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
Thursday 16 May – Thursday 23 May 2024 (Fully booked)
Thursday 3 October – Thursday 10 October 2024 (Fully booked)
Dates 2025
Thursday 5 – Thursday 12 June
Thursday 3 October – Thursday 10 October
Course starts first day from 15hr onwards & ends after breakfast on last day
June is early summer. The wheat is being harvested, the fields are smiling with profuse flowery nature. The gardens are still in flower. Bright southern sunlight. Hot enough for the swimming pool but not the full heat of July.
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.
Prices 2024
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)
Character ensuites & deluxe appartments available
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. Entrance to Le Jardin de Sardy (8 euros). Your holiday insurance.
You pay the teacher & the hotel separately.
The Michelin Guide likes Sanse. The stylish restaurant, ‘l’EffervéSanse’, offers a delicious range of french regional cooking. 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.
- 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.
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.
- https://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) .
Paris is 595Km (370 miles) > less than three hours on the ‘TVG Océane’ ultra-fast train
Air Travel
Bergerac
* Flights to Bergerac Airport from up to nine different UK airports, Dublin, Rotterdam & Paris. https://www.bergerac.aeroport.fr/en/
* The distance to Hotel de Sanse is 31Km (19 miles), a 35 minute drive. The hotel can organise a taxi for you. Or take the train to Vélines
* Bergerac train station >Vélines on 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.
- https://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 https://www.ter.sncf.com/aquitaine/horaires/
- Private taxi from Bordeaux airport arrivals to hotel from about 128€. Ask hotel to organize this for you if interested.
