Travelers visiting southwestern France this fall will find a new reason to venture beyond Toulouse. From September 4 to October 30, 2026, Château de Fiac by The Pavilions will present an exhibition of collage and mixed-media works by local artist Anne Briaud.
Titled Évasions Féminines, or Feminine Escapes, the exhibition reflects Briaud’s fascination with color, the natural world and free-spirited female figures. Paper, drawings, lace, textiles and found materials come together in layered compositions that feel part dreamscape and part recovered memory.
The exhibition also continues Château de Fiac’s efforts to make art part of the guest experience. Works are not treated simply as decoration but integrated into the identity of the 19th-century property and its individually designed rooms.
Introducing Artist Anne Briaud
Born in Toulouse, Briaud now lives among the hills of the Tarn region. Art was part of her childhood from the beginning. Her father was a painter and engraver, and she grew up in an apartment that also functioned as his studio.
Sitting near her father’s printing press, she spent hours looking through art books or making drawings of her own. Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights captured her imagination and became, as she describes it, her personal version of Alice in Wonderland.
Briaud created her first collage at six years old by combining a drawing with lace. That early experiment anticipated the techniques and materials that would later become central to her work.
Today, Briaud works primarily with analog collage and mixed media. She tears, cuts, draws, paints and embroiders, combining paper with fabric, lace, plants, pieces of canvas, gold leaf and other found materials.
The practice sometimes incorporates discarded or repurposed objects, giving materials that might otherwise be overlooked a new role within the artwork.
Briaud describes her creations as poems expressed through color. Rather than presenting a literal scene, each composition captures an imagined moment or emotional fragment.
Nature, Femininity and Suspended Moments
The Tarn landscape provides much of Briaud’s visual vocabulary. Trees, flowers, leaves, branches and animals appear alongside feminine figures that seem to move between the real and the imaginary.
Her work frequently explores harmony and balance. Delicate fabrics may be placed against boldly colored papers, while botanical imagery interacts with drawings, embroidery or fragments removed from their original context.
The resulting collages can feel intimate and timeless. Some suggest memories or dreams, while others seem to capture a brief moment before it disappears.
This approach makes Château de Fiac an especially appropriate setting for Évasions Féminines. The property’s interiors combine historic architecture with contemporary design, providing a backdrop that mirrors Briaud’s interest in bringing different materials, periods and visual references together.
Art Becomes Part of Room 8
The connection between the artist and the château extends beyond the temporary exhibition.
Recently renovated Room 8 features a selection of Briaud’s collages as part of its permanent interior design. The room was conceived as a restful space where guests can slow down and experience the château’s approach to French country living.
Including original works by an artist from the surrounding region gives the room a distinctive identity while reinforcing the property’s relationship with the Tarn.
The installation is part of a broader trend among boutique hotels using commissioned or locally sourced artwork to connect visitors with their destination. At Château de Fiac, the works offer guests an introduction to the region’s creative community without leaving the property.
Staying at Château de Fiac
Located in the village of Fiac, approximately 24 miles from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, Château de Fiac by The Pavilions is a restored 19th-century estate surrounded by three hectares of landscaped grounds.
The hotel has 10 rooms and six suites spread across three floors. Accommodations combine historic character with contemporary furnishings and individually selected artworks. The collection includes five Junior Suites and a Rooftop Suite with a private terrace overlooking the Tarn countryside.
The château’s Renaissance Restaurant serves seasonal menus emphasizing fresh ingredients and regional flavors. Its dining room and terrace allow guests to incorporate the exhibition into a longer culinary or wellness stay.
The REVĪVŌ Spa brings Asian-influenced wellness treatments to the French countryside. Facilities include an indoor pool, hammam, sauna and Icelandic plunge pool, while the grounds also contain a heated outdoor infinity pool.
DRIFT has previously explored the property in its feature on the Château de Fiac boutique hotel and spa.
Exploring the Tarn Region
The exhibition can also become part of a wider trip through Occitanie.
Nearby Lavaur is known for its historic center and Saint-Alain Cathedral. Farther north, Albi’s episcopal city is recognized by UNESCO for its remarkable brick architecture, medieval streets and Toulouse-Lautrec Museum.
Toulouse can be reached in approximately 45 minutes by car, making it possible to combine the quiet Tarn countryside with the museums, markets and restaurants of the “Pink City.”
Fall is an appealing time to explore the region. Cooler temperatures suit walking and day trips, while markets, vineyards and restaurants highlight seasonal produce from southwestern France.
Planning a Visit to Évasions Féminines
Anne Briaud’s Évasions Féminines exhibition is scheduled to run at Château de Fiac from September 4 through October 30, 2026.
The property has not published separate public visiting hours for the exhibition. Travelers who are not staying at the hotel should contact Château de Fiac before making a special journey to confirm access, viewing times and whether advance arrangements are required.
Hotel guests can experience the works as part of their stay, while visitors may also be able to combine an exhibition viewing with dining or a spa reservation, subject to availability.
For exhibition-access information and hotel reservations, visit Château de Fiac or contact the property directly. Additional examples of the artist’s work can be found on Anne Briaud’s website.
