Leaving La Napoule

What a difference a day makes . . .
Yesterday it was quite warm and I had breakfast on the villa terrace:


. . then watched a group of local school children who came to the Chateau for an art workshop where they modeled clay in the studio of Henry Clews:


Afterwards, I had lunch outdoors at the chateau.


Today I awoke to the sound of wind and rain and pounding surf. A walk along the formerly placid beach was transformed by the wildness of three foot waves crashing on the rocks and releasing the scent of ocean.


But this little boy didn't mind the wind and waves . . .

La Napoule (cont)

What a lovely place to wake up to! Here is the sun coming up over the chateau as seen from my bedroom window.


Here is is a view of the Chateau de La Napoule as seen from the beach. The villa and the chateau are part of the La Napoule Art Foundation. http://www.chateau-lanapoule.com/


There is a small beach nearby. It is April, and a little cool, but that doesn't keep the kids from playing on the beach and in the water.


You and your dogs can also play volleyball on a nearby beach.


But I'm afraid pitbulls and rottweilers are not allowed:


There is plenty of room to park your yacht if you decide to arrive by boat.

La Napoule

After 5 years of gestation, my dream of hosting a writers workshop for women will come true next week. We will be staying in the Villa Marguerite (below) which occupies the grounds of the Chateau de la Napoule.

Villa Marguerite

The Chateau was acquired in 1918 by a couple of expat Americans, Henry and Marie Clews. The couple spent the next 20 years restoring the chateau which includes elaborate gardens and living spaces as well as studio space for Henry's sculptures. In 1951 Marie Clews created the La Napoule Art Foundation which seeks to nurture and inspire artistic talent. I learned of the Foundation through my daughter in law, Rachel Brand, who is a member of the foundation's Board of Trustees.

Eight of us will meet here April 11-18, 2015 for a week of writing alternating with excursions into the surrounding countryside. Look for more stories here in the coming weeks.