Creative Awakening Retreat
Discover your inner artist & create something beautiful.

We're trying our hand at upgrading a headboard in one of our bedrooms. It's a novel approach, and it ... almost? ... works. We're looking forward to your feedback! Plus, it's time to get figgy with it.... Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

We get on with some more priming in the cafe, and we have a lovely visit with artist Willow Gentile (IG @willow.gentile.art). Plus a flashback to picking art for the dining room... Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

It's our two-year, 100-vlog anniversary! We do a recap of some highlights, have a very special update from one of our previous guests, and Steve gets out in the heat for some plein air painting. Thank you to all our viewers for making the last 2 years so special and interesting! #chateau #howitstarted #expat Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

We're off to see an expo at the Chateau de Biron, and while we're at it, swing by Cadouin & Sarlat! #chateau #france #dordogne Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

A bit of a mix this week - a little reno, a little brocanting.... and a bit of gin! #chateau #france #gin Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

The annual town fete is on, rain or shine, with music, dancing, brocantes, fireworks, and of course, our exposition! Come along! #chateau #french #art Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

Viewer note: This week's video contains art that shows naked figures. It's our first 2nd, if you know what I mean! We are holding another exposition in time for the town fete, but it's on all week! This year's artists are: Flora BASTHIER (IG @florabasthier) Chiara BONATO (IG @chiarabonato_) Michel BRAND (www.mbrandski.com/) Hazel BURGESS (IG @hazel.burgess.art) Alfred HOEFLER (www.alfredhoefler.fr) Vineta SAYER (IG @vinetasayer) & Stephen COLE, of course! With special thanks to Claude AUSSAGE for organizing, and Patrick from @JourneytotheChateau for the translation assistance! #art #artexhibit #chateau Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.

Download June’s Journey for free by clicking https://woo.ga/nkgaxn June’s Journey is available on Android and iOS mobile devices, as well as on PC through Facebook Games. We were thrilled to have best selling author Sasha Alsberg back at the chateau, for an amazing Instagram & TikTok creator weekend with: Sasha: @sashaalsberg on IG Rebecca: @AClothesHorse Elizabeth: @elizabeth_sagan Sarah: @SarahStratford (and @sarahstratford__ on IG&TT) Please check out their accounts for more highlights of the weekend! Manor & Maker theme music by Jamie Christopherson and Jeff MacDonald for Louder Productions. Follow us on Instagram @manorandmaker Sara, an IT professional & Stephen a graphic designer and artist are world-traveling Canadians who dreamt of moving to Europe, and France in particular. In 2020 they were working from home when Stephen turned to Sara and popped the question she was longing to hear, “What would have to be true for us to buy a chateau in France?” They searched online for months viewing hundreds of properties. They narrowed their search and toured some properties when they happened upon the one that captured our hearts, Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A year later they made the move to France to start their new adventure in our beautiful Château. They created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of their adventure. One, to live as chateau owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue their passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. They will invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure. We invite you to join us too, as we bring our dreams to life. Welcome to Manor & Maker.