Loire Valley Painting Retreat
May 12-19th 2025
Join us for a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of France’s Loire Valley while refining your artistic skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, our skilled instructor will guide you through techniques in oil painting, helping you capture the stunning scenery around you.
With hands-on workshops and personalized feedback, you’ll leave feeling more confident in your artistic journey. Our 8 day 7 night painting retreat offers a serene, inspiring setting for artists of all levels. Surrounded by the verdant French countryside, historic castles, and charming villages, you'll have endless inspiration at your fingertips. In addition to honing your craft, you will have ample opportunities to explore this picturesque part of France, relax in the luxurious setting of a 17th century chateau and enjoy fine cuisine throughout the week.
With hands-on workshops and personalized feedback, you’ll leave feeling more confident in your artistic journey. Our 8 day 7 night painting retreat offers a serene, inspiring setting for artists of all levels. Surrounded by the verdant French countryside, historic castles, and charming villages, you'll have endless inspiration at your fingertips. In addition to honing your craft, you will have ample opportunities to explore this picturesque part of France, relax in the luxurious setting of a 17th century chateau and enjoy fine cuisine throughout the week.
ALL SKILL LEVELS WELCOME!
8 Days, 7 NightsThe ChateauYou will be staying in a luxuriously renovated 17th Century Chateau built in the Loire Valley of France. Walk in the forest, ride a bike, or just read a book. The estate of Jalesnes runs to some twenty acres and includes a forest with beautiful nature walks, picnic lawns with barbeque areas, marquee lawns, Formal Jardins Francaises, an orchard and permaculture jardin potager with swathes oof meadowflower, a petanque rink, and a twenty-metre heated seasonal pool.
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enjoyTHE CUISINEFor the duration of your stay you will enjoy fresh French cuisine. Meals will be made by the Chateau chef apart from a few meals that we will have in town. All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included in your stay.
Enjoy fresh pastries, juice, fruit and cheese for breakfast, baguettes sandwiches and salads for lunch, and a variety of specialized entrees for dinner. |
WHats Included:
- Daily Painting Demos and Workshops: Led by professional artist Trijsten Leach, these hands-on sessions will guide you through techniques in oil painting, with personalized feedback and encouragement.
- Stunning Locations: Paint en plein air at iconic landmarks such as Château de Chenonceau and Tours.
- Cultural Experiences: Explore the region’s rich history with guided tours, visits to French markets and brocants and authentic French cuisine prepared by local chefs.
- Accommodations: 8 Days / 7 Nights Lodging in a 17th-century French Chateau. Stay in a beautifully restored château, offering comfortable rooms and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
- All Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (drinks and alcohol not included but available for purchase).
- Heated Pool with stunning outdoor views.
- Guided Excursions and Tours of the Loire Valley, including visits to local chateaus, markets, and countryside vistas.
- French-Speaking Guide available throughout the week for seamless communication and assistance.
- Transportation from Saumur Riv Driot train station to Château de Jalesnes and return.
- Private Shuttle throughout the week for all activities and excursions.
- Private Tour and History of Château de Jalesnes, immersing you in the rich heritage of the estate.
- Participants will have access to a group communication page to ask any questions in preparation for the trip.
- Stunning Locations: Paint en plein air at iconic landmarks such as Château de Chenonceau and Tours.
- Cultural Experiences: Explore the region’s rich history with guided tours, visits to French markets and brocants and authentic French cuisine prepared by local chefs.
- Accommodations: 8 Days / 7 Nights Lodging in a 17th-century French Chateau. Stay in a beautifully restored château, offering comfortable rooms and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
- All Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (drinks and alcohol not included but available for purchase).
- Heated Pool with stunning outdoor views.
- Guided Excursions and Tours of the Loire Valley, including visits to local chateaus, markets, and countryside vistas.
- French-Speaking Guide available throughout the week for seamless communication and assistance.
- Transportation from Saumur Riv Driot train station to Château de Jalesnes and return.
- Private Shuttle throughout the week for all activities and excursions.
- Private Tour and History of Château de Jalesnes, immersing you in the rich heritage of the estate.
- Participants will have access to a group communication page to ask any questions in preparation for the trip.
Guest Responsibilities:
Airfare: Guests are responsible for booking and paying for their round-trip airfare to and from France.
Train Ticket: Guests must arrange and cover the cost of their train ticket from Paris to Saumur and back.
Travel Insurance: It is recommended for guests to obtain their own travel insurance for the duration of the retreat.
Plein Air Supplies: Guests should bring their own plein air painting supplies (e.g., panels, easels, paint). A detailed packing list will be provided prior to the retreat.
Personal Purchases: Any personal purchases made during the trip, such as meals, souvenirs, or additional activities, are the responsibility of the guest.
Shipping Costs: If guests wish to ship any goods or artwork back to their home country, they are responsible for the associated shipping costs.
Train Ticket: Guests must arrange and cover the cost of their train ticket from Paris to Saumur and back.
Travel Insurance: It is recommended for guests to obtain their own travel insurance for the duration of the retreat.
Plein Air Supplies: Guests should bring their own plein air painting supplies (e.g., panels, easels, paint). A detailed packing list will be provided prior to the retreat.
Personal Purchases: Any personal purchases made during the trip, such as meals, souvenirs, or additional activities, are the responsibility of the guest.
Shipping Costs: If guests wish to ship any goods or artwork back to their home country, they are responsible for the associated shipping costs.
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Itinerary
* Schedule is subject to change due to weather and availability.
Day 1: ARrival
On arrival at the Saumur train station you will be greeted by the retreat director and then drive 15 minutes to the Chateau. Rest up and have a light snack before doing a tour of the Chateau with guest artist Trijsten Leach and his wife Sarah. After the tour, enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know the other artists while settling in to your new home for the week.
Day 2: Painting at the Chateau and Saumur
Start out the morning with a beautiful breakfast spread. After Breakfast we will commence our first painting session with a demo by Trijsten, followed by a paint-out with the group and personalized feedback. After painting for a couple hours we will enjoy a lunch together before heading to Saumur for a River Cruise on the scenic Loire River. After that you can head back to the Chateau to relax or anyone wanting to stay can enjoy a walk around Saumur. And anyone wanting to paint can do a quick study before heading back to the Chateau for our evening meal.
Day 3: Chenonceaux and Amboise
Enjoy a hardy breakfast before heading out to explore the stunning Chateau de Chenonceau and surrounding gardens. Chanel inspiration from the great French impressionists by painting a picturesque view of Chenonceau from the river. We will then have a delicious picnic lunch.
Explore the historic town of Amboise and visit the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci at the Chateau de Amboise. We will then do an evening painting from the river and capture the golden light as the sun sets over the town and chateau. We will eat a delicious dinner upon arrival back at the Chateau.
Explore the historic town of Amboise and visit the final resting place of Leonardo da Vinci at the Chateau de Amboise. We will then do an evening painting from the river and capture the golden light as the sun sets over the town and chateau. We will eat a delicious dinner upon arrival back at the Chateau.
Day 4: Painting at the chateau + OPtional excursion
Eat breakfast at your leisure and enjoy a free morning to paint, walk around the chateau, play boule or take an optional excursion to Chinon for their weekly market day. We will eat lunch at the chateau, after which we will paint on the grounds. Trijsten will do a live demo and then everyone will find a spot to settle in and paint. Trijsten will also be walking around offering assistance.
After painting, take an evening stroll in the gardens or forest before having a delicious dinner.
After painting, take an evening stroll in the gardens or forest before having a delicious dinner.
Day 5: The French Horse Ranch
Start your morning with a hardy and delicious breakfast before we head off to tour a privately owned chateau and working Arabian horse ranch. This private tour will take you through the show barn, pastures, and beautiful landscape of this 100 acre estate. You will also have a chance to see some world champion arabian horses up close as part of this unique experience. After our tour we will paint on the estate and finish up with a picnic lunch.
After returning to the chateau we will have some free time blocked out. During this time Trijsten will be available for feedback, critiques and any help you need. We will finish the day with a sumptuous dinner in the banquet hall.
After returning to the chateau we will have some free time blocked out. During this time Trijsten will be available for feedback, critiques and any help you need. We will finish the day with a sumptuous dinner in the banquet hall.
Day 6: Painting at the Chateau + optional excursion
Eat breakfast at your leisure and enjoy a free morning to paint, walk around the chateau, or take an optional excursion to Fontevraud l’Abbaye where Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry the 5th are buried. We will eat lunch at the chateau, after which we will paint on the grounds. After painting, take an evening stroll in the gardens or forest before having a delicious dinner.
Day 7: a Day in Tours
Start out this fun filled day with an early breakfast before heading out to Tours. The day will be dedicated to experiencing the open air markets and brocants. After picking up any souvenirs we will visit the Musee de Beaux Arts and gardens where you can see works by famed artists, Monet, Degas and Rembrandt.
We will eat lunch together, after which everyone will have some free time to explore. You are welcome to paint, shop, visit additional museums or just relax in one of the many beautiful parks. After your exploration we will all meet back at a designated spot to return home to the chateau.
Back at the chateau we will have an art show, exhibiting everyones creations from the week. This is a good opportunity to reflect on everything that you have learned and experienced.
We will finish the evening with a delicious farewell dinner.
We will eat lunch together, after which everyone will have some free time to explore. You are welcome to paint, shop, visit additional museums or just relax in one of the many beautiful parks. After your exploration we will all meet back at a designated spot to return home to the chateau.
Back at the chateau we will have an art show, exhibiting everyones creations from the week. This is a good opportunity to reflect on everything that you have learned and experienced.
We will finish the evening with a delicious farewell dinner.
Day 8 Departure
Enjoy a delicious breakfast before doing any final packing and say your farewells to new friends and fellow artists. Check out is at 10am. The shuttle will leave for the Saumur station shortly after to catch the train to your next adventure.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step” Lao Tzu (Chinese philosopher)
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