Relais de Camont
… a Quiet Place to Create
Chambre Le Bleu Moon
“This is your time. You can come to write, research, cook, photograph, video, share, and create. You only need an idea. Or maybe you’ll find one here.”
Over the last 30 years, artists, writers, photographers, filmmakers, chefs, and dreamers have found their inspiration at Camont, Kate Hill’s 18th-century Farmhouse in Gascony, France. In 2022, Kate formally opened the Relais de Camont as a home for creative residents and offers both residency stays and mentored retreats.
What is a Residency?
Residencies are for those seeking a less structured yet inspiring and productive environment in which to work. You work at your own pace on your own projects while sharing common social space and time in the kitchen, salon, studio, and gardens with other residents. Residents cook for themselves and most residencies are a minimum of 2 weeks.
What is a Retreat?
Retreats are focused creative time under the guidance of a teacher, mentor, or expert. We invite our successful colleagues to share their own creative experiences while guiding you with a gentle hand to achieve a short-term goal. Retreats are usually one week and include a balance of workshops and private time; most meals are prepared and served family-style and evenings are free.
How do I apply, and when?
Self-funded Residencies and Retreats can be applied for year-round for individuals and small groups. Complete the application requesting open dates at any time. (see calendar)
The Relais de Camont- 1774
Celebrate 300 years of history and creative living at the Relais de Camont in Southwest France.
Residency Rates 2024
Residency Rates are based on one-, two-, or four-week periods per person and include a private bedroom/studio with a private bathroom, shared living spaces including kitchen and salon, gardens and park, bicycle use, weekly market shopping trips, and high-speed WiFi. A new Studio Space is available for residents to use for painting, printmaking, and other projects needing some room beyond a writer’s desk.
Self-funded Residents pay or may seek funding for their residency, travel, expenses, etc. The Relais de Camont is not supported by other funding. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve dates. See the cancellation policy for more details.
There are three studios/chambres: 1. Le Bleu Moon and 2. Orion’s Nest are located in the pigeonnier tower of the Relais. The newest private studio/chamber is 3. Above the Quince Tree in the Barn building, adjacent to the open studio shared by all.
One week- 875€ per person
Two weeks- 1750€ per person
La Cuisine
Rooted in its history, the Relais de Camont once served as a barge way station on the Canal de Garonne. Today, it welcomes creative voyageurs to discover its charms and infuse its spirit into their own work.
Les Chambre Studios in the Relais
Charm and Comfort. NEWS! Now there are three very comfortable and capacious bedroom studios—1. Le Bleu Moon & 2. Orion’s Nest are both upstairs in the tower over the salon; 3. Above the Quince Tree faces the sunrise above the kitchen orchard. Each has a double bed, private bathroom (tub or shower), a writing desk, high-speed WiFi access, and windows looking onto the gardens and park. With ceiling fans and windows facing the gardens and central heating and wood stove, the rooms are pleasant and comfortable from long summer days through cozy winter nights.
Gascony in Southwest France
Working farms and apple, pear, cherry and plum orchards dot these French landscapes.
Where are we?
Our neighborhood, nestled alongside the Canal de Garonne, is surrounded by small villages and rural farming is just 20 minutes from Agen (pop. 45K) and its TGV train station (Gare d’Agen) from Paris’ Gare Montparnasse (3.25 hr), or Bordeaux and Toulouse train stations (1.25 hr). ‘Camont’ itself sits on a little used country lane with a quiet towpath at the garden gate for strolling and the voie verte or paved bicycling lane on the other side of the canal.
Boulangeries, supermarchés, pharmacies, La Poste, and many village cafés are but a 10-15 minute bike ride away in the neighboring villages of Brax and Serignac.
Market Days
Lavardac and Nérac, our favorite market towns, are but 20 minutes away; we go shopping a couple of times a week at our village markets.