The 2024 Provence Art Retreat has been postponed until September 21 to October 5, 2025. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for details on reserving a spot for next year.
Eat. Paint. Love. in Provence
SAVOR. CREATE. EXPERIENCE. with Christine Peloquin
I believe the artist’s journey is about experiencing life, expanding your awareness, and deepening your inner personal knowing, in order to create. What better place to do this than in Provence! It has been my dream to facilitate a retreat and art experience in this corner of the world. The format for this adventure will allow us to connect with each other, absorb the surroundings and culture, and channel all this energy into our art.
I have been teaching mixed media workshops for 15 years, and they have always been about learning new techniques and acclimating them to what you create. With this art experience, my intention is for everyone to soak in the French culture and add these experiences into your art in the forms of art journaling, writing, and plein air painting. This retreat is for all levels.
Together, we will explore art history of the region, enjoy the food and wine of Southern France, and assimilate the culture that has inspired countless artists. We will learn how to express our inner and outer journeys on canvases and the pages of our art journals. The 2 week trip is designed to explore the many sites in Provence but also give plenty of down time for processing and creating. You will return home refreshed and renewed with your artwork and a journal that holds the amazing memories you were exposed to.
The trip is designed by Wendy Smith-Wood who is an accomplished artist and lover of travel and the world. Her company is MAGIC COMPASS TRAVEL and Wendy is the tour operator and guide. She knows this region intimately having lived and worked there, returning almost every year for the past 30 years. Unlike art retreats created by large travel companies, Wendy has intimate connections with the locals and knows the best places to visit and the tourist traps to avoid. This trip will be as authentic as it gets!
Accommodations
Daily Itinerary
September 21 to October 5, 2025
Fourteen days in the south of France - an inspiration to painters through the centuries. Taking in the food, the wine, the lifestyle and the culture of this mellow, ancient and breath-takingly beautiful natural environment. Art sessions and free painting throughout with instruction and encouragement from Christine Peloquin. For painters and foodies. We will stay out in the countryside in a collection of little stone cottages. We can plan and flex our time around our own needs and preferences. We will have most evening meals cooked by our French hosts and will be dining out for most lunches for true Provencal Restaurant experiences.
This is to give you a taste of what is on offer. We will follow the itinerary when conditions and weather allow. We like to listen to your preferences and adapt accordingly, so there may be adjustments and changes of day or destination. ** indicates meals to be paid for separately.
Day one – Sunday Sept 21. Arrive and travel to Sigonce.
Arrive Marseille airport / TGV Aix en Provence by air or high-speed train. Pick-up by Wendy and travel home to Chante-Oiseau on the edge of the Montagne de Lure. Settle in to our rooms. Orientation stroll of the area. Local Rose wine on the terrace, time to get to know each other.
Dinner at home. Introduction to the tour and art sessions.
Day Two – Monday Sept 22. Chateau La Coste.
Visit to Chateau la Coste – Modern winery. Vineyards, architecture, sculptures and art gallery. **Lunch on the terrace. Wine-making tour, and **tasting. Dinner at home.
Day Three – Tuesday Sept 23. Forcalquier market.
The biggest and most exciting market in the region. Local farmer's produce, traditional linens, clothing and crafts, soaps and scents, olives, breads and cakes, sausages and cheeses. Hours of browsing. **Lunch from the market. 2pm **Distillery tasting – aperitifs, pastis, marc, absinthe. Walk up to the citadel. Late afternoon: art with Christine. Dinner at home.
Day Four – Wednesday, Sept 24. Aix-en-Provence
Aix en Provence – more than 2,000 yrs old. Incredible modern shopping avenues – reminiscent of Paris. Cathedral, Musee Granet, Tapestry museum. The haunt of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso and a host of other world renowned painters. The Champs Elysees in Paris was modeled after the main boulevard in Aix – the Cours Mirabeau. **Out for Lunch. Dinner at home.
Day Five – Thursday Sep 25. The Local Region.
Tour the local area. Visit L'Occitane beauty products – originating here in Manosque. Visit to the Oliviers Olive Oil Museum with a tasting (it will blow your mind), Volx. **Lunch at Relais 4 Reines in St Mame – the real deal – a Provencale country inn with the true traditional Farmers cuisine. Ganagobie Monastery – walk the grounds, stunning plateau, and visit the church and it's famous mosaic floor. Then hear the monks sing Latin Vespers at 5.30pm. Dinner at home.
Day Six – Friday Sep 26, Food and Art day and Plein aire in Forcalquier.
Art session at home in the morning with a lunch provided by our host. Tour of the ancient town. The “Pays de Forcalquier” was announced as a separate country in history – an example of the independent mindedness of this region. Exploring. Plein Aire/Sketching in Forcalquier. **Dinner out in Forcalquier.
Day Seven – Saturday Sep 27 Verdon Gorge: –magnificent limestone canyon, largest and most spectacular in Europe. Valensole for morning coffee. Drive the “Route des Cretes”. Spectacular views and drop-offs. Stop at Chalet de la Maline for a 'pique- nique' and painting/sketching. Dinner at home.
Day Eight – Sunday Sep 28: Apt market, Luberon villages.
Chance to look at the Luberon – famous for its ancient ‘perched’ villages and its wines. Farming traditions are strong here and this is displayed in the foods and crafts of the enormous Apt market. Visit Saignon or Vacheres, then Cereste for hand-made ice-cream. **Lunch out in Apt. Dinner at home.
Day Nine – Monday Sep 29. Art day at Home.
A day of art sessions in the gardens with Christine. Lunch at home. Evening aperitif in the square in Forcalquier. **Out to dinner at La Cocotte.
Day Ten – Tuesday Sep 30. Forcalquier Market – again.
Morning visit to Forcalquier market. Art session in afternoon. **Lunch out. Dinner out at a local restaurant.
Day Eleven – Wednesday Oct, 1 – Cassis, the coast.
Day out to Cassis, the most romantic village on the coast, and the Calanques the craggy limestone cliffs and pinnacles that make up this spectacular coastline. Boat rides, walks and great sea-food! **Lunch out. Dinner at home.
Day Twelve – Thursday Oct 2 – Moustiers Ste Marie.
Drive to Moustiers Ste Marie. Explore this amazing village built in a cleft of a rockface. Hike to the high chapel. Great shopping and restaurants. Great sketching opportunities. Optional visit to a Michelin starred restaurant (early booking required). **Lunch out. Dinner at home.
Day Thirteen – Friday Oct 3 – Local Villages for sketching.
Morning Art session. Lunch at home. Afternoon drive to local villages. **Dinner at a regional Bistro.
Day fourteen – Saturday Oct 4. Exhibit and pack/ or Avignon.
Leisurely day. Finishing Art pieces and the final exhibit. Preparing to travel. **Lunch out. Final dinner at home.
Day fifteen – Sunday Oct 5 – Depart.
Drop offs at MRS or Aix TGV by 1200hrs. Travel on to more adventures or return home.
Tour Costs
Tour prices in USD: include Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artist Christine Peloquin, 14 nights of accommodation, airport transfers, all transportation, Wendy our amazing tour guide, and meals as per the itinerary. Christine will also create a private Facebook page 5 months before the trip that will provide information, a way to introduce yourselves to the other participants, and a place to share memories and inspired work after we return.
Prices depend on which accommodations you choose.
French style stone farmhouse option: Rooms are in French style stone farmhouses with 2-3 bedrooms, shared lounge space, kitchens, laundry, bathrooms and private terraces.
Twin share room is approximately $6,080
Single room price is: approximately $6,880
Shepherd’s cottage option: There are 5 studio cottages available in our accommodations. They are converted stone shepherds’ houses and are adorable. They accommodate two people each with a twin/double bedroom, lounge, kitchen, bathroom and private terrace. Available on a first come first serve basis to couples and twin shares.
Twin share: approximately $6,580
Single private cottage: approximately $7,030
Meals totals:
Meals included in the trip cost: 14 Breakfasts; 3 lunches; 10 Dinners
**Restaurant meals to pay for: 9 lunches @ 15-40€; 4 Dinners @ 40-60€.
Tour prices do not include:
Airfare
Art materials and supplies. A list will be provided 5 months before the trip.
9 lunches and 4 dinners away from our Chante Oiseau
Travel Insurance
Entry fees for galleries, museums, monuments, boat rides etc.
Personal drinks and snacks
Activities outside the itinerary
Min: 9 guests; Max 15.
How to Book
First e-mail Wendy and Christine to let both of them know you want to go – wendysmithwood@gmail.com and christinepeloquin@gmail.com. Wendy will then tell you what to do and guide you through the booking process.
Her company is MAGIC COMPASS TRAVEL and Wendy Smith-Wood is the tour operator and guide. She knows this region intimately having lived and worked there, returning almost every year for the past 30 years.
Christine Peloquin is your Artist host and instructor. She will conduct Art sessions as part of this tour. She will be on hand throughout the trip to give advice and encourage. She will send out material lists and project description before your departure.
All communications and information are sent by email. She keeps the master list of guests and will send you more detailed information about the trip and allocate you a place. It is important that you are on this list and that you get the important information and directions she sends out by email.
To secure a place on the tour, you need to send a deposit of $1,000 USD to Christine at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/christinepeloquin. If you have booked to go on the trip when meeting Christine or Wendy personally – you still need to confirm with Wendy by email – to make sure you are listed as a participant. Places are on a first come first serve basis.
Payment deadlines: 2025 Trip Deadline for deposits is Dec 30, 2024. All deposits are refundable until Jan 30, 2025. Then 50% of the remainder of the fee is due 1st April 2025 and is not refundable. Final Payment by 1st June 2025. By this time, you should have insurance to protect these payments. Payments can be made by check, PayPal or bank transfer.
Confirmations: The trip is definite when 9 people are booked (9 deposits received). At this time Wendy will send a confirmation to all guests who have sent deposits. Once you have a confirmation, you can go ahead and book flights. Please do not book flights until the trip is confirmed.
Important: You will need to book your own air travel to France and purchase insurance for the trip. (Wendy will meet you at the airport/train station). Flights are best booked before December. When you book air fares you take out travel insurance to protect your investment. I will require an insurance policy number.