Day 1 Transfer from Toulouse Airport to Haut Baran, (transfer provided). After settling in, Richard and his wife, Rosalie, will accompany you on a tour of the grounds and estate, followed by a relaxing wine & cheese cocktail hour, then a welcoming dinner featuring regional cuisine at Haut Baran at 7:30pm.
Day 2 After breakfast, spend the day painting on the chateau
grounds, with assistance of Lenny Gemski if you desire. Sit down to a picnic
lunch at Haut Baran. Dinner
(at own expense) is at one of the delightful local restaurants. William will
transport us in his van.
Day 3 Breakfast at 8:00. Painting and instruction in beautiful nearby village
of Puy l'Eveque with its magnificent river view. Lunch (at own expense) in
Puy l'Eveque. Dinner at Haut Baran.
Day 4 Painting and instruction in the morning at Haut Baran, followed by a
delicious lunch. We'll paint in the afternoon at St. Martin (one of the picturesque
local
villages, 5 minutes away), then return to our rooms to freshen up before dinner
in town (at own expense).
Day 5 Breakfast at 8:00. Painting and Touring excursion. We will start our
day with a visit to the marché in Cazal, then visit a working 14th century
water mill, and the 12th century Holy City of Rocamadour, the oldest pilgrimage
in France, constructed into the side of a sheer cliff. Lunch and shopping is
available at Rocamadour, (lunch at own expense). Dinner at Haut Baran at 7:30pm.
Day 6 Breakfast at 8:00. Painting and instruction in nearby Cahors, home of
the famous Pont Valentre, France's most well preserved medieval fortified bridge.
Picnic lunch on site. After class, we will visit a local vineyard for a tasting
in this famous wine-growing region. Return to Haut Baran for a relaxing dinner
.
Day 7 Breakfast at 8:00. Painting and instruction at Haut Baran. After lunch
we will head out to paint at nearby Montcabrier, a perfectly charming local
village. Dinner is at La Recreation featured in Michael Sanders' bestselling
book "From
Here You Can't See Paris" (dinner at own expense).
Day 8 Breakfast at 8:00. Tour day. We will visit St. Cirq Lapopie, one of the
most beautiful villages in all of France, and home to painters such as Henri
Martin and Pierre Daura. We will also visit Pech Merle, a national historic
site with remarkable examples of 25,000 year old prehistoric art. Lunch and
dinner
will be on our own.
Day 9 Breakfast at 8:00. We'll be painting in and around the medieval village
of La Roque-Gageac, a spectacular village on the banks of the Dordogne River.
We'll also see the Chateau Beynac, a superb site, seen in 23 films, and visit
the medieval city of Sarlat. Famous for its architecture, Sarlat has lots of
shops and restaurants. It is the perfect destination to explore. Lunch (at
own expense) is in Sarlat. Dinner will be at one of our wonderful local restaurants
(dinner at own expense).
Day 10 Breakfast at 8:00. All day painting at or near Haut Baran. Final day
of painting with Lenny Gemski. Lunch at Haut Baran. Farewell dinner at Haut
Baran
will include champagne!
Day 11 Breakfast at 8:00. Transfer to Toulouse Airport or Cahors train station.
Leave at 10:00 am (transfer provided).
This is a sample schedule. Variations will occur in order to provide the
best painting and sightseeing experiences during our stay.
Dordogne
River View