After Paris, I boarded a train from Montparnasse to Le Mans, then on to Alençon – along with several other artists in my residency group.
Our train was severely delayed, turning a mid‑afternoon arrival into early evening, but it was honestly fine. There’s no better way to (trauma) bond than over shared train or flight delays! Eventually, we arrived… and just like that, I was living in a chateau in the Pays‑de‑la‑Loire region.
The Atelier Artist in Residence program was two weeks long, and I shared the experience with nine other artists, many of whom I now consider dear friends.
The first few days were harder than I expected. I had an identity crisis of sorts, realizing how long it had been since I’d allowed myself to simply be creative without producing something measurable. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t create a to‑do list for this trip, and it was surprisingly difficult to quiet the voice telling me I should be more productive.
I started running again in the mornings, which is something I hadn’t done in really long time. It gave structure to my days and space to think. Running through fog‑covered roads, spotting deer in the distance, or watching an owl perched quietly in a tree felt like something out of a dream.
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Artistically, I challenged myself. I brought only watercolors (a medium I’ve always disliked and never felt good at… not the best idea??) because they were easy to pack. Surrounded by incredibly talented artists, it was humbling. About halfway through, I committed to painting one small watercolor each day, and by the end, I could see real progress.
More than anything, this residency changed me. The past year had been kind of heavy: grief and loss of my dog Carolina, and a sense that I’d somehow misplaced my talent and creative spark. I had been feeling really stuck and bored. This experience reminded me that nothing was lost. It was simply hibernating.
Throughout the residency, we also took several little day trips! I enjoyed exploring the markets, visiting Le Mans and the Alencon lace museum, and a beautiful (but long) drive to Mont Saint Michel. We also visited a very beautiful and tiny village called Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, which I may have enjoyed most of all…
If hearing about this trip sparked something for you — a destination, a feeling, or a sense that you’re overdue for travel that actually feels good — I help plan thoughtful, unrushed trips like this for my clients. You can learn more about my planning services at Styled Getaways, or reach out when you’re ready to start dreaming.
Overall, I’m just really missing days like these….
I hope you enjoyed Part 3 of my 6-part France travel diaries series. Stay tuned for Part 4!
