Painting Tours: France – Giverny/Normandy
Don't be a tourist.
Be our guest.
Be our guest.
Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny is probably the most famous garden in France. Monet painted some of his most famous paintings whilst living at Giverny. Each day we’ll enjoy artistic and cultural experiences: we’ll explore Monet’s house and gardens, paint the church in Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh painted his final piece, visit the auberge where he lived his final days…and much more!
This inspiring tour in Normandy is an invitation to discover the magical sites once painted by famous artists at the turn of the 20th century only by Claude Monet, but also by William Turner, Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso and others.
Oil Painting Workshops with Jane Hunt, Aug 21-28 & Aug 28-Sept 4, 2021
Day 1: Welcome
We will pick you up a the Paris CDG airport and drive you to our beautiful location for the week.
The beautiful place is like a “tiny Giverny”. It is a converted mill surrounded by parkland of 7 acre, with a river going under the B&B, a little bridge and a lot of space. 
After you had time to settle in, we will have our welcome/orientation meeting followed by a gourmet dinner.
Day 2: Painting in the Studio and in Giverny
In the morning, we will start the day with a painting session either in the lovely studio with sliding doors overlooking the garden or directly in the garden.
In the afternoon, we will head towards Giverny and paint away from the crowd in the lovely colorful garden of hotel Baudy.
The hotel has welcomed in its time Renoir, Pissaro, Rodin, Cezanne buth its first guests were American painters. It was a popular hang-out, center of art and the go-to-place for Monet’s guests. You can even visit their painting studio
Days 3, 4: Monet's Garden and House in Giverny
Leader of the movement and father of modern painting, Claude Monet is perhaps one of the best known Impressionists and certainly a major character in Normandy’s artistic heritage. The picturesque little village of Giverny offers many typical views for you to paint: traditional stone houses, narrow streets and flowery gardens, and the famous Baudy hotel where many artists stayed.
We will of course visit Monet’s house and studio, and stroll around his gardens. His house and gardens in Giverny are much visited for their beauty, their water lilies and ponds, as well as for their importance to Monet’s artistic inspiration.
Day 5: Medieval Mill in Vernon
Vernon offers also a few old streets with medieval buildings with half-timbered and carved facades and eaves.
There are also remains of houses built over the river. An ideal place to relax by the Seine river, eat a picnic and paint away! 
Day 6: Auvers-sur-Oise: Van Gogh's Thumb
We will spend some time in Auvers where Van Gogh lived his last days at the Ravoux Auberge. We will visit his room in the inn that is still a traditional restaurant.
You will be able to paint the same church he painted and visit the cemetery where hs is buried next to his brother, Theo.
Day 7: Painting on Location
We will stay on the property for the last day, giving you plenty of time to finish up some painting and to have one-on-one help from the teacher. 
At the end of the day, we will have our little “vernissage” so you can enjoy everyone’s painting from the week, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast together, we will drive you to the Paris airport
Oil Painting Workshop with Jane Hunt, Aug 21-28 & Aug 28-Sept 4, 2021
Click here to see Jane Hunt’s website
About the Workshop
“”Join me to follow in the footsteps of master painters Monet, Pisarro, Renoir, Gaugin, Picasso, Cassatt and more. Each day we’ll enjoy artistic and cultural experiences: we’ll explore Monet’s house and gardens*, paint the church in Auvers sur Oise where Van Gogh painted his final piece, visit the auberge where he lived his final days…and much more! My plein air workshops are extremely comprehensive and have been described as ‘art school in a week’. I’ll de-mystify the painting process by teaching straightforward, easy to understand lessons. Using tried and true principles as a jumping off point will allow you to loosen up and find your own voice”.
You’ll leave this class with the skills needed to take your work to the next level…both outdoors and in the studio.
There will be demos, discussions, handouts, and lots of painting time and individual attention.
*Please note that as of Sept. 2019 artists are no longer allowed to paint in the gardens after hours. We will spend time there, gather reference materials and paint at some wonderful, historical locations nearby.
Just some of the things you’ll learn: 
- How to choose an effective focal point
- How to deal with the changing light
- Composition strategies for the field
- How to create and stick to a value plan
- How to simplify your palette and mix colorful greys to unify your painting
- How to use atmosphere and perspective to your advantage
Open to: All levels (ideal for intermediate students)
Space is very limited (max 12 participants/workshop).
Materials list will be supplied after registration
About Jane Hunt
Jane Hunt is a PAPNM Master Signature Member, Signature Member of AIS, LPAPA, AWA, WAOW, PAAC, and an artist member of the Salmagundi Club and the California Art Club. Hunt has won numerous prestigious awards including five Oil Painters of America awards in 2018 and Best of Show at the Laguna Plein Air Invitational in 2019.
A sought after instructor, Hunt’s work has been exhibited in Museums both nationally and internationally. The oil painter is represented by notable galleries in the US as well as her native England. She now resides in Colorado, where she frequently paints plein air and is awed and inspired by the beauty surrounding her.
Price and what is included for Jane Hunt's Oil Paintng Workshops Aug 21-28 & Aug 28-Sept 4, 2021
Price: US $3,290 (shared room) before Nov 30th 2020, $3,490 after Nov 30th.
+ $550 for a single room.
Email us to pre-register for this workshop (no deposit required yet). We will ask for a $600 deposit by January 2020.
Includes
- Pick-up and drop-off at Paris CDG airport
- A welcome reception
- All nights at the hotel
- All breakfasts
- 2 lunches and 5 dinners (including wine)
- All art classes
- Entrances to Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise
- Transporation in a A/C van to painting sites
- A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week
- Entrance fees to all sites on the tour
Excludes
- Flights to Paris
- 4 lunches and 2 dinners
- Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
- Tour leader(s) tipping
How to Book
To Make Your Reservation for a French Escapade Tour please follow the steps below and review our Cancellation Policy:
1
Check Availability
Send us an e-mail to check availability. Include the dates of the workshop you are interested in (not just the destination since we do have several workshops at the same location) and the number of people you will be reserving a spot for.
2
Submit Registration Form and Send $600 Deposit
After receiving confirmation of availability, complete and submit the Reservation Form and send your $600 deposit
3 methods of payment:
- pay by check, (if you live in Canada, it needs to be a money order), payable to French Escapade LLC, 2389 Blackpool Place, San Leandro, CA 94577
- pay by wire transfer (let us know and we will provide you with our account number)
- pay by credit card using www.paypal.com (3.5% convenience fees applies)
3
Receive Confirmation
We will send you a written confirmation of your reservation along with an information package for your trip (info about pick up and drop off, recommended insurance, name of a travel agent, what to bring, etc…). Do not make any travel arrangement before we tell you that the trip has a guaranteed departure.
4
Submit Remaining Balance
Your remaining balance is due 90 days prior to departure. Make sure to review below our cancelation policy in case you need to cancel the trip.
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel the trip: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| If French Escapade cancels | You get a full refund |
| More than 90 days before departure | The $600 deposit is forfeited (however $500 can be transferred-only one time-to another trip with a departure date within 2 years of cancelation date) |
| 61-90 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 |