Fine Art Program
Spring, Summer or Fall

This intimate program is for the art lover and the artist, beginner through more advanced. Within the unique setting of a fully restored 18th century chateau and park, your home for a week will inspire you to look at art in a new way. In this exquisite museum-like home, you will have five morning sessions with a local professional working artist. The sessions are individualized and non-intimidating and will be limited to only nine artists in residence working with water-based materials (watercolor, ink and acrylic).

The excursions have been carefully chosen to complement your art studies, including the newly reopened fine arts museum in Angers, one of the finest provincial museums in France. We will also visit a private late Renaissance chapel rarely opened to the public to see a fully restored Flemish retable (alter). We will also visit the jewel chateau of Azay le Rideau with its fairy tale-like turrets and surrounding moats for sketching, or the world famous Renaissance gardens of Villandry.

Saturday Afternoon – Arrival and Meet the Count and Countess
Arrive in Angers and transfer to Chateau
Unpack, settle in and refresh yourself
Champagne cocktail in the Salon Doré
Welcome Dinner in the Salle à Manger with the Count and Countess – Semiformal dress
Your first night sleeping at the chateau in the beautiful, still countryside in a private forest in Anjou

Sunday – The Vie du Chateau
French continental breakfast in the country kitchen (local breads, homemade jams, local fruits and juices, strong coffee with demi-cream milk)
Mass in 11th century village abbey of Cunault and local flea market or optional golf game on the spectacular course in nearby Baugé (18 holes)
Lunch
Presentation in the Grand Salon of the Chateau by the Count: paintings and 18th century furniture, different decorative period styles, fabrics
Walk around the property to see a working domain: open forestry, hunting posts, pheasant rearing, duck pond, hunting farm. Observation on the property for potential painting subjects
Dinner in the Salle à Manger– Semiformal dress
After dinner drinks in the Scottish Bar

Monday – The Art of Angers
French continental breakfast
1st day art course; color focus: “The Rhythm of Vertical Light and Shadow”
Lunch
Excursion to Angers – Fine Art museum and “David d’Angers” Sculpture Museum and shopping
Tea in historic Angers
Dinner in the Salon Doré- Semiformal dress

Tuesday – Chateau Jewels
French continental breakfast in the country kitchen
2nd day art course: “Night Announces Day; The Rhythm of Cold Colours, Beginning of Warm Lights”
Lunch
Excursion to the Castle of Azay le Rideau (16th century) or a visit to the famous gardens of Villandry (16th century)
Dinner in Grand Salon – Semiformal dress

Wednesday – Local Religion and Art
French continental breakfast
3rd day art course: “Dawn and Day, Introduction to the Harmonies of Warm and Soft Colours; Flowers and Fruits”
Lunch at home
The Mysteries of the Abbey of Loroux, visit the twisted steeples of the region at Vieux Baugé and relics of the “True Cross”, plus tapestry restoration workshop.
Horse-drawn carriage ride in the Forest of Monaie
Dinner in the Salle à Manger – Casual sport chic dress
After dinner drinks and games in the Scottish TV Bar

Thursday –Private Interiors
French continental breakfast
4th day art course: “The Day Ends; at Home: the Interior Harmonies of Woods and Fabrics”
Lunch in the kitchen
Excursion to see a nearby private chapel with fully restored Flemish alter piece, tea
Sketching on the property
Sunset drinks and Dinner at Chênehutte les Tuffeaux, an 18th century manor overlooking the Loire River – Casual chic dress

Friday – Watercolor Site Discovery
French continental breakfast
5th art course: “Personal Expression and Symbolism of Colours in Painting”
Lunch in the Salle à Manger
Excursion to Saumur; contemporary international art gallery Bouvet-Laduby, free time to visit the chateau, place St. Pierre for its baroque church, and shopping
Dinner in Salle à Manger – Formal Attire
Farewell Party and Dancing

Saturday – Departure, but keep the Vie de Chateau in your heart
French continental breakfast
Transfer back to Angers

Events subject to modifications