 In 1921 , Rilke journeyed to Switzerland , hoping to immerse himself in French culture near Geneva and to find a place to live permanently . At the time , he was romantically involved with Baladine Klossowska ( 1886 – 1969 ) . At the invitation of Werner Reinhart ( 1884 – 1951 ) , Rilke moved into the Château de Muzot , a thirteenth @-@ century manor house that lacked gas and electricity , near Veyras , Rhone Valley , Switzerland . Reinhart , a Swiss merchant and amateur clarinetist , used his wealth to be a patron to many twentieth @-@ century writers and composers . He bought Muzot to allow Rilke to live there rent @-@ free and focus on his work . Rilke and Klossowska moved there in July 1921 and later in the year Rilke translated writings by Paul Valéry and Michelangelo into German . 
