About the origins of the Fondation

The origins of Les Treilles lie in the decision of the founder, Anne Gruner Schlumberger, to shape this estate in the upper Var into a place dedicated to the development of creativity, where reflection and intellectual exchange could flourish.

For more than 20 years, from the 1960s, she dedicated herself to this task, with the collaboration of the architect Pierre Barbe and the landscape designer Henri Fish.

The Association of the Friends of Les Treilles came into being in 1981, from a nucleus of enthusiastic supporters of her vision. They shared her objectives and respected her determination to broaden the range of artists and scholars who could benefit from this unique intellectual environment.

From the outset, the association sought to find a special role for Les Treilles. It defined its task as organising important high level meetings of a kind that it had proved difficult to hold elsewhere. Scholars from different disciplines met at Les Treilles over a period of several weeks to discuss themes of significance.

These meetings covered all areas of knowledge and served to release the part of creativity often constrained by the limits of the laboratory or the studio.

The Foundation was officially recognized in 1986 as serving the public good by securing the objectives of the Association and extending its activities.

From that time the activities of the Foundation have primarily focused on: one-week seminars, longer periods of residential study for individuals and groups, and the allocation of prizes to doctoral and post-doctoral candidates. Requests to hold seminars, for residential study, and for prizes are evaluated by a Scientific Committee (see page "Administration").

Since Mme Gruner Schlumberger's death, in 1993, the Foundation has continued its activities as before. In 2006, it began an information programme to make its work better known and to develop it.

In October 2007, the Foundation has created a residency award open to authors of fiction or essays. The laureate will be welcomed at the Foundation's estate in the south of France, for a stay of 2 to 8 months. A specific jury will examine the applications and nominate the award winner.