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From £1200 pp
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Paint the South of France

Highlights

  • Create and take home a framed piece of your own art work.
  • French farmhouse accommodation with swimming pool, gardens & terraces.
  • Includes art supplies and home cooked meals served with local wines.
From £1200 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Indulge in delicious food, local wines, delightful sights and individual art tuition on this 6 night painting holiday in France; master new skills in painting and art with a fantastic hands-on teacher who knows how to bring out the best in your work while you stay in a lovely rural French farmhouse!

*Please see the FAQs for special holiday dates and supplements

Discover your full potential with a range of paints, time, inspiration and instruction on this 6 night / 7 day painting holiday in France. With trails, animals, an artisan workshop, night markets, local wines, and the finest foods, there is no end to what you can discover here, and what creation will come from it.

Packed with expert tuition and a free day to explore what the region has to offer further afield, this art holiday makes sure you get a taste of it all, while making you feel right at home.

Your host on this creative holiday is the talented and welcoming Jo, whose experience covers all forms of art; from painting with different mediums, to art restoration, conservation, bookbinding, and art history. Her pride and passion is helping you find your inner creativity; at any level you may be at. For the beginner painter, she will help you find the medium right for you and your own unique voice, and for the more experienced, she can help you go to the next level with new materials and a new way to see things.

In your free time, relax in the den, curl up by the wood burning fire with a book and wine in the winter months, and lounge by the pool in the summer. Whatever you do, be sure to make yourself at home, and be prepared to tuck into some delicious home cooked food.

Much more than a painting course, and so much more than a holiday, get the most from this French painting holiday that has thought of every aspect in stunning Bordeaux, and take home some original, framed art work for you, by you, that shows off your emerging talents.

Arrival

– Arrive in the afternoon and get settled into your room, then begin with a painting session.
– A 3-course dinner will be served in the evening!

Accommodation

Your rural, converted cottage

Lesson days - Typical itinerary

The itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the group’s needs and wishes but is typically as follows:

– After breakfast each day, there will be a morning session from 10am-12:30pm followed by a break for lunch
– Morning sessions will be a time for group discussion and experimenting with techniques, styles, and finding out exactly what you want to achieve
– Your afternoon painting sessions will be from about 2-5pm, and are devoted to studio or field work, depending on your preferences
– Gorgeous 3 course dinners are either in the dining room or on the terraces at around 7:30pm
– Evenings after dinner are for you to enjoy at your leisure
– Please note that there is a free day, to use as you wish; therefore no lunch or dinner will be provided
– Every Thursday evening throughout the summer, your hosts visit the local night market in Ste Foy La Grande where you can dance to live music and taste freshly cooked local food, beers and wines
– A visit to the famous Ste Foy Farmers Market on a Saturday morning is a must!

Accommodation

The converted cottage

Departure

– Breakfast will be served on the day of your departure before we say our fond farewells!
– Check-out is before midday.

What's included

Included

  • 6 nights accommodation in a beautifully restored farmhouse
  • Please note: prices are per person and based on a double room with ensuite or shared bathroom; please check availability.
  • Daily morning and afternoon sketching, painting sessions, art history and tuition
  • All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners (aside from your free day)
  • Wine, beer and drinks with lunches and dinners
  • Coffee and tea throughout the day
  • The following art supplies: Watercolour paper, Watercolours (tubes), Acrylics (tubes), A selection of brushes, Use of easels and other studio equipment, A3 acid-free mount, A3 Beech frame for your best work to make a great addition to your home
  • Use of the pool from May-September
  • A transportation to and from the lively local night market on your free day
  • Free transfers to and from Sainte Foy La Grande Station
  • Check-in and check-out time is flexible; however please note that only breakfast is served on day 7
Your local host

Jo

Jo Gibbs is the host and tutor on her wonderful art holidays in South West France. In 2014, Jo moved to the Bordeaux wine region of Le Gironde and created her intimate and unique Chambre d'hôtes with her husband and two children, and offered internships to postgraduate conservation/art students. Jo has created the perfect environment to enjoy her art and the animals she keeps; offering the ideal setting for those looking for an oasis of beauty and creativity; let’s not forget the fine wines and delicious food of the Bordeaux region.

Jo Gibbs is the host and tutor on her wonderful art holidays in South West France. In 2014, Jo moved to the Bordeaux wine region of Le Gironde and created her intimate and unique Chambre d'hôtes with her husband and two children, and offered internships to postgraduate conservation/art students. Jo has created the perfect environment to enjoy her art and the animals she keeps; offering the ideal setting for those looking for an oasis of beauty and creativity; let’s not forget the fine wines and delicious food of the Bordeaux region.

Jo image

Location

Just 30 minutes from Bergerac airport, your cosy home away from home was originally owned by 18th century vine workers who resided in 3 stone cottages, and has now been beautifully converted.

Nearest airports:
Bergerac (34 minutes to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)
Bordeaux (1 hour to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)

Nearest train station:
Sainte Foy La Grande (10 minutes by car) – Free transfers from the train station is provided.

Features
– A beautiful rural location surrounded by vineyards, trails, a bamboo forest, pond and terraces
– In-ground pool available from May-September
– Wood burning stove in the cooler months and electric fans available in the summer
– Large comfortable double rooms, decorated with comfort and style whilst maintaining many traditional features
– 1 room has a waterbed and ensuite bathroom, whilst the other 2 double rooms share a Jacuzzi bathroom
– Onsite studio on a covered terrace for outdoor inspiration
– 10 minutes from Sainte-Foy-La-Grande, if you feel the need to get out

 

 

What our travellers are saying...

I had a relaxing 7 days in Bergerac, particularly in Les Leves et Thoumeyragues, where I stayed with host Jo, and her partner Stan, beautiful scenery, fantastic food, gorgeous animals, and lots of art tuition. My favourite day was the day we went to Bergerac, Jo and myself sketched a typical Bergerac Street, whilst Stan played the guitar, bliss. I wish I could have stayed there longer.

Paulina P

Painting and wine tasting in south of France (Le Peyrail) July 3rd-6th. After a long journey to Bergerac airport, I was met by my host Jo and from that moment I felt at ease. The accommodation was rustic, eclectic and comfortable, first time sleeping on a waterbed - so relaxing. At the house there was a ‘collection’ of animals, dogs, cats, hens, doves, horse, donkey, pigs and a baby blackbird. It all added to the experience. I have ‘dabbled

Jacqui Taylor

A beautiful place to stay and Jo was a wonderful host and teacher. Delicious meals and great ambiance.

V Amos

Jo is very generous and welcoming and I and my five children (aged 13 - 21) loved our time with her. Her house and studio are very relaxed and we were encouraged to treat them as our home. We produced some marvellous paintings and learnt some new skills. A perfect family holiday!

A Streets

Had an amazing and memorable experience on this painting holiday last September. I'm from Canada and decided to do this solo trip, unsure of what to expect. Jo-Anne is a super-talented artist and great teacher who was very warm and welcoming. The property was gorgeous, and very serene. Great setting that was both very calming and inspiring for me as a beginner painter. Jo tailored her lessons and the overall experience to meet my learning needs a

D Sherman

FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all painting levels from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18
- During this holiday, you are free to work with whatever medium you like, however, the holiday mainly focuses on watercolour and pastel and the various qualities of acrylic and gouache

I'm a solo traveller - can I join?

- Courses have a maximum of 6 people in each group, singles are very welcome as you'll meet others with a passion for art and there are NO single supplements for those travelling solo

What to bring

- Although supplies are provided (watercolours and acrylics), feel free to bring your favourite brushes, paints, or paper
- Please bring suitable footwear for walking
- Swimming costume if you are visiting during pool season

Restricted mobility access

Please find below some information regarding the accommodation and location of the holiday which may be useful when deciding if this is the right holiday for you; should you have an further questions, please contact us and we will be happy to help


- Although this location does not have official disabled access, the front door is wide enough for a wheelchair- The main bedroom and ensuite are all on one level and on the ground floor
- There are no cobblestones, however there are slopes. Although not the easiest venue for wheelchairs, your host would be happy to help any way she can
- The shower in the ensuite has one step up into it
- If a person is able to walk but has 'some' restrictions then we would need further information concerning their needs and would be very honest if we felt the person could not participate in the activity holidays.

What are the holiday season supplements and what do they include?

23 December to 2 January, 2023

A one off supplement of £175 will include:
- A special Christmas meal tailored to your personal tastes.
- A surprise Art based Christmas present is offered to all our guests during our traditional French Christmas Eve celebration which includes the regional meal accompanied with Champagne and live music.
- There will be daily tuition in our heated Studio and if the weather permits we can
sketch en Plein Air in the local bastide town Sainte Foy La Grande.
- For anyone wanting the Art and Wine experience we offer tasting’s at local wine producers (depending on availability).

7 - 14 April, 2023
A one off supplement of £175 will include:
- As well as the Art Tuition and painting courses, this exciting time will include some
fun workshops for adults and children alike
- Egg Marbling
- Easter Egg hunt
- Easter Sunday Meal with Champagne and Easter Cake followed by live music.

What's the nearest train station?

Nearest airports:
Bergerac (34 minutes to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)
Bordeaux (1 hour to Sainte Foy La Grande Station by train)

Nearest train station:
Sainte Foy La Grande (10 minutes by car) - Free transfers from the train station is provided.

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