The Old Girls’ School
Artist Studio in Sos,
South West France, 47170
Available for 2 week or monthly residencies from April 2023
Please email us to enquire about your residency.
The Old Girls’ School was built in the middle of the 19th century. A grand stone building in the center of the village of Sos in the heart of Gascony. It was a school until the mid 60’s. Today it is a large family home surrounded by large gardens.
Sos is small village in the the Lot et Garonne countryside surrounded by fields, hills and woods. You can find the first mention of the village and it’s inhabitants in Julius Caesars « Bellum Gallicum » (Gallic Wars) Book III – Chapter XX and XXI.
Nowadays the village has a local grocery store, a restaurant, a pharmacy and a bar as well as a regular market on Wednesday mornings. During July and August there is a night market every Wednesday evening.
The Old Girls’ School has a stunning setting : a large garden on both sides of the house, the schools’ former playground with the shade of the plane trees and a beautiful view.
It is the ideal setting with a private garden that gives you all the tranquillity needed to focus on your work.
Frode & Cecile Fusier
Who we are :
We bought this house initially as a holiday home but it quickly became our permanent residence for us and our 3 boys and pets. With the years passing by and the boys having left home (they come back from time to time) we wanted to do something with all this space.
The idea came… why not offer this space to an artist… make an artist residency… and it all started from there.
So we emptied what is now The Studio, that used to be a classroom with a breathtaking view, full of light and sunshine with direct access to the garden.
The house is still being renovated but their will be no works being done during your stay.
Your hosts :
Frode is totally fluent in English, very open minded, always willing to share and chat. Has has a good knowledge of where to go, what to see, what to eat and where to eat in the area. Always happy to take you on a day trip around the area.
Cecile who is a school teacher, always happy to help. She can give you french lessons or help you when meeting local people. Also happy to take some time to explain the varying French customs and traditions.
The Studio
What we offer :
- 2 or 4 weeks residency
- 750€ for 2 weeks
- 1400€ for 4 weeks
- Hi Speed Wifi
- Possibility to organise a small local exhibition
- A private bedroom (Single bed)
- Private and exclusive use of The Studio during your stay.
- Shared kitchen with your hosts
- Shared bathroom with your hosts
- Free pickup from Agen train station
- Pick up from Toulouse or Bordeaux airports : 100€
A calm outside space in the garden, either in the sun or under the shade of the trees.
An independent workshop : The Studio which is 4,8 meters on 8 meters (13 feet on 26 feet) bathed with light all day, exposed stone walls, sand and gravel floor. There is a sofa, a working table. This will be your space.
On the main floor you will have access to the kitchen (which is shared with your hosts) and bathroom (shared with your hosts)
On the first floor will be your private bedroom with it’s 19th century wooden floor and and chimney. You will also find a lounge to relax and read.
In the garden there is a summer kitchen with a barbecue, lounge area and outside dining table. We will be glad to share this space with you.
Testimonials
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend 2 weeks in the residency program at The Old Girls School, Sos. What a wonderful time, spent fully focussed on beginning the journey for a new body of work. Being part of the village was a treat, and opened up a new understanding of the history and culture, and is having a big impact on my work. A beautiful huge light filled studio, to work in when I was not out in the village and countryside, with all that I could ask for. Our hosts, Frode and Cecile could not have done more, they welcomed us into their world in every way, and guided me to the places every artist would want to go, places I would not have discovered on my own.
Accommodation in the Old Girls School was a large, tasteful and comfortable type of apartment with so much history – French history. What a wonderful experience in every way. And to anyone who is looking to reinvigorate their practice I’d absolutely recommend the Old Girls School, Frode and Cecile, and Sos.”
Jenny Beach
Where We Are
The Old Girls School, Sos
Apply for your residency here:
© The Old Girls’ School in Sos, Lot-et-Garonne, 47600
Site & Photos by Colin Usher
The Studio at The Old Girls’ School
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