FRENCH CHATEAU
OIL PAINTING RETREAT

  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

 
  • Stay in a Beautiful French Château – Spend a week at the beautifully restored Château de Montespieu, once home to the Toulouse-Lautrec family, surrounded by the rolling countryside of Occitanie.
  • An Inspiring Oil Painting Retreat – Explore picturesque villages, vineyards, rivers and timeless landscapes while developing your skills in oils.
  • Expert Tuition for All Levels – Learn to capture light, colour and atmosphere with personalised guidance in a relaxed, supportive environment.
  • Savour the Flavours of France – Savour authentic French cuisine, immerse yourself in the local culture, and enjoy wine tastings at nearby vineyards.
  • Small Group Experience – Relax, create and connect with like-minded travellers on an unforgettable week of art, culture and French château living.

A week of inspiration, creativity and authentic French château living awaits.

Accommodation
Price
1 x double bedroom with ensuite – Single Occupant £4650.00
1 x double bedroom with ensuite – Double Occupancy £3650.00
1 x 2 bedroom suite with shared central ensuite bathroom – Single Occupant per room £3800,00
2 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a seating area  – Single Occupant £4750.00
2 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a seating area – Double Occupancy £3750.00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a private office space – Single Occupancy £4750.00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a private office space – Double Occupancy £3750,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with an adjoining sitting room – Single Occupant £4950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with an adjoining sitting room – Double or Twin Occupancy £3950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with adjoining boudoir – Single Occupant £4950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with adjoining boudoir – Double Occupant £3950,00
Stay in a Beautiful French Château

Our oil painting retreat is based at the beautiful Château de Montespieu, a privately owned country estate surrounded by rolling countryside and vineyards. Rich in history and full of authentic French charm, it’s the perfect place to relax, paint and experience the slower pace of life in rural France.

Discover Inspiring Painting Locations

Each day we’ll paint in carefully selected locations, from picturesque villages and colourful market squares to vineyards and peaceful countryside. Every location has been chosen to capture the authentic beauty and character of southwest France.

Expert Tuition for All Levels

Whether you’re new to oils or already have experience, our oil painting retreat offers friendly, personalised tuition to help you grow in confidence and develop your technique.

You’ll learn:

  • Oil painting techniques
  • Colour theory and colour mixing
  • Composition and the use of light
  • Practical tips for painting while travelling
Savour the Flavours of France

Enjoy delicious regional cuisine, local wines and relaxed meals shared with fellow artists. Great food and good company are as much a part of the experience as the painting itself.

Arrive. Unwind. Create.

We’ve taken care of everything—accommodation, meals, transport, materials and tuition—so you can simply arrive, relax and enjoy a memorable French château oil painting retreat.

Meet your hosts & painting tutor

Liz Adams is an American figurative painter whose luminous, expressive work captures the poetry of everyday life. Trained in both the U.S. and Europe, she studied at Georgia State University, the Art Students League of New York, and the National Academy School before pursuing classical techniques in Florence with support from the Newington Cropsey Foundation. Her devotion to figurative art earned her the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, and her practice has been shaped by residencies in New York, Hanoi, Barcelona, and Paris. These experiences have deepened her artistic language and instilled an openness and curiosity that flow into her teaching.

Since moving to France in 2020 on a Talent Visa for artistic excellence, Liz has divided her time between Paris and Nice, drawing inspiration from their contrasting energies—urban structure and Mediterranean light. A passionate teacher, she guides students both online and in person, blending strong classical foundations with a sensitive, creative approach to seeing and capturing the visual world.

Your hosts for the week are Roger and Louisa, the owners of Château de Montespieu. Roger is himself a keen oil painter, while both he and Louisa bring a wealth of hospitality experience, having previously owned and operated two luxury hotel barges on the canals of France.

Having spent many years welcoming guests from around the world, they understand exactly what makes a truly memorable stay. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed as friends, with thoughtful hospitality, exceptional food and a genuine passion for ensuring every guest feels relaxed and at home throughout the week.

YOUR CHATEAU IN THE SOUTH WEST FRANCE

 A Château Stay in the South West France

Our home for the week is the beautiful Château de Montespieu, a privately owned country estate surrounded by vineyards, rolling countryside and centuries of history. Full of character and authentic French charm, it offers elegant accommodation in a peaceful setting that’s perfect for relaxing after a day of painting.

A Space to unwind

Between painting sessions, enjoy the château’s elegant salons, peaceful terraces and beautiful grounds. It’s the perfect place to sketch, share a glass of local wine with fellow artists, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable historic home.

The Perfect Base

Ideally located for exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Tarn, the château provides easy access to picturesque villages, vineyards and inspiring painting locations, while offering a tranquil retreat to return to each evening.

A place to immerse & enjoy

More than simply a place to stay, Château de Montespieu invites you to experience the relaxed rhythm of French country life, where good food, wonderful company and unforgettable surroundings are all part of the experience.

WHAT WE’LL BE DOING

We’ll meet you at Toulouse Airport before transferring to Château de Montespieu, your home for the week. After settling into your room and unpacking, join us in the elegant salon for champagne and cocktails before your first dinner together. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow painters and begin the week in relaxed surroundings.

Your first morning will be spent painting in the château’s grounds, consolidating technique and introducing the materials and limited palette that you’ll be working with throughout the week. This also gives Liz the opportunity to assess each student’s experience and tailor her teaching to suit every individual.

After lunch, continue painting in the studio as you become familiar with your materials and begin building confidence before heading out into the landscape.

This morning we’ll visit the historic town of Castres to paint the beautiful colourful houses that line the River Agout. Dating back to the 13th century, these distinctive buildings were once the workshops of the town’s tanners and are now one of the region’s most iconic scenes.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll return to the studio to develop your morning’s painting with Liz’s guidance.

Today we’ll paint along a magnificent private avenue of mature plane trees leading to a neighbouring château. This beautiful tree-lined drive is a wonderfully peaceful setting and a quintessential French landscape, with dappled light filtering through the canopy above.

At lunchtime, our chef will join us with a freshly prepared picnic, which we’ll enjoy beneath the shade of these magnificent trees before continuing our afternoon’s painting.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. We’ll take you to the beautiful city of Albi, birthplace of the celebrated French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

We’ll arrange tickets for the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum should you wish to visit, or simply spend the day wandering the city’s charming streets and cafés. We also highly recommend a visit to Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, the largest brick-built cathedral in Europe and one of the most remarkable buildings in southern France

This morning we’ll paint in the beautiful medieval village of Lautrec, one of France’s officially recognised Plus Beaux Villages. Famous for its pink garlic and indigo heritage, the village offers endless inspiration, from its half-timbered houses and narrow streets to the spectacular view from the restored windmill across the rooftops and rolling countryside beyond.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll return to the studio to continue developing your painting.

Our final painting excursion takes us to the beautiful medieval market town of Revel. Find a shaded corner beneath the covered market and paint one of the colourful half-timbered buildings that have overlooked the square since the 14th century.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll have time to put the finishing touches to your paintings in the studio before we transform the château’s elegant salon into your own private exhibition. Celebrate everything you’ve achieved during the week over a glass of champagne as everyone’s work is displayed before enjoying a special farewell dinner together.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you back to Toulouse Airport for your onward journey, taking home not only a collection of paintings but also wonderful memories of a relaxing and inspiring week in the French countryside.

Discover the Magic on our oil painting retreat at a chateau in the South West France

NON-PAINTING PARTNER PROGRAMME

Bringing a partner who doesn’t want to paint? This area is filled with beauty and history and is a wonderful area to explore even if you are not painting. Your non-painting partner is welcome to join us. Just get in touch for discounted prices.

FAQs

  • 7, 9 or 10 nights’ accommodation (depending on destination)
  • All meals, with wine and beer included
  • All transport during the holiday
  • Transfers, depending on the destination
  • Painting materials, plus a gift of a quality journal and travel brushes
  • Chairs, painting tables, or easels provided for your comfort

Everything is taken care of so you can relax, create, and enjoy the experience.

  • No experience? No problem. We welcome complete beginners and seasoned painters alike. You’ll be gently guided step by step, with plenty of encouragement, so you can relax, enjoy, and discover your own style.

  • Breakfast between 7:30–8:30 (timing depends on the day’s painting location)

  • Transport to the painting site, with a short demonstration from Simon

  • Choose your spot and paint with Simon’s guidance and support

  • Lunch around 13:00, then more painting either on-site or back at the accommodation until about 16:30

  • Optional aperitif at 18:00 before enjoying dinner together

A relaxed pace that balances painting, good food, and time to unwind.

Getting to our French holidays is easy, with a few convenient options:

  • Via Paris – fly into Paris and take a direct train from Gare de Lyon to Béziers (several departures daily).

  • Via Barcelona – fly into Barcelona and hop on a direct train from Barcelona Sants to Béziers.

  • Via Montpellier – fly into Montpellier, just 40 minutes away. From there, you can transfer to Béziers for your local pickup.

We’re happy to advise on the best routes and connections to make your journey as smooth as possible.

  • Yes, we also host holidays in France, Italy, and Costa Brava, Spain.

Booking your holiday is simple:

  • Click “More Info” on your chosen holiday page to book securely through our platform.

  • A £1000 deposit secures your spot; the balance is due 6 weeks before departure.

  • Holidays (except France) must be booked at least 1 month in advance – but spaces fill quickly, so don’t wait too long!

Secure your place today so that you can start looking forward to your painting holiday.

Paying for your holiday is simple with our secure platform WeTravel:

  • Bank transfer – pay directly from your local bank account, in your own currency, with no extra charge.

  • Credit card – also available, with a small service fee (shown at checkout, varies by country).

  • Payment plans – let us know if you’d like to spread your payments.

We’re here to make things as easy and flexible as possible.

We understand that sometimes plans change, which is why we’ve tried to make our cancellation policy as fair as possible. 

If you cancel your booking, the following cancellation charges will apply:

  • 90 days or more before departure: 50% of your deposit
  • 45–89 days before departure: 100% of your deposit
  • 30–44 days before departure: 50% of the total holiday cost
  • 1–29 days before departure: 100% of the total holiday cost

If we are able to resell your place, we will reimburse your payment, less 50% of your original deposit, which is retained to cover administration costs. 

For this reason, we strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation cover, at the time of booking. 

French Painting Retreat

South of France – Near Castres

When: 5th JUNE – 12th JUNE 2027

Tutor:LIZ ADAMS

Medium:OIL PAINT

Duration:7 NIGHTS

From:£3,650.00 PER PERSON

Including:All tuition, painting equipment, accommodation, meals & transport during the holiday

Availability:10 SPACES

  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france
  • oil painting france

French Painting Retreat

South of France – Near Castres

When: 5th JUNE – 12TH JUNE 2027

Tutor:LIZ ADAMS

Medium:OILS

Duration:7 NIGHTS

From:£3,650.00 PER PERSON

Including:All tuition, painting equipment, accommodation, meals & transport during the holiday

Availability: 8 -10 SPACES

FRENCH CHATEAU PAINTING RETREAT

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Stay in a Beautiful French Château – Spend a week at the beautifully restored Château de Montespieu, once home to the Toulouse-Lautrec family, surrounded by the rolling countryside of Occitanie.

  • Expert Tuition for All Levels – Learn to capture light, colour and atmosphere with personalised guidance in a relaxed, supportive environment.
  • Savour the Flavours of France – Savour authentic French cuisine, immerse yourself in the local culture, and enjoy wine tastings at nearby vineyards.
  • Small Group Experience – Relax, create and connect with like-minded travellers on an unforgettable week of art, culture and French château living.
  • A week of inspiration, creativity and authentic French château living awaits.
  • An Inspiring Oil Painting Retreat – Explore picturesque villages, vineyards, rivers and timeless landscapes while developing your skills in oils.
Accommodation
Price
1 x double bedroom with ensuite – Single Occupant £4650.00
1 x double bedroom with ensuite – Double Occupancy £3650.00
1 x 2 bedroom suite with shared central ensuite bathroom – Single Occupant per room £3800,00
2 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a seating area  – Single Occupant £4750.00
2 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a seating area – Double Occupancy £3750.00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a private office space – Single Occupancy £4750.00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with a private office space – Double Occupancy £3750,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with an adjoining sitting room – Single Occupant £4950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with an adjoining sitting room – Double or Twin Occupancy £3950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with adjoining boudoir – Single Occupant £4950,00
1 x 1 bedroom luxury suite with adjoining boudoir – Double Occupant £3950,00
Stay in a Beautiful French Château

Our oil painting retreat is based at the beautiful Château de Montespieu, a privately owned country estate surrounded by rolling countryside and vineyards. Rich in history and full of authentic French charm, it’s the perfect place to relax, paint and experience the slower pace of life in rural France.

Discover Inspiring Painting Locations

Each day we’ll paint in carefully selected locations, from picturesque villages and colourful market squares to vineyards and peaceful countryside. Every location has been chosen to capture the authentic beauty and character of southwest France.

Expert Tuition for All Levels

Whether you’re new to oils or already have experience, our oil painting retreat offers friendly, personalised tuition to help you grow in confidence and develop your technique.

You’ll learn:

  • Oil painting techniques
  • Colour theory and colour mixing
  • Composition and the use of light
  • Practical tips for painting while travelling
Savour the Flavours of France

Enjoy delicious regional cuisine, local wines and relaxed meals shared with fellow artists. Great food and good company are as much a part of the experience as the painting itself.

Arrive. Unwind. Create.

We’ve taken care of everything—accommodation, meals, transport, materials and tuition—so you can simply arrive, relax and enjoy a memorable French château oil painting retreat.

Meet Your hosts and painting tutor for the week

Liz Adams is an American figurative painter whose luminous, expressive work captures the poetry of everyday life. Trained in both the U.S. and Europe, she studied at Georgia State University, the Art Students League of New York, and the National Academy School before pursuing classical techniques in Florence with support from the Newington Cropsey Foundation. Her devotion to figurative art earned her the prestigious Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, and her practice has been shaped by residencies in New York, Hanoi, Barcelona, and Paris. These experiences have deepened her artistic language and instilled an openness and curiosity that flow into her teaching.

Since moving to France in 2020 on a Talent Visa for artistic excellence, Liz has divided her time between Paris and Nice, drawing inspiration from their contrasting energies—urban structure and Mediterranean light. A passionate teacher, she guides students both online and in person, blending strong classical foundations with a sensitive, creative approach to seeing and capturing the visual world.

Your hosts for the week are Roger and Louisa, the owners of Château de Montespieu. Roger is himself a keen oil painter, while both he and Louisa bring a wealth of hospitality experience, having previously owned and operated two luxury hotel barges on the canals of France.

Having spent many years welcoming guests from around the world, they understand exactly what makes a truly memorable stay. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed as friends, with thoughtful hospitality, exceptional food and a genuine passion for ensuring every guest feels relaxed and at home throughout the week.

YOUR CHATEAU IN THE
SOUTH OF WEST FRANCE

 A Château Stay in South West France

Our home for the week is the beautiful Château de Montespieu, a privately owned country estate surrounded by vineyards, rolling countryside and centuries of history. Full of character and authentic French charm, it offers elegant accommodation in a peaceful setting that’s perfect for relaxing after a day of painting.

A Space to unwind

Between painting sessions, enjoy the château’s elegant salons, peaceful terraces and beautiful grounds. It’s the perfect place to sketch, share a glass of local wine with fellow artists, or simply soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable historic home.

The Perfect Base

Ideally located for exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Tarn, the château provides easy access to picturesque villages, vineyards and inspiring painting locations, while offering a tranquil retreat to return to each evening.

A place to immerse & enjoy

More than simply a place to stay, Château de Montespieu invites you to experience the relaxed rhythm of French country life, where good food, wonderful company and unforgettable surroundings are all part of the experience.

We’ll meet you at Toulouse Airport before transferring to Château de Montespieu, your home for the week. After settling into your room and unpacking, join us in the elegant salon for champagne and cocktails before your first dinner together. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet your fellow painters and begin the week in relaxed surroundings.

Your first morning will be spent painting in the château’s grounds, consolidating technique and introducing the materials and limited palette that you’ll be working with throughout the week. This also gives Liz the opportunity to assess each student’s experience and tailor her teaching to suit every individual.

After lunch, continue painting in the studio as you become familiar with your materials and begin building confidence before heading out into the landscape.

This morning we’ll visit the historic town of Castres to paint the beautiful colourful houses that line the River Agout. Dating back to the 13th century, these distinctive buildings were once the workshops of the town’s tanners and are now one of the region’s most iconic scenes.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll return to the studio to develop your morning’s painting with Liz’s guidance.

Today we’ll paint along a magnificent private avenue of mature plane trees leading to a neighbouring château. This beautiful tree-lined drive is a wonderfully peaceful setting and a quintessential French landscape, with dappled light filtering through the canopy above.

At lunchtime, our chef will join us with a freshly prepared picnic, which we’ll enjoy beneath the shade of these magnificent trees before continuing our afternoon’s painting.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. We’ll take you to the beautiful city of Albi, birthplace of the celebrated French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

We’ll arrange tickets for the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum should you wish to visit, or simply spend the day wandering the city’s charming streets and cafés. We also highly recommend a visit to Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, the largest brick-built cathedral in Europe and one of the most remarkable buildings in southern France

This morning we’ll paint in the beautiful medieval village of Lautrec, one of France’s officially recognised Plus Beaux Villages. Famous for its pink garlic and indigo heritage, the village offers endless inspiration, from its half-timbered houses and narrow streets to the spectacular view from the restored windmill across the rooftops and rolling countryside beyond.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll return to the studio to continue developing your painting.

Our final painting excursion takes us to the beautiful medieval market town of Revel. Find a shaded corner beneath the covered market and paint one of the colourful half-timbered buildings that have overlooked the square since the 14th century.

After lunch back at the château, you’ll have time to put the finishing touches to your paintings in the studio before we transform the château’s elegant salon into your own private exhibition. Celebrate everything you’ve achieved during the week over a glass of champagne as everyone’s work is displayed before enjoying a special farewell dinner together.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer you back to Toulouse Airport for your onward journey, taking home not only a collection of paintings but also wonderful memories of a relaxing and inspiring week in the French countryside.

* This is a sample itinerary. All of our itineraries are unique as we take the final group size and the ages of the participants etc into consideration. You will be sent a final itinerary before the tour commences.

Discover the Magic on our oil painting retreat at a chateau in the South of France

NON-PAINTING PARTNER PROGRAMME

Bringing a partner who doesn’t want to paint? This area is filled with beauty and history and is a wonderful area to explore even if you are not painting. Your non-painting partner is welcome to join us. Just get in touch for discounted prices.

FAQs

  • 7, 9 or 10 nights’ accommodation (depending on destination)
  • All meals, with wine and beer included
  • All transport during the holiday
  • Transfers, depending on the destination
  • Painting materials – Canvases, brushes & Oils

Everything is taken care of so you can relax, create, and enjoy the experience.

  • No experience? No problem. We welcome complete beginners and seasoned painters alike. You’ll be gently guided step by step, with plenty of encouragement, so you can relax, enjoy, and discover your own style.

  • Breakfast between 7:30–8:30 (timing depends on the day’s painting location)

  • Transport to the painting site, with a short demonstration from Liz

  • Choose your spot and paint with Liz’s guidance and support

  • Lunch around 13:00, then more painting either on-site or back at the accommodation until about 16:30

  • Optional aperitif at 18:00 before enjoying dinner together

A relaxed pace that balances painting, good food, and time to unwind.

Getting to our French holidays is easy, with a few convenient options:

  • Via Paris – fly into Paris and take a direct train from Gare de Lyon to Béziers (several departures daily).

  • Via Barcelona – fly into Barcelona and hop on a direct train from Barcelona Sants to Béziers.

  • Via Montpellier – fly into Montpellier, just 40 minutes away. From there, you can transfer to Béziers for your local pickup.

We’re happy to advise on the best routes and connections to make your journey as smooth as possible.

  • Yes, we also host holidays in France, Croatia, and Costa Brava, Spain.

Booking your holiday is simple:

  • Click “BOOK NOW” on your chosen holiday page to book securely through our platform.

  • A £1000 deposit secures your spot; the balance is due 6 weeks before departure.

  • Holidays (except France) must be booked at least 1 month in advance – but spaces fill quickly, so don’t wait too long!

Secure your place today so that you can start looking forward to your painting holiday.

Paying for your holiday is simple with our secure platform WeTravel:

  • Bank transfer – pay directly from your local bank account, in your own currency, with no extra charge.

  • Credit card – also available, with a small service fee (shown at checkout, varies by country).

  • Payment plans – let us know if you’d like to spread your payments.

We’re here to make things as easy and flexible as possible.

  • We understand that sometimes plans change, which is why we’ve tried to make our cancellation policy as fair as possible.If you cancel your booking, the following cancellation charges will apply:
    • 90 days or more before departure: 50% of your deposit
    • 45–89 days before departure: 100% of your deposit
    • 30–44 days before departure: 50% of the total holiday cost
    • 1–29 days before departure: 100% of the total holiday cost

    If we are able to resell your place, we will reimburse your payment, less 50% of your original deposit, which is retained to cover administration costs. 

    For this reason, we strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation cover, at the time of booking.