Located in Gard for a year and a half, Mireille Aubéry wasted no time in bringing to life a long-established project: transforming a building nestled in the heart of the Cévennes, in Saint-Nazaire, into a place for meetings, creation, and artistic transmission. After several years spent in Cavaillon, the family chose to establish themselves in this natural corner with the silhouette of Mont Ventoux as a backdrop.
In November 2025, the Bleu Avril association officially came into being. Its ambition is clear: to offer artistic practice workshops open to all and to demonstrate that culture has its place in rural areas.
The site now includes three cottages – soon to be four – designed to host artist residencies. A common room currently allows for organizing activities while awaiting a more ambitious project: the construction of a 100 m² activity room on site. This space will host theater troupes, dance companies, and cultivate true artistic residencies.
“Showing that culture is possible in the countryside,” summarizes Mireille Aubéry, convinced that the distance from major cities should not hinder creativity.
The initiative is built on a strong family dynamic. Each member contributes their skills: her husband Pierre, an architect, assists with the planning; Juliette, a dancer, participates in the activities and is actively involved in the association; Amaury, a video game creator, fuels digital projects; Arthur, 23, pursuing a master’s degree in cinema video editing, brings his audiovisual expertise. A family of five united by their passions turned into professions, now gathered in a common project.
Among the first actions launched by Bleu Avril are J-Pop and K-Pop workshops. A choice far from insignificant. “We noticed there was nothing for young enthusiasts of Japanese and Korean pop,” explains Mireille Aubéry. Three of the family’s children, now adults, also share this enthusiasm.
These workshops respond to a very real demand from adolescents and young adults attracted to Asian cultures, dance, and the manga universe. The association even took part in a manga convention by offering a workshop on creating fans, strengthening its bond with this audience.
Established since its inception, Bleu Avril has already welcomed a film crew for a short film and creative workshops for children. Such experiences confirm the site’s potential and the relevance of the project.
Ultimately, the goal is to work in partnership with local associations and community centers to further open up activities to different audiences and facilitate access to artistic practice.
Beyond workshops, Mireille Aubéry aims to make this building surrounded by the Cévennes a vibrant place where resident artists, local residents, and youth seeking expression intersect. “We are happy to be in this region,” she says, determined to promote this cultural project from this corner of the Gard countryside.
Interested individuals can find information and workshop registration details by phone at 06.01.63.49.68. Bleu Avril is only just beginning, but the family’s energy and the diversity of united skills suggest a place to watch in the local cultural landscape.
