THE STORY: Whether you’re a budding artist or a seasoned one, does writer’s block ever keep you up at night? Those intrusive thoughts will find a soothing escape in Plouézec, on the shores of the Côtes-d’Armor, during a stay designed to spark inspiration. And for good reason: perched on a clifftop, Maison Minard was imagined by photographer Élodie Villalon to leave guests awestruck by the Breton horizon. From the outside, the house carries a whiff of Californian dreaming; step inside and the mood turns resolutely brutalist, with polished concrete floors, pale wood tones and vast floor-to-ceiling windows, flaunting open-plan communal spaces – including a beautifully functional kitchen designed by Nantes-based collective Fichtre. Two bedrooms dressed in soft hues and natural materials offer quieter corners for reflection: one double, the other with twin beds, each equipped with a desk and a bookcase for moments of solitary introspection. In short, it’s the kind of artist’s retreat that clears the mind, shifts the scenery and gets the creative juices flowing. Double room from €180 per night (minimum five nights in July to August); the house is reserved exclusively for artist residencies from October to June. · Eddie Muffin

TOILETRIES: Locally made shampoo, body wash and soap.

BREAKFAST: No breakfast is served on-site, but the fully equipped kitchen, nearby grocery stores, vegetable patch and fruit trees make for a very happy morning ritual.

LITTLE LUXURY: Clear your head with a hike along the GR34 coastal path, accessible on foot from the house.