We believe art and its pursuit is a universal language that heals and helps the world. If everyone could create a little more the world would be a better place.
Who are we
We are Kerry Eielson and John Fanning, two writers from NYC who bought and created La Muse in our twenties with credit cards and loans.
We did this, leaving great jobs in publishing, because we wanted to create a different life for ourselves, our children, and our own creative projects.
Why we do what we do
We believe that by actively engaging in creative pursuits you can inspire yourself and others.
We feel blessed that the work we carved out for ourselves here at La Muse gives us the opportunity to both live in a bucolic village in the south of France and get to know writers, artists and other creative individuals from all over the world.
Our mission is to share what we have created here with others. We have discovered from residents, after over a decade of hosting retreats, that giving yourself consistent time and space to be creative is personally and professionally transformative.
We make retreats accessible to both emerging and established artists by keeping our room rates low and being open year round. We feel everyone should be able to come to a space like La Muse to create when they need to because we feel that creativity is a basic human need.
How we do it
We provide people with clean, comfortable and beautiful private and communal spaces (bedrooms, studio and living library) within a setting conducive to creative work. La Muse also offers access to nature, culture and good food.
In addition to the retreat guidelines which ensure a safe and productive environment, we also provide you with an orientation of the house, village and region when you arrive.
We welcome creative individuals and groups of all ages and nationalities, and at all stages of their professional development to apply. We do so at low prices for three-week and one-week retreats.
Because of our commitment to making this space as comfortable as possible for when you come we have invested in La Muse. In the last few years alone, we have added a new roof, non-fiberglass insulation in the 450 meters-squared attic, three wood-burning stoves, 100 yards worth of upholstery-weight fabric for curtains, more than double the amount of radiators, a new oil furnace, a new industrial cooker and sink and appliances in the kitchen, a new dining room, two new art studios, an expanded library, WIFI, reading chairs and desks in all the rooms, a bigger washing machine and a newly renovated laundry room, and more. The list grows every year.
Since opening in 2001, hundreds of writers and artists in nearly every discipline from countless countries: poets, novelists, non-fiction writers, scholars, jewelry designers, screenwriters, artisans, memoirists, painters, visual artists, photographers, chefs, architects, therapists, sculptors, film and theater directors, healers, and more, have adopted our guidelines to get inspired. And they keep coming back!
What we do
We take care of you while you are here so that your time and energy can be directed towards what inspires you.
So, we pick you up at the airport or train station. We bring you grocery shopping and help you navigate transactions in a foreign country. We welcome you with a healthy organic meal and help you get settled in your peaceful room.
The next day we give you a house and village introduction answering any questions you might have on the Orientation we will already have sent you (which includes a hiking map).
A few days later we host a crepe breakfast and book swap so that everyone knows what everyone else is working on and where they are coming from.
We protect your time with the structure we have created. We support your work with resources and contacts. We bring you down the mountain once a week for sight-seeing and errands.
Oftentimes we and the other residents will organically brainstorm and workshop each others ideas and projects. People often organize expos and readings though this is not required or expected.
If there are village festivities we include all residents and we get everyone together for a meal at the end of every retreat.
As writers and artists ourselves we are all about supporting you. We want you to get inspired! But, to do that you have to get away, to find a retreat from every day life, in order to connect with your creative muse.
In a nutshell
Every day and moment we spend creating something makes living more fun.
And residents of La Muse seem to think so too: we have had several couples and individuals who have now been on retreat to La Muse over six times and others who have chosen to come for six months at a time.
We’re committed to making your retreat experience as perfect as it can be. So, even if you don’t apply for a retreat now, please think of us for the future by subscribing to our newsletter above, following us on twitter and liking us on Facebook.
- Lavender and fig tree in the Garden