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Chalet Mauriac x Villa Valmont

Exploratory residency

Residency brief

A vacation spot frequented by French writer François Mauriac as a child, the Chalet Mauriac opened its doors to creators of books, film and new writing in 2013. Owned by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, it is located in the village of Saint-Symphorien, and the writing residencies are managed by ALCA, the regional agency for books and cinema.

With five bedrooms, the Chalet Mauriac can accommodate five writers at the same time. Residents are free to use their time and focus fully on their writing and creative work. They are invited to share the cultural life of the village of Saint-Symphorien, and to participate in meetings with local cultural organizations. They are also invited to spend time at MÉCA, which houses ALCA's Bordeaux site, to visit the Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine-MÉCA exhibitions, participate in OARA residency outings, and meet with ALCA teams and/or book and film professionals. ALCA provides personalized support for the residents' work, facilitates interdisciplinary encounters between authors and, where appropriate, offers cultural activities (depending on the circumstances, meetings in bookstores, media libraries, etc.).

Each year, the Chalet Mauriac reserves a specific period for literary translators, allowing them to engage in a collective reflection on the French language and to discuss issues related to their profession.

Inaugurated in April 2023, the Villa Valmont is an international space for residency, dissemination and mediation dedicated to contemporary writing in all its forms: literature, poetry, drama, screenplays, comic strips, illustration, essays, translation, etc.

Located in Lormont near Bordeaux in south-west France, the Villa Valmont welcomes writers and artists in residence. It also organises on-site and off-site outreach activities and organises writing-related cultural events throughout the year

The Villa Valmont promotes a unique artistic approach based on the following principles: to mix the performing arts and literature; to support authors from minority groups, women and new narratives of the world; to defend a place for all voices, emerging or established; to promote the diversity of cultural expression in the field of contemporary writing, to affirm the role of writing in the emancipation of individuals; to defend openness to the world and interculturality by welcoming artists and authors from a variety of cultures and countries. Villa Valmont's mission is to be a centre for contemporary writing, also with a particular focus on the living world and issues surrounding the environment and landscapes.

For this translation residency, Chalet Mauriac and Villa Valmont are inviting a translator working from French into any Indian languages, English included. The selected translator will benefit from a dedicated space and time to develop their work and engage in intercultural dialogue with 4 other translators in a supportive, collaborative environment. He or she will spend 6 weeks at the Chalet Mauriac and 2 weeks at the Villa Valmont.

  • Thematic focus Translation
  • Location Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Dates Chalet Mauriac: From 13 March to 12 April 2027
    Villa Valmont: From 12 April to 10 May 2027
  • Length of stay 8 weeks
  • Apply Now

Our Space

The Chalet Mauriac is in the little town of Saint-Symphorien, which has a population of 2,000 inhabitants. It is in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park, an hour's drive from Bordeaux. A 19th-century house, Chalet Mauriac is a former property of the Mauriac family, acquired by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, which restored and converted it to host writing residencies. Located in the middle of a 10-hectare wooded park located on the edge of the Landes forest, it is particularly conducive to writing. The house comprises common areas (kitchen, library, living room, studio-workroom) and five individual bedrooms, each with a private workspace and bathroom. The house is equipped with Wi-Fi and a telephone per room.

An 18th-century charterhouse nestling in the heart of lush parkland 15 minutes from Bordeaux by tram, Villa Valmont has 6 individual bedrooms with private bathrooms and toilets, and an office in each room. It also offers shared living and working areas: 2 shared workspaces, a laundry room, a communal kitchen, a 110 m2 stage area with broadcasting equipment, 3 hectares of parkland and a beautiful terrace overlooking the town. Residents have access to services such as electric bikes, Wi-Fi, unlimited tea and coffee, and a laser printer and paper.

Residency conditions

  • The resident will be given accommodation in Chalet Mauriac and then at the Villa Valmont, in an individual bedroom equipped with writing desks and wi-fi. The common spaces include the Book Lounge, a common kitchen and many other writing spaces.
  • The resident’s travel costs to and from his/her home address will be covered by the French Institute in India.
  • The resident will receive a fixed stipend of INR 60 000 per month to cover his/her food and living expenses.
  • The resident will receive a fixed residency grant of INR 50 000 per month.
  • The resident should be willing to give up to 20% of his/her residency time to participate in lectures, workshops, and conferences organized by the residency or the French Institute in India.
  • The French Institute in India expects the selected resident to send them a short text (1000 - 2000 words) or strip testifying of their experience within 3 months of completion of the residency.
  • This is an exploratory residence, which means that there is no other obligation of results at the end of the residency. However, the residency program needs to be acknowledged in any artistic production resulting from the residency.
  • The residency offers its recipients the time and freedom to pursue their ongoing creative work with complete peace of mind. They are free to devote at least 70% of their time to this personal work. However, they may be invited to participate in a few professional and/or public meetings, such as bookstores, libraries, festivals, book fairs, or school events. This program is developed in advance of the residency and is jointly developed by ALCA, the author, and the residency partners.
  • Residents cannot bring their family with them, but they may occasionally host a loved one, provided they have informed ALCA. In this case, ALCA will not be able to cover the costs associated with the arrival and short-term stay of this person (transportation and meals) and will be the responsibility of the resident.

Eligibility criteria

  • Proficiency in French is required for the applicant.
  • The applicants must have an ongoing translation project from French into any Indian languages, English included, with an Indian publisher.
  • The applicants must attach a copy of the translation contract or a letter from the prospective Indian publisher
  • The applicants must attach a copy of the rights transfer agreement if the work is not in the public domain.

Past Laureates

Third Edition (2025 - 2026)
Subhashree Beeman Literary translator