Welcome to St.-Chamassy Writers' Residency

Writers and editors Laurie Winer and Tom Lutz moved to the Dordogne in 2023, planning to continue writing while eating better food, drinking better wine, and providing space for other writers and artists to do their work in the quiet and beautiful French countryside.

The property is in St. Chamassy, two kilometers east of the aincient village of Limeuil, and it consists of three houses—our main house, a two-bedroom gite, and a one-bedroom cottage. We welcome applications for stays of a week or two or in some cases longer.

Creative Retreat Space

The residency provides a fully furnished living space, an equipped kitchen stocked with random essentials, fast WiFi, and laundry facilities.

Self-Catering

Residents are responsible for their own board, transport, and business–think.of it as an AirBnB that’s free.

Country Living

A car is necessary. Groceries, pharmacies, other shops, and restaurants are 5 km north in Le Bugue or 5 km south in Le Buisson.

Creative Retreat

Tranquility and inspiration in the French countryside.

The Residency makes no demands on writers' time, and no report or account is due at the end. We aim to provide a refuge from the distractions and duties of daily life to allow the writers to concentrate fully on their writing.

While meals are not provided, writers may be invited for a meal or two, either by the hosts or writers from the other residence. Some choose to arrange readings, but there are no required social activities.

The residency is organized as a nonprofit with a mission to foster creative writing in all languages and genres. Applicants with physical disabilities should consult with us—the buildings and grounds date back to the 12th century and may not be suited to all needs. Any donations to the nonprofit will be used to offer funding to writers in need.

The Cottage

A studio apartment in a separate building with a single queen-sized bed.

The Gite

The Gite is a spacious two bedroom, one bath apartment.

Saint Chamassy is located a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Paris, or a two-hour drive from Bordeaux. (The fast train from Paris to Bordeaux is two hours.)