The Chateau Diaries: Week 1
A weekly postcard from my three week writing residency at the Chateau d'Orquevaux, France
The Chateau Diaries series chronicles my three-week writing residency at Chateau d’Orquevaux in France
Hello my dear Musers
I’m here. It is such a delightful place here. Looking back over my week, I’m trying to capture it best for you about it feels impossible to bottle it.
A divine and immersive week in idyllic surroundings with loads of creative cross pollination. I don’t want it to end.
Did you read my Postcards from Europe?
I travelled for five weeks before coming to Orquevaux and I wrote a postcard from most places. You can read them here, or dive into places that interest you: Brighton UK, Brussels, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Paris, Dijon and Joinville.
Start with this one:
Week 1 at Chateau d’Orquevaux
As I waited at the Chaumont Station for the others to arrive, I finished my last post to you I was a little nervous and worried if I was creative enough to be with these people (ah, hello sneaky imposter syndrome!). I had come on a separate train to most as I was coming from Joinville (I’m still thinking about how much I loved that place). As they emerged from the station and we gathered, I shut that down immediately. In the half hour drive from the station to Orquevaux, in one of the three vans I got to know my front-seat neighbour while behind us the next two rows were already plotting out stories and ideas.
There are twenty-five artists and writers here. Some came as a team but more are individuals: screenwriters, poets, non-fiction and novelists, and abstract painters, portraitists, illustrators, film makers, theatre makers, watercolourists, collageists, silk flower makers and more. Mostly American, a couple from Canada, one from New Zealand and six from Australia.
On arrival at the Chateau we fell out the van doors all gasping, taking videos and photos capturing that moment. I’ve looked at many of their videos online but arriving was something else. It is utterly divine.



My room is on the first floor overlooking the entrance. From my window, I can see the lake and the village church and greenery everywhere. I have a desk in my room that I use at the start and end of each day, but mostly, I am writing from the Writers Salon.
Video: a quick glimpse of my room and the view on that first day
In the Writers Salon, I have perched myself in front of doors that open and overlook the path down to the swimming pond.






It’s taken me a bit to get into a routine here, especially after being on the move for five weeks. I’d become so accustomed to packing and unpacking my pack that I didn’t unpack into the armoire until Day 3. I also struggled with sleep initially as the sun goes down at about 10pm and gets up again before 5am. It’s a lot. I’ve discovered that wearing an eye mask helps. Thank goodness. (Also, literally the only thing I have to complain about).
There’s loads of time to create, but there’s also a bunch of other things to do if you need a break. We’ve had a movie night (Pride and Prejudice, of course), a bonfire night, a private and impromptu organ concert in the church, an artist’s journey salon, walks through the village, studio visits… And there’s more to come.









Tomorrow I’ll head into Chaumont with most others to visit the Center National Graphic Design Chaumont – 5th International Graphic Design Biennial, with a private tour of the exhibitions from Susanne Schroeder - Chargée de médiation. Then, next week we have a day trip to Troyes.
For the writers, there’s also the Writers Circle. The artists are invited to join the writers for the Writers Circle that is facilitated virtually by the Chateau’s Writers Director Suzi Q Smith. We had our first circle today and it was great to read others’ work and provide feedback. I’m sharing mine on Saturday!
What’s the weather like?
One of the most asked questions. Melbourne folk, look away. It’s divine. Most days the weather has been around 25 degrees Celsius, sunny and a slight breeze. Today it’s cloudy and drizzling and the writers are glad as we’re less tempted away from the desk. Usually, I go down to the pond and have a swim in the fresh water to cool off. It’s such a delight.
Must dash! The wine cave in the basement is open for 20 minutes each day to purchase wine and snacks!
Until next week
x Meg
My writing
I have spent this week planning my novel. One of the great things about being in a writers salon is that there are people you can spitball about things. Two of the people in the room are screenwriters and we all know that screenwriters are pretty good on things like plotting.
I don’t usually spend so much time planning (I identify as a panster), but I can already see the benefit of planning down to the scene level. It’s making it so much easier now that I have begun writing into it. I’m a chapter in and it’s feeling good.
How about you?
What’s going on in your world? Are you writing, drawing, painting, day dreaming? I’d love to hear what’s going on for you.
Don’t forget about what I’ve got coming up for the writers (whether writing for yourself or for something bigger). All of it for those who wish they wrote more, need more focus for their writing or are looking for more support and/or community. I’d love to have you join.
Effective goal setting masterclass – Mon 4 Aug at 12.30 pm Melb time. It will be interactive and fun
8-week online writing group starting Wed 6 Aug at 7.00 am Melb time out more. Some solid writing time and accountability
I love hearing from you!
Until next time, with a postcard from my second week of my residency!
x M
PS: A few people ask me on my socials if you need to know French to be here. The answer is no, however, it’s great to practice it with the staff who are French, and if you’re going to France, it feels like the polite thing to at least know how to say a few things s’il vous plaît.
PSST: if you’re new here, welcome! It’s lovely to have you here. If you haven’t checked out my Welcome post, I’d recommend that to find your way around.
Thank you for sharing the video and details of this experience. Of course your room is called the writer’s library! I imagine it’s inspiring and breathtaking all at the same time. I absolutely loved the picture of you and the cat. Get that one framed for your writing desk when you get home. Enjoy!
Sounds divine!