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Painting Trips


Discover the beauty of France or Belgium as well as indulging in your passion of plein air painting. All skill levels are welcome.

In 2009: We will have painting trips (see the dates and rates page for a complete list):

in the Alps, (see itinerary below)

in Provence (Email us for the itinerary of this new trip)

in Belgium (Email us for the itinerary of this new trip).


Some of your Art Teachers in 2009

Jann Pollard: Watercolor in Provence (May 10-17, 2009)
Jann has become a popular workshop instructor, internationally, teaching both watercolor and computer workshops for artists. She has several giclée fine art prints, posters, a serigraph and has been the cover artist for the lauded Karen Brown travel books for numerous years. Her works are in private and corporate collections, internationally.

Jann has a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Check Jann's website here.

Sandy Delehanty: Watercolor in Provence (May 2-9, 2009)
Sandy Delehanty has a Bachelor of Art Degree in Fine Arts and a California Secondary Teaching Credential from California State University, Chico. Sandy has taught watercolor workshops in Bali, Hawaii and Italy. She enjoys helping students capture the essence of the places they visit. In 2004, Sandy was selected by Public Television Station KVIE as a "Legacy Collection Artist". One of her paintings, "An Evening in May" has been selected by North Light Books as one of the winners of a National contest. It will appear in "SPLASH 9" in October, 2006.

Her work is shown in the Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, CA and can also be seen on her web site at www.sandydelehanty.com.

Sandy has been a teacher with French Escapade in 2006 and 2008.

Sonja Hamilton, SWA: Watercolor in Belgium (August 14-21, 2009)
Award winning watercolorist Sonja Hamilton, SWA, is a San Francisco born artist, teacher, and calligrapher. Sonja is widely exhibited and has paintings in private collections in the USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Japan, and China. Amongst her numerous awards are several Best of Show, First Awards, and the Grumbacher Gold Medallion. Sonja was a teacher on a French Escapade tour in 2005. On this tour, she will offer you the opportunity to improve or discover watercolor painting. Check her work at www.sonjahamilton.com.

Sonja has been a teacher with French Escapade in 2005 and 2007.




Painting: Pat Brothen French Escapade 05






Tours and Painting Excursions


Jackie will drive you to amazing places where you could paint extraordinary landscapes (Alpine lakes, quaint villages, castle and gardens, etc...). After each painting session, there will always be the possibility for a cultural visit or a local product tasting.

If you want more painting time, you will be able to opt out from any daily visit to stay at the house: you can chose to paint in the garden or venture out in the village of Chelieu.

Back home, you can participate in the daily review run by the teacher while savoring appetizers and sweet wine in the garden.

We want you to have fun so everything is optional. Paint as much as you want or as little as you want.




Day 1: Welcome Champagne Reception


We will pick you up at the Lyon airport, early in the afternoon. Upon your arrival at our fully restored 19th-century French country home, you will relax and enjoy a champagne reception with authentic local finger foods and drinks. In the evening, a traditional sumptuous buffet will be prepared especially for you.

Day 2: Romantic Village of Chanaz and Walnut Oil Tasting


We will drive east along the Rhone River, through beautiful vineyards and picturesque villages to the lovely village of Chanaz. Sitting accross the canal, in the middle of trees, you will enjoy painting this quiet village.

Walnut Oil Tasting
After your painting session, we will attend a walnut oil making demonstration in a 19th-century mill. This is a unique opportunity that can't be missed since this mill is the only one left in France listed historical monument where the oil is still made like it was in the 19th century. You will of course have a chance to taste the delicious and organic walnut, hazelnut and almond oils as well as the homemade jams.
  

Day 3: Magnificent Pre-Alps Cliffs and Caves


We will be heading towards the breathtaking mountainous region of Vercors, bordered by 300 Km of cliffs on the very edge of the Alps.

You will have the unique opportunity to take a memorable trip into the heart of the earth when we'll explore the famous Choranche cave, with its thousands of impressive tubular stalactites and its lake of emerald green.

Photo Credit: Grotte de Choranche


Painting Credits: Pat Brothen French Escapade 2005

Pont en Royans Village
After the visit, you will have plenty of time to visit Pont-en-Royans, the picturesque 16th century village where the houses are actually suspended above the river.

This site is one of the painter's highlights. Facing these incredible hanging houses, you will be breathtaken.



Photo Credits: Office du Tourisme, Lyon

Day 4: Historical Lyon


This day will be dedicated to the discovery of magical Lyon, a World Heritage city known as the Capital of Gourmet Cuisine. The Fourviere Basilica, with its breathtaking view of the city, will be our first stop. We will also explore the superb Roman Theater built in 43 AD, and then on to the Renaissance quarter, the second biggest renaissance quarter in the world, listed World Heritage by UNESCO. In the afternoon, time for painting or shopping (or a little bit of both).

Day 5: Annecy or 'The Little Venice of the Alps'


Annecy is the French show-piece of lakes-and-mountain beauty. The Canal crossing Annecy brings Venice to mind as you stroll along its banks.

Your choice for the painting site will be unlimited: medieval narrow streets, renaissance houses along the canal, the famous old prison (one of the most photographed monuments in France!) or the Annecy lake surrounded by mouutains.

Painting Credits: Lisa Greenberg French Escapade 2006

Day 6: 11th Century Virieu Castle and the Picturesque Chelieu Village


On that day, we will take our time to visit our village (Chelieu). This quaint village is a treasure for painters: doors, windows, flowers, church, ...

You can also decide to paint the extraordinary Virieu castle, built over eight centuries.


Painting Credits: Sonja Hamilton French Escapade 2005

Painting Credits: Sandy Delehanty French Escapade 2006

Day 7: Market Day and Chocolate Tasting


This day is designed to give you an authentic flavor of the French countryside and village life. Valerie (our chef) will open her own house to you. Be her guest and feel at home.

We will experience the local market day and buy fresh food at La Halle, a 13th-century covered market where the locals meet. Then, enjoy this quaint little town. Some of our guests like to paint Valerie's medieval house.


Chocolate Tasting
We will finish the day by visiting a chocolate musem. You will learn everything about the cacao tree and the making of a good chocolate at the "Paradis du Chocolat".

Tasting the delicious cakes made the famous chocolate maker of the Dauphine region will delight your palate.

Day 8: Painting in the Garden and Visit of the Silk Museum


Enjoy your last day at the house. Take your time to finish up some paintings or paint some beautiful flowers from the garden, haystacks in the fields or whatever pleases you.




Painting Credits: Kathleen Balamuth French Escapade 2006

Painting Credits: Jennifer Tomasselli
French Escapade 2006

Silk Making Demonstration
This museum features the history of silk weaving, the hard working life of the silk weavers and their children, demonstration of weaving on looms from the 18th to the 20th century,…and then, of course, the chance to buy wonderful silk scarves.

Day 9: Departure


After our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Lyon airport in plenty of time to catch your flight home.


Accommodations and Meals


You will be staying at our 19th-century country house, located on the top of the hill, facing the Alps. Breakfast and four-course French dinner will be prepared every day by your French hostess, Valerie. She will also prepare your bag lunch for you to take on your daily trips. Valerie will take into account your special dietary needs and will introduce you to the delicacies of French cuisine.

Dates for the trips in the Alps in 2009

(see the dates and rates page for a complete list of painting trips in 2009):

May 20-28, 2009 Teacher: Fayrene Parrish

May 17-May 25, 2009: Teacher: Sheila Parson

June 29- July 7, 2009: Teacher: Durinda Cheek

Rate


$2,690 per person (land cost)

Includes
  • Lyon airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Accommodation in our 19th-century country house
  • Transportation every day
  • A champagne and hors-d'oeuvres reception
  • All meals
  • All art classes
  • All planned visits
  • A free Paris planner for a self guided visit in Paris: suggestions of hotels, restaurants and places to visit

Excludes
  • Flights to and from France
  • Personal expenses and tipping