Imagine:
- Painting under the same olive trees where Van Gogh found inspiration for over 143 oil paintings and more than 100 drawings.
- Sketching a narrow alleyway in the medieval village of Vaison-la-Romaine.
- Capturing in the dappled sunlight of a cherry orchard in bloom.
Join us this spring as we find creative inspiration and capture the beautiful vistas and vignettes on paper and canvas in the South of France.
We will personally welcome you to either the Marseille airport or the Avignon train station. Enjoy the view as we transport you to our “home” for the next 9 nights at our rustic, yet elegant villa. Feel right at home by sharing a short bio. and get to know other like-minded souls on the trip. At the villa, take quick nap or just relax poolside over snacks and beverages. This afternoon is an orientation and welcome reception on the terrace followed by dinner** in the charming village of St. Cécile-les-Vignes.
The village is just a short stroll from our place. If you are an "early bird" watch the village come to life, stop in for a croissant and café or if you prefer to sleep in, breakfast at the villa is provided daily.
Sunday unleash your creativity in our village of St. Cécile-les-Vignes, sketching as you discover the churches and narrow alleys of this city. This evening we are invited to a friend’s local winery for a tour and tasting**. St. Cécile-Les-Vignes, means Saint Cecilia in the vines!
Monday we travel a scenic route through vineyards and olive groves to reach the small hamlet of les Baux-de Bédoin Equipped with chairs, art supplies and materials, find the perfect perspective amongst the cherry trees in bloom, in the courtyard of a friend’s home, at the café, or wherever your eye is drawn. We will stroll back to our hostesses home for a typical French lunch**. The day winds up with a drive up Mont Ventoux,home of a Tour de France stage and a breathtaking panoramic view from the 6,000 ft. summit.
Tuesday: Vaison-la-Romaine, as the name implies, was a playground for the Romans and ruins from this time still exist there today. Prepare for a sensory feast…it’s market day! Take in the sounds of gypsy jazz, artistically arranged produce, the sumptuous scents, colorful fabrics and joie-de-vivre always present at a Provencal market. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or decide to picnic with a view of the old Roman bridge which is still used today (with your freshly purchased cheese, baguette, pastries and perhaps provençal tablecloth). Scout out a picturesque scene or object for your next project and start working on it today or commence tomorrow.
You have all day Wednesday to continue or start work at your own pace. Don’t forget to cross that Roman bridge to explore the meandering alleyways and passages in the medieval part of the city.
Thursday visit another part of Provence, with a landscape of olive and cypress trees so familiar in the paintings of Van Gogh. We’ll have free time to explore the elegant streets of St. Rémy-de-Provence and visit the asylum** where he painted many of his best-known works. Enjoy the afternoon on the asylum grounds or painting under the olive trees in this peaceful and picturesque spot.
Friday we visit the remarkable Dentelles de Montmirail Mountains nearby. Walk through the village to the the small botanical garden and learn a bit about the local flora, visit an art gallery, taste the famous Gigondas wines, or just stroll the winding streets of this charming village looking for the perfect image to work on. There are several choices here for lunch or you can request a picnic lunch**, as we offer every day (when out in the field working on art). This is always an option and included in your tour, so you do not have to interrupt your flow.
Saturday morning we enjoy our local market of St. Cécile . This afternoon is an optional outing to the nearby village of Grignan**. The castle here is rated one of the best to visit in Provence. Madame Sevigné wrote many of her famous letters from this castle and it has 3 been beautifully restored to it’s medieval glory.
Sunday’s excursion is to Aix-en-Provence, also known as Paris of the south. Wide tree-lined boulevards, elegant cafés and lovely fountains define this city. We will visit Paul Cézanne’s nearby studio**. It is here, on the Lauves hill, among the objects he treasured, the models of his last still lifes, his furniture and his work tools, that you will feel the painter’s presence most intensely. From 1902 until his death in 1906, Cézanne worked every morning in this studio of light and silence, the birthplace of dozens of paintings that are now owned by the world’s great museums. This evening is our farewell dinner**.
Monday we head to the airport to either travel back home, or continue our artistic experience in nearby Mallorca Spain, home of Joan Miro. With it’s incredible blue water, rustic mountains and dreamy landscape of almond and fig trees, choose to continue your creative experience in Spain.
TOUR PRICE; $2,950 per person based on double occupancy $3,550 single price.
What’s included:
-9 nights lodging (double occupancy)
- transportation to and from the airport and on all excursions -the service of an experienced guide* and translator
- 2 dinners
- sack/picnic lunches on art days over lunch hour
- breakfast daily -lunch at a French friend’s home
- wine tasting and tour
- admission to Van Gogh asylum, Grignan castle, Lauves,
- stools/chairs and or easels if requested
- *Beth has been traveling to this corner of Provence for over 20 years and Beth and Lisa have been organizing tours with this villa and village as a base for over 10 years. We speak French, know the village and surrounding areas well and can help you find interesting subjects for your art. We are here to make to help you enjoy this beautiful place and to take care of the details so that you can focus on your art. **These items are included in the tour price.
- For additional information please email [email protected] or call Beth at 202 746- 8200.
- Info. Links; http://essencedeprovence.typepad.com/lavender/ Facebook; Experience Provence and Beyond To see a short video with highlights from this area click here. Look for Experience Provence & Beyond on Facebook as well.