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Macrame Masterclass Holiday in the South of France

Highlights

  • Enjoy inspiring macrame workshops with a qualified teacher
  • Explore the surrounding villages full of life and culture
  • Relax in the French countryside and indulge in some great food and drink
From £1000 pp
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What you'll do

Overview

Macramé: anyone can do it! Discover the art of macrame in a small group on this amazing experience in the beautiful French countryside and experience the local culture, whilst indulging in some amazing food and wine.

Enjoy this creative holiday with like-minded people at Atelier Souriant, a great destination to be active and unwind at the same time. Immerse yourself in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of your charming home for the next week.

In the morning, your qualified art teacher will be taking your macrame  skills to a higher level with her inspiring classes.

You will be able to learn the basics and quickly improve the techniques of (micro) macramé during your daily morning classes. Anita is an experienced visual arts teacher with a passion for textiles. With her infectious enthusiasm she gets everyone to tie the knot.

We use ecological (‘Oeko-Tex’) cotton in the colour of your choice. Beautiful sticks and bamboo can be picked straight out of the 11 hectare woodland of La Forêt Souriante. Macramé can be a bit addictive, so you can work on your macramé piece in the studio whenever you like.

On three afternoons, you will be taken out on a trip to different spots in the beautiful area of Najac, to give you some inspiration and enjoy the French countryside.

If you like to hike, La Foret Souriante is a good starting point  for some amazing walks. With so many beautiful sites on hand, it is a wonder that it’s not overcrowded with tourists. Enjoy the peace and quiet, swim in the river, enjoy a cycle trip on an electric bike rented in Najac or discover the stunning area of Bor et Bar on a walk.

Operating Dates 2024

17 – 24 August

 

 

Arrival

After arriving at Najac train station, you will be picked up and taken to La Foret Souriante where the rooms will be ready for around 4pm. You will get to enjoy a three course vegetarian meal for dinner and then take the rest of the evening to relax before your first workshop in the morning.

Accommodation:

La Foret Souriante

This beautiful house set in the French countryside with gites and chambre d’hôte accommodation. You will stay in one of the two gîtes or in one of the two chambres d’hôte or the glamping tent . The  gîtes have queen size beds suitable for one or two persons , and the chambres d’hôte and glamping tent are for sole use. Every bedroom has its own private ensuite and is equipped with coffee or tea making facilities. With beautiful gardens and woodlands surrounding the property, there is an abundance of inspiration for your craft work.

There are two gites each sleeping one or two people, and two chambres d’hotes for one person each and a luxury glamping tent for one.

All meals are included and are home made and vegetarian.

Introduction and First Lessons

After an early vegetarian breakfast in the garden, you will head over the studio for your first lesson or do it outside, depending on the weather. This trip is suitable for anyone of any skill level, your teacher will challenge you no matter your ability.

 

In the morning, from 9.15 a.m. you will macramé under the guidance of Anita for 3 hours in the spacious studio in the former stables or in the beautiful outdoor areas.  Anita’s lessons are inspiring for everyone beginners as well as for advanced. During your lessons you will be taught new and different patterns and techniques and experience the pleasure in creating!

For your macramé masterpiece you will use ecological cotton in the colour of your choice.

The sticks and bamboo you need can be picked straight out of the 11 hectares of ancient woodland of La Forêt Souriante.

At around 13:00 you will enjoy a lovely lunch in the French sun, you have the rest of the day to do as you wish.

It is possible to continue practising your knots  in the workshop or garden. Anita is on hand to discuss your work with you. Relax at the house or go on a walk to discover Najac or go for swim in the nearby river. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations of what to do.

At around 7pm, you can enjoy another delicious vegetarian home cooked three course meal, followed by some time to relax and do as you please.

 

Continue creating and discover your surroundings

Today will start with breakfast at 8:30 again before another workshop with Anita. For the rest of the week, she will give you various projects and assignments to vary the macrame pieces you are making, discuss how to make the most of colour to create a beautiful design. There are plenty of examples, but there is also the opportunity to choose and make your own design or style. You can make murals, plant hangers, jewellery and you can even make clothes!
Around 13.00 p.m. you will enjoy another delightful lunch and afterwards you will visit one of the beautiful nearby villages.

Around 7pm  you will enjoy a delicious home cooked vegetarian three course dinner, unwind and drink some wine after a busy day.

 

 

 

Workshop and Explore Nature

After breakfast at around 08:30  you will have another workshop with Anita. She will be there to help you with your work and offer any advice or inspiration. After your outdoor workshop in the stunning French countryside, you head back to the house for some lunch.

After lunch, the group will have the choice to take a great walk in nature to Najac or a beautiful and varied walk in Bor et Bar, one of the best walks in the area. You can even go kayaking on the river Aveyron, starting in Najac.

Following this, you head back to the house for a lovely dinner at around 7pm and some time to relax.

 

 

 

Free day

Today is a free day  to do whatever you want! If you are inclined, and have your own transport, we suggest you visit Albi, with its beautiful Cathedral and have lunch in one of the delicious local restaurants in this picturesque town.

You can also stay at the house and continue your macrame  in the workshop or just sit in one of the hammocks and enjoy a book. If neither take you fancy, don’t hesitate to ask for any other recommendations. Maybe even go on a hike, it is completely up to you.

With pleasure we suggest a few more lovely outings and we are happy to arrange transport to and from a lovely local restaurant of your choice for lunch .

At around 7pm, you will enjoy a delicious dinner of homemade soup and salad as well as beautiful homemade dessert. Before some time to relax in the evening.

 

 

 

Workshop and Macrame

In the morning, from 9.15 a.m. you will continue macramé under the guidance of Anita for 3 hours we will reflect together on the works everybody is making.
Around 13.00 p.m. you can enjoy another delightful lunch.
In the afternoon you can choose to continue macramé. Anita is on hand to discuss your work with you. Or you can go for an interesting nature walk with Tjarco or take a drawing and painting workshop with Anita.

Just relaxing, with a book and enjoying La Forêt Souriante is also a good alternative!
Around 7 pm we will serve a three course meal for dinner at the house before relaxing with some wine and book for the rest of the night.

 

Out of the Box Painting and Drawing

In the morning  we will also start at 8.30 a.m. with breakfast.
From 9.15 a.m. you will continue to your macrame under the guidance of Anita for 3 hours.

Today we are going to do some out of the box assignments and techniques. Let your imagination and creativity flow and see what
it brings you!

After lunch,  continue macramé in the workshop or garden to finish the works you made this week.

Anita is on hand to discuss your work with you. You can also choose to make the most of the last full
day at La Forêt Souriante to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you want to be active we are happy to bring and pick you up to and from one of our favourite spots nearby.
Around 16.00 p.m. we will have tea with cake and a mini exhibition of the masterpieces created this week.

Around 7.30 pm we will serve the last delicious three course meal of the week.

 

Au Revoir

After a last breakfast in the beautiful French countryside, it will be time to say goodbye as you head home or further on with your travels. We hope you will have learnt some great new techniques over the week and most of all had a great time. Taking home some great memories and your macrame master pieces to show your family and friends.

 

 

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights accommodation in a charming gite or chambre d' hotes
  • 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners (all vegetarian and home cooked)
  • Transfer from and to Najac train station
  • Daily classes of 3 hours, except wednesday.
  • 3 afternoon activities - tailored to suit the group
  • 3 strands of ecru cotton (100m x 3) included( more is available at a small additional cost)
  • All Bamboo and sticks
  • Free WiFi
Your local host

Anita and Tjarco

Anita is a qualified art teacher and will be your tutor for the week as she guides experienced artists to improve their technique, or new artists to discover their passion and learn the basics. Anita and Tjarco are enthusiastic hosts providing wonderful hospitality and delicious local french cuisine during your stay.

Anita is a qualified art teacher and will be your tutor for the week as she guides experienced artists to improve their technique, or new artists to discover their passion and learn the basics. Anita and Tjarco are enthusiastic hosts providing wonderful hospitality and delicious local french cuisine during your stay.

Anita and Tjarco image

Location

Located in  Aveyron in the region of Occitanie  in the south of France, La Foret Souriante is the perfect place to stay for a peaceful break in the French countryside. Surrounded by woodlands and beautiful gardens, there is plenty of space to relax and read a book or to go on a walk and explore the beautiful area.

Getting there: Najac is about a 1.5 hour drive from from Toulouse, so flying into Toulouse airport and hiring a car from there is one option, or take the train from Toulouse Matabiau station to Najac, and your hosts will pick you up from the station in Najac.

You can also get the train from London St Pancras to Najac  with just two changes – in Paris and in Toulouse. Your hosts will collect you from Najac train station – just let us know your arrival time.

FAQs

What time does the experience start and end ?

The experience starts at 16:00 on saturday 17 August and ends after breakfast on Saturday 24 August

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