loving boy! Something about this lifestyle seemed familiar to me and I miss that nearby East Coast connection to Europe… perhaps someday they would consider a writer… moi perhaps? Regardless, this day started with the rain pouring then the clouds parting as you’ll see. I will say it was so nice to be immediately understood for a week and appreciated as a writer and an artist.
The sky was grumbling and grey when we arrived at La Maison de la Chapelle.Into the entrance we went, not sure what to expect at La Maison de la Chapelle.It’s an absolute French countryside dream at La Maison de la Chapelle.From the swimming pool at La Maison de la Chapelle…A close up of the vivid wall at La Maison de la Chapelle.To the ivy covered building at La Maison de la Chapelle.Archways made out of green is always my favorite at La Maison de la Chapelle.And in every direction was just stunning at La Maison de la Chapelle.Imagine having coffee or tea here at La Maison de la Chapelle.The faint sounds of babbling water nearby at La Maison de la Chapelle.Into the lawn at La Maison de la Chapelle.Part of the small house patio for artists at La Maison de la Chapelle.The small artists casita we would call it in Arizona at La Maison de la Chapelle.Winding steps going upstairs at La Maison de la Chapelle.An eating area at La Maison de la Chapelle.The kitchen at La Maison de la Chapelle.And the second floor I did not go up the windy steps at La Maison de la Chapelle.Loving the stained glass windows at La Maison de la Chapelle.Plants growing for cooking use at La Maison de la Chapelle.A tiny door for tiny people at La Maison de la Chapelle.Inside the main house, we sat and had tea at La Maison de la Chapelle.It felt rather odd taking photos inside someone’s home at La Maison de la Chapelle.Outside on the patio at La Maison de la Chapelle.A sitting space at La Maison de la Chapelle.Looking toward the entrance at La Maison de la Chapelle.A very shagadelic artsy rug and chaise which I tried without my shoes on at La Maison de la Chapelle. Very comfortable!Pieces from the past lingered everywhere at La Maison de la Chapelle.Loving the curved edges of all the doorways at La Maison de la Chapelle.Another artist made this amazing table at La Maison de la Chapelle.But my favorite was Leo, the sweetest fluffiest boy at La Maison de la Chapelle. I may have more photos of him…Another sitting area outside of La Maison de la Chapelle.They almost went elsewhere but this place won their hearts at La Maison de la Chapelle.Just the architecture alone had me at La Maison de la Chapelle.Leo poses for a final photo of himself, he is everyone’s muse at La Maison de la Chapelle.And when we left, the sun came out in the sky at La Maison de la Chapelle. I feel I made some friends that day and do hope to reconnect!
