Painting and Drawing Holiday in France

What You'll Do

(Re)discover the joy of drawing and painting 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 betaking your creative skills to a higher level with her inspiring classes. In this course you will be able to practice several drawing- and painting-techniques, such as ink, woodless pencil, charcoal, pastel, acrylic paint, watercolor etc.

On three afternoons, you will be taken out on a trip to different spots near the house, to give you some inspiration and enjoy drawing some beautiful scenes in the French countryside.

Enjoy a visit to the nearby, newly renovated abbey with its interesting museum of abstract art. During the afternoon, you will be able to continue to draw or paint in the studio, or relax and observe the amazing wildlife in the garden and woodlands.

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

Operating Dates 2023:

24th June – 1st July

22nd July – 29th July

Experience
Highlights

Enjoy inspiring workshops with a qualified art teacher

Explore the surrounding villages full of life and culture

Relax in the French countryside and indulge in some great food and drink

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

After arriving at the 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 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’hote accommodation. You will stay in one of the two gîtes or in one of the two chambres d’hôte. That makes a total of 4 double bedrooms. Every double bedroom has its own private ensuite. In every bedroom you will find coffee or tea making facilities.. With beautiful gardens and woodlands surrounding the property, there is an abundance of inspiration for a drawing and painting holiday.

There are two gites each sleeping one or two people, and two chambres d’hotes for one or two people per room.

French drawing and painting holiday

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.

During your lessons, development is key. You will be taught new and different painting and drawing techniques. At the end of every lesson, you will discuss your work with the group and describe the vision for your work.

After a lovely lunch in the French sun, you have the rest of the day to do as you wish. It is possible to continue drawing or painting 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 three course meal for dinner, followed by some time to relax and do as you please.

Continue creating and Discover the 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 assignments, discuss the use of material and how to make the most of colour to create a beautiful design when drawing or painting.

After lunch, you will visit Abbaye de Beaulieu en Rouergue, with a very interesting abstract art museum. Anita will be there with you and will discuss the paintings with you and teach you how to analyse the work.

Afterwards, you will get to enjoy a three course dinner for being able to unwind and drink some wine after a busy day.

Workshop and Explore Nature

After an early breakfast, 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 and some time to relax.

Free day

Today is yours to do whatever you want with it! If you are inclined, 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 painting 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.

At around 7pm, you will get to 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

The morning will be filled with a workshop with Anita. Teaching you some new techniques and giving you time to apply these to your work, she will be there to help wherever you need and to guide you in creating your masterpiece.

After lunch, you can continue drawing, go on a walk in nature, but we suggest you take part in Anita’s macrame workshop to learn something new and completely different!

In the evening, enjoy a three course homemade 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, you will take part in your last workshop of the trip. Anita will give you some new and interesting techniques to trail as well as some wacky assignments for today’s workshop.

Following this, you will have lunch in the French sun before an afternoon of relaxation. In the late afternoon, we all come together to discuss our work over the week with a tea and some cake.

In the evening, you will have your last dinner at the house, and the rest of the evening to relax.

Departure

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 some even better artwork to show your family and friends.

Location Information

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.