November Writing 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.
Cette retraite est uniquement disponible en anglais.
Time to Write.
We'll take care of everything else.
Three meals a day prepared for you & maximum five other writers. We'll bring your coffee or tea (and maybe a little pastry, too) right to your desk in your private room, if you'd like.
Come and wander the French countryside to let the ideas percolate. Chat to other writers, relax in front of the fire over aperos in the evening, or keep on writing.
Ditch the distractions, leave the daily details to us.
Time to write.
If you’re seeking time and space to yourself to explore your creative writing, 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 writing.
Live your French experience, find new inspiration, connect with your writing community, and tell your stories.
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.
Start Your Writing Residency Today!
One Week Residency
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November 9th - 15th 2025
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November 16th - 22nd 2025
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6 nights & 7 days
Cost: €1395 pp
Two Week Residency
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November 9th - 22nd 2025
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13 nights & 14 days
Cost: €2495 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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En-suite or shared shower room; shared w.c.
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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 (locally sourced & selected by wine expert)
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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 writing or publication
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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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Excursions by negotiation
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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.
Testimonials
"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 couldn’t have asked for a better week—great company, great conversation, great food! Sara and Steve were so kind, providing a beautiful room where I could work on my writing. And one of their little dogs, Dexter, would check up on me. If he deemed it a productive day, he would then take me on a walk. The French countryside is beautiful, and the people are warm and friendly. A week well spent!." -- T. C.
Still trying to decide whether it was the warm sunshine streaming through my room, the wonderful period specific decor within your impressive French Chateau or your impeccable hosting skills and house wine that made my stay so wonderful. This setting, quiet moments by the fire and other guests all contributed to explore and hone my writing skills. -- A.L.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I'm not published yet. Is this residency for me?Absolutely! This writing residency is for beginners and experienced writers alike! Write at your own pace & get inspiration from new surroundings; your time at the retreat is your own.
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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!). Here's our guide on how to get to us. We offer pickups from Angouleme (2pm on day of arrival) or Thiviers train station ("gare") on demand. Our travel agent is there to ensure you have smooth travels, and if you want to extend your itinerary.
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Do I need to speak French?No, your hosts can help you with all local needs. It's always nice to be able to say 'hello' (Bonjour!) and 'thank you' (Merci!) though, isn't it?
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Can I bring a partner?We only recommend this if your partner is a writer too, and will be able to similarly dedicate themselves to the writing community on-site. Your partner can come (& stay in your room) for an additional 50% of the cost. Drop us a line if you think this is for you.
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What will the weather be like in November?Day time temperatures are around 12C (54F) with night time lows around 3C (37F). You can expect a mix of sunny & rainy days, with average monthly precipitation around 82mm (3.2 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 all your cozy knitwear!
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What if I get sick and can't come? (Cancellation Policy)We strongly recommend 'cancel for any reason' travel insurance. Please check the Terms & Conditions (below the deposit link) for the cancellation information. Travel insurance protects your investments, and helps alleviate disappointment if your plans have to change.
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What isn't included in the cost?- Writing instruction or guidance - you can structure your time however you wish - Airfare from your home town to France - Train connections to and from Paris, Bordeaux, Limoges or Thiviers - Car rental (recommended if you want to explore the area) - Travelers Insurance - Any extra tours, meals, or excursions off the property, should you choose to roam - Transportation & lodging outside of the residency dates, should you choose to arrive early or stay later in France - Anything you buy off-site of the chateau property
