What to expect on your art holiday in France
For a 7 night painting holiday
Please note this itinerary is provided as an example and may vary slightly from week to week.
Mealtimes:
Breakfast 8 am to 9 am
Lunch 12.30 pm to 2 pm
Aperitif on the terrace 6/6.30pm
Dinner from 7/7.30pm
Day 1 Saturday
Arrival at the airport or train station and transfer to Maison du Fort. Settle in, followed by a guided tour of the house, the studio and gardens. Enjoy a welcome apéritif by the pool with fellow guests, then relax over a three-course dinner with regional wines served on the terrace.
Day 2 Sunday
Breakfast and into the Studio for a loosening up drawing and painting session followed by lunch on the shady terrace. In the afternoon an opportunity for plein air sketching in the garden or the country lanes around Maison du Fort and Montignac de Lauzun.
Dinner on the terrace. Evening free to relax or visit the local pub, The Old Lord Raglan, for refreshments and live music.
Day 3 Monday
After breakfast, a full day painting en plein air at Tourtres with views of the old church and windmill. Plenty of time for sketching, reference photography and painting. We have a beautiful picnic lunch with amazing views, a real moment of mindfulness in the french countryside. Return late afternoon for a swim and relaxation, followed by a delicious dinner with wine.
Day 4 Tuesday
Breakfast, then a visit to the beautiful Les Jardins des Clapiéra for inspirational sketching and photography. Return for lunch, then an afternoon of colourful gel-plate printing and mixed-media work based on your garden sketches.
In July and August we attend the seasonal night markets—an evening of communal dining, local produce, wine and live music. In other months we arrange an evening at a recommended local restaurant.
Day 5 Wednesday
After breakfast, a morning Learn-to-Lino workshop in the studio through to lunch. Wednesday afternoon is free: relax by the pool, continue studio work or join a group visit to Château Fayolle for a gentle wine tasting session and charcuterie board. Electric bikes can be arranged for a more active option.
Aperitif and dinner at Maison du Fort on the terrace.
Day 6 Thursday
Morning visit to a colourful local market selling fresh produce and artisan goods—perfect for coffee, people-watching and sketching in your journal. Lunch in a square-side restaurant. Return to Maison du Fort for an afternoon of en plein air painting or studio work, depending on the weather.
Aperitif followed by dinner at the Manoir.
Day 7 Friday
After breakfast we paint and draw in and around the medieval town of Lauzun. Lunch at La Papaille Auberge on the terrace with hosts Sara and Guy, enjoying a three-course meal of local fare and regional wines. Continue painting on the terrace, finishing with a celebratory glass of bubbles to reflect on the week’s achievements.
Return to Maison du Fort for either a light supper and optional live music at the pub or BBQ on the terrace as usual.
Day 8 Saturday
Breakfast and farewells for guests on the seven-night programme. Transfers to airports or train stations.
As listed above not included in cost – 1 lunch out on Thursday and 1 evening meal out on Tuesday