A tribute to Anna Pavlova at Le Moulin Jaune
by Lucien Chef Ambition for the eponymous dessert
and Thierry Thieû Niang for the movements
Saturday July 19 + Sunday July 20, 2025
After a short but rejuvenating break in marvelous company (thank you Gisela) and 719 kilometers away from Avignon, I arrived at The Moulin Jaune in Crécy la Chapelle for a very promising time with my dear friend Thierry Thieû Niang.
Le Moulin Jaune is a stunning castle surrounded by a “Remarkable Garden”, a French label that describes exceptional site, created by Russian clown Slava Polunin. A large group of artists, thinkers, brilliant minds from Russia and Ukraine have found a home here, creating a strong art community.
During the season, Le Moulin Jaune opens its doors to the public around themed events. That weekend was about “White and Farniente”
White Meringue, Chantilly and movements is the project we brought in, in honor of the Russian Prima Ballerina, Anna Pavlova.
All night long, while everyone was sleeping, I backed hundreds of meringue until 7 in the morning allowing myself to nap a couple of hours before the sun rises on a bench along the river.
When the visitors arrived at 11am, we were ready: Thierry was dancing, Scherazade, Peer Gynt, the Faune, elegant and possessed by Anna Spirit. Beside to be the first woman to create her own dance company, Pavlova is the first one who went on “pointe”.
Seated around the egg shaped table, guests were creating they own pavlova, imagining multiples variations, each one unique.
When we left The Moulin Jaune and its incredible community, we were exhausted by beauty and sweetness.
A memorable week thanks to my dear friend Sara, director of Le Moulin Jaune and a big thanks to everyone who helped, night and day.
Photos by Simon Courchel
