Jennifer Tremblay – author, poet, dramaturge – Quebec – September 2019
The big house on rue Cayla is sometimes so quiet.
You can hear flies fly.
Figs, peaches and tomatoes tangle on the table, fixed in the serene air.
Then someone starts to play the piano.
Or the guitar.
Someone has a good idea.
Writes a verse, a phrase, a paragraph.
Someone grabs a paintbrush, changes the world in one perfect stroke.
The air vibrates with joy.
We are here for this.
To exist as an artist before being anything else.
To forget, even, that we are sometimes obliged to think of other things, to be other things.
The dinner bell rings.
We run to the kitchen.
We laugh too loudly.
It is the possibility of exchange that makes us mad.
We are mad with love for everything.
We gorge on fruit, art and friendship.
We do not want to be elsewhere.
We do not want it to end.
I say to our dear Eloise: “You will have to push me out with my suitcase. If not, I will not be able to leave.”
It’s not a joke.
When night has fallen, I go up to my room with a view on to rue du Docteur Cayla.
And I write this slightly awkward poem.
http://www.leseditionsdelabagnole.com/ficheAuteur.aspx?codeaut=TREM1078
Domnica Radulescu – author, poet, dramaturge – US – September 2019
The Hotel Sainte Valiere Residency is a magical place that inspires and transports. Beyond the breathtaking beauty of the house itself, of the mythical expanses of vineyards, olive and fig trees surrounding it, what really gives this residency its soul, passion and spiritual beauty is the hostess Eloise Caleo who knows how to combine just the right amount of warmth, inventiveness, peacefulness, delicious meals and scintillating discussions. In the three weeks of my stay I have accomplished more towards my creative projects than I had in the entire previous year and I even created new writing projects I wasn’t even thinking of before I arrived, as they were inspired precisely by this magical place and its delightful hostess. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic and grateful.
http://www.domnicaradulescu.com/
Mahala Wallace – travel writer – Australia – September 2019
To write about my incredible experience at Hotel Sainte Valiere means to say goodbye, and I’m not quite ready to let go. But nevertheless, here are my thoughts and feelings around the magical place that is Hotel Sainte Valiere.
Hotel Sainte Valiere was a month-long moment that has enriched my life and inspired my writing. Eloise and Sophie (and Cleo, of course!) are the heart and soul of Hotel Sainte Valiere. They have created a haven for writers, artists and musicians to grow, thrive, and challenge themselves. I feel very fortunate for my time at Hotel Sainte Valiere. In fact, I loved it so much, that I am already planning to go back next year. Creatives seeking a residency will not be disappointed at Hotel Sainte Valiere!
https://mahalawallace.com.au/
James Barter – illustrator – Australia – September 2019
Steph Francis – writer – Australia – July 2019
I loved the feeling of time slowly down, allowing my thoughts to gently percolate. I loved the toll of the village bell and the changing sound of birds in the garden being the only markers of time.
A spirit of quiet creative industry seems to be accumulating within these walls as each guest passes through. Thank you Eloise and family for the delicious food, and the grace and generosity of your company. My time at Hotel Sainte Valière was as productive as it was restful and I left feeling nourished in all ways.
Thida Eng – painter – France – June 2019
This is not a painting, it’s a tale
one among many that are told in this beautiful artist residency
a place where time stops passing by
and vineyards sing all day long
little white lies of ancient mirrors,
and exciting mundanities
Here, even the birds forget to fly
they dance
Stuart Dischell – poet – US – June 2019
I seldom use words like “enchanted” or “magical” to describe my experiences, but my stay at Hotel Ste-Valière is defined by them. The village and landscapes are gorgeous and the house of the artist residency is splendid. My room was one of the most comfortable I have stayed in, and the workspaces throughout the house were more than I could use or ask for. The meals were delicious and very healthy, using local produce—indeed farm to table fresh. Best of all, Eloise, the host was extremely gracious, thoughtful, helpful, and très sympa. If you are an artist, writer, or musician, this is the place for you to be creative and reflective. It worked for me!
Betra Fraval – painter – Australia – May 2019
“Saying farewell to this evocative creative place, Hotel Sainte Valiere in the South of France.
I will miss the sunlight catching on blades of long grass, and listening to them rustle in the wind.
Surrounded by engaging people who write novels, make beautiful books about colour, plant gardens, cook with heart, and have conversations about difficult and entertaining subjects.
An elegant world where music fills the grand Maison, and we dress for convivial gatherings.
I have been in a state of slowed time, where beautiful things have filled my experience.
It has softened the world.
I couldn’t recommend this place more highly.”
https://jamesmakingallery.com/artists/betra-fraval/
Danka Milewska – dancer – Poland – May 2019
Imagine you walk. You walk and walk and walk. Imagine you talk to the fields and listen to the mountains who are looking at you from the distance when you sing. And feel that each cell of yours, each inch of your skin and body becomes a Sainte Valière particle after arriving in and being there and eating local food. It happened to me during the somatic excursions I made within Sainte Valière. I have discovered how my nervous system can function. I have experienced the living form of Everyday in Hôtel Sainte Valiere. And also how my writing process is enriched by Sainte Valière experience. It has been wonderful to co-work with other artists too, with Eloise Caleo and Sophie, and meet every single person living there and in the village. The distances are shorter, the hugs wider, the bodies softer like the springtime earth getting warmer and warmer.
How I become a dancer is a title of my research catalogue initiating in and inspired by my Hôtel Sainte Valière.
Anicia & Mathias Kohler – musicians – Switzerland – May 2019
The hotel that is not a hotel is an incredibly special place! You can work in absolute peace here, in the spacious rooms, the salons or the library. You can take a stroll through the lovely village, buy your daily baguette at the small épicerie, and discover the beautiful landscape around Sainte Valière on foot, by bike or by car. You can take part in legendary house parties and meet some very interesting people, and you can spend hours on the terrace, eating amazing food prepared by Eloise and Sophie, who welcome their guests with open arms and lots of charm! We practised and wrote music, ate cheese, drank wine and took care of our children who loved it as well. To all four of us, the two weeks we spent here felt like paradise. Thank you!!!
Here is the new paragraph which is not included?