Abstract Wanderlust:
Intuitive Painting Retreat
Périgord, France
June 24 - July 3, 2026
10 Days of Painting, Exploration & Creative Renewal
Escape to the sun-kissed south of France for a transformative 10-day art retreat designed to inspire, refresh, and reconnect you with your creative spirit. Set in a charming French village surrounded by vineyards, stone paths, and golden light, this retreat blends immersive art-making with rich cultural experiences and plenty of relaxation.
Quick Summary — What’s Included
A snapshot of everything you’ll experience:
10 days / 9 nights in a beautiful French property
Guided painting sessions + open studio time
Abstract + intuitive art instruction for all levels
Creative excursions to villages, markets, and scenic spots
All meals + wine included (fresh, local, delicious)
Inspiring French countryside setting
Small, supportive group of artists
All the planning handled for you — just arrive and enjoy
Prepare to be immersed in a once-in-a-lifetime art experience.
You’re An Artist!
Be bold. Let go. Get wild.
We're all artists!
This class is for everyone, with no previous painting experience necessary.
Want to make art in a community where your whole self is not just welcomed but celebrated?
Come paint, where your identities, stories, and personal magic are the heartbeat of the experience.
I will guide you through my intuitive painting process with zero pressure, zero perfectionism, and absolutely no judgment. We play, we experiment, and we get delightfully messy. This approach helps you loosen up, trust your instincts, release expectations, and rediscover joyful expression on the canvas and in your daily life.
Here is what you will experience and learn:
✨ Plenty of painting demonstrations to spark your curiosity
✨ Expressive mark making and rich layering techniques
✨ My favorite paints, tools, and mixed media materials
✨ Color mixing that feels intuitive, bold, and fun
This is not a paint by numbers class. There is nothing wrong with those, but this space is for rebels, feelers, explorers, and anyone who is tired of painting inside the lines. I am not here to teach you to paint like me. I am here to help you paint like you, in all your vibrant and unrepeatable glory.
I will hold the space with gentle guidance and lots of encouragement, but the real magic comes from the community we create together. It is a circle of creatives who support, uplift, and cheer each other on.
Expect big laughs, big messes, big breakthroughs, and probably a dance party or two. 🎨💃✨
Savor tasty French dishes prepared by our private chef each day, relax by the pool, and let your gorgeous surroundings inspire your creative spirit.
Get Inspired By Your Surroundings
Our Creative Home in France
Our retreat unfolds in Southeast France at the breathtaking Périgord Retreats, who will be our warm and wonderful hosts throughout our stay. Plan for a haven of beauty, culture, and slow-living magic. This region is pure soul food.
Périgord is a place that awakens every sense. You might find yourself tasting truffles at a local market, wandering through ancient villages and fairytale castles, or simply breathing in the quiet poetry of the countryside.
A Beautiful French Setting
Our south-of-France location offers endless inspiration for artists and dreamers alike:
• Medieval villages steeped in history
• Flower-filled markets buzzing with color and charm
• Winding stone streets with views of rolling vineyards
• Peaceful landscapes made for sketching, strolling, and slowing down
And in late June, the region bursts into full summer splendor, with poppy fields and blooming lavender that look like they were painted just for us.
Disconnect To Reconnect
10 days filled with adventure, relaxation, and creativity
What’s Included In The Cost?
Nourishment
Farm-to-Table French Cuisine
All meals and wine are included throughout your stay, so you can relax into the experience and savor every moment. Our incredible in-house chef, Katel, prepares delicious French dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Many of the vegetables and herbs come straight from the retreat’s own garden, which means every plate is bursting with seasonal flavor.
You will enjoy a carefully selected variety of local wines, perfectly paired with each meal. Dietary needs are warmly welcomed, and we happily cater to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free diets.
The menu shifts with the seasons, allowing you to taste the very best that the region has to offer. Each meal is an invitation to slow down, savor, and experience the artistry of French cooking.
Bon appétit.
Transportation
Traveling to Périgord Retreats: private transfer to and from the airport or train station is included
Getting to Périgord Retreats is easy and scenic, no matter how you choose to arrive.
We are fortunate to have a train station just five minutes away with a direct line from Paris. The journey itself is a delight — starting in the flatlands of the city, the landscape gradually rises as you pass through the Massif Central, and eventually opens into the rolling hills of Limousin and Périgord Vert. Your final stop is the charming medieval town of Gourdon, where we will meet you and bring you to the retreat in just five minutes.
If you prefer to fly, there are three airports within about 90 minutes’ drive: Toulouse, Bergerac, and Brive. We are happy to arrange pickups for groups of traveling artists from any of these airports, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to your retreat experience.
Day Trips
Local Experiences & Excursions
Our carefully curated excursions are designed to deepen your connection to the region and spark inspiration for your artwork. You’ll wander through colorful markets, explore charming villages, visit historic castles, and take in breathtaking landscapes — all while soaking up the colors, textures, and rhythms of Périgord and beyond. Each outing is an opportunity to see, taste, and feel the local culture while gathering ideas for your own creative practice.
Some Excursion Highlights
Rocamadour – Perched on a cliff and part of the Camino Trail, this village is steeped in history and spiritual significance. The dramatic views make it an unforgettable spot for inspiration and photography.
Sarlat – One of France’s best-preserved medieval towns, Sarlat dazzles with its winding streets and lively market filled with local produce and artisanal goods.
Beynac Castle – A historic fortress once home to Richard the Lionheart. Perfect for a riverside picnic or plein air painting in the shade.
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – Often ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, it is picture-perfect for shopping, sketching, or settling in for an afternoon of painting.
Each excursion is thoughtfully chosen to immerse you in the magic of the region while giving you fresh inspiration for your art.
Paint
All Painting Supplies Are Provided!
When was the last time you painted surrounded by the beauty of the French countryside? Here, you can fully immerse yourself in creativity — all materials are provided, so all you need to do is show up. Paint, brushes, a variety of mark-making tools, and surfaces including watercolor paper and canvas will be ready for you.
We will work primarily in acrylics and mixed media tools to create abstract paintings from start to finish. Through mind, body, and soul practices, this retreat will enliven your existing creative practice or give you the perfect opportunity to start fresh. I’ll guide you through the intuitive painting process with prompts to spark ideas, tips for expressive mark-making, techniques for layering, lessons in color theory, and insights into contrast, composition, and visual storytelling.
When we’re not exploring the gardens, unwinding in the pool or hot tub, or visiting nearby castles, there will be plenty of dedicated studio time to dive deep into your work. While I’ll share techniques, tips, and even “rules,” I’ll also invite you to break them all.
The goal of this retreat is to help you quiet your inner critic, release expectations, and trust your instincts so that you can create with joy, freedom, and bold intuition.
Accommodations
The Heart of Your Stay at Périgord Retreats
Your retreat includes nine nights of accommodations at the beautiful Périgord Retreats, a serene property nestled at the edge of a small village between the Quercy and Périgord regions.
The retreat spans two charming houses on the same land. One house has six bedrooms and the second house has four, with a mix of ensuite and shared bathrooms. Both homes feature cozy sitting areas and kitchens, giving you plenty of space to relax, connect, and settle in. The property is fully fenced and surrounded by trees and hedgerows, ensuring peace and privacy. The track in front of the houses sees almost no traffic, and the village lies just 500 yards away from the closest road. The loudest sounds you’ll hear are the birds singing and the gentle wildlife in the woods behind the property.
Over the past five years, our hosts have poured their hearts into creating lush, inspiring gardens. Hundreds of trees, flowers, and shrubs bloom throughout the season, and over 1,000 lavender plants now flourish on the grounds, used to produce honey and essential oils. In front of the property, an old truffle orchard provides dappled summer shade and the occasional hidden truffle. In the back field, organic vegetables grow alongside free-range chickens, and a small fruit orchard yields fresh produce for meals, jams, or chicken treats.
Nature lovers will delight in the abundant wildlife on the property. Over 30 species of birds have been spotted in the gardens, and walks along the track or through the nearby woods may reveal deer, woodland creatures, and countless other fascinating animals. Whether you’re wandering the orchards, painting in the gardens, or relaxing in your private space, Périgord Retreats offers a peaceful, inspiring sanctuary for creativity and rejuvenation.
Your Investment
Trip Price:
€3,800: Private bedroom, shared bathroom
€4,200: Private bedroom, private bathroom
€7,100: Double occupancy with private bathroom
Secure your spot now with a 500 € deposit.
Book by Friday December 5th to receive the Early Sign-Up Discount and save 10 %!
**Option to bring a non-painting partner
