Retreat for Writers 

 France: 2004 -2005

Put your writing first  — Write in peace and solitude

 During the winter months our home in France, the Château d’Alogny, is devoted to creativity.  Just 78 minutes by train from Paris, we provide a gathering place for  small numbers of dedicated writers who seek peace and tranquility in an unforgettably beautiful setting.   

Writers in this peaceful, unspoiled heart of France are touched  by its timeless magic.    Through the subtle interplay of shifting light and shadow through the seasons, artists discover at first hand the inspiration of the French impressionists.

What we offer

The Château d’Alogny is available to writers between October 15 and April 15 for stays of one week or longer.  The retreat will prove ideal for motivated independent writers seeking a quiet, supportive environment, in which to work free of distraction.   

 

The winters here are generally mild, and the building remains cozy with underfloor heating and a massive open fireplace, even during the occasional storm or cold snap.  The castle's rooms retain their mediaeval ambiance, while providing comfort and privacy in which to write.    For those who wish, shared meal preparation and dining can encourage an atmosphere of fellowship and creative discussion.  

 

 A local English couple can provide help and advice when needed, including catering service, weekly cleaning and laundry if requested.  Our French assistant is also available to help with transportation and general maintainance.   Inexpensive car hire may be available locally.

 

 

Other Optional Services Available  

 Editing, private coaching and critique service by a local British writer

 

French language teaching and conversation

 

Healing massage service

 

Meal delivery, or on site cooking, including complete catering service for groups

 

   

Cost

US$400 -US$600 per week, (depending on accommodation and duration) plus shared utilities (approximately  $25 per per week each).

Reservations are secured on receipt of a 25% deposit (non-refundable).  

 

Discount of 10% for pre-arranged groups of 5 writers.

 

Please note that a portion of all fees go to support the Bali Children's Project, our foundation  providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged  young people in rural Indonesian villages.

 

 

The Setting

 

For almost a thousand years the romantic Château d’Alogny has dominated the valley of the  Creuse, where the historic Touraine and Poitou regions meet.  Standing on a wooded bluff overlooking the river, it enjoys breathtaking panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.  

        

On the lawn in front of the château, a great  megalithic  standing stone or menhir  provides mute testimony to the fact that this spot has been revered as a sacred site for more than five thousand years. 

 

The Château d’Alogny lies  in an undiscovered area of great natural beauty between the historic cities of Tours and Poitiers , and is only an hour's drive from the magnificent châteaux of the Loire Valley.  The nearest large town, Chatellerault, is a 20-minute drive away, and can be reached by TGV (high-speed train) from Paris (Montparnasse) in an hour and twenty minutes.    

 

Many attractions are to be found within easy distance of Alogny.  The healing waters of La Roche Posay, just two miles away, have drawn visitors since Roman times.  In addition to specific therapies, guests can indulge themselves here with a variety of massage and other spa treatments.  La Roche Posay also possesses a famous casino, a golf course, an equestrian centre and a racetrack, in addition to all regular shops and facilities, including bike rentals.

Walkers, cyclists, horse-back riders and naturalists enjoy the network of ancient trails and footpaths that weave through the surrounding woods and fields.     The villages, hamlets and farms that dot the landscape are filled with unexpected architectural delights.  Musical events, both folk and classical, are frequent.  Monks at the ancient Benedictine abbey of Fontgombault are renowned for their daily services, which are accompanied by powerful Gregorian chant.  Information on concerts and recitals can be found at the the Tourist  Office in the town square at La Roche Posay. 

Historic sites abound throughout the region,  some dating back to palaeolithic times.  The nearby château at Le Grand Pressigny houses a fine museum of prehistory, and the abbey of St. Savin, and nearby village church at Antigny, possess some of the finest mediaeval frescos in Europe.   At Civaux, hundreds of giant Merovingian stone coffins litter the churchyard.  These date from the great battle in which Clovis, King of the Franks, defeated the Visigoth warriors of Alaric in 508 AD.  Angles-sur-l’Anglin, with its striking ruined cliff-top château, is widely acknowledged as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and attracts many artists. 

A focus of gastronomic excellence, Alogny provides an idyllic base for the gourmet and sybarite.  There are several restaurants of exceptional quality (and modest price) within easy distance.  Local produce abounds.  The nearby Château de Ris produces wines of outstanding quality, and weekly markets offer an endless profusion of tempting local delicacies, including wines, cheeses and pâtés, together with a wealth of fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.  The region is particulalry renowned for its goat cheeses.

 

Comments by Writers:

"All of us loved our time at Alogny. The area is incredibly beautiful and great for exploration; full of castles, churches and delicious inns and restaurants."

Wendy Bartlett, Dutch Flat, California

"I went to the Château d’Alogny for 10 days to be, to write, to eat and just relax in a part of France unknown to me.  It was the most near-perfect trip I’ve ever taken.

 Alogny is magic--a comfortable, human scale castle with thick stone walls, a tower, fireplaces, several floors of rambling rooms with enticing nooks and crannies, simply and tastefully furnished.  It’s regally positioned at the highest point in a landscape of rolling hills and overlooks a  wide river valley —filled with fields of spent sunflowers when I was there last fall.  There is much to see and do.  

After my morning run , through woods, pastures and a dairy farm where the resident dog took friendly chase after the crazy, running American, we wrote for several hours every day and then hopped in the red Renault for food and adventure.   Trips to the Loire Valley, to the spa town of La Roche Posay, just a short bike ride away, for massage treatments, and visits to Fontgombault Abbey, filled with mediaeval Gregorian chant.

 Evenings were spent at Alogny cooking and eating around the country table with a view of the valley in the background and a fire popping and snapping  in the fireplace.  I’ve wracked my memory for something even slightly negative, but have come up blank. Even being wide awake with jet lag in the middle of the night in the tower bedroom is a pleasant memory, as it was an opportunity to watch the moon tangle and unwind itself in the limbs of the tall tree outside my window and begin a book of tiny collages.  Being at Alogny was an special experience that I hope to find again this summer beside the pool." 

Elizabeth Greene, Berkeley, California

 

 

Questions about the Writers Retreat ?

Contact:

 

John Cooke: john@alogny.com

 or

Joyce Scott : balijoy@aol.com

***

For Information on the Bali Children’s Project visit :

www.balichildrensproject.org

    Frequently Asked Questions                  

1.      Why is the cost so reasonable compared to other retreats?

Answer:   The owners, who are normally away in the winter, are writers themselves, and are very conscious of the contemplative and  healing environment that the Château d’Alogny provides.  They believe that so extraordinary a place deserves to be shared rather than kept empty.

2.      How do I get from the station to the château?

Answer:  The station is a twenty minute drive away. If arranged in advance, someone will come and pick you up at Chatellerault station.  Otherwise there are taxis at the station.

3.      Where can I shop?

Answer:  La Roche Posay, less than  2 miles away, has patisseries, cafés, banks, ATMs, restaurants, small shops and a Tuesday farmers market.  There is a larger supermarket and hardware store on the far edge of Yzeures, which lies about the same distance beyond La Roche Posay on the other side of the river.  The biggest supermarkets (eg Auchan and Leclerc) are in Chatellerault, about 12 miles away.  Note that many shops are closed on Mondays, and also daily from 12:00 to 3:00.  On Sundays food shops are open, but only in the morning. The nearby village of Lésigny has two bakeries, a restaurant and a village butcher and grocer.

4.      What about transportation?

Answer:  Cars may be rented in Chatellerault and Poitiers.   It is also often possible to rent inexpensively from a local garage in St. Pierre de Maillé.   You are welcome to use the bicycles at Alogny.  People often enjoy the walk into La Roche Posay, about 2 miles. There are countless country lanes that lead to town and elsewhere.  Our car may also be available for use at nominal charge.

5.      Can I bring my partner or friend?

Answer:  If both partners are writers, one or two couples can be accommodated. 

6.      What about other accommodations?

Answer:  A beautiful old riverside house on the edge of St. Pierre de Maillé, a village about ten miles south of Alogny, may be available.   Shops here are within easy reach on foot.  This would be ideal for couples or friends wanting complete privacy in which to work.  The cost is $750 per month, plus utilities.   For further information go to

7.      What about doctors and health emergencies?

Answer:  France has excellent and inexpensive health services.  There are numerous doctors available.  House calls cost about $25.  There are hospital and emergency room facilities at Chatellerault.  The thermal baths in La Roche Posay are available for massage and other restorative treatments.

8.      What about laundry?

Answer:  There are washing machines and dryer at Alogny.   There is also a launderette in La Roche Posay.

9.      Can I take French lessons?

                        Answer:  We can put you in touch with good teachers in the area. Privat instruction is quite reasonable.

10.  What about writing outdoors?

Answer:  The climate is generally mild at Alogny and the château grounds provide numerous  secluded areas in which to write.  The gardens, terraces and patios enjoy striking vistas over the surrounding countryside.

  11.   Is there television? 

              Answer:  BBC digital TV and radio is available in the large family room.    There is also a DVD player and VCR, together with a growing cassette library (donations gladly accepted !).   

11.  Is there connection to the internet?  

            Answer:  Yes!  Remarkably enough Alogny has high-speed ADSL access.  You have only to install the necessary software (CD is available at Alogny) on your laptop.  The cost is covered by the charge for utilities.

12.  What clothes should I bring? 

            Answer:  Although the climate in the Vienne is generally mild, there can be cold and windy spells.  Dress for comfort, not elegance. Think layers as needed.  Bring plenty of warm clothing and boots for walking as the ground can sometimes be muddy.

 

 

Map of the area