The Painting Course au Château de Sanse, near Saint Emilion 2024

painting holiday Sanse dordgne

Sanse is a comfortable Three Star hotel, which offers you friendly hospitality. Built in the local blonde stone, it’s an XVIII century girondin Château, restored to a high standard. The elegant, stylish restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide. Eric Berthelot, the inspired chef proposes a ‘Terroir & Cuisine’ course for non-painting partners. Expect delicious french food!

Le Château de Sanse is in the heart of wine country, half way between Bergerac & St Emilion (twenty minutes drive). It sits high on the hills of the left bank of the Dordogne river. There’s fine views over a mixed tapestry of rolling hills, woods, small farms & vines. It’s a cultivated pastoral landscape, going back to the roman times. Vines are a quintessentially ‘french’ landscape & are great to paint. Ancient oak woods, rolling hills, old stone architecture, cool shady spots, an overgrown fisherman’s pond where you could maybe see Corot…

Lots of Great Places to Paint

There is a heated, comfortable studio, for when we work inside. The south facing terrace has lovely views over the soft, pastoral landscape. There are good painting spots within easy walking reach. It’s a quiet, peaceful place, good for day-dreaming. We go out to paint ‘en plein air’ either besides the sparkling Dordogne river or to a picturesque, historic village or to Les Jardins du Sardy, a romantic garden.

The Painting Course

Sanse is well equipped for hosting a painting holiday. It’s a comfortable venue, suitable for those who need a little comfort & not too much walking. Or explore the gardens & terraces – and soon find yourself in deep countryside. There’s a heated studio – ‘tout comfort.’ Time to finish paintings or try still lives, portraits,etc. Easels, tables, stools, boards, solvents, sun umbrellas, etc… Plus the possibility of hiring a set of paints so you can travel lite. This course is appropriate for beginners as well as advanced.

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Lead by Adam Cope, a local artist with many years of experience in teaching painting holidays.Adam has painted the vines, the river, the views…. so he can share with you an in-depth local knowledge.

Dates 2024

Thursday 16 May – Thursday 23 May

Thursday 3 October – Thursday 10 October

Course starts first day from 15hr onwards & ends after breakfast on last day

May is late spring. Lush fields of profuse flowery nature. The gardens are at their most beautiful. Bright southern sunlight, hot but not the heat of summer.

October is early autumn. It’s still ‘tee shirt’ weather in the day time. Golden light, lengthening shadows with yellows emerging in the landscape. ‘Vendange’ time, the vines are heavy with grapes. Mists, red leaves & mellow fruitfulness. October is a good time to paint in South West France.

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Prices

1994 € for one painter, in a single bed standard ensuite

1647.5€ per painter (based on 2 people sharing a standard ensuite, so 997.7€ per non painting partner)

What’s included:

  • The Painting Course
  • Use of studio & painting furniture such as easels, stools, umbrellas, jars, tape & rags, etc
  • Solvents
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All meals : breakfast, light lunch, pre-dinner aperitif and a three course dinner with half a bottle of wine per person. Waiter service.
  • Tea & coffee

What’s not included : Your travel. Your art materials. Your insurance.

You the the teacher & the hotel separately.

500 € deposit. This is a hotel.  Thus, in case of cancellation, your money is refundable in full.

sanse logo l'effersance

The Michelin Guide likes Sanse. The stylish restaurant, ‘l’EffervéSanse’, offers a delicious range of french regional cooking. Your hosts, Eric & Laurence Berthelot, have cheffed in London & speak good english. Here you will find a warm welcome for your luxury painting holiday.

michelin guide france 2017

The Cooking Course

Eric also cooks up a ‘Terroir & Cuisine’ course for non-painting partners. Throw yourself in a total immersion in a professional kitchen preparing for a chic restaurant. Then… you’re let out to have fun exploring the area & the world-famous wines of St.Emilion & Bergerac. Visit lively local markets & find out how to cook some local specialties. It’s as hard work as you want to make it. Eric is a fun-loving fellow as well as a great chef, so expect laughter & delicious tastings!

Prices for The Cooking Course

Places limited to four non-painting partners. 50 euros per morning per person. For more information, please contact Sanse.

Travel – Getting to Sanse

 

Sanse is situated between Bergerac and St.Emilion on the south bank of the river Dordogne in Aquitaine, South West France. The nearest town is St.Foy la Grande. Bordeaux is about 65 kilometers.

Transfers to & from the local train station are included in the price. Vélines is on the Bordeaux>Bergerac>Sarlat line

Arrival transfers from Vélines train station> Sanse between 15hr-17h. Drops off depart after 10hr Sanse>Velines.

Air Travel

Bergerac

Flights to Bergerac Airport from up to nine different UK airports, Dublin, Rotterdam & Paris. http://www.bergerac.aeroport.fr/en/
The distance to Hotel de Sanse is 31Km (19 miles), a 35 minute drive. We provide airport transfers to Bergerac airport & Bergerac town center on the start and end days of the course at fixed times at fit in with other student’s travel times.

Arrival transfers from Bergerac Train station and airport>Sanse at 15hr30. Drops offs : depart 10hr Sanse>Vélines train station for the line D33 Bordeaux -Sarlat .
Lots of car hire at airport

Bordeaux

Flights to Bordeaux Merignac from Gatwick, Paris CDG, Amsterdam & Ireland.

UK : Many different airports including Gatwick, Bristish Airways cheap daily flights.
Shuttle bus from ‘Bordeaux Merignac’ airport to ‘Bordeaux St Jean’ Gare SNCF (the main railway station). 30 minute ride. http://www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en/info/bordeaux-airport-shuttle-service
Take the train on the D33 Bordeaux – Sarlat ligne 26 & get off at Vélines (about 40 minutes). We transport you free of charge from Vélines on start & finish days. Ticket & timetable info from http://www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine/horaires/
Private taxi from airport arrivals to hotel from about 128€. Ask hotel to organize this for you if interested.

Road & Rail Travel

Trains from Paris > Bordeaux > Vélines

The new ultra-high speed TVG Océane takes about two hours from Paris. The TGV (fast train) from Paris, Montparnasse station to Bordeaux or Libourne (which is the best, reduces travel time) takes 4 hours. http://www.voyages-sncf.com
Take the local train on the Bordeaux – Sarlat line. Get off at Vélines (about 40 minutes). We transport you free of charge from Vélines on start day (between 15- 16hr30) & finish days (around 10hr) .

Eurostar from London

Tickets and timetable info from http://www.raileurope.co.uk

Paris is 595Km (370 miles)