The Mill France - Le Moulin Francais — Hotel in Millau

I stayed at The Mill for a month in August, hoping to focus on my book and be closer to nature; I had all these ideas and fragments of writing, but the city and my job and my phone were all getting in the way and I knew I needed a temporary sanctuary where I could start piecing all my fragments together.

The pictures of The Mill all look beautiful on the internet, but it really is impossible to capture just how gorgeous it is in photographs alone - you have to see it up close to believe it. The house is quite honestly the nicest home I’ve ever stepped foot in - decorated with the most beautiful French furniture and real personality; bringing out elements of the mechanisms and machinery that remain from its former life as a functioning flour mill.

I stayed in the Hill View room, with a movie-like scene from my window looking out over the hills. It was hard not to feel like I was starring in an impossible French movie during the whole stay - I swam under a waterfall in the garden river most days, walked in to town under a borrowed parasol, ate French pastries (unbelievable) and drank French wine (so cheap!), all in between writing in the sunshine under the shade of a garden river tree.

The Mill is surrounded by nature and those nature walks proved good for my writing (and my head), but it was a welcome surprise to find a local bakery and cafe bar (and even a pizza vending machine!) just a very short walk away. I became a regular at the cafe bar, forming a friendship with a man who worked there, Micael, who helped me work on my French as he worked on his (already very good) English.

Aside from all the novel writing breakthroughs, I also: Read 3 and a half books - thanks in part to the beautiful library at The Mill Had a ball searching for French vintage finds (including a beautiful crochet bed spread for €7 that made its way back with me) Got a sun tan Saw a big lizard (twice!) And loads of little lizards (all the time) Bonded with a very charming cat (he knows who he is) Cooked a whole artichoke for the first time in my life Climbed a mountain (ok sure it was a hill, but felt like a mountain) Lost my sister’s Gucci sunglasses Found my sister’s Gucci sunglasses! Listened to the new For Those I Love album several million times Wrote a love poem (never showing it to anyone) No, not even you!

And on top of it all, I just met some really wonderful people; locals in the town, artists and writers at The Mill, and Nathalie’s sons who visited during my stay. Nathalie is such a cool host and has the most compelling stories to tell - we talked about writing, womanhood, families, and, of course, our love life. We went to a beautiful beach restaurant, up to the bars in town, had mussels and chips and a piña colada.

If your unfinished book is calling you, I can’t recommend The Mill enough. I came back with a draft I am so excited about, and it didn’t even feel like work at all - more like a fantasy simulation of how life on earth could really be if the working world didn’t rob us of so much of our time. Take back some of that stolen time - carve out a block of it, book a ticket to France, and head to The Mill. You might even see me there, because I’ll be...

My name is Sara Verrall (Jan-Olof's partner) and I had the pleasure of staying at The Mill, France for one week in June this year on a dedicated Writers Retreat. It was my second visit to The Mill. I was there in the Autumn of last year for a Creative Writing week, guided by the outstanding poet JLM Morton. My experience of the hospitality extended by Nathalie Edwards, the owner of the Mill, was so great that I could not wait to go back again! With so much to praise, where do I begin? Life is all about the people we share it with, so most important for me is the easy warmth and friendliness Nathalie extends to all her guests. She’s kind, patient and good fun … and a host of other lovely qualities too. She’s an excellent cook (with her own recipes book to be released in due course) so we were well and generously fed every day. For the Writers Retreat, there was the flexibility of shared or solo meals – depending on whatever creative process each individual was in at mealtimes. I believe this is also offered for other events at The Mill, such as the artists residency occasions. The Mill is an ideal location for a whole range of creative events; it’s a fabulous retreat centre. Surrounded by peaceful countryside, with a river running by and stunning views from every window. For my first visit I was cossetted in the River View room, with en suite bathroom and a writing desk conveniently situated under the window. I confess I gazed dreamily at the view from time to time … gaining extra inspiration, of course! On my second visit I had all the benefits of The Apartment, so I really spread out my notes, papers and assorted writer’s paraphernalia. The views from this second-floor space could have been equally distracting, but I did achieve an outline plan and first drafts of the introduction and initial chapters for my next book. Not bad for just one week’s residency, eh? Whatever course you are considering attending, I can only encourage you to “Go ahead and book it”. Whether it’s yoga, writing or another creative pursuit, Nathalie and The Mill give the perfect space and ambience for every practice. She also has an on-going Co-living for Creatives programme, and I can imagine how all the above benefits just grow greater and warmer over a longer time period in such a nurturing space. Thanks, Nathalie! See...

I was really keen for a holiday in the French country-side, with the opportunity to reset in nature, re-focus on my writing and try and get the creativity juices flowing. The Mill seemed just the ticket, and oh, did it deliver!

Tucked away at the far end of a picturesque village, within walking distance of those all-important French staples (a boulangerie, a pharmacy), only 1.5h away from Beziers Airport, the Mill was the perfect retreat offering a bit of everything: sunshine and solitude, a dip in its very own stream, kayaking on the Tarn and of course, (a) 'room(s) with a view' perfect for writing. The self-direct nature of the writing retreat meant I could go at my own pace, which is exactly what I needed to switch off (the working mind) and switch on (the creative voice) with ease.

I feel rejuvenated and grounded and with a renewed sense of creative purpose. There are many new places I want to visit around the world, but the Mill deserve a return! I would love to go back for another writer's retreat or a writing residency, maybe in a different season to experience the magic of the Mill in new shapes and colours.

Thank you to Nathalie and Poppy for your lovely company, for the delicious meals, the easy flowing chats and the leisurely dips in the river. You made me feel part of your family and gave me memories to keep me going through the scorching city summer and beyond. A special mention to Maahes the Cat - who sneaks his way into every dog-person's heart ;) A bientot /...