Moulins des Artistes

The Valley of Chamonix has a long history, beginning with the Benedictine monks who established a farm and mill here in 1091. Centuries later, the site became known as the Moulin des Praz, after the village of Les Praz.

In 1991, Philippe Vouillamoz, who had inherited the sawmill from his father Roger, invited me to set up my workshop there. Together, we gradually developed its artistic side hosting exhibitions from 1993 and later theatre through the association Le Moulin des Artistes (founded in 2004). Even after Philippe’s passing, the energy of the place continued, joined by Rabbit on the Roof, makers of handmade skis.

That spirit endured until 2016, when a fire destroyed the mill. Out of its ashes, the Pharmacie des Artistes was born in Argentière, thanks to the generosity of Philippe Bellin, who offered the old pharmacy building as a workspace. Alongside Anati and Peter (Rabbit on the Roof), it grew into both studio and gallery.

When Anati and Peter later became owners of the rebuilt Moulin in Les Praz, I returned there to focus on my sculpture and rebuilding work. Over time, I handed the gallery’s daily running to other artists, while continuing to create in the place that has been central to my artistic journey.