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 Jackie Grandchamps and her two assistants Marie and Natalia. Never before have I experienced such a high level of attention to detail. Everything was handled beautifully and seamlessly from the moment I arrived: Locations, Accommodations, Transportation, Food….You name it and it was perfect.

It’s rare to find someone like her! 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

I was beginning to think Jackie had control over the weather too! Best workshop ever!

I think this has been one of my highlights of painting overseas. Jackie has managed to find the right location for painters like myself and the others who are confident with the painting but like to explore new colors, new places, new things and Jackie has done it! She has done it!

We are very happy.

We will be back. We made a plan to return on a French Escapade tour but we haven’t told her yet. It is a secret!

Every artist who has come with me on one of Jackie’s trips will tell you that it was a terrific experience. Your every need is taken care of; accommodations, restaurants, painting sites.

For an instructor, it is critically important that the “behind the scenes” organization and preparation is professional. A week with Jackie means everything runs like clockwork, from the comprehensive advance information that is sent to all of the participants, to our departure. No time is spent standing around wondering what comes next, or waiting for half the group to be rounded up in order to leave. I really appreciate this, as artists invest time and money to go on painting workshops, and both Jackie and I want it to be a valuable and rewarding experience for each person.

“The motto of my workshops with French Escapade: Trust Jackie. I think for the next workshop I do with her, I should have t-shirts made with that specific monicker.

Her choice of where to base ourselves was perfect. Very few tourists and we had the place to ourselves. Those decisions became more apparent as we moved through the week. The restaurants, the painting locations, and how she interacts with a group is something an instructor rarely comes across and something I will not soon forget. Trust Jackie!”.

I have been invited to instruct a plein air painting workshop in Costa Brava, Spain through French Escapade. I was deeply impressed by how smoothly and efficiently the workshop went, and the all around high level of professionalism Jackie Grandchamps provided. There was a clear and well organized itinerary that any painting teacher needs for a perfect painting workshop.

I found I could fully focus on the task at hand, be it painting demos for the group or personalized one on one instruction, without having to worry about navigating the logistics and locations of a foreign locale.

Jackie also had the inside scoop on all the wonderful hidden locations and a thorough knowledge of the local haunts not viewed by most tour groups. Thanks so much Jackie! Looking forward to working with you again!

On each trip everyone in my group loved the well-researched, tried-and-true itinerary Jackie put together for us. No wonder! She knows how to satisfy our inquisitive minds for European life & culture and our appetite for great food & wine, too!  Also for painting she showed us perfect locations so we all felt it was worth traveling to immerse ourselves in the scenes to soak up the charm and atmosphere of the Old World.

From the beginning to the end, each tour was run impeccably by Jackie and her team to make it an unforgettable experience the participants will cherish forever.

What sets French Escapade apart from all the other painting trips I have taken is the pace is so relaxed. It is like being part of a French family, not at all like being a tourist running from place to place, packing and un-packing.

On every trip, my students and I enjoyed the perfect painting trip, when we traveled with French Escapade.  In all my seven trips with French Escapade, Jackie and her staff planned and executed every detail to perfection, avoiding the crowds and finding the special out of the way locations.

The French Escapade philosophy to make us feel like guests, not tourists never fails to make for wonderful memories to cherish forever.

2018 will be my eigth French Escapade tour as an art teacher, so that gives an idea of how enjoyable these trips are.

Being an art teacher, I really appreciate the planning and organization that Jackie does to make everything (EVERYTHING) run smoothly. It takes a huge burden off my shoulders so I can devote all my energies to my students. And it shows.

Consistently, in the 8 tours I have done for French Escapade, there has not been one complaint. Well, maybe too much good food, laughter and fun!

Teaching for French Escapade is pure joy! Can’t wait for trip #9 (Loire Valley in 2017)!