Your painting holiday in the South of France begins with a warm welcome! Upon arriving at Montpellier Airport, meet your fellow travelers and board a comfortable private transfer to your stunning retreat venue—nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean countryside.

Once you arrive, settle into your stylish and serene room at the 4-star retreat hotel. Take time to relax after your journey, or start exploring the property’s inviting features: a tranquil pool area, elegant wine bar, and sunlit terraces perfect for sketching or simply unwinding with a glass of local wine.

At 7:00 PM, gather with your art instructor, passionate tour guides, and fellow artists for an Orientation Meeting. You’ll be introduced to your personalized art workshop itinerary, featuring scenic plein air painting locations handpicked to inspire your creativity. Learn about the week ahead—filled with immersive painting sessions, cultural discoveries, and unforgettable moments.

Cap off your arrival day with a chef-prepared three-course welcome dinner, featuring delicious Mediterranean cuisine and local wines from the region. It’s the perfect start to your oil painting art retreat in France, where art, culture, and connection come together.

After a relaxing breakfast, embark on a memorable day of art, culture, and wine at one of the oldest vineyard châteaux in the Pézenas region. With over 170 hectares of flourishing vines, this fifth-generation winemaker’s estate offers the perfect setting for an inspiring plein air painting session as part of your art retreat in France.

Set up your easel beneath the shade of century-old plane trees in the château’s elegant courtyard. Under the guidance of your art instructor Eric Santoli, you’ll be encouraged to tap into your creative flow and capture the authentic charm of this stunning Mediterranean vineyard through sketches and paintings.

During the art workshop, the non-painting partners are exploring the streets of the black walled historic town of Agde and its numerous artisan workshops.

Midday, take a break for a hands-on culinary experience, where you'll prepare delicious appetizers using fresh baguettes and local ingredients. This is followed by a generous wine tasting, personally led by the château’s owner, who will introduce you to the estate’s best vintages.

After the tasting, enjoy time to finish your artwork, explore the wine cellar, or visit the enchanting orangerie room, filled with light and charm.

This unforgettable day blends fine wine, regional flavors, and plein air painting—a highlight of your painting holiday in the South of France.

Begin your morning with a short scenic drive through the garrigue landscape to the breathtaking Abbaye de Fontfroide, one of the finest Cistercian abbeys in France. Set up your easel in the abbey's legendary rose garden, where hundreds of roses in full bloom provide an extraordinary and ever-changing subject — a true painter's dream. Work at your own rhythm, guided by the interplay of light, stone, and color that has inspired artists for centuries.

At midday, savor a leisurely lunch at the abbey's own restaurant, where the seasonal menu celebrates the finest produce of the Languedoc — the perfect pause before an inspiring afternoon.

Afterward, step inside for a private guided visit of this magnificent monument — its cloisters, church, and hidden courtyards revealing layers of history that will deepen your connection to the landscape you've been painting. 

Start your day with a fresh and flavorful breakfast before setting out on a captivating French market tour in the historic heart of Pézenas. Follow your expert local tour guide through the cobbled streets as you discover the town’s rich cultural legacy—once home to Molière—and explore its charming artisan workshops, local art galleries, and centuries-old architecture.

After the guided walk, enjoy free time to experience one of the region’s most vibrant farmers markets. Stroll through colorful stalls overflowing with seasonal produce, fragrant herbs, handmade goods, and regional delicacies. This lively atmosphere offers endless plein air inspiration—so don’t forget your camera or sketchbook to capture the colors, characters, and charm that make this village so unique.

Spend the rest of your day soaking up the slow-paced rhythm of Southern France. Relax at an outdoor café with some people-watching, browse the many boutique shops nestled within the circular historic center, or take a scenic walk to gather more ideas for your next painting holiday session.

This immersive day is the perfect blend of culture, creativity, and local flavor—hallmarks of your unforgettable Southern France art retreat.

Board your private coach and leave the town behind as the road winds deeper into the unspoiled Languedoc countryside. Hidden among the garrigue hills, a family domaine reveals itself like a well-kept secret — a working farm estate whose aromatic gardens, medicinal plant beds, and sweeping vistas have remained virtually unchanged since the 18th century. This is rare, living landscape: the kind that stops you in your tracks before you've even picked up a brush.

Painters will set up their easels across the estate, capturing the wild geometry of herb rows, the purple hues of lavender, and the vast countryside stretching to the horizon — a composition that feels both timeless and effortlessly French. Non-painters will embark on a private guided exploration of the region, discovering hidden villages, panoramic viewpoints, and the quiet rhythms of rural Languedoc life.

Reunite at midday for a long, convivial lunch on the terrace, with the valley spread out before you and a table dressed in the estate's own harvest. The afternoon brings an intimate behind-the-scenes discovery of the domaine — its traditions of plant cultivation, distillation, and land stewardship passed down through generations.

Begin your morning with a delightful French breakfast featuring buttery croissants, fresh fruit, and aromatic coffee—the perfect start to another inspiring day on your art retreat in Southern France.

Today’s plein air workshop takes place at a stunning 18th-century château gracefully set along the banks of the Hérault River. With its elegant Italian Renaissance-style façade, grand windows, and peaceful gardens, this historic estate offers a dreamlike backdrop for your painting holiday in France. Whether you're drawn to architecture, nature, or light and shadow, this enchanting setting will spark your creativity.

Under the expert guidance of your art instructor, you’ll spend the morning immersed in your surroundings, translating the château’s beauty onto paper.

Meanwhile the non-painting partners will be exploring the Venise of the Languedoc walking the hilly city of Sète. Tasting some local delicacies at the market halls or photographing the beautiful street art hidden all over the town.  

At midday, gather under the shade of centuries-old plane trees for a locally sourced lunch, lovingly prepared with fresh regional ingredients. This moment of shared relaxation and flavor is a true highlight of the South of France art experience.

After lunch, take time to complete your painting or simply wander the grounds, camera or sketchbook in hand. Enjoy a relaxed photo tour of the château estate, capturing its timeless charm before returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest and a peaceful afternoon at your own pace.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast one last time at your charming retreat before boarding your transfer to Montpellier Airport. As your art retreat in the South of France comes to a close, it’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful landscapes that inspired your creativity—and to the new friends who became part of your creative travel journey.

With warm memories, shared laughter, and sketchbooks full of inspiration, we hope to see you again on a future painting holiday in another breathtaking destination.

Until next time—keep painting and stay inspired!