Details:
Home base for our adventure together is a lovely 400+ year old stone house. The moment you step into La Cascade you’ll feel the peaceful energy and creative zest of this family-style retreat home that’s lovingly cared for so many people over the centuries.
Walk outside and see the natural rushing cascade and flowing stream that runs directly behind the house (literally named the cascade house), adjacent to the artisan village of Durfort and into the River Sor.
You will feel as though you’re living in a classic French art film!
Our exclusive retreat includes:
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7 days and 7 nights lodging at La Cascade, double occupancy. Shared bathrooms.
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Fresh, healthy regional-style meals eaten together around the big dining room table – 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners.
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Inspiring field trips (you have the flexibility to choose whether to go to all, none or a combination of excursions).
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Daily art making, supplies included.
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Open studio time.
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Transportation to and from the airport (limited to one drop off and one pick up at scheduled time only) and for all excursions, plus short runs to the grocery store, ATM machine, pharmacy, etc. for any personal care needs.
Accommodations are double occupancy (twin beds) with five shared bedrooms and three shared bathrooms in the house.
The art studio is located on the third floor of the house and is open 24/7 with quiet hours from 11 pm to 7 am.
Common areas include living room, dining room and large outside terrace with access to the river and cascade. No kitchen access for personal use. Internet is available, though wifi signal varies within the house so please come prepared with your own cell phone data plan.
La Cascade is a 16th-century stone home that has three levels, with the bedrooms on the second and third floors and the studio workshop on the third floor. Students must be able to climb stairs and manage walking during excursions.
We will have a private message group to stay connected.
Not included in price: Airfare, travel and supplemental medical Insurance, two lunches and one dinner out during the week. Travel insurance is highly encouraged. Please check your US medical insurance to ensure it provides adequate coverage overseas. If not, consider purchasing supplemental medical along with your travel insurance.
Suggested airport: Toulouse, France (TLS airport code). You can fly from the US into Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, London, Munich or Frankfurt. This gives you a lot of options for finding the best fare possible.
Retreat will include four excursions:
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The famous Saturday Market in Revel, listed as one of the top 100 most beautiful markets in France.
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Vide greniers (French flea markets) that occur every Sunday during the summers in various nearby villages
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A day in Albi with a visit to its jaw-dropping Sainte-Cecile Cathedral, Toulouse Lautrec Museum and shopping at lovely French boutiques, including a quaint art store with handmade artisan-batch pastels and paints.
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An intimate and exclusive shopping experience for ancient and vintage textiles & art papers at a French collector’s gorgeous atelier. This is dependent on owner’s availability and, if unavailable, will be substituted for sightseeing in the adjacent village of Soreze.
Investment:
$3,495 USD double occupancy. Payment plan available, must be paid in full by April 2, 2025. Venmo, check, or Zelle. 3% fee for credit cards /PayPal.
$250 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit secures your spot.
Spaces are on a first-come basis. Because of the limited space, we can only accept 8 people.
If you made it this far – gracias! I know this is a big investment and my goal is for you to come home saying “worth every penny!”
Everything about this trip is special and unique. Unlike Paris (which is fabulous, I know!), Durfort is a cozy, comfy magic town teeming with community and spirit. There is a gorgeous water casade behind the property, and the street and actual house is has a very creative history. It was known for making copper pots back in the day.
I’m still refining the art classes, but they will involve a Frida-inspired piece related ot her time in France, plus lettering, stamp carving, printmaking and more.
We will have a private chef to cook our meals and be able to stroll into the town for coffee and pastries. We will have a passenger van to take us to nearby towns for flea market shopping, etc.
