French Residential October 2025

SOLD OUT

Painting and Sketching Holiday in Normandy, France.

29th Oct- 2nd Nov 2025

4 nights

A Painting holiday with The Drawing Rooms of Deal is a great way to relax in inspirational surroundings with fellow art enthusiasts whilst learning new techniques, brushing up on old skills and discovering fresh ideas for that painting project you’ve always been wanted to start. You will stay in a beautiful historic chateau, surrounded by grounds and gardens and boasting its own Tennis court. A wealth of subject material will keep you busy. Your hosts are Lynn and Nick, expert Art and Photography lecturers with many years of experience. The food is fantastic, the hospitality generous. Each painting course has excursions so you can paint on location and there are trips out to visit local places of interest if you wish to partake.

Everyday there will be tutoring in the morning followed by painting in either the Chateau or grounds. During your stay there will be opportunities for painting, drawing and photography on visits to local medieval villages to draw and paint. We eat lunch at the Chateau, picnic in the wonderful gardens or have lunch out in one of the beautiful villages. Evening aperitifs on the terrace will be taken before dinner is served in the chateau dining room. Please get in touch for the full breakdown of the residential breakdown.

The art course includes:

· 4 nights accommodation at the Chateau

· 3 1/2 day fully tutored art course with materials

· All meals and local wines served at the chateau

· All materials and tuition

Not Included

Travel to the Chateau
One evening meal at a local restaurant

Price

£950 single occupancy and £895 shared occupancy.

A £300 deposit is required to secure your place and balance is payable 6 weeks before your arrival date.

Deposits are non-refundable. It is advised that you take out personal holiday insurance upon booking.

Sample Itinerary

Please note the itinerary is an example only and may change slightly depending on weather.

Meal Times: Breakfast 8.30am- 9.30am

Lunch 12.30-1.30pm

Aperitif on terrace 6.30pm

Dinner from 7pm

Day 1

Arrive at the Chateau. Check in from 5pm. You will find complimentary sheets, blankets and towels on your beds. Unpack and join us for welcome drinks in the lounge followed by a tour of the Chateau. After the tour you’ll have the chance to unwind and enjoy an evening meal and drinks with fellow guests before spending the evening in whatever way makes you feel comfortable.

Day 2

After a leisurely breakfast in the dining space join us for some dedicated art time painting and drawing inside or outside the chateau. Pick your favourite view, use this inspiration to explore drawing and painting and make use of the materials available and the expert tutors on hand. Tea, coffee and biscuits available to keep your energies up! After a light lunch students will be free from 1.30pm to explore the chateau and surrounding areas.

For those looking for an interesting outing, we will visit the impressive Gothic Beauvais Cathedral. The cathedral consists of a 13th-century choir, with an apse and seven polygonal apsidal chapels reached by an ambulatory. It has the highest Gothic choir in the world: 48.5 metres (159 ft) under vault. A Photography lesson on how to use your camera phone to get the best photos of the cathedral will be hosted by Nick, former head of Photography within a well respected 6th form college. You can use the rest of the afternoon to explore the town of Beauvais, stay for lunch or head back to the chateau for some rest and relaxation. You may wish to take your sketchbook and do some sketching whist there before heading back to the chateau in time for an aperitif on the terrace before a relaxing evening meal with fellow guests.

Day 3

Breakfast and a morning of art at the chateau before an optional afternoon visit to Parthenay, an ancient, fortified town with medieval timber clad houses and quaint streets to loose ourself in. A visit to the Art Museum will inspire our hearts and minds, if the weather is fine we can indulge in some sketching in the wonderfully picturesque streets and take some inspirational photographs before heading back to the Chateaux. An aperitif will be waiting for you at 6.30pm followed by an evening meal with your fellow guests.

Day 4

Leisurely breakfast between 8.30am and 9.30am. After breakfast you will have studio time with your tutor, discussing ideas, techniques and watching demonstrations. Spend the morning drawing and painting, your tutor will be on hand if needed. A light lunch will be available to help yourself to so that you have the freedom to direct your afternoon time as you wish. You could choose to relax at the chateau and make use of its wonderful spaces, continue with you painting and drawing, play a bit of tennis or venture into Beauvais and visit the visit the chocolatier and the local shops.

Having slaved away all creatively all week, the chateau will become your gallery and the venue for your “ Vernissage” You can pop on your glad rags and enjoy a pre dinner glass of fizz to toast the exhibition and celebrate everything you have created! A delicious three course evening meal awaits you before spending your last evening in the chateau.

Day 5

Breakfast at 8-9am. Check out is at 10 am. Time to gather all of your artwork, say ‘au revoirs’ to the chateau and head home to explore your ideas and inspirations further!

Places for the strip range from £850- £1150 per person based on whether you are sharing a room or want the space for your self. Some rooms are ensuite, if you are sharing with another guest that is reflected in the price. Places are booked with £300 non-refundable deposit. Guests are advised to take out personal holiday insurance at the time of booking.