Chateau Chapiteau: the nomadic community building co-living space in Georgia
For those wanting to escape the city, Chateau Chapiteau provides communal living with a view of Georgia’s mountains. And if you’re not quite ready to make the move, you can enjoy this dream vicariously through the radiant and heart-warming Instagram account @chateauchapiteau.
Founded in August 2019, Chateau Chapiteau is an international community in north-east Georgia. Sprawling over 11 hectares of land by the riverbank of the mountain valley of Lagodekhi, the place now includes a cathedral, wooden cabins, tents designed by @kosmos_architects, workshops, bar, as well as toilets and bathrooms. The team of 15, led by Ivan Mitin, the founder of Ziferblat time-cafes worldwide, have also managed to set up a dog shelter, an organic garden, and an event space where they occasionally “turn their marshmallow world into a techno party”. Building these structures thanks to crowdfunding, the artists and entrepreneurs behind the initiative plan to also raise traditional Georgian houses, railway sleeping cars, campers, a restaurant, a hostel, a festival space, and even a chapiteau circus.
Set by a beautiful forest and sprawling orchards, the community embraces outlandish rituals. Calling themselves “a magical kingdom”, they welcome every new member that has spent at least three days at Chateau Chapiteau with a coronation ceremony. Followers are also encouraged to “adopt” a river stone or purchase an endemic plant on the brink of extinction.
“We believe that falling back into childhood is wonderful – especially if you have ever fallen out of it,” the team behind Chateau Chapiteau say. Perhaps their quirkiest activity yet was playing bossa nova jazz to their chickens “so that they can feel emotional support from the community.”
Reach out to Chapiteau on Instagram to become a volunteer.
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