Marc Folly Workshop in Southern France
Near Avignon in Provence, September 1 – 9, 2026
We are thrilled to invite you to a 9-day watercolor workshop with acclaimed French artist Marc Folly. Marc is celebrated for his masterful control of light, shape, and color—as well as his evocative and unconventional subjects. This immersive workshop will take place at our beloved retreat in Provence, offering a tranquil and inspiring backdrop for exploration, learning, and creative growth.
Marc brings a poetic sensibility to watercolor. With a passion for the unexpected, he often turns to themes rooted in urban, industrial, and artisanal life—capturing quiet interiors, sunlit workshops, and nostalgic fragments of everyday memory with bold composition and atmospheric nuance.
Over the course of the workshop, Marc will share his personal approach through demonstrations, guided exercises, one-on-one feedback, and group critiques. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of watercolor’s most imaginative and articulate voices in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The program blends focused instruction with cultural immersion, offering guests the chance to experience the rich textures and colors of the Provence region. Whether you’re an experienced watercolorist or looking to push your creative boundaries, this workshop promises inspiration, growth, and connection in one of France’s most captivating corners.
What to Expect at a Plein Air Workshop
Find your inspiration from the daily painting locations while getting to know your fellow artists in highly creative surroundings. The cost includes all accommodations, food on the estate (breakfast, lunch and dinner), grab-and-go lunch ingredients if painting off the estate, entrances, and ground transportation. A group lunch out and a group dinner out are paid at our guest’s own expense and are optional.
Our September retreat is located between the Luberon mountains and the Mediterranean. It is a wonderful opportunity to paint with other artists and spend 9 idyllic days in the South of France, all while surrounded in the natural beauty and bounty of Provence.
The estate is only half an hour from Avignon and sits atop a medieval village which it defended in the past. The château commands stunning views of the Luberon Valley.
Avignon is a world heritage site. It is surrounded by many historical landmarks with an artistic connection. We will visit Saint Rémy de Provence and visit the sanitarium where Van Gogh lived for just over a year. We will walk in his footsteps, paint what he painted and see what he saw. We will also visit the medieval city of Les Baux and the spectacular audiovisual tribute to artists at Les Carrières des Lumières.
Ideal for those who want to bring their non-painting partners. We are following a tradition of artists who travel to live and paint together and the enrichment that comes from the experience.
Marc Folly: Watercolors in France
Marc Folly is a master watercolorist known for his deep sensitivity to shape, color, and the unexpected. His work explores offbeat and complex subjects drawn from the textures of urban, industrial, and artisanal life—sunlit workshops, quiet interiors, and fleeting everyday moments rendered with poetic nuance. Through his evocative compositions, Marc invites us into a familiar world shaped by memory and touched with nostalgia.
As a teacher, Marc brings this same attentiveness and spirit of discovery to his workshops. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to refine your technique, his guidance will open up the endless possibilities of watercolor. His approachable style, insightful demonstrations, and thoughtful critiques create a welcoming environment where students can grow and take creative risks.
Join Marc for an unforgettable experience that blends artistic exploration with deep inspiration—and discover how far your watercolor journey can go.
This workshop has a limited number of spaces available
$850 Deposit to save your spot. Balance due May 4, 2026
Join us at our Southern France getaway, where the epic mountains surround our mill nestled beside a river. The perfect oasis to paint with Marc.
This Workshop Includes:
- 9-Days of learning with Marc Folly in Southern France.
- Ongoing demos, discussions and evenings with the instructor.
- All Inclusive: Tuition, fine food, wine, château accommodation and ground transportation. We eat out an own expense – one/two lunches and one dinner are scheduled. Airfare not included.
- Paint, sketch and enjoy the good life in idyllic surroundings.
- Daily painting locations: Private vineyards, charming villages, markets (more painting and excursion locations varied upon location of the workshop).
- Balanced itinerary of painting, exploring and relaxation for artists of all media – all levels!
- Travel, live, learn and paint side-by-side with Marc and fellow artists.
- Plenty to do for non-painting partners! A limited number of non-painting partners accepted. Discount available for non-painting companions.
- Train station pickup included on arrival and departure day.
Marc Folly in Southern France
September 1 - 9, 2026
$5,600
Marc Folly workshop at our Provence location in France.
Reserve your spot now. Spaces are limited!