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.
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 2023
Thursday 5 – Thursday 12 October 2023
Course starts first day from 15hr onwards & ends after breakfast on last day
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.
Dates 2024 : Thursday 3 October – Thursday 10 October 2024
Prices 2023
Art Course Fees & Transfers, payable directly to Adam Cope ………… 575€
Due 90 days before course start date. Possibility payment online by credit card or by bank draft.
What’s not included : Your travel. Your art materials.
&
Full Board & Lodgings in standard en suite for 1 person, 7 nights, payable directly to Chateau de Sanse ………… 1128 € per person.
This is a hotel. Thus, in case of cancellation, your money is refundable in full.
So you can book with double confidence.
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.
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.
Arrival transfers from Bergerac Train station and airport>Sanse at 15hr30. Drops offs depart after 10hr Sanse>Bergerac.
Arrival transfers from Velines train station> Sanse between 12hr-16hr30. 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 after 10hr Sanse>Bergerac.
Lots of car hire at airport
Bordeaux
Flights to Bordeaux Merignac from 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 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 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 12- 16hr30) & finish days (after 10hr) . Ticket & timetable info from http://www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine/horaires
Eurostar from London
Tickets and timetable info from http://www.raileurope.co.uk
Paris is 595Km (370 miles)