Creative Residency
at a Private Château
Get away from everything, and just write for a month,
at a private château in France.
November is National Novel Writing Month - also known as NaNoWriMo.
Every story matters.
Let's start writing yours.
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Time to Create.
Ready for uninterrupted time with your craft? Your only task here is creating—whether you're painting, composing, writing, or dreaming up something entirely new.
Rest and create in your private room at our French Château. Explore and draw inspiration from the natural grounds. Just steps from the Château, visual artists and performers will discover their workspace in our village's storied salle des fêtes, an atelier where creativity flows freely.
Share meals with up to five fellow artists, wander the countryside for inspiration, then gather for evening apéros by the fire—or stay absorbed in your work. No dishes. No errands. No daily distractions. Just you and your art.
Time to create.
If you’re seeking time and space to yourself to explore your creativity, consider this your invitation!
How often do you get to stay at a private Château in quintessential France, and explore your dreams?
You deserve some space for yourself, to escape the daily distractions (let alone the stress of the daily news cycle). Your job, your family, the housework consume a lot of your day - maybe it's time for just you and your art.
Live your French experience, find new inspiration, connect with your artist community, and expand your craft.
Your Private Château
The Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés is our year-round, private home.
The tower, containing a stone spiral staircase, and parts of the Château date to the 16th century. The 'blazon' or crest of a noble family is carved over the tower door.
Enjoy the Château common rooms, your spacious private bedroom with seating area and writing desk, and 15 ha of private grounds during your stay. Wander the quaint little town of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or the surrounding quiet roads.
Share meals prepared by your hosts & a professional chef, celebrating all that French cuisine offers, including delicacies from our renowned gastronomic Périgord region.
Create Everywhere: Studio, Château, & Wild Spaces
Your creative space is as fluid as your inspiration. The salle des fêtes transforms into an atelier with a good mix of natural and artificial light, just a five-minute stroll from the château—following the village path each morning becomes its own creative ritual.
This dedicated studio space offers 24-hour secure access, complete with kitchen and all essentials, letting you work whenever inspiration strikes and safely store your materials and works-in-progress.
But your practice need not be confined to one space. Let the château's piano call you to compose, settle into one of three elegant salons to write or sketch, or wander our 15 hectares of natural grounds. Find your muse among hidden groves and meandering woodland paths, or set up an easel in sun-dappled meadows.
Each space offers a different quality of light, a different mood, a different possibility. The rhythm of your creative practice is yours to set—whether that's dawn sessions in the atelier, afternoon writing in a château salon, or twilight inspiration under ancient trees.
Start Your Creative Residency Today!
One Week Residency
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April 13th - 19th 2025
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April 20th - 26nd 2025
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6 nights & 7 days
Cost: €1595 pp
Two Week Residency
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April 13th - 26nd 2025
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13 nights & 14 days
Cost: €2995 pp
Add the week(s) & room(s) you wish to book to your cart & check out.
A €500 deposit is required for each week (i.e. €500 to reserve a one-week residency and €1000 for a two-week residency). Please check the terms & conditions for refund policy and balance due dates.
What's Included
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Private bedroom with en-suite or shared shower room; shared w.c.
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Atelier space in salle des fetes
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Breakfast & lunch prepared by your hosts
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Suppers prepared on-site by professional chef
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Non-alcoholic beverages, snacks
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House wines (other premium wines available for purchase from our cave)
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Transportation from Angouleme station at 2pm day of arrival
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Transportation from Thiviers station on demand
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Travel cancellation insurance recommended
What's Not Included
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Instruction on arts or creativity
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Art supplies (can be shipped in advance, see FAQ)
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Transportation from your hometown to the pickup point, including airfare, train connections, or car rental
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Baggage, accident, cancellation, nor travel insurance ('cancel for any reason' strongly recommended to protect your investment)
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Personal expenses, such as passport, visa, laundry, telephone calls
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Meals off-site should you choose to roam
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and any other items not specifically noted as included
About Your Hosts
We are Sara & Stephen Cole, Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular.
We created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of our adventure. One, to live as Château owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue our passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. We invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life.
Welcome to Manor & Maker.
Manor & Maker Testimonials
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"I had a wonderful experience at Chateau de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, aka Manor & Maker. What Sara and Steve are doing is so very special. I felt so at ease there, so welcomed, and so supported, and it turned out, that was absolutely essential. Honestly, stress and starvation aren't the keys to artistic freedom -- encouragement, safety, and good food are. I needed time and space to let my creativity return and regrow and that's precisely what I found there. I'll be back as soon as I can!" -- Ella G.
I stayed at the Château for seven days during an art retreat. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel absolutely at home in an environment that celebrated the finer things in life. The Château accommodations are pristine, comfortable and elegant. But most impressive were the chatelains Stephen and Sara. They went out of their way to ensure that I remained comfortable and relaxed throughout my stay. This was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend a stay at this beautiful Château with these wonderful chatelains. -- Ruth
Thank you for hosting this glorious week of Chateau experience and creativity. It is one that I shall never forget! -- Cathy
Questions & Answers
What level of artist is appropriate for this residency?
Our creative residency welcomes artists at every stage of their journey. Whether you're developing a manuscript, working on a painting series, exploring textiles, or just beginning to take your creative practice seriously—this space is for you. We believe creativity flourishes in an environment free from judgment or pressure, where you can experiment, grow, and create at your own pace.
Our residents range from published authors to emerging artists, from lifelong craftspeople to those just discovering their medium. What matters is your desire to create. Here, you'll find both the solitude to focus deeply and the gentle community of fellow artists who understand the creative journey. Remember, every artist started somewhere, and this immersive experience offers the perfect environment to nurture your practice, whatever form it takes.
Tell me more about the salle des fetes studio workspace (atelier).
Where exactly is the studio located?
The atelier is housed in our village's salle des fêtes, a pleasant 5-minute walk from the Château through our charming French village (approximately 400 meters). The short daily stroll offers a perfect transition into your creative practice.
What amenities does the space offer?
The atelier is a fully equipped space designed for artistic freedom:
- Spacious, open hall with abundant natural light, supplemented with overhead & photography lighting (tell us what you need)
- Complete kitchen facilities for managing art supplies or preparing tea
- Running water and excellent electrical systems
- 24/7 secure access—work whenever inspiration strikes
- Safe storage for your materials and works-in-progress
Can I leave my supplies and work there?
Yes, absolutely. The space is secure, and you're welcome to set up a semi-permanent workspace for the duration of your stay. Many artists will find this particularly valuable for larger works or complex projects that require ongoing setup.
How do I manage getting my supplies on-site & works off-site?
We have a post office in the town for most regular outgoing shipments, and the Château can accept shipments and store as per your request for up to 3 months in advance. You can also order from e-commerce retailers (who ship to France) and provide the Château address as the shipping address. Email us to get specific shipping details.
Where are you located & how do I get there?
We are in the town of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Dordogne, postal code 24160 (there are a couple of more places of that name in France!). We have easy train connections from Bordeaux to Thiviers (our most popular route) or Paris to Angouleme via TGV. We will pick you up from either station; at 2pm on arrival day at Angouleme or on demand from Thiviers. Here's our guide on how to get to us. Plus the services of our travel agent are at your disposal to ensure you have a helping hand!
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What will the weather be like?
Day time temperatures in April are around 20C (68F) with night time lows around 10C (50F). You can expect mostly sunny days, with average monthly precipitation around 80 mm (3 in). Of course, these are averages, so temperatures could be warmer or cooler, rainier or sunnier during your stay. It's a great season for layers, and to have a rain coat on hand (we have you covered, ahem, for umbrellas).
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Can you accommodate my food sensitivity?
France is famous for its fine cuisine, fresh produce markets, delicious pastries and cheeses! Enjoy breakfasts & lunches by your hosts and chef-prepared suppers all week. Our personal Chefs have the training to accommodate most diets, unfortunately, severely restrictive diets and other food sensitivities may be harder to accommodate - please send us a mail to inquire!
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What if I get sick and can't come? (Cancellation Policy)
We strongly recommend 'cancel for any reason' travel insurance. We do not offer last-minute refunds for any reason, due to advance planning costs. Check out the terms & conditions for other timing. Travel insurance protects your investment, and helps alleviate disappointment if your plans have to change.