Some of you may know that I have been in France for the past few weeks on a writer’s residency in a magical chateau-turned-artist-residency not far from France’s Champagne region.
If you’re imagining that the lord of the manor behind this ambitious enterprise is a noble Frenchman who struts around in a velvet waistcoat twirling his goatee and quoting passages from Diderot and Voltaire, you couldn’t be farther from the truth. The man behind the vision is Israeli-born American artist and entrepreneur Ziggy Attias, whose duties include Goat wrangler, Plumber, Lawn Maintenance, and Janitor. Ziggy’s long-term dream reaches beyond the grounds of the gorgeous Chateau Orquevaux to the sleepy (and largely abandoned) little village of Orquevaux nestled at the foot of the chateau.
The grounds here are truly magnificent. From the steps of the chateau you see cows grazing in the distance, a church spire rising up to the clouds, forests that once held plentiful boar and deer and a gushing river spanned by wrought iron bridges. There are several smaller buildings in various stages of repair – gatehouses, goat house, boat house, fantastic old stables, etc. I can’t really do justice to the ambiance and beauty of a French chateau so I’ll resort to a few additional images and you can always check out more on my instagram.
I managed to tear myself away from the natural beauty of the French countryside to dig into my second novel, and I did a number of small studies and sketches including a live model session by the banks of the river. I felt like I was living inside Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass!
Now, lest you think that one can go through life without the good AND the bad, I will wrap up this post with the unhappy news that amidst all this beauty and natural wonder, I contracted COVID. Yep, I’m fully vaccinated. I am writing this in isolation at the chateau. Four of us tested positive and like an ant hill that someone kicked over, everyone who tested negative fled the scene to return to their respective domiciles. So four of us have been left to recover here in the chateau, wandering the grounds and doing our best to overcome the symptoms – no picnic, I assure you. Ziggy and his partner, Beulah, are doing a great job of looking after us from a distance but it’s a really bizarre and emotional experience to say the least. It can be looked at as a blessing, or equated to the unnerving scenes from The Shining with Jack Nicolson!! Hopefully I fly back home soon. Fingers crossed!
How beautiful it all is! Except Covid, of course. Hoping you will be safely home sooner rather than later. Can’t wait to catch up an hear all about it!
Fingers crossed for a negative test Thursday but not feeling great today….
Beautiful introduction to this surprising, sad news. Sounds like you are being well taken care of! THe chateau and surroundings are as beautiful as ever. NICE place to be quarantinedTRY and stay well. We have been in COlorado visiting son and fam in their new house. LOVELY. Miss saying goodbye to Abby as she heads off to James Madison Univ. Hopefully see you next week….or, at least wave to you.
Thanks Lenore. Sounds like you’re having a wonderful family summer xx
So your reference to « the shining »….did you write that before or after we spoke ?….obviously, i hadn’t read your post when i made the comment…let me know…important.. ??not really..just curious.
De : Art and Beyond Envoyé : mardi 17 août 2021 17:13 À : langner@free.fr Objet : [New post] All good things come to an end
liliannemilgrom posted: ” Some of you may know that I have been in France for the past few weeks on a writer’s residency in a magical chateau-turned-artist-residency not far from France’s Champagne region. If you’re imagining that the lord of the manor behind this “
It’s you! Should have given you credit where credit is due! It was such an apt comment!!
I hope you recover soon from COVID. You painted mine and my daughters portrait several years ago for AARP caregiving event. I’m so fond of your art and your posts. Please share info about your books. I would like to read them.
Take good care,
Tobey
I remember you both!!!! So glad you enjoy my posts. My first book ‘L’Origine: The secret life of the world’s most erotic masterpiece’ won the Publishers Weekly 2021 Selfies Book Award for best adult fiction!! Here’s a link to amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XK8QLWB/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
I’d love to hear your thoughts after reading!
How bad are your symptoms? Which vaccine had you gotten? Get well soon!
Hi. Thanks for your concern. I’ve been ill for at least 10 days, comes in waves – I have mostly chest and breathing symptoms. Others have head/throat/ears/ I had Pfizer – both 😦
A beautiful place to be if you are quarantined.
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Cannot wait to hear about your second book.
Be safe, hugs,
Roxana
Thanks Roxana. A beautiful place for sure, but when you’re sick you just want to be home!!
Lilianne,
Sorry to hear about your Covid.. what a bummer… Am leaving DC on Thursday – hope you are feeling better.. talk soon! xx Anne
So sorry you got ill. Hope are on your way to recovery and get back to the States safely. Such strange times.
Thanks for your healing wishes, Suzanne!
Lilianne, how wonderful. So lovely. Would love to escape to such a serene and peaceful setting.
I am indeed jealous and also very happy for you!
Thanks Phyllis though I wouldn’t be jealous of having caught COVID. It’s been a difficult recovery and hoping to get home soon. xx
Dear Lilianne, I’m so sorry that Covid found you in paradise! I hope you are better now and that you can take the awesome memories you shared with us home with you for further inspiration.
And your live model sketch does indeed remind me of Luncheon on the Grass! Beautifully done!
Thanks for your good wishes Drema. I’m still in isolation. Hope to be back home soon. It’s been rough – even in Paradise!!
Hi Lilianne, Gorgeous pictures. Hope you are well now. Best wishes!
Thank you! Yes, all better 🙂
Glorious place. I’m sorry you got sick. I hope all is well with you and that you don’t suffer any long-haul symptoms like my son has. I hope to hear how the new book is coming. Much luck.
Sorry to hear about your son…I feel fine now. Glorious place indeed.
See you at the awards ceremony!