Welcome to Récollets Manoir
Come and experience an era from long ago…
Join us at the ancient French convent of the Récollets monks, where we offer hands-on workshops with master craftspeople teaching traditional arts and trades with timeless tools, methods and materials.
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Deep in the French countryside, nestled inside the Nature Park of the Brenne, in one of the last regions of "La France Profonde" or pure France...
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...perched on the hill of "la ville haute" overlooking the river Creuse and the iconic "Berrichon" red tile roofs of the provincial town of Le Blanc...
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...cloistered within high stone walls protecting its 5-acre grounds and the church that used to be theirs...
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...is the 17th-century convent of the Récollets monks. Its interior now transformed into an elegant manoir, ready to graciously host many guests...
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...but only after over 15 years of colossal renovations to the 14,000 square foot building, including many monumental historic discoveries...
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...some of the discoveries we made date back over 2500 years, to the late Bronze Age !
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The first years were spent getting to know the soul of the property. Intuitively, with no plan, we demolished centuries' worth of bad additions and neglect, taking it back as much as possible to the purity of its beginning and what it wanted to become...
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...in the kitchen alone, our inspired demolition seemed reckless - removing ceilings, non load-bearing walls until 9 small adjoining rooms became one single space...
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...when we demolished all we could demolish, we brought in a team of experts to help us realize our vision...
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...to create a magnificent gathering space and teaching venue, combining professional modern equipment with the authenticity of traditional materials and craftsmanship, showcasing the original beauty and history of the building.
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The young adults from our trade apprenticeship programs were taught some of the trades such as masonry, woodworking, stone carving and sleuthing for hidden treasures in the walls of the old billiard room...
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They were taught priceless lessons from master artisans that they will cherish for the rest of their lives...
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...and we will cherish the fruits of their labor in the newly restored billiard room and monumental sculpted stone fireplace.
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The bedrooms were no less dramatic in their transformations. Walls and ceilings and anything that didn't belong was removed...
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...until one day, when the construction debris was finally cleared away, and in its place were bedrooms - pure, authentic, cosy and comfortable.
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The lifelong project continues as we embark on the restoration of the 5 acre gardens of Recollets Manoir. Charged with the history of inhabitants dating back thousands of years, who knows what we will discover...
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...already unearthing Bronze-Age pottery fragments, Roman glass, bones, ammunition, tunnels, pools, wells, a rill, a football field long stone-paved creek in the shape of a caligraphy "J" ...
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...we can't wait to continue this odyssey with you!
The Workshops
At Récollets Manoir, we have embarked on the renovation of the historic 5-acre grounds into majestic gardens. Tackling one small area at a time, we are creating new gardens appropriate to their intended functions, the style and age of the existing buildings and site elements, while preserving and incorporating into the design the archaeology and hidden treasures that we are sure to unearth.
The workshops include historic garden design, construction and conservation using traditional methods, tools and real horse power, using noble materials of stone, brick terra cotta, cast and forged iron and wood. The workshops are conducted by master craftspeople in trades such as stone sculpting, masonry, woodworking, architecture, hand drafting and design rendering, blacksmithing, animal husbandry, gardening and archaeology.
Come for a few days or come for a month. Actively participate with the trades, or just observe.
Our workshops are open for all ages (under 18 must be accompanied by an adult) and groups are welcome.
During the week, meals at the manoir are included as are safety goggles and work gloves.
During the weekends we plan local excursions for you to explore our fantastical region of central France. The cost of tickets and meals on weekend excursions are not included.
We welcome you to join us in this rare opportunity!
The Stories
There is a story every day here at Récollets Manoir, it is hard to keep up. Stay tuned, more are on their way…
The Founders
It all began with combining our love for each other, for France, for our trades as landscape architect and woodworker, and for our shared commitment to preserve traditional hand craftsmanship, that we embarked on this epic journey of restoration.
Now, almost 2 decades later, and with the dust and gravel finally washed out of our hair, we are ready to dive back in and start again - this time in the gardens. It is our legacy to help preserve the treasure of the trades and tools of hand by providing a venue for the older masters to pass on their knowledge to the younger generations - before it is too late.
“There is a magic that happens when you create, especially when you work with your hands. There is a sense of immeasurable gratification and a oneness that happens between you and your art when you set a pen to paper, a brush to a canvas, a plane to a piece of oak, a chisel to stone or a shovel to earth.”
Oléa
