The Mont Blanc workshop is a one or two-week long writing adventure where writers will have the opportunity to generate new work, receive manuscript critique, explore Chamonix and hike in stunning French Alps. The workshops are limited to 12 participants to ensure an intimate setting, plus plenty of time to write and enjoy France. All participants will work with faculty member Pam Houston whether they choose to attend one week only or the full two-week session.

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When: June 16 - 22, 2025 (first week manuscript workshop only), June 23 - 28, 2025 (residency only), or June 16 - 28, 2025 (full two weeks manuscript workshop + residency) in Chamonix in the French Alps. The workshops will be held at the Chalets des Sapins, 396 Rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

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Tuition: $1,500 (for first week), $1,200 (for second week) or $2,700 (for full two weeks). Week one includes the four-day workshop, scheduled readings, cocktail parties and dinners. Week two includes writing prompts and a daily residency check-in with Pam Houston. (Please see schedule for details).

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Lodging: Private rooms are available at Chalets des Sapins and we encourage writers to stay with us in one of three chalets on the property. The chalets have various bedroom/bathroom configurations but all chalets feature private bedrooms, full kitchens, access to laundry, free parking and free WIFI. For shared bathrooms, at most 2 people will share 1 bathroom per chalet. In order to create a creative space, student chalets are intended for writers only and not for families and guests (unless they too are registered workshop participants). Housing will be provided continuously from June 16 - 28 for writers wishing to stay for the full two-week session. The rates are per week:

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• $1000 double bed or two twins with private attached bath (shower, sink, toilet)

• $800 double bed with semi-private attached bath (ensuite shower and sink, hall toilet)

• $700 two twin beds with bathroom shared with one other person (private room)

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Meals: Other than scheduled events, you’ll be in charge of your own meals. All on-site Chalet des Sapins chalets have kitchens. People here also tend to bond fairly quickly and participants in the program swiftly colonize assorted cafes and restaurants in the valley. In terms of costs, $20 a day will get you the best bread, cheese, and wine of your life. There’s an excellent farmer’s market, a cheese co-op, numerous bakeries, etc. If you want to go deluxe, there are plenty of high-end restaurants, including a few with Michelin stars.

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Travel: Because people come from all around the world, we also let participants book their own air and rail. Geneva tends to be the best place to fly into, with easy 1 hour shuttles from the airport to Chamonix. Turin, Milan, and Lyon are also reasonably close and they’re ideal starting points if you want to fit extra travel into your plans.

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Format: Part workshop, part residency and all adventure, the Mont Blanc workshop is broken into two, week-long sessions so writers may stay for the first week manuscript workshop, the second week residency, or the full two-week session. Sessions are held daily for three hours Tuesday – Friday afternoons from 4 - 7pm.

Week one will feature opportunities for generative writing exercises and manuscript critique by Pam Houston and the other workshop members. Manuscripts for critique will be limited to 5000. Week two will offer writing prompts and a daily check-in with Pam Houston. The program leaves plenty of time for participants to write and hike. The Chamonix Valley is filled with cafes, rock-climber bars, and secluded alpine meadows where you can hide out and lose yourself in your work. It also offers world class hiking, easily accessed from various lifts throughout the valley so you can start your adventure on top of the world.

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Faculty: Pam Houston