Our 5-Day Getaway Mighty Mini Art Retreat

October 12 — 17, 2023 Provence

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.

Provence in the Fall provides a delicious and abundant backdrop to your art-making experience. We are returning to our historic château estate located East of Avignon for this unique art retreat. This château has been perched on top of the village in one form or another since the 600s.  The estate is beyond charming with the arched entrance, ancient walls, and terraces opening to incredible views across the Luberon valley. On arrivals day you can roam the estate to paint, have a glass of rosé or take a dip in the splendid swimming pool. Then paint some more! You can see images of the estate here.

Dinners, transportation and accommodations are included. You will visit the grounds where Van Gogh lived for almost a year and paint where he painted. Explore parts of this remarkable region that was founded during Roman times and is now a culturally thriving agricultural paradise. When you see the quality of light in Provence you begin to understand why several of the Impressionists lived and worked in this region.

We will explore private vineyards, with special permission to paint there. Be prepared to taste the best of Provence’s bounty and be inspired for life.

Each day has a unique destination to sketch and paint – while also taking time to stop, explore and meet the locals. Your itinerary includes a visit to a local market, vineyards and breathtaking hilltop villages. All locations have access to our vehicles, materials and cafes. Bring your camera, because you will be truly inspired by the surroundings and want to snap references to paint later.

While dining at the château we take up various painting-related topics for discussion and demos. Although the workshop is not instructed – painting side-by-side with fellow artists provides growth, new skills and new friendships. Wonderful guests from across the world have joined this retreat, including painters, photographers, writers, and sculptors.

Price is based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available. Airfare is not included. Discounts are available for spouses or partners (painting or non-painting). A $700 deposit is required to hold your space.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in time for lunch on October 12th! We will pick you up from the train station in Avignon and bring you to the Chateau in time for lunch! (If you can’t get a flight that has you arriving in the morning, we suggest you arrive the day before and spend the night in a hotel in Avignon.) We can paint on the estate in the afternoon and then meet for our Champagne Reception in the evening before dinner, catered by our French chefs.

Day 2. We paint on the grounds and in the village and in the afternoon, we go for a wine tasting and vineyard tour.

Day 3. We visit a beautifully preserved medieval village, with incredible vistas overlooking the Luberon Valley. Then after our picnic lunch «déjeuner sur l’herbe » we will explore and paint the scenic village of Roussillon famous for its ochre-colored facades.

Day 4. Market Day! Visit the finest market in Provence to do some shopping and exploring. After lunch we go to the mountains to see the source of the River Sorgues, a spectacular place to paint!

Day 5. We go to experience the best immersive art show in the world! In the afternoon, we go to paint where Vincent van Gogh lived for a year and we paint where he painted!

Day 6-we say our fond farewells and return you to the train station and you return home armed with memories and inspiration to last a lifetime!

What’s Included

Dinners, ground transportation and accommodation are included. Price is based on double occupancy. There are a limited number of single rooms. Airfare is not included. Discounts are available for former guests and also for those traveling together, spouses/partners (painting or non-painting). A $700 deposit is required to hold your space

All prices are in US dollars.