Info
Malérargues today
Malérargues is a hamlet nestled in the hills of the Cévennes, in the Occitanie region of France. The Roy Hart Voice Centre welcomes artists, researchers and students from all over the world and offers an educational and cultural programme throughout the year. It has six studios of various sizes, and the Magnanerie, a 90-seat theatre/studio. On-site gîtes – with kitchens and bathrooms – can accommodate 16 people.
The Centre also runs La Mémoire archive room, which was created in 2008 to preserve its printed and audiovisual collections. With the support of the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs (DRAC), it is currently digitising and promoting its collections to create a coherent, secure archive system that is accessible to the public.
A non-profit organisation (or “Association” under the French law of 1901), the Centre works closely with the Malérargues Endowment Fund, a philanthropic organisation dedicated to preserving the use of the Malérargues estate for activities related to the human voice; and with the Société Civile Immobilière (SCI) Fondation de Malérargues, which represents the co-owners of the Malérargues estate.
The SCI is responsible for managing what is known as ‘Le Château’, a large building comprising several apartments, some of which are available to rent for visitors, while others are occupied by year-round residents. The SCI also provides a central kitchen and ‘La Salamandre’ lounge, a welcoming space suitable for conferences and events.
The estate is surrounded by natural beauty: two open-air theatres, gardens and many acres of forest where you can lose yourself and reconnect with yourself… You are all very welcome here!
The courses offered at the Roy Hart Voice Centre are based on the deep connection between the voice and the human soul. Each person is invited to explore the multiplicity of voices within themselves and to listen to them as different expressions of their personality. This practice is closely linked to the development of self-awareness and the improvement of interpersonal communications. It has many applications in the fields of art and theatre, but also in the course of daily life.
Many prestigious Conservatoires and universities have recognised the valuable work of the Centre, which has trained several generations of Voice teachers. These have gone on to teach in France and around the world: Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Spain, the United States, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland…
Film by © Clément Caudal, 2019. All rights reserved.
Most active during the summer months, Malérargues is nevertheless alive year round with rehearsals, performances, workshops, open classes, and residencies for creation and study. The dream is still alive and well.
Accommodation in Malérargues
You can book one of our accommodation in Malérargues for the duration of a course, subject to availability. The maximum capacity of the cottages is 16 seats.
The reservation of accommodation is done at the same time as the registration for the workshops. Due to too many late cancellations, we ask for full payment when you book.
You will be accommodated in simple but comfortable shared rooms with 2, 3 or 4 beds, shared bathrooms (showers) and 2 fully-equipped kitchens. Single, private rooms are not available. Blankets are provided, but you must bring your own sheets or rent some when you book.
Price :
– From may to septembre: 22 €/night
– From october to april: 27 €/night
Sheet rental: 5 € per week
For longer stays and residences, it is possible to rent the gîtes (excluding workshops period). Contact contact@centreroyhart.org.
You can also book one of the apartments in the chateau. These are private apartments, they are not managed by the Center. Remember to book well in advance, especially for the summer period. For more information contact Anita: arok74@gmail.com.
We do not make reservations for participants wishing to stay outside the Centre but here are a few addresses for B&Bs, apartments and campsites in the area.
Guest housings and appartments
La Salindre / Soudorgues (8 km from the Center)
Tansen R. Mundt, Maria Bernhold, Tel. (+33) 4 66 85 23 51 / www.lasalindre.eu
“Au Ruisseau de Rose’ (Chambres d’hôtes) St Jean du Gard (10 km from the Center)
Tel : (+33) 4 66 54 51 07 or www.ruisseauderose.fr
‘Le Mas du Martinet’ (Chambres d’hôtes) Thoiras (3 km from the Center)
Tel : (+33) 6 07 54 61 57 or https://www.lemasdumartinet.fr/ Email: masdumartinet@gmail.com
‘La Cure’ Gite d’étape/ Lasalle (5 km from the Center)
Tel : (+33) 6 30 47 82 62
Campsites
Filament/Cap Fun (2 km)
Tél: (+33) 4 66 85 20 52
La Salendrinque (Lasalle 4 km)
Tél: (+33) 4 66 85 24 57 / fax (+33) 4 66 85 41 50
Le Campement (3 km) Calviac
Tél. (+33) 4 66 85 13 58
Lou Cantou, Les Hauts de Labahou, 30140 Anduze(12 km)
Tél : (+33) 7 67 92 42 42 loucantoucevenol@gmail.com
Sourire du Sud (mini camping ) Le Dansadou, 30140 CORBES (10 km) Tél : (+33) 06 79 99 98 85 souriredusud30@gmail.com
Payment
Payments for workshops, annual adhesions and accommodation are made directly from the workshops pages at the time of registration.
For studio rentals, see the terms and conditions on the “studios rentals” page.
For all other payments (free payments, regularizations, ….), contact Béatrice contact@centreroyhart.org
Transport
Malérargues is situated 4 km from the village of Lasalle and 12 km from Anduze in the Cévennes mountains in the south of France. There is public transport from Nîmes (twice a day and once on Sundays and holidays). A rented car is very usefull. If you use public transport, follow these three steps.
1) First, get to Nîmes.
By plane
The nearest international airports are Montpellier Méditerranée and Nîmes/Arles. Both have connexions to Nîmes train station.
By bus
This way is often cheaper and sometimes faster than by train or air, and there is a good bus station in Nîmes behind the train station. See Flixbus
By train
Go to the SNCF website, Kombo or Trainline for tickets and reservations. There are fast rail links from Nîmes to Alès.
2) Then, get to Thoiras.
Take the bus to St Jean du Gard from Nîmes or Alès. Ask to get off at the ‘Gare de Thoiras’. Timetables are available on the site: www.lio.laregion.fr . If you miss the bus in Nîmes, take the bus or train to Alès, and then take a bus to Thoiras or taxi to Malérargues or arrange a pickup (see step 3).
3 ) And last, get to Malérargues.
There are two options. Pick-up by car: Usually available if you are in Thoiras or, exceptionally, if you are in Alès (and for a fee to help pay for gas). Please contact the Centre office in advance (tel. +33 4 66 85 45 98).
Check before coming
Languages
English and French are spoken at Malérargues in addition to some Italian, Spanish, and German. However, it is a good idea to know some basic French phrases when traveling in this area of France, although the locals are quite accommodating to outsiders trying to make themselves understood in French.
Internet
Malérargues has a wireless internet connection, which you may connect to for free during your stay.
The office phone may only be used by trainees in an emergency.
Food shopping and markets
There are no shops in Malérargues. We therefore suggest that those staying here please plan accordingly and eat before you arrive or bring enough food for the evening and/or breakfast on your first day.
In the south of France most shops and services are closed daily from 12 to 2 or 3pm and re-open until 7pm (except on Wednesdays and Sundays). On Saturdays some close for the day at noon.
Intermarché is the nearest supermarket (on the way from Anduze to Malérargues) with good fresh fish, its own bakery, and a petrol pump. It is open Sunday mornings until noon.
SuperU in Anduze is another alternative offering the same services, open all day Friday and Saturday, but closed on Sundays.
Utile in Lasalle is a smaller family-run grocery store offering friendly service and organic local produce. It is open Sunday mornings.
Terroir des Cévennes sells local produce in Thoiras, about 5 minutes by car from Malérargues. Here you can buy quality cheese, wine, bread, meat, and locally grown produce. There is also a selection of local art and handicrafts for sale. Open on Sundays but closed for lunch from 1 to 3pm.
There is a Farmers Market in Lasalle every Monday morning until noon and in Anduze on Thursday.
Post Office
The nearest one is in Lasalle.
Taxis
Taxis Lasalle:
Mr Thérond-Flavier Tel: (+33) 4 66 85 21 84
Alès :
TAXI ALES : Tél : (+33) 4 66 52 39 39 ou 06 12 10 98 98
GIE-ABC / ALES TAXI : Tel: (+33) 4 66 52 90 09
Volunteering and extended stays
International and intercultural exchanges are also possible. For further information please contact Rosa rosicotton@ymail.com
Friends
- Creative writing workshops, Paris, www.leboutdelalangue.com
- Maria Freund, Wendland, www.stimme.com
- Beatrice Mahler, Basel, www.beatricemahler.ch
- Det Andet Teater, Århus, www.detandetteater.dk
- Bertil and Jean-Bernard@Bataclown, www.bataclown.com
- El Pont Flotant, Valencia, www.elpontflotant.es
- Move n’Act, Århus, www.movenact.dk
- Teatro Tascabile, Bergamo, www.teatrotascabile.org
- Midderigh Vox, Malérargues and Montreal www.midderighvox.com
- Trans Voice and Performance www.maggistratford.com
Support us
How to support us?
The Roy Hart Voice Centre is privileged to count generous donors among its members and friends. Whether you are an individual or represent a legal entity, you too can become a patron of an innovative practice that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people! In some cases, your donation may be eligible for tax relief, see below.
Donate with Paypal:
Tax reductions
In France, the Roy Hart Voice Centre is recognised as an association “intérêt général”. As such, it can issue tax receipts entitling donors to tax reductions for donations intended to finance artistic projects and preserve the association’s archives. This applies to French taxpayers as well as residents of Germany, Spain and Italy, thanks to a partnership with Transnational Giving Europe.
If you are a French taxpayer, please indicate that you would like a tax receipt when you make your donation.
If you reside in Germany, Spain or Italy, please contact us for more information. (Include a contact form with the automatic message ‘I pay taxes in Germany, Spain or Italy. I would like to make a donation to the Roy Hart Voice Centre and benefit from the Transnational Giving Europe programme, which entitles me to a tax reduction.’ which goes to Béa’s address contact@centreroyhart.org)
Facilities
The Centre organizes workshops and activities of its own all year round. Facilities include:
- A 90 seat theatre
- 2 large studios suitable for movement and dance
- 4 medium studios suitable for individual and small group work. All studios have pianos.
- 7 apartments (2 with pianos)
- Shared accommodation for up to 16 people with bathroom and kitchen facilities
- A main kitchen suitable for preparing meals for up to 60 people
- A large conference room for up to 40 persons
- 1 archive room
- 2 outdoor performing spaces
- Gardens and acres of forest criss-crossed with paths to wander