“These are the best painting holidays in France in the iconic landscapes of South West France”
Well, according to me any way. There’s something enjoyable, actually brave, about coming on an art holiday in France either with a mixed group of friends, maybe knowing one or two are really here for the food and wine, or coming completely on your own, as a solo traveller.
I have been in both these situations and after the initial stage fright of actually booking the holiday, it has always been amazing fun and I was so so glad I went for it each time. So now to be able to provide an art holiday in France, and be host, friend, teacher (cook, cleaner, taxi driver) and general hostess bringing people together, is a very special experience indeed.
Guests and visitors who came on painting holidays this year, had a home from home experience, obviously with a touch of 17th century vintage glamour, made new friends, learnt a few new art skills along the way and the group whatsapp’s are still going strong.
Art classes and the workshops worked so well and I was very proud of my lovely guest’s testimonials this year – thank you.
Create, Connect & Make Lifelong Friends through Art
I wanted to write this blog post about the connections made on my painting retreats and holidays from around the world. For example, I loved my Google group who came in July, all individuals from all over Google‘s european offices, not really knowing each other, but from an online internal message board, liked the idea of an art holiday in France – and voila! an amazing art team was created – I learnt a few techno things too.
It has been a pleasure to be able to provide a warm and safe creative space for solo female travellers this year too. I think I will reach out to all those groups of guys who like cars, golf, wine and music this 2026 season as we have all this to hand. A stop off on that road trip to San Sebastian restaurants is a must.
From small intimate groups of mixed individual visitors to a large group art class all the way from Australia and their wonderful teacher Antonija Gros. This was a 10 day painting holiday and the group produced some beautiful art journals of their experiences from the food to the iconic French villages and landscapes they visited. It was lovely for me to be the facilitator on this retreat, making sure we visited great locations to draw, and we ate and drank like kings and queens. I also enjoyed another art teacher enjoying my creative space, the large art studio, gardens and inspiring Manoir that felt like home for them.
Leesa Le May – Taking Art on the Road & Turning your Venues into a Creative Hub
I am looking forward to a few residencies as an art teacher at other chateaux and venues in the area this year – always good to visit new places and offer some fab art workshops to new friends and colleagues.
This coming year will be about the garden space for visitors. We created a petanque bouledrome at the end of summer 2025 and we know visitors enjoyed having dinner on the terrace every night. Maybe we can make a wild cinema in the garden with big soft cushions, rosé and wonderful stars over head? Always creating a mindful, calm space to sit back eat, laugh and relax.
For more information on exactly what painting holidays in France and art retreats we can offer – please click here