2025 and 2026 PAINTING AND WINE TASTING - HEART OF FRANCE ART HOLIDAY: World renown LOIRE VALLEY CASTLES PAINTING HOLIDAY in France.
Art holiday in France with wine tasting. Join an incredible adventure in the heart of France painting in the sumptuous gardens of the highest ranked royal castles! Wine tasting at some of the finest wineries and at the castles themselves. You will also discover French cuisine on this art retreat. Expect a majestic week on this Heart of France Painting with Wine tasting art holiday!
Beginners welcome! Your tutor does demos and will give you step by step help to paint easy subjects.
WHAT’S INCLUDED: Details of what’s included in our price for this Loire Valley castle painting holiday in France:
Fabulous painting excursions at France’s most prestigious castles of the fabulous Loire Valley: Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise, Azay le Rideau, Villandry.
Tuition: Learn or improve composition, colour dynamics, values, perspective and more.
Art materials provided: Paints, brushes, paper. CHOICE OF MEDIUMS: Watercolours (recommended), drawing or gouache. More experienced artists: Pastels, acrylics or oils.
Art equipment provided: Board, stool, optional easel.
7 nights SINGLE ROOM in a hotel in Tours. Restaurants and shops within walking distance.
Meals: 100% restaurant meals with wine at dinner included (except on the free day) .
Wine Tasting at 3 different wineries.
Local group transportation to painting sites.
Castle entries.
DATES:
2025
👉 JULY 6 - 13 2025 - FULLY BOOKED
👉 JULY 14 - 21 2025 - PLACES AVAILABLE
2026
👉 JUNE 12 - 19 2026 - PLACES AVAILABLE
PRICES:
£175 at booking. The remainder 4 months prior to the holiday or within 4 days after booking if less than 4 months to the holiday.
Please note: A knee surgery or a son’s wedding could pop up after you book! This is why our booking payments are transferrable for a period of 24 months after the date of purchase under our Terms.
EVERYTHING LISTED INCLUDED IN THE HOLIDAY.
Accommodation: Our group stays at a hotel in Tours, France. All rooms are Ensuite Rooms.
You are coming on your own (like most participants). Ensuite Room.
£175 Booking payment + £1990 in an ENSUITE ROOM at a central hotel in Tours France. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS (except on the free day).
£175 Booking payment + £1790 in an ENSUITE ROOM at a central hotel in Tours, France. BREAKFAST ONLY (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).
You wish to share a room with a PAINTING FRIEND or partner. Shared Ensuite Room in Double Occupancy (one double bed or two single beds):
£175 Booking payment + £1690 per person for the week. ALL RESTAURANT MEALS INCLUDED (except on the free day).
£175 Booking payment + £1490 per person for the week. BREAKFAST ONLY. (You pay for your meals separately; Perfect for light eaters or special diets).
You wish to come with a NON-PAINTER: Please contact us.
Not included: Getting to Tours hotel. City tax £1.90/night. Minibar consumptions if applicable. Drinks or snacks outside of meals. Personal travel insurance.
Important: On this art retreat, you must be able to walk at a normal pace around town and on our outings.
Join the fun!
In the heart of the Loire Valley!
Typical schedule for this Chateaux Art holiday in France’s Loire Valley:
Day 1: Arrival day. Meeting at the accommodation at 6.00 PM. Materials are handed out. Dinner at a local restaurant with an introduction to the painting holiday. Let the fun begin!!!
Day 2: Breakfast. Demo for watercolour beginners. Participants using other mediums will be able to do a still life or work from a photo to test new materials. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will then spend the afternoon painting at the fabulous CHÂTEAU D’AZAY-LE-RIDEAU. Castle entry and visit. Dinner a local restaurant.
About Azay-Le-Rideau castle: This castle was originally a 12th century feudal castle built as a fortress. It burned to the ground after 350 soldiers were executed inside its stone fortressed walls. For many centuries thereafter, Azay-Le-Rideau was named Azay-Le Brûlé (Azay the Burnt). When the castle was rebuilt between 1518 and 1527, it was given the name of the closest village. This château is considered to be one of the truest examples of Renaissance architecture in France. It is one of the most popular in the Loire Valley. Learn more about Azay Le Rideau castle.
Day 3: Breakfast, free morning, then lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon will be spent painting at gorgeous CHÂTEAU DE VILLANDRY. A visit inside the castle and some WINE TASTING will end this sumptuous day!!!
About VILLANDRY CASTLE: Situated in the Loire valley, this absolute jewel has been owned by the Carvallo family since 1906 and is one of the most popular Loire castles with over 300000 visitors per year. It was once owned by NAPOLEON who had bought it for his brother Jérôme Bonaparte. Its fabulous architecture, but also renaissance gardens, water gardens, ornamental gardens and vegetable garden make it a joy to visit and paint. This amazing castle was declared an official historical monument in 1934. It is also a World Heritage site. Learn more about Villandry castle.
Day 4: Breakfast. Morning departure for Le CHÂTEAU ROYAL D’AMBOISE with a visit of the castle. You will be able to visit the little church were lay the remains of LEONARDO DA VINCI, after having been hosted by King Francis the First. WINE TASTING at Vins d’Amboise below the castle. Lunch. Painting session onsite at Amboise Royal Castle, view from the gardens. Free time to walk around Amboise.
AMBOISE castle is a royal castle where many a king has lived and throned! Before belonging to the royals in 1434, the glorious ‘demeure’ belonged to the powerful House of Amboise. Charles VIII, Louis WII and FRANCIS THE FIRST of France all lived and reigned in this castle during the Renaissance. During the French Revolution, it was sadly partially damaged, then restored. Francis the First, friend and admirer of Leonardo Da Vinci for his artistic talent, hosted the Italian genius. Learn more about Amboise castle.
The chapel where LEONARDO DA VINCI’S known remains lay.
Day 5: Breakfast. Free day. There will be plenty to do around Tours. You can also hop on a train to visit other interesting sites. Meals are not included on the free day.
Day 6: Breakfast. Departure for magnificent CHENONCEAU CASTLE (below). Once owned by Catherine de Medecis, this castle is one of the most famous and beautiful castles of France. It is sure to thrill you as an artist and visitor! Morning visit of the castle. Lunch on site. We will spend the afternoon painting this marvel. Don’t worry, it is not difficult with the tutor’s follow-along demo if you are a beginner! Dinner at a local restaurant.
About CHENONCEAU castle: This jaw-dropping Gothic and early Renaissance marvel is situated near Chenonceau village. It was built between 1514 and 1522 where a medieval castle once stood before being burnt to the ground. It is the only castle in the area built over a river bed and is the second most visited historical monument (over 800000 visitors per year) after the Château de Versaille. Learn more about Chenonceau castle.
Day 7: Breakfast. Day trip to the king of all castle: CHAMBORD CASTLE for a morning visit of the castle, known for its mysterious double staircase and its overall exquisite beauty. Afternoon painting session there with some WINE TASTING.
CHAMBORD castle is the only royal domain which is still intact. The site initially housed a feudal society and the old fort of Blois nobles. The existent castle was built in the 16th century by FRANCIS THE FIRST of France who supervised its edification starting 1519, but unfortunately died in 1547 before the castle’s completion. Learn more about Chambord castle.
