FAQs

Your residency offers an uninterrupted period of time in a supportive environment to develop your ideas or focus on a specific project. It centres on attentiveness, meaningful exchange, and slow living without deadlines. There is no expectation of a final outcome; everyone follows their own path. You may be here simply to allow nature to saturate and pervade your thinking and feeling. Maison Les Buis will do its utmost to support you in achieving what you set out to during your time in residence.

Being in residence opens new ways of thinking and feeling, and while hopes and goals are important, arriving with an open mind is equally essential.

Each residency is subject to the following conditions:

A 50% non-refundable deposit of the full fee is required within two weeks of confirmation of your attendance. You will receive an email with a payment link, which will expire after two weeks. The remaining balance is due on your arrival date.

We are unable to offer refunds for any reason, including injury, illness, personal emergencies, or weather. If you arrive late, leave early, or take time away during the residency, we cannot provide credits or refunds. We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance to cover your fees in case of illness, injury, or travel disruptions.

Most international residents fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and then take a direct TGV train to Angoulême (approximately 3 hours).

It is also possible to fly to Bordeaux, which is about a two-hour drive (150 km) from the house, or a 30-minute shuttle bus connects the airport to Bordeaux Saint-Jean station, and the fastest trains from there to Angoulême take around 40 minutes.

The nearest airport is Limoges (served mainly by Ryanair), a small regional airport about 90 minutes away (85 km). There is no public transport from the airport other than taxis, but car hire is available.

BY CAR:
Our address is 1 Chemin du Puits, Les Buis, Feuillade 16380 and can be easily found on Google Maps 

BY TRAIN:
Most residents choose to arrive by train at Angouleme station.  TGV trains to Angouleme Gare from Paris (2 hours 15 minutes) leave from Gare Montparnasse, but there are also direct trains from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – Paris’ main international airport.  Please make sure to book tickets for the TGV in advance, as you are not allowed to board trains without a valid reservation. Check for trains on www.voyages-sncf.com and for local rides in Paris on www.ratp.fr.

Angouleme station is 30km or a 35 minute drive from Maison Les Buis.  Taxis are very expensive.  There is a bus service to Marthon, our nearest village (5 km away) where we can meet you, but the service is very infrequent, with only two or three buses a day.

There are several car hire companies outside the Angouleme train station and this gives you more flexibility and independence for shopping and exploring during your residence.

We can also pick you up from the station between 09.00 and 18.00 Monday to Saturday (not Sundays and Bank Holidays) and drop you back at the end of your stay. There is a eur 25 fee each way.

The house is around 400 years old and set within 16 acres of wooded gardens and grounds. Part of the land is shared with a neighbouring farmer’s cows, but you are welcome to to walk, sit, use the hammocks, and spend time wherever you wish. The house itself is spacious, and residents stay in private bedrooms with ensuite facilities, furnished with a mix of comfortable period and modern pieces. There are usually three residents at any one time, occasionally four.

Your stay is self-catering, although residents often cook and share meals together, usually eating outside under the pergola. On arrival, we will give you a tour of the kitchen and explain how everything works. There is a washing machine in the utility room for your use, with outdoor space for drying.

Your room will be clean and prepared for when you arrive, with the bed made and fresh towels provided. Please bring your own toiletries or purchase them after you arrive. Cleaning is not provided during your stay, and residents are expected to keep their rooms tidy, strip the bed, and wipe down the sanitary facilities before departure. We do not wear shoes in the bedrooms or the salon, so you may find it helpful to bring slip-on shoes or slippers.

If you are staying without a car and are collected from the station, we will stop at the BioCoop supermarket on the way to the house so you can shop for the week ahead. BioCoop is an excellent organic store offering a wide range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as options for most dietary requirements and food intolerances. If you are used to shopping daily in a city, we recommend preparing a list – especially if you are tired after travelling – as shopping for a full week requires a little more planning. After this initial stop, shopping trips are organised weekly. We also go to the village from time to time (though not daily), and occasionally to a farmers’ market where some additional groceries are available.

Residents stay in private bedrooms with ensuite facilities. Each room has a double bed and a writing desk. The kitchen and dining room are shared and fully equipped, with space in the fridge and pantry for your food. Please note that bedroom furnishings are updated regularly, so website photos may not always reflect the current layout.

Studios and workspaces are just a one-minute walk across the courtyard in separate buildings. Recently refurbished to retain their historic character, they offer excellent natural light, running water, tables, and chairs. Small hand and power tools are available, though residents should bring any specialist equipment. Materials can be ordered online from Géant Beaux-Arts with delivery in 3–4 days. A sewing machine and a selection of fabrics are provided, and a fabric and leather shop is 13 km away.

The salon is a shared space with a small library focused on art, history, psychology, spirituality, and general literature. It also features a printer, TV with a Mubi subscription, an acoustic piano, and a guitar. In spring and autumn, we light a fire in the salon and gather for shared readings, film nights, or discussions about the day’s experiences.

Maison Les Buis is one of just four houses in a tiny rural hamlet within the Feuillade commune. You can immerse yourself in nature and explore off-the-beaten-track walks. Our golden Labrador-type dog, Rocky, is always happy to join you, and our cats, Misha and Sasha, may come along too. Bicycles are available, though the terrain can be hilly and challenging in summer. There’s also a table tennis table in the open barn and croquet in the courtyard. Residents are welcome to play the piano or guitar in the lounge.

Fibre-optic internet is available in the lounge and bedrooms, though the thick stone walls can limit reception in the kitchen and dining room. Full-spectrum daylight bulbs are installed in several areas, and all bedrooms are ideal for writing at your desk or table. The artist studio enjoys abundant natural light and is equipped with tables, easels, and a cold water sink. A mezzanine yoga studio is also available for self-practice, meditation, or to lead sessions for other residents.

Toiletries such as sunscreen, allergy sprays, and mosquito repellent can all be purchased locally. Depending on the time of year and the weather, you may need warm clothing and a raincoat. Summers are usually hot, so a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. You’ll also need work clothes, comfortable closed walking shoes, and slippers. Please note that stone buildings stay cool even in summer, so a warm jumper is useful at any time of year. If you are allergic to pollen, remember to bring your allergy medication.

European electrical adapters.

You may also want to bring some Euros in cash if you plan to visit the farmers’ market or the Sunday brocante (flea market). Residents should bring their own art supplies relevant to their practice; materials can also be ordered online and delivered here to suit your schedule. This can make travelling lighter and your stay more uncluttered. And if you do forget anything, you’ll be able to purchase what you need locally.

Residents are responsible for arranging adequate insurance for the duration of their stay, including coverage for accidents, liability, health (including evacuation or return transport), and theft of personal belongings. If you take any special medication, please bring enough for your entire stay; there is a pharmacy in Marthon, 5 km away. Please inform us in advance of any food or other allergies. We also require next-of-kin contact details in case of an emergency.

Cafés & Bars
La Civette, Marthon:
5.3 km, coffee, pastries, and a local social space.

Le Tournesol, Charras:
4.4 km, English-style bar with beer on tap, wines, weekend food, and occasional live music.

Shops & Services
Pharmacy:
Marthon, well-stocked with medications and general products.

Butchers:
Marthon and Javerlhac (13 km).

Mini Supermarkets:
La Civette in Marthon

Vival:
Charras

Local Services
Town Hall:
Feuillade

Cash Point:
Marthon, Credit Agricole (next to the pharmacy)

Hardware & Speciality Stores
Ecohabitat, Angoulême:
29 km, pigments, natural paints, and eco-friendly building products.

Gedimat, Javerlhac:
Builders’ merchant.

Gammvert, Montbron:
13 km, gardening, building, cleaning supplies, food; a convenient outpost store.

Outdoor Markets
Mareuil en Périgord:
17 km, Tuesdays 8:00–12:00: excellent local organic produce, cheese, bread, and fish.

Cidil Bandiat, Montbron:
Organic local vegetable stall.