Bienvenue chez nous!

Excellent QUALIFIED tuition and real inspiration for all abilities in all media; based in beautiful countryside overlooking the mediaeval, hill-top villages of Cathar country and the distant Pyrenees, with charming farm-house accommodation if required.

Art in South West France:

We offer a range of Art courses and workshops for all levels based near historic Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of southwest France. We are located in a beautiful area of rolling hills, vineyards, sunflowers and sun-kissed, mediaeval villages at the heart of a region interwoven with Cathar and Da Vinci Code mysteries, within striking distance of the Mediterranean sea and the snow-capped peaks of the Pyrenees mountains. It is a veritable painter's paradise full of striking landscapes, picturesque views, colourful subjects and Mediterranean light; an area of beauty and variety to inspire you; where you can take advantage of cheap flights to a region rich in history, traditions and culture - and escape from the stresses of modern life!

Our courses, workshops and tuition:

We welcome artists of all abilities using all media and offer flexible residential or non-residential packages, working in small groups with individual and tailor-made programmes, either en plein air around our region or in the farmhouse grounds. We pride ourselves on having an experienced and qualified tutor*, who is English and a practising/exhibiting artist, to teach and guide you through our courses and we include transport to a variety of key sites that are carefully chosen for their picturesque attraction, history and inspiring views.

We offer individual tailor-made programmes for Art and Painting, incorporating either:

• Traditional disciplines, skills and techniques covering Drawing, Draughtsmanship, Colour, Composition, Painting Styles, etc, or
• Development of creative expression and experimentation, incorporating how to unlock your creativity/imagination, overcoming inhibitions, interpretation, creating abstracts.... and having fun!

Our courses and workshops are tailor-made for each student based on an individual program devised once you book with us from information we ask you to provide about your ability and personal requirements and our groups are therefore often of mixed ability but everyone gets plenty of individual tuition. Start/finish times for our courses are flexible and can be arranged to suit you (please see a guide to our range of courses on the 'Format' page of the 'Our Courses' section) and these include one day off per week as free time for students, or more if required.

Dates of courses and workshops available:
(Similar dates available in 2011, to be confirmed next season)

• December/January 2010: Sunday 20th December to Saturday 2nd January 2010
• February 2010: Sunday 14th to Saturday 20th February 2010
• April 2010: Saturday 3rd to Saturday 17th April 2010
• May/June 2010: Sunday 30th May to Saturday 5th June 2010
• July/August 2010: Sunday 25th July to Saturday 29th August 2010

Accommodation and catering:

We are based at a charming farmhouse gite complex, which offers Bed and Breakfast and some self-catering facilities to our students and is located in the hills close to the historic village of Montreal d'Aude about 15kms from Carcassonne. We will be pleased to pass on booking/enquiry details for you to deal direct with them and to arrange your stay independently, or you are free to make your own arrangements elsewhere in the area, which you may find more suitable for you. There is a boulangerie, corner shop and supermarket, as well as a local bar and restaurants situated in the village 3-4kms away.

Other information:

We offer reductions for longer stays, whilst non-painting partners are welcome to accompany us. Our nearest airport is at Carcassonne (only 15 mins away) or alternatively many students come into Toulouse, then either hire a car or take a train into Carcassonne. We suggest students consider hiring a vehicle in order to give themselves independence as well as the opportunity to see the beautiful and historic area while they are with us (there are plenty of things to do and see as you will see on the 'Region and area' page). Alternatively we can arrange pick-up/drop-off at Carcassonne airport for a competitive fee.

Please use the menus on the left hand side of this page to find out more.

* Unfortunately it's a disturbing fact that many tutors aren't actually formally trained - and therefore don't know how to really teach! The following quote was taken from an article featured in Leisure Painter and The Artist magazines, capturing the essence of what we offer students that are serious about their art and wish to learn: "We students are a bizarre mixture of under-confidence and bravura, prior experience of learning (both good and bad), tics, hang-ups, prejudices, needs, demands, wants and frailties all bundled together in bone, muscle, sinew and fat. All a good art tutor needs to be then is a patient and tolerant friend, counsellor, teacher, group manager, leader, guide, guru and to know where the kettle is. It's not asking much, is it?" Click here for the full article.

Please note: Pictures shown are for guidance only; accommodation and facilities will not be those displayed but will be of a similar standard.