Experience French village life, with an art tutor and cooking demonstrations, slow food and wine - holidays at leisurely pace.

For those who have a sense or feel for history and art, Europe draws like a magnet. While many have visited the touchstone cities of Rome, Florence and Paris, there is something alluring about living and painting in places central to European art, and France is such a place. We have arranged painting holidays where you can relax and enjoy the unique ambience of French village life. Paint to your heart's content and then, in the pampered comfort of a Chateau, with heated pool and terrace, relax in the evening with an aperitif and delight in French food with produce from the local area. You may even learn to cook some French dishes or brush up on your language skills.

As with previous Ecliptic Gallery holidays, guests will be able to choose what they want to do at their own pace, whether it's learning to paint, cooking, golf, playing Petanque (Boules) lazing by the pool or starting "that book" we all have within us. When you arrive, you unpack and have two full weeks of holiday. Evening aperitifs provide a gentle end to the day before a gastronomic delight at home or visiting local restaurants in the villages nearby.

Whether you're an established artist or still a novice with a desire to learn more, the 2012 French painting holiday may be just the thing for you.

The group size is small (12) and we will once again be staying in the beautiful Chateau de Mercurey, with 19th century paintings on the walls of the Salon. Art tuition will be in the morning, (however you may continue painting for the rest of the day if that's what you prefer) cooking demonstrations for those who would like to learn the intricacies of the French cuisine in the afternoon, with many days left for sightseeing.

ART TUTOR

Our art tutor for 2012 is Angelo Quabba from the Lake Garda area of Italy who now lives in Melbourne.  Angelo was our tutor in 2010 and has agreed to join us again.   Tuition will be a combination of demonstrations and group personal sessions to suit the needs of guests, the light and weather conditions.

OUR CHEF

Thomas Lecourbe, will once again be with us to prepare some stunning evening meals.  He was trained at the Michelin 3 Star Hotel Lameloise and is more than happy for you to either watch or participate with him in the preparation of the evening meal and then, of course, enjoy what has been produced together with wonderful wines of the region.

ACCOMMODATION

Our Chateau is in the wine producing village of Mercurey, Burgundy (see photo gallery). All bedrooms have up-to-the-minute bathrooms and the bedrooms are beautifully furnished.

ACTIVITIES

There is no requirement to pack up and move to a rigid itinerary. There are trips to nearby villages and chateaux for wine tasting, the major tourist attractions of the area, historic sites, and galleries nearby. Most days however, will be devoted to enjoying the ambience of French village life and painting the local area.

We have also broadened the range of activities available for non-painters or painters who want to do other things, e.g. golf, petanque, wine tasting and visits to the local medieval/historic villages such as Beaune, Buxy, Chalon-sur-Saone.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• $6,550 per person twin share
• 2 weeks accommodation in a magnificent chateau
• Painting tuition including art equipment and materials
  (except brushes & pallet knives)
• Cooking demonstrations
• Pick up and drop off from nearby TGV Train Station
  (train leaves Paris from Gare de Lyon)
• Meals including wine/beverages - breakfast each day, 10 lunches and 10 dinners

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Air Fares
• Travel Insurance
• Individual Car Hire

BOOKINGS

For more information or to make a booking please contact Jan Lack on +61 3 9822 2678 or mobile 0419.237424

Or email janlack@eclipticgallery.com.au .
A deposit of $1,000 per person with balance to be paid by June 13, 2012.

Download Holidays In France Brochure 2012 (pdf)