Step into another world & join an eight-day painting workshop at a luxury four-star spa. This grand château is an architectural wonder. Ancient woods, cliffs, and rolling hills surround it. You enjoy exclusive use of this private domain. The estate is beautifully farmed, thoughtfully landscaped with paths and lakes, and ecologically protected. Here, you find many opportunities to paint. Immerse yourself in a forest bath in unspoiled nature. The tutor, Adam Cope , guides a small group of ten for an inspirational learning experience.
The architecture includes a small medieval hamlet
as well as a very large château.
Beautiful gardens & estate.
The Pilgrim’s Path to Santiago flows through below
Le Domaine d’Orion, Gers
Le Domaine d’ORION, a true haven of peace, is nestled in the Gers region of France. It’s just 35 minutes from Agen TGV station and 1 hour 15 minutes from Toulouse airport.
The Gers region is wide and open, offering creatives the space to realize their dreams. ‘La France Profonde’, The Three Musketeers, Armagnac… dreams grow well in the Gers. As do the best tomatoes in all of France. On a clear day, you can see the Pyrenees mountains from the Gers. This is deep-down in the south west France.
Imagine a remarkable place, bordered by 40 hectares of parkland, meadows, lakes, gardens, and organic farms. This ideal setting offers nature perfect for calm and relaxation, making it a remarkable space for learning, creativity, and artistic growth.
Its architecture looks like it comes straight out of another era. But don’t let that fool you. Orion took over twenty years to build. It was brought to life by a passionate lover of old stone, who sought to combine the charm of the past with the benefits of modern comfort.
Enjoy the Spa
You can enjoy the spa outside of lesson hours. You’re also welcome to arrive a day early so as to use the spa. Please note, these extra services are at your own charge, but they aren’t expensive.
An Indoor Heated Pool
- Hamman
- Infra-red Sauna
- Traditional hot-stone sauna
An Outside Natural Swimming Pool
Well-Being
- Massage
- Yoga
- Qi Kong
- Meditation
The Painting Course
The course specializes in plein-air painting, with a focus on colour and light. It primarily covers landscapes and flowers, but also includes still life, portraits, and semi-abstracts.
Students enjoy exploring colour and light, so you’ll start painting, using brushes and mixing colours, as soon as possible. We can return to drawing later, rather than spending days on the complexities of perspective. Composition is taught right from the beginning.
“Your rules should arise out of your passions and your experience with what works for you. ” – Richard Schmid
This course suits beginners and advanced painters. You’ll learn painting techniques and have ample time for personal creativity. Learning happens in demonstrations, group sessions, and individually.
Group sizes are small, with no more than ten students, ensuring plenty of one-on-one teaching. There’s a studio equipped with painting furniture and studio basics such as aprons, boards, and solvents, etc.
I had such a great time! I learned so much from you Adam and love your painting style! I will be sure to send you pics of my painting series from the trip, I have so many ideas, I feel like they are going to explode! “
Cathy, USA
The Tutor : Adam Cope
BA hons; Further Education & Adults Teaching Cert.I ; Foundation Diploma Art Therapy.
Accommodation
Four-star private ensuites with walk-in showers. Choose twin or double beds. Groups of three painters can opt for a third single bed in the mezzanine.
La Cuisine
Wine & dine in good company where laughter & conviviality are the norm. Friends are soon made, camaraderie flows. People often come from all over the world & share this passion for painting.
- Regional cuisine of South West France. Anchored in tradition.
- Simple, hearty & generous.
- Includes in-season ingredients, fresh from Orion’s permaculture farm.
- Ingredients are mostly organic.
- Vegetarians welcome.
- Breakfast, a buffet lunch, and a good evening meal (entree, plat, fromage, desert).
- Appertifs, nibbles & local wines with lunch and dinner. Non alcholic drinks.
- Tea & Coffee ‘à volonte’ throughout the day.
- Meals are self-service in the spacious dining room, or on the shaded terrace with views of the countryside and a sunset backdrop.
Dates 2026
Friday 2 to Friday 9 October
Courses times are 16h start day & 10h finish day.
Possibility of arriving a day early, so as to enjoy the spa.
Prices
- 2000 euros per painter, based on two (or three) sharing an ensuite (1310 euros per non-painter)
- 2300 euros per painter, alone in an ensuite.
What’s included : TEACHING. 6 days full days of teaching plus arrival evening & departure morning. Painting furniture (easels, boards, chairs, aprons, etc) & studio basics (solvents, etc). Full materails lists. Trip to medieval abbey. Online mini-course. Payable directly to Adam Cope.
What’s included : FULL BOARD & LODGINGS, 7 nights. Payable directly to Le Domaine d’Orion.
What’s not included : Your travel, travel insurance, your art materials, use of spa (about 27 euros per day) & associated well-being therapists.
Possibility of arriving a day early to relax & enjoy the spa.
Deposit upon booking
Travel
Le Domaine d’Orion is found in the Gers department, to the east of Toulouse in the south-west France.
- Nearest Train TVG is Agen (about 35 minutes drive from Orion).
- Nearest Airport is Toulouse (about 1 hour 15 minutes drive from Orion).
- Possibility of transfers to & from Orion/Agen TVG on start & finish days. These are in a shared taxi, to whom you pay directly (not included in the price). Price of taxi is about *** euros, which is then divided by the number of voyagers. This usually works out around*** euros per person per transfer. Pick up time is 14hr on arrival day @ Agen TVG. Departure time time from Orion is 9hr30 on departure day.
Learn to Paint
” Learning is most often considered a process of getting rather than giving. This is most evident in conceptions of student/teacher roles : Teachers give and students get. Yet, in adult learning both giving and getting are critical. – David Kolb
Testimonials
” I felt you really cared about the quality of tuition. You knew how to inspire the best in us. – VICKIE, DEEP DORDOGNE, 2004
” I recently took part in Adam’s one-week painting course in Roussillon, and it was such a special experience. The location was absolutely stunning—I’ve rarely felt so connected to nature and the present moment.I enjoy painting and sketching from time to time, but I’m not very confident with watercolours, even though I really like them. Being in a small group of passionate painters using different techniques was really interesting, and Adam did a brilliant job adapting to each person in the group.The places we painted were beautiful, most just around the (amazing) house, and we also visited the Ochre Museum and the village of Roussillon. We did some fun and eye-opening exercises, and I learned a lot about mixing colours, composition, values and painting techniques. Adam gave us guidance based on everyone’s level and what we wanted to paint, which made a big difference. We got plenty of personal help, and that really helped us improve. By the end of the week, I felt much more confident with my painting.Adam is a kind, energetic, encouraging, and passionate teacher who clearly loves what he does. If you’re looking for an intense week full of learning, creativity, and inspiration, I’d definitely recommend his courses. – AGNETA, ROUSSILLON, MAY 2025