Photography Holiday Workshops and Courses in the French Pyrenees

If you want to learn how to get more from your photography during a short break in fabulous surroundings, one of our courses should be perfect for you.

During leisurely walks in this lovely region of South West France, you’ll learn professional tricks and techniques that will transform your photography. And as part of a very small group, you’ll receive plenty of individual attention!

ENJOYABLE. GREAT VALUE. RELAXING
You’ll find great creative inspiration among the fantastic flora and fauna, dramatic mountain landscapes and coastal seascapes – and the comprehensive, hands-on programme includes accommodation and transport.
The courses are suitable for all skill levels, whether you are new to digital photography or have plenty of experience.

5 DAY PHOTO WORKSHOP IN THE PYRENEES
The following are some examples of what we might do: Days spent walking among the flora and fauna of the Pyrenees. The walks will be no more than 4 miles and spread over a maximum of 6 hours. Don’t worry too much about fitness as it’s all at a leisurely pace, although there are some steep bits. (I wouldn’t class myself as super fit and I do huff and puff a bit!)
Full day trip to Gavarnie to look at the spectacular waterfalls. This is a 9.00am start and we will eat out in the area in the evening.
When the cloud and sky conditions are right, we will make an early morning start (6.00am) to get into the mountains to capture the dawn as the sun comes up over the mountain peaks and fills the valleys with soft sunlight.
Late afternoons with long shadows and golden sunlight can result in some amazing shots. Evenings back at base to download and view images taken during the day and discuss their finer points over a glass of wine.

6 DAY PHOTO SAFARI
This is a 6 day trip aimed at the enthusiastic amateur photographer who would like to be taken to some great landscape and nature locations.
Each day we will go on an excursion into the Pyrénées: a day at Gavarnie, walking down the beautiful river valley to the foot of the spectacular waterfalls (the largest in Europe); a drive over the border to Spain, see the contrast in the landscape between the two sides and view vultures thermalling above the rocky cliffs; an early morning start to capture the dawn over the mountains.

7 DAY CREATIVE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
This is a 7 day creative course split roughly 4 days photography and 3 days Photoshop Workshop. The main aim will be to create a picture with a difference - a more artistic look at digital photography.
We will be looking at:
- an overview of digital photography - advantages of using RAW file format - simple picture enhancement - use of layers - effective composition and cropping - creating an artistic image

Prices are shown with and without the cost of bed and breakfast

You will be staying in a comfortable and spacious chambres d'hôte that has majestic views over vineyards to the mountains beyond, just outside Oloron-Sainte-Marie. All the rooms are en suite and on a shared basis, although if you would prefer your own room it is possible for an additional supplement - otherwise you will be sharing with someone else on the course.
Breakfast is included in the price. Two evening meals are also provided by us on the 5 day course; three on the 7 day course - the rest will be at your own expense. This gives some flexibility with choices of places to eat and trying out regional cuisine.

We are located in a small peaceful village just outside Oloron-Sainte-Marie in the Pyrenees Atlantique region of South West France, with lovely views of the mountains and surrounding countryside.
Oloron-Sainte-Marie
Oloron is an historic centre with two 12th Century churches, but is also a bustling market town at the gateway to the Pyrenees. The heart of the town is very picturesque with the river (Gave d’Oloron) carving its way through, lined with houses built into the steep banks - great for fishing and water sports. The mellow, golden Jurançon wines are grown on the slopes between Oloron and Pau.
Pyrenees National Park
The central, almost uninhabited area of the Pyrenees National park covers over 45,000 hectares. Within the Park the Pyrénean range stretches from West to East for about 100 kms. Three of the six main valleys are within easy travelling distance: the green, forested Vallée d’Aspe, the Vallée d’Ossau and Vallée Luz-Gavarnie with the amazing Cirque de Gavarnie and its spectacular 426 metre waterfall. We will also visit the Plateau de Benou, in the peripheral zone of the National Park, pictured right.