Retreats for Artists and Instructed Painting Workshops in France, Italy, Scotland and Ireland.
Rates are based upon double occupancy for our art retreats and instructed workshops in France, Italy, Holland, Scotland and Ireland.
The published rates are in U.S. Dollars.
Refunds & Cancellation Policies:
To save your spot on any workshop and retreat, an $850 deposit is required. If the balance due date for the workshop has passed, then the full amount is due at the time of registration.
Deposits are fully refundable for up to 30 days.
After 30 days, $450 of the deposit is non-refundable.
Balance Due Dates:
Aimee Erickson – Jan 2, 2026
Retreat Normandy – Jan 8, 2026
Americans in Paris – Jan 13, 2026
Beginners Bootcamp – Jan 29, 2026
Americans Impressionist Society Retreat – Feb 9, 2026
Jane Hunt – Feb 21, 2026
Majestic Scotland – March 1, 2026
Ruth Fitton – March 11, 2026
Art Retreat Ireland – March 22, 2026
Marc Folly – May 4, 2026
Art Retreat Southwest France – May 15, 2026
Joseph Zbukvic & Lisa Wang – May 24, 2026
Cote d’Azur Art Retreat – June 4, 2026
Bryan Mark Taylor & Jose Clare – June 13, 2026
After the following specified dates, 50% of the total amount due is non-refundable:
Aimee Erickson – Jan 27, 2026
Retreat Normandy – Feb 7, 2026
Americans in Paris – Feb 12, 2026
Beginners Bootcamp – Feb 28, 2026
Americans Impressionist Society Retreat – March 11, 2026
Jane Hunt – March 23, 2026
Majestic Scotland – March 31, 2026
Ruth Fitton – April 10, 2026
Art Retreat Ireland – April 26, 2026
Marc Folly – June 3, 2026
Art Retreat Southwest France – June 14, 2026
Joseph Zbukvic & Lisa Wang – June 23, 2026
Cote d’Azur Art Retreat – July 5, 2026
Bryan Mark Taylor & Jose Clare – July 13, 2026
After the following specified dates, there are no refunds. However, 50% will be refunded if another guest can book the space. If the workshop is canceled for any reason, all payments will be refunded in full:
Aimee Erickson – Feb 2, 2026
Retreat Normandy – March 9, 2026
Americans in Paris – March 14, 2026
Beginners Bootcamp – March 30, 2026
Americans Impressionist Society Retreat – April 10, 2026
Jane Hunt – April 22, 2026
Majestic Scotland – April 30, 2026
Ruth Fitton – May 10, 2026
Art Retreat Ireland – May 21, 2026
Marc Folly – July 3, 2026
Art Retreat Southwest France – July 14, 2026
Joseph Zbukvic & Lisa Wang – July 23, 2026
Cote d’Azur Art Retreat – Aug 3, 2026
Bryan Mark Taylor & Jose Clare – Aug 12, 2026
Travel Insurance:
You are required to have your own travel insurance as a condition of attending the workshop.
Travel insurance is inexpensive and can protect you by refunding monies paid if you need to cancel your trip due to an emergency or interruption or cover travel costs in the unlikely event that the workshop is canceled. You can also ask for cancellation insurance in case you need to cancel. We advise that you purchase travel insurance at the time you book your reservations as you may need to cancel before you book your flights. Each insurance company has its own policies, so you should consult with your agent to see what they cover. Comparison insurance shopping can be done at InsureMyTrip.com.
All vehicle drivers will be fully covered with auto insurance as drivers by The Art Engine (Our parent company).
Code of Conduct:
As we live in close quarters, we insist that guests be mindful of other attendees’ well-being and conduct themselves in the spirit of fun and cooperation. Rudeness from any guest towards another, instructor, or crew member is unacceptable. Excessive alcohol consumption, lewd behavior, property damage or neglect, and critical comments are likewise considered unacceptable. The organizers have the right to remove any guest in violation without a refund. This has never happened and we have enjoyed a fun and cooperative group.
Discounts/Promotions:
Discounts are given to those who:
- On uninstructed art retreats – Group rate for 2 or more guests coming together. Bring a friend!
- On instructed workshops – non-painting partners discount.
- Loyalty discounts to anyone who has previously booked with WorkshopsInFrance.
Food & Wine:
Most of the retreats and workshops are catered, and you will have excellent family-style dinners at the estate every evening (except for 1-3 dinners or lunches out together), along with plenty of wine.
Food and wine served at the château are included in the trip cost. However, dining out during painting and sightseeing excursions is not included. Although encouraged, guests are not required to attend these meals and can make alternate dining reservations of their choosing. Lunchtime meals at restaurants typically cost around 20-30 Euros. If you would like to pack a lunch instead, let us know. We will make sure you have lunch items to go.
Continental breakfast is available each morning, either made by our chef or by you, depending on the venue. If the chef is not preparing your breakfast, you can choose from an assortment of fresh breads, eggs, local cheeses, yogurts, coffee, tea and fruit. The fridge will be stocked with snacks and available for you to grab and go as needed. On days we paint away from the château, you may make yourself a packed lunch to go or you can buy lunch out. If we have a chef, he/she can also make a picnic lunch for you.
Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Accommodations:
Rooms vary. There are a limited number of single rooms – please inquire, if interested. These rooms are assigned in the order of registration bookings and are subject to availability. The Art Engine and Workshops in France reserve the right to change the accommodation location due to unforeseen circumstances, but will always choose equivalent accommodation or better.
Limited economy rate rooms may be available at the châteaux – please inquire, if interested.
Our accommodations vary depending on the venue. We will let you know more when you register. For example, at the Avignon château, we have 3 grand suites that are very private with en suite bathrooms, and are available for an additional fee.
Instructed Workshops
The Art Engine and Workshops in France reserve the right to replace the instructor(s) should the need arrive due to unforeseen circumstances, but we will always choose an equivalent instructor or reimburse the instruction portion of the fee.
Scheduled Dates:
In the highly unlikely event that the workshop or art retreat is forced to postpone the event, The Art Engine/Workshops in France has the right to do so. As a requirement of the workshops, all guests and instructors are required to have adequate travel insurance to cover all monies paid should the guest be unable to attend the new dates.
Transport While at Your Workshop:
Transport to painting and sightseeing excursions is included. This is by van or car and on occasion, we may need volunteer drivers. We provide a small discount for volunteer drivers should we need them.
Volunteer drivers who decide to travel extensively outside of our group excursions will be responsible for fuel used.
Travel Arrangements:
- Airfare is not included. You must provide your own airfare to our Workshop Retreats.
- Easy pickup and drop-off. The pickup locations will vary depending on which workshop you attend.
- Avignon: Gare d’Avignon-Centre Train Station, or Avignon TGV train station (TGV is the high speed rail service).
- Majestic Scotland: Aberdeen Airport and train station, Arbroath Train Station.
- Manor House near Arbroath: Aberdeen Airport, Aberdeen Train Station, Arbroath Train Station.
- Chateau near Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport.
- Southwest France, Languedoc Region: Montpellier Airport, Montpellier Sud de France train station.
- Italy: Florence Airport.
- Ireland: Kerry Airport.
When you have informed us of your travel itinerary, we will arrange a time for your pick-up and return drop-off. Our general pickup times are between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You may have to wait an hour or more from when you arrive, depending on our pickup schedule. If you plan to arrive on any day prior to or after your retreat start date or your flight is significantly delayed, you will need to make your own way to the château on arrivals day.
Depending on the location, we are located between 40 minutes to over an hour away from the airport or train station by taxi. A taxi may cost 100-160 Euros, or more. Uber does exist in most of the places we go, but sometimes to a very limited degree. Rideshare services can be a cheaper option than taxis, but keep in mind that this uses your mobile phone data. Keep our phone number handy to update us. Texting is a good option but sometimes text has a delay when sending. If you do not get a quick reply – please call.
Housekeeping & Cleaning:
While we aim to please and make this a stress-free retreat/vacation, the chateau is more of a guesthouse experience as opposed to a full-service hotel. We do not have daily maid service, and we ask our guests to clean up after themselves after breakfast. We have help in the evenings to clean up after dinner. Laundry machines are available to wash clothes, and in typical European fashion – clotheslines are available for drying. We have a staging area where we leave paint supplies and wet paintings. We provide all disposable supplies such as solvent, jars, gloves, paper towels, pastel fixatives, bug spray, and trash bags.
Equipment and Baggage:
The Art Engine and Workshops in France highly recommend guests travel as light as possible, limiting the luggage to one checked bag and one carry-on. We do not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to personal property or any charges for excess baggage.
Medical and Health:
Open to artists and companions aged 18 – 80.
Travelers should have a personal supply of any special medications, and for emergency purposes, we request guests to advise us of medical conditions and medications needed. Please pack your medications in your carry-on bag so that they are available to you no matter what.
The Art Engine and Workshops in France has no expertise or responsibility regarding what medication the traveler and his/her private physician should decide is necessary for safe participation in the tour. Any physical disability requiring special attention must be disclosed in full when the reservation is made.
Travelers must promptly notify The Art Engine and Workshops in France of any change in their health after registration. If the traveler is deemed unfit to participate, any refunds will be subject to the Refunds & Cancellations Policy outlined in these Terms and Conditions.
All guests should be fit enough to walk unaided for at least two hours and manage uneven stairs and occasionally steep walkways, as we visit historic towns and villages.
All guests must be able to carry their own art supplies to and from painting sites and vehicles. We always try to park as close to the painting locations as possible. The Art Engine and Workshops in France reserves the right to refuse or remove any traveler from the retreat should The Art Engine determine that the traveler cannot meet these physical requirements. In that event, the traveler will not be refunded any monies.
Photographs Taken at The Workshop:
Use of Traveler Images/ Photographs and videos taken by The Art Engine and Workshops in France during the trip are the property of The Art Engine and Workshops in France and may be used in digital and printed promotional materials.
If you do not wish to have your photograph used, The Art Engine/Workshops in France must be notified in writing no later than the beginning of the tour.
Release of Liability and Responsibility:
The Art Engine and Workshops in France expressly limits its activity to the delivery of an art retreat with food, lodging, and ground transportation from site to site. The Art Engine and Workshops in France expressly exclude all other guarantees and warranties and is not responsible for any direct or indirect consequential damages or injury that may result from the trip. The customer is completely responsible for all actions and agrees to hold harmless The Art Engine and Workshops in France for any accident or injury. We are not responsible for Acts of God or acts of war/terrorism, health epidemics, or pandemics, and the customer agrees to hold harmless The Art Engine and Workshops in France for any accident or injury resulting from the same, or as a result of any force majeure. Unaccompanied guests must be at least 18 years old.