Le Four à pain was founded in 2022 by Marie Descourtieux as a residency for writers and fine artists. A professional engaged for many years in accompanying creators throughout their process, Marie possesses rich experience in the service of writers and artists, including within major cultural institutions, and has now acquired a farm in the Lozère department in France. It was built in 1760 in the beautiful architectural style of the “causse” limestone plateaus of south-central France, with golden stone and flagstone roofs. It is in this preserved place that she has imagined a venue to receive creative artists in a variety of disciplines.

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→ Patrons
→ Library Donors
→ Thanks

Located on the Causse Méjean, in southern Lozère in the hamlet of Caussignac (town of Mas Saint-Chély), near the Gorges du Tarn, this farm built at 1 000 meters altitude and including numerous outbuildings, including a magnificently preserved bread oven, belonged to the same family of farmers for five generations, but had been unoccupied for twenty years.

Restoration and renovation work was underway from June 2023 to July 2024, and the first artists and authors have been welcomed since September 2024. The spirit of the works is to revive the beautiful Causse architecture in harmony with contemporary ecological approaches and standards. Architects from the Atelier Bessin Sebelin in Mende are in charge of this renovation.

Marie Descourtieux acquired and is renovating the property with her own funds in pursuit of her desire to create this writing and visual arts residence.

The mission of the Four à pain is to promote literary, fine arts, photographic, and visual creation by providing creative grants and hosting authors and artists in residence.

The participation of patrons will therefore only be in relation to the grants and logistical costs of bringing authors and artists to the site.

As they begin, pursue, or complete a literary or artistic project, artists will find here a space for retreat and reflection and a period of sought-after solitude and silence necessary for developing a work. This exceptional and peaceful place, of changing beauty throughout the seasons that will also come to life in the vegetable garden made available to residents, is located in the calm of a village set at the heart of an inspiring natural environment.

L'Association Le Four à pain

Marie Descourtieux, Présidente
Véronique Rossignol, Trésorière
Ariane Le Couteur et Madeline Fontaine, membres du conseil d’administration

Patrons

• Marthe Gregor
• Dominique Manotti et Alexandre Bilous
• François Maresse
• Jacques de Santos
  
  ET

Library Donors

Natalie Beunat
Eva Chanet
Isabelle Creusot
Agnès Guéry et Gilles Plazy
Agnès Hirtz
Jacqueline Lacroix
Ariane Le Couteur
Valérie Marin la Meslée
Anne-Marie Métailié
Francine Pana Martin
Brigitte Robert
Véronique Rossignol
Brigitte Semmler
Carole et Guy Walter

Thanks

• Raoul Bonnaffé for creation the logo

• Studio Passe-Passe (Raoul Bonnaffé et Benjamin Dumond) for the website design

• L’Atelier d’architecture Bessin Sebelin, for their sensitive and creating spirit

• The craftsmen and companies who have renovated Le Four à pain with commitment and skills: Eric et Kevin dos Santos (S&B), Manuel Teixeira, Jean-François et Benjamin Lartaud, Julien Armand, Paul Nunes, Alexis Riboulet, Marco Monteiro (MF Carrelages), François Gigaux (MT48)

• Jacques Métailié, for having brought into existence the first plans of Le Four à pain

• Sophie Pantel et Isabelle Darnas, for their listening and their support

• For their attentive and loyal support:
  Claire Doubliez
  Madeline Fontaine
  Anissa Jarrar
  Jennifer Gay
  Sylvie Granotier
  Agnès Guéry
  Valérie Marin La Meslée
  Anne-Marie Métailié
  Stéphane Robillard
  Véronique Rossignol
  

• and to all the neighbors of Caussignac and Causse Méjean for their warm and friendly welcome