Day 14

Au revoir!

And just like that… it’s time to say au revoir.

The studio is empty now. My brushes are cleaned, my work is wrapped and ready to head home, and the bouquet of wildflowers I picked is quietly fading in the corner — a beautiful little metaphor for this moment.

My bags are packed, farewells are being shared, and there’s a flurry of last minute activity throughout the chateau as each artist prepares to re-enter the world beyond Orquevaux. We came as strangers but leave as friends and fellow travellers who shared something special for a brief and magical time.

I’ve painted with great joy here and tried things I never would have dared in the safety of my usual routine. I’ve made space to listen — really listen — to what my art (and my heart) wanted to say. I’ve let go of perfection and leaned into uncertainty. It hasn’t always been easy, in fact it has been excruciating at times, but I’m leaving refreshed and with a new sense of purpose.

To those of you who have followed along from the very beginning — thank you. Your encouraging comments here have meant more than you know. And to Orquevaux, its people, its swans, its stories and its light — merci et au revoir. I hope to see you again.

With love,

Robyn xx

This is the last entry in The Chateau Diaries. I hope you have enjoyed taking this journey with me. Please leave a comment below - I’d love to hear from you. Just write in your name then enter your comment as a ‘guest’.