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. She recently acquired a farm in the Lozère department in France that 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.

→ Association
→ Patrons
→ Library Donors
→ Thanks

Located in the hamlet of Caussignac (town of Mas Saint Chély) at 1000 meters altitude on the Causse Méjean, in southern Lozère, near the Gorges du Tarn, the farm includes numerous outbuildings, including a magnificently preserved bread oven. It belonged to the same family of farmers for five generations, but had been unoccupied for twenty years.

Restoration and renovation work took place from June 2023 to July 2024, and the first artists and authors began their residencies in September 2024. The renovation sought to revive the beautiful Causse architecture in harmony with contemporary ecological approaches and standards. Architects from the Atelier Bessin Sebelin in Mende guided the work.

Marie Descourtieux acquired and renovated 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.

Participation of patrons is therefore only 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, President
Véronique Rossignol, Treasurer
Ariane Le Couteur and Madeline Fontaine, member of the Board of Directors

Patrons

• Marthe Gregor
• Dominique Manotti and Alexandre Bilous
• François Maresse
• Jacques de Santos
  
  AND

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 creating the logo

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

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

• The craftsmen and companies who renovated Le Four à pain with commitment and skills: Eric and Kevin dos Santos (S&B), Manuel Teixeira, Jean-François and 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 and 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