MARIELLE CLARE

THE FRENCH ALPS

In the autumn of 2021, I took myself to the alpine resort of Méribel for a few weeks of writing, photography and hiking. I have been visiting these mountains for longer than I can remember but always in the winter when the mountains are blanketed in snow. It was incredible to rediscover the landscape in another season; the lakes had thawed, marmots and chamoix were roaming and the wildflowers were in bloom. The refuges I have only known to be packed with skiers and boarders were empty and peaceful.

I spent my mornings exploring the mountains and lakes, and afternoons working on my debut play, which I was in the process of developing with Soho Theatre. This trip reminded me how important solitude is for overcoming creative blocks, and revisiting these photographs has reminded me how overdue a solo retreat is.

I also took day trips to the lakeside town of Annecy and mountains of Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, along with drives through the wider Haute-Savoie region.

Shot on digital and film.

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