A wonderful opportunity awaits…
This is a unique invitation to paint, sketch and stay with other artists in a historic French Château or Scottish Manor House. Choose a self-paced art retreat or work with the finest instructors on a workshop.
Let us introduce you to Provence over 10 days of artistic immersion in the idyllic South of France. We are your guides to a distraction-free experience making great art while enjoying the natural beauty and bounty of Provence.
Step 1: Claim Your Rosemary Brushes!
Step 2: Choose From Our Workshop Calendar
Click below to find out more about each one
2025 Workshops: With instructors
Making the Leap with Vanessa Rothe
Join us for an exciting new workshop geared towards helping you “Make the Leap” to become a professional artist, armed with the tools needed to run your art business successfully. This immersive workshop takes place in the inspiring atmosphere of a genuine French château estate. Discover how to use important inventory software, write a great bio, artist statement or press release, and develop exciting business savvy skills. Learn how to create email blasts, create social media posts, and pitch your work to a gallery.
May 1— 9, 2025
$5,500
Painting in Tuscany with Debra Huse
If you love Impressionism, are a color enthusiast, and are drawn to the timeless beauty of the Italian countryside, this workshop is for you. We’ll be painting the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany, Italy, with the exceptional artist and returning instructor, Debra Huse.Debra Huse is not only a master painter but also a passionate teacher who brings the warmth and vibrancy of her California Impressionism to artists worldwide. Tuscany, with its rolling hills, historic villages, and golden light, provides the perfect setting for this inspiring and immersive workshop.
September 3 - 11, 2025
$6,100
Contemporary Realism with Olga Krimon
If you are captivated by masterful compositions, daring brushwork, and luminous color, this workshop is your ideal artistic retreat. Join us in the enchanting French countryside near Paris for an unforgettable painting experience with the acclaimed artist Olga Krimon.
Olga Krimon is celebrated for her bold, expressive style and her exceptional ability to create compelling compositions. With a teaching approach that inspires both creativity and technical growth, she has guided artists worldwide toward artistic excellence. Normandy, with its storied past, charming villages, and atmospheric light, sets the perfect stage for an immersive creative adventure.
May 20— 28, 2025
$5,900
Tapping Into Your Inner Voice with Ron Hicks
Join us for an unparalleled workshop experience where you will unlock the hidden depths of your artistic expression. Each one of us is an individual with personal ideas and viewpoints, but do you express yours in your artwork?
You rarely find someone so knowledgeable, talented and compassionate as Ron Hicks. Ron paints some of today’s most sought-after paintings but he is also willing to help other artists discover and nurture their inherent artistic voices. Elevate your creativity to new heights and ignite the flame of your artistic soul under his expert guidance.
September 3 - 11, 2025
$6,500
2025 Art Retreats: Uninstructed
Under the Tuscan Sky Art Retreat
As summer relinquishes its heat and cool air descends upon the evening, artists gather around a long wooden table to dine al fresco in the garden and discuss the pleasures of painting that day under a Tuscan sky. September is a perfect time to visit Italy, to stay in a hilltop estate surrounded by vineyards and 360-degree views of Tuscany.
We carefully selected the estate because of the stunning location, the way the land is tended, and because we adore the charming owners who insist that we taste everything, enjoy everything and relax and create.
September 14 - 20, 2025
$5,100
Art Retreat Southwest France
We are excited to welcome our artists to an enriching and compact version of our legendary art retreats. This is the perfect chateau-based art experience where you can devote time to your painting in a distraction-free environment. Find your inspiration from the daily painting locations while getting to know your fellow artists in highly creative surroundings.
Situated in the Haut Languedoc region of Southern France. The accommodation is a Domaine estate originally used as an Olive mill where they have pressed local olives for oil for centuries. The region is legendary for its hilltop villages, olive groves and luscious vineyards.
October 17 - 22, 2025
$4,100
Plein Air Normandy
Art Retreat Near Paris
We are excited to welcome our artists to an enriching and compact version of our legendary art retreats. This is the perfect château-based art experience where you can devote time to your painting in a distraction-free environment. Find your inspiration from the daily painting locations while getting to know your fellow artists in highly creative surroundings.
The Normandy region sits to the northwest of Paris. The surrounding landscape, once the hunting grounds of the French nobility, provides a delicious and abundant backdrop to your art-making experience. Your home for this unique art retreat is an elegant château estate. This château is beyond charming and located in the Northern Normandy region of France, where Van Gogh spent the final year of his life. On arrivals day you can roam the estate to paint, have a glass of rosé or relax with the other artists. Then paint some more! You can see images of the estate here.
May 13 - 18, 2025
$4,400
Retreats Include:
10 days of artistic immersion in France or Scotland.
All-Inclusive: Delicious food, wine, accommodation and ground transportation. Offsite lunches and a group dinner outing will be at your own expense. Airfare and train fare not included.
Airport pick-up and drop off. We will pick you up between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on arrival day. Each retreat is different.
Paint, sketch and enjoy the good life in beautiful European surroundings.
France: Daily painting locations: Private vineyards with wine tasting, Van Gogh’s footsteps, charming hilltop villages and markets. Depending on season and location be prepared to see fields of vermilion poppies or the azur Mediterranean or a sea of lavender…
Scotland: Daily painting locations in the Kingdom of Fife and coastal villages of Scotland, majestic lochs, mountain views, castles and museums. Cultural tour of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Balanced itinerary of painting, exploring and relaxation for artists of all media – all levels!
Mentoring available on our uninstructed workshops.
Learn, live and paint side-by-side with fellow artists.
Plenty to do for non-painting partners!
Workshops Include:
10 days of artistic immersion in France.
Instruction itinerary is based on the optimum program for each instructor. Specific information is available on their individual pages.
All-Inclusive: Delicious food, wine, accommodation and ground transportation. Offsite lunches and a group dinner outing will be at your own expense. Airfare and train fare not included.
Avignon Train Station pick-up and drop off. We will pick you up between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm on arrival day. Each workshop is different. Ask about concierge driving service to and from Marseilles Airport.
Paint, sketch and enjoy the good life in beautiful European surroundings.
Daily painting locations: Private vineyards with wine tasting, Van Gogh’s footsteps, charming hilltop villages and markets. Depending on season be prepared to see fields of vermilion poppies or vineyards laden with grapes or a sea of lavender…
Balanced itinerary of painting, exploring and relaxation for artists!
Learn, live and paint side-by-side with fellow artists.
Plenty to do for non-painting partners!
Guest Reviews
An almost overwhelming experience! Such a wonderful location and facility, with fantastic teachers and lessons.It really motivated me to schedule a time to paint beyond my classes. I have put it into my calendar for the week. I want to keep the enthusiasm up.Everyone was so encouraging and kind. I was one of the only hobbyist painters attending. But no one made me feel I wasn’t worthy of encouragement. Lisa was very sweet and Lauren is a great teacher.
“All the staff took exceptional care of us, getting us to and from venues, communicating, fantastic food, man, couldn’t have asked for a better experience.I learned / relearned some important principles and had the opportunity to put them into practice.
Everyone in WIF was remarkably professional, kind and warm. Very generous also with your time, art pointers and instructions. I loved how all six crew came along and painted with us. This made a difference to the feeling of the workshop and stay. Such a nice feeling of friendship and support. A remarkable group of leaders. I felt very welcome.As far as my artistic goals: I have a plan for a painting now. Many teachers gloss over how to plan a painting and I loved that this and sketching was drilled into us. It has totally changed how I approach art and hope it translates into better outcomes for me. I feel now I am a “sketcher” which is new for me. I also feel like a more confident artist.
What an outstanding 10 days. Thank you for all your efforts! What a crew you guys are. Everything was perfect!!
I can say from past experience, that all of your needs are taken care of and you have many unexpected adventures too. Julie, Shirley and Lauren are the best!The WIF team is so well organized and they are so much fun!All of the workshops and retreats sound fantastic! I loved going on the Tuscan retreat with you in 2022! Congrats to all of you for a year of bringing the Joy of art and travel to many!
About The Art Engine
The Château Retreat for Artists and Workshops in France is organized by The Art Engine, a resource organization for visual artists.
We have a mission to bring artists together in wonderful destinations to become inspired by their surroundings and the creativity that comes from working in small enrichment groups. These retreats are designed to give our guests an ideal environment for making art while enjoying themselves to the fullest following a tradition of artists traveling and living together. The South of France was selected for the fantastic weather, sensational scenery, the rich tapestry of historical towns and villages, not to mention the cuisine and wines of one of France’s most abundant regions.
Since the life of the working artist can be a very solitary enterprise, confined to a lonely studio, the Château Retreat for Artists was conceived to fill this void with a highly enriching experience to make memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
How Workshops In France began.