The Word on Literary Courses in Europe's Inspiring Places

ABROAD WRITERS CONFERENCE Called a "fairy-tale" experience by former participants, the Abroad conference takes place each summer at historical sites in France. The program's director and founder, Nancy Gerbault, brings together authors from the U.S. and U.K. to lead writing workshops and craft classes. Ms. Gerbault, an archaeologist and California-based writer, says she is interested in developing "an international connection of writers."

Last summer's conference was held at the Chateau Marouatte in the Dordogne region, and included six to 10 writers and a literary agent, and 15 students of all levels. Whereas many program directors only hire enough instructors to satisfy the demand of participants, she invites other esteemed authors to lecture and read at events, and to stay and dine at the chateau.

"The most valuable thing for the participants, I think, was the availability of the presenters," says U.S. author Anne LeClaire, who led a fiction workshop at the conference and called it "a dream" to live and teach in the chateau. "I don't know of any other workshop where those attending would have had so much time and so much individual and careful attention paid to their work by several presenters of that caliber."

When Pierre Hauser, a New York writer, charitable foundation officer and father of four, found the time to attend a conference ("the kids were at camp, so daddy got to go to writing camp"), he chose Abroad because of its picturesque setting and the quality of the faculty -- in particular author Dan Chaon, who became his instructor. "Dan Chaon was astute and witty," Mr. Hauser says, "but what made the workshop especially amazing was that often several other writers would drop in and join the critique -- Jacquelyn Mitchard or Margaret Drabble might wander in and give you suggestions on your work."

Mr. Hauser says at the end of every day, the group gathered in the chateau's great room, curling up on couches amid suits of armor and stained-glass windows, for readings and "free-wheeling discussions that were like modern-day salons."

In 2006, Abroad will take place at different locations. From June 23-30, it will be at the Basilica of St. Maximin la Sainte Baume in Provence, built in 1295. Participants will stay in former monk's cells (now hotel bedrooms), and lectures will take place in the refectory. Faculty will include film director Jane Campion, author Michael Ondaatje, U.K. poet laureate Andrew Motion, Mr. Chaon and literary agent Sam Pinkus.

From July 3-10, it will be at the Castle of Sedan, a 15th-century castle near the Champagne region. Participants will stay in a hotel built into the ancient walls of the fort. The faculty will include U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins, authors Nicholas Evans, Amy Bloom and Gail Tsukiyama.

From July 30-Aug. 6, Abroad will be at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud in the Loire Valley. The abbey, built in 1101, is one of the largest monastic complexes in Europe, and a Unesco World Heritage site. Participants will stay in the ancient priory. Faculty will include Ms. Drabble, Ms. LeClaire and Chris Abani.

To apply, you must complete a form on the program's Web site and pay a nonrefundable deposit of $700. Before the start of the session, participants will be asked to send work they plan to have workshopped, such as a short story or chapter of a novel.

Cost for all programs: $2,750 per person for a double room, and $3,250 for a single room, including daily writing workshops, a craft class three times a week, evening lectures and readings, lodging and meals.