Course Overview
At French Palette we offer painting vacations for beginners to experienced artists, with expert tuition and full board accommodation in a unique setting.

The atmosphere at French Palette is relaxed. In the fully equipped studio that is open to you all day, there is a computer and photographic equipment to record your projects. We also whisk you off to a variety of inspiring locations in the area to help feed your artistic cravings and locate new heights of creativity. At our disposal we have some of the finest scenery in Europe with every aspect of art available, from landscapes to still life, the diversity is amazing!

Packed lunches will be provided on excursions enabling you to enjoy more time to paint. Materials, easels and stools will be provided also and Chris Dean, our resident art tutor, will be on hand for tuition, encouragement or assistance should you need it.

A holiday is an important time for most people as it can take so long to arrive and can pass quickly, leaving just a memory. Our aim is to help you transfer it into art. Something to look at and treasure as an achievement, and trigger a reminder of that precious time you spent here.

Our aim is to give you the tools to improve and understand your art.

The skill is to help you interpret what you see, and how you construct that image. As much as possible we have smaller classes so that the tuition is closer to a one to one basis. This way the tuition is structured to you.............from complete beginner to seasoned artist.

Pricing
6 night, 7 day painting holiday
Single artist, twin bed room ensuite	£735
Artist and non-painting partner (sharing a twin bed room with an ensuite)	£1,150
Two artists (sharing a twin bed room with an ensuite)	£1,300
The following are all included in the price of your painting holiday in France: 6 nights full board, breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, tution, use of studion and all equipment, entrance fees and transport to locations, internet and email access, bicycles. Stays of 2 weeks attract a 10% discount.

Accommodation
The house is set at the end of the village of Les Vignes in the heart of the Gorges du Tarn. A typical Maison de Village, it is spacious and has been completely refurbished and redecorated for the 2008 season. All rooms are en suite and every room has a spectacular view.

We always use the freshest local produce and enjoy a wide variety of gastronomic treats in common with the Tarn area. We pride ourselves on a convivial and relaxed atmosphere so everyone enjoys the day, ready to unwind for the evening meal.

An upper and lower terrace overlooks the garden and the river 150 meters below, with the rising rocks of the gorge both sides and a forest that covers the lower slopes. Most of all, even during the height of summer... ...it is quiet.

Tutor
Chris Dean, our resident tutor at French Palette has a first class honours degree from Christchurch College Canterbury, and has taught students from beginners up to degree standard. He accepts that artists vary in both age and ability and that art is a personal view of a subject. With that understanding, Chris encourages clients to make contact before a vacation to make you feel at home before you arrive.

He has exhibited at the Mall Gallery and Lauderdale house in London and his friendly approach to art and the media has the benefit of teaching at Canterbury and Dartmoor in Devon, while assisting in the running of courses there.

His flexibility and the desire to open up avenues within the student’s capability helps toward the development of your talents, however good or bad you may think you are, and he looks upon your achievements as a lesson well learned by you both.

Location
Located in the region of the Cevennes National Park lies the Gorges du Tarn. Cutting a 500 metre swathe through the Grande Causses, the area provides some of the most breathtaking scenery in France.

A relatively unknown area, the Gorges and surrounding land are perhaps best known for the Viaduct that now pierces the sky above the valley in the nearby town of Millau.

Such a grand structure fittingly marks the beginning of a journey through the least inhabited and one of the best kept secrets in France. Over 35 kilometres of unspoilt locations that can amaze and excite even the most ardent of artists and travellers. With its own mini-climate, the Gorges of the Tarn, La Jonte and Dourbie stretch through the haven of flora and wildlife that makes this region so unique, local villages conceal life that remind you of an age gone by.

How to Get to Us
There is a choice of airports with Rodez being approximately 45 minutes, Beziers 1 hour and Montpellier Airport about 1.5 hours by car. For those coming by train the closest station is Millau Station, with links availble enabling UK customers to travel by Europstar to Paris and onwards to Millau.

If coming by car, you would leave the A75 Autoroute at junction 40, Cleremont Ferrand. We are approximately a 12.5 hours drive from the English Channel Ports.