Joyful Travel Sketching in Gouache in Provence
Instructor: Sarah Burns
Oct 7-14, 2026
At a Glance
8-13 Participants
Sign up before 01/31/26 and save $150!
Use the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
Picture yourself painting by the peaceful banks of the Sorgue river as the cheerful hum of cicadas fills the warm afternoon or strolling through the vibrant Provencal markets where the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread mingles with the colorful bustle of vendors.
Relish the camaraderie of like-minded artists as you savor gourmet meals and sip velvety local wines.
With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
Workshop Overview
Painting and sketching on location is an incredible way to connect with the culture, the architecture, even the food and music! Join me for 8 days of sketching in beautiful Provence.
I’ll be demonstrating in gouache. Technically you could also use acrylic but I won’t be demoing in that medium. Similar techniques apply to acrylics as gouache because it is opaque so you are welcome to work in that medium.
We will work in sketchbooks mostly. But if you prefer larger paper, that’s fine too.
Whether you love watercolor, gouache or ink, my principle of travel sketching remains the same: joyful creation!
Throughout the week, I will help you with:
- Color exploration, line variation and composition
- Color mixing
- The fundamentals of color and light in the environment while we paint and sketch at beautiful locations
- Perspective and accuracy in architectural sketching
- Introducing various supplies and their uses
- Developing your artistic voice
- Photography and reference photography
Artist Sarah Burns
Sarah pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Alfred University in New York and, later, a career in Sustainable Interior Design at RMCAD in Colorado. She then moved to Scotland where she resides.
Transitioning to painting from a successful photography business, she has since devoted herself to capturing the essence of nature in her art. Sarah became a full-time artist and instructor in 2016. Her work has gained international recognition, drawing collectors from around the globe through social media and word of mouth.
Her painterly style was developed through a passion for both abstract and realism landscape art. Her focus is primarily in travel sketching and plein air painting and her sketchbooks tell the story of her wanderlust. Sarah paints with gouache, watercolor, acrylic, and oils.
Sarah’s most ambitious project so far is what she calls “Sketching Scotland: A Coastal Journey” which is taking her around the entire coast of Scotland by foot and cycling with her sketchbooks and cameras (as weather allows).
As a member of the Society of Scottish Artists, Art Society of Inverness, and co-creator of a local plein air group, Sarah remains active in the local art world as well.
No one comes close when you compare what French Escapade offers!
No one comes close when you compare what Jackie offers her guests and her instructors. I’ve got it good and I know it!!!
I had the most amazing experience working with French Escapade. Never before have I experienced such a high level of attention to detail. Everything was handled beautifully and seamlessly from the moment I arrived. You name it and it was perfect!
Jackie is outstanding at communicating and laying out the plan for the day making my job is easier. She is the best tour leader, host and guide. Thank you for the best experience I’ve ever had teaching in Europe!
Samples of Sarah Burns’ Art
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Upon your arrival at our hotel, take time to settle in, enjoy the garden, the swimming pool or explore the village.
In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a gourmet dinner.
Day 2: Painting in the Garden
With the gentle flow of the Sorgue weaving through its lush garden, the hotel provides a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and sketch the serene landscape.
Day 3: Medieval Secret Village
We will spend the morning painting in this little gem, our “Secret Village”! You will find many vignettes such as plaza with picturesque fountains, old flowering houses, cobbled streets with 12th century churches, overlooking valley landscapes.
Enjoy a traditional French picnic as you pause to take in the beautiful surroundings.
Ochre in Roussillon
We will spend the afternoon visiting Roussillon, one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, that sits on top of the world’s biggest vein of ochre, the reddish pigment which has been used by artists for centuries. If you prefer painting than shopping, you will be inspired by the red houses and the ochre cliffs.
We will also go on an optional walk inside the park, on the Ochre Trail revealing many fantastic rock and cliff formations.
The village has many cute shops with local products and unique reddish potteries.
Day 4: Beautiful Village of Fontaine de Vaucluse
You will find many scenes there for your paintings, between the river, the main plaza and the one hundred year old trees.
We will paint in this village the first and last day.
Day 5: On Van Gogh’s Footsteps in St. Remy de Provence
We will visit the beautiful old monastery of St Paul Mausole with the bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his very troubled time in 1889-90.
You will be able to paint in the same garden where Vincent painted some of his famous paintings as well right outside, the same olive trees he painted, with the Alpilles mountains as background.
Lunch will be taken in St Remy followed by a painting session in the village.
Day 6: Market and Canals in Isle sur la Sorgue
L’Isle sur la Sorgue is a real paradise for painters and photographers.
Its colors are nature’s green and the bright reflection of the water shines from the several canals running through its center.
In the morning, we will shop the incredible and colorful market: colorful arrays of Provencal fabric, tablecloths, pottery, silk scarves, natural soaps with dozens of scents and of course lavender products.
The afternoon will be dedicated to painting by the river.
Day 7: Painting in the Studio and Farewell Dinner
Food culture is just one of the many facets of French culture to experience. Because food brings people together, we will take many of our meals as a group, in a restaurant or sometimes we will prepare a picnic for the group.
Our French dinners include an entrée, a main course and a dessert. All paired with amazing French wine of course. If you love cheese, you will be in heaven!
Day 8: Departure
You will leave not only with vibrant creations but also with fresh inspiration, creative sparks, and new friendships that will color your artistic journey for years to come. Safe travels!
After our last breakfast together, we’ll drive you to the TGV Avignon train station around 9:30 am.
Accommodations
Beautiful 3-star Hotel in Luberon, the Heart of Provence
This 3-star hotel is housed in an old mill that has been skillfully transformed into a unique place to stay. It offers all the charm of Provence.
With its waterfront setting, the hotel is flanked by the Sorgue, a river that runs through the village and meanders under the garden terraces – the perfect spot to relax and get inspired for your paintings.
The hotel has a living room, breakfast room, outside swimming pool, a hot tub, a riverside terrace bar, a restaurant and a sunny conference room that we will use as our painting studio.
Three Bedroom Categories
All rooms include a private en-suite bathroom, mini-bar, flat-screen TV, air conditioning, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Standard Rooms: 50 sq ft, featuring one double bed and a front-facing view of the hotel overlooking trees.
Superior Rooms: 170 sq ft, with one double bed and a front-facing view of the hotel overlooking trees.
Superior Rooms with Mountain & Garden View: 170 sq ft, available with either two single beds or one double bed, offering views of the garden with mountains in the background (see photo).
Reviews
As a first-timer with French Escapade, I just wanted to let you know how wonderful my experience was in Provence!
As a first-timer with French Escapade, I just wanted to let you know how wonderful my experience was in Provence. Our little hotel was magical with the river embracing its grounds. The choices of villages were perfect – providing variety and lovely painting spots. Our guides, Marie and Heather, worked together seamlessly, providing joyful assistance at every turn. They are a great team! Oh, and the food – loved every restaurant and meal we experienced. We had a delightful group…We were graced with beautiful weather.
My only regret was that the trip seemed too short! Merci from a very pleased customer!
Marie would come and lock her arms in mine!
I just wanted to extend my gratitude for the retreat in Provence! The location was perfect and the 2 guides Heather and Marie were the best! This was a big challenge for me to do something so big and not let my fears and anxieties take over with the language barrier and the travel. I did have some challenges but I overcame them. I was a slow walker up the hills and Marie would come and get me and lock her arms in mine. I felt cared for every step of the way! Heather made sure I got on the right train going back to Paris and didn’t leave my side until she knew I was good! Those two make a great team! They were always happy and even did happy dances!
I felt so well cared for by the 2 guides!
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful time I have just had in Provence. I felt so well cared for by the 2 guides Marie and Heather. Everything went like clockwork. They seemed to preempt any problems before they occurred. They were always bright and cheery and nothing was too much trouble. I have never been on an organised tour before and it has spoiled me forever now! The accommodation was superb and the food great (even if it was far too much for me!). The activities were excellent and so well organised. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved!
FAQs
When and where are the pick up and drop off?
The pickup will be at 2:30pm at the TGV train station in Avignon on day 1. We will pick up the group and drive in a mini van to our hotel located 45 min from the station.
To arrive at the Avignon TGV train station, you have 2 choices:
- you can fly to Paris CDG airport and take a TGV train to Avignon (3 hour ride)
- you can fly to Marseilles and either take a train to Avignon or take a taxi (60 min ride) to either the meeting point or directly to the hotel (50 min ride).
When should I arrive?
What should I bring?
Can you accommodate vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?
Food allergies and vegetarian diets are catered for if announced in advance. However if you have a very restricted diet or serious allergies, email us before registering for the trip.
Will I get a supply list?
Is there a laundry facility at the hotel or in the village?
Do I need to bring some euros before arriving?
Please take out euros cash from an ATM at the airport. You will need cash for small purchases during the day trips and or tipping the tour leaders and the staff (tipping is customary). There will also be some ATM machines in some of the villages we visit.
Can I opt out of certain activities?
Is the retreat available to guests with low and limited mobility?
Unfortunately, the trip is not well suited for people with low and limited mobility. Although there is an elevator at the hotel, the daily excursions involve walking on uneven, cobbled streets, sometimes uphill.
I have never traveled outside the US. Do I need to speak the language?
Not at all. It is actually the perfect situation to travel with us. Our guides are bilingual and will be with you at all times, from your arrival at the train station till the last day.
Will I fit on the tour if I am traveling solo and don't know anyone?
Yes, we usually get many solo travelers on our tours. For the meals, the group eats together for most lunches and dinners. In addition, our 2 tour leaders are always with the group and will be happy to also go for dinner with participants on the days the meals are not included.
How much painting do we do every day?
A typical day is: painting from 9am till 12:30pm, lunch and free time till 2pm and more painting, maybe in a different location from 2 to 5pm. If some painters get tired after lunch, they can visit the village or take a nap while the others are painting.
There will be one morning without painting because we go to the market and one afternoon to visit and shop in Roussillon. However, you can always opt-out from the activity and paint. It is your vacation so you do what pleases you!
Will I receive a full refund if the retreat is not guaranteed?
Will I get my deposit back if I need to cancel?
Unfortunately the deposit is not refundable, no matter when you cancel. Therefore, we recommend that you insure your deposit right after registering for the trip. You do not need to insure the full trip at that time, just the deposit. Feel free to choose the insurance provider of your choice but this is the one we recommend (they only insure US customers): Travel Insurance Services* Tel. 1-800-937-1387.
Note that participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. Please review our cancellation policy.
Can you give me the reference of someone who has been on the tour before?
Absolutely. We would be happy to give you contact information of past participants who have agreed to be contacted.
Pricing and Booking
Pricing Details
Superior Rooms with Garden View
Single Superior with View: US $4,890
Shared Superior with View US $4,175
Superior Rooms
Single Superior: US $4,640
No Shared Superior Available
Standard Rooms
Single Standard: US $4,540
No Shared Standard Available
All rooms include a private ensuite bathroom.
Non-painters are welcome at the same price.
How to Book
Payments
- A $600 nonrefundable deposit is due at booking (see cancellation policy below).
- The remaining balance is due 4 months before departure, with flexible payment plans available.
- Pay by credit card (2.9% fee) or ACH/bank transfer (no fee) through our secure system.
Insurance Required
- Participants must purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance to cover any changes or cancellations. You may choose any provider, though we recommend (for U.S. customers): Travel Insurance Services (1-800-937-1387).
- If you have a pre-existing condition or want “cancel for any reason” coverage, purchase insurance within 21 days of registration.
- Standard health coverage can be purchased at any time.
Sign up before 01/31/26 and save $150!
Use the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
Price includes
- Avignon TGV station pick-up at 2:30pm and drop-off at 9:30am
- A welcome reception
- All 7 nights at the hotel
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners including wine
- All art classes
- Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
- The use of folding chairs
- Two tour leaders throughout
Price excludes
- Flight and train to France
- 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- Painting supplies
- Required Travel Insurance
- Tour leader(s) tipping
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| more than 120 days before departure | the $600 deposit is forfeited |
| 61-120 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | you get a full refund |