Watercolor Painting
in Trôo, France
September 15 - 22 FULL
September 23 - 30, 2023
With Shirley Lehner-Rhoades
Taught in English
Join us for a very special painting week in Trôo, a uniquely beautiful troglodyte village in the Loire Valley, with lodging in a lovely 18th century château. The Château de la Voûte is located within the village but discreetly tucked away in a gorgeous private setting offering magnificent views over the river Loir. Shirley, a professional graphic artist, typographer and painter for over thirty years, will lead the workshop, painting "en plein air" at sites in and around Trôo.
As all participants will stay in the charming rooms at the Château, we will be able to gather in the elegant salon in the evenings (or on the terrasse with a pastis!) to share, ask technique questions, discuss, get feedback, or simply to relax.
Three delicious farm-to-table traditional French dinners will be served at the Château, as well as breakfast each day. Lunch will either be a picnic lunch, or a bistro lunch when we are offsite. A Welcome wine and cheese soirée on Saturday night and a Farewell gastronomique dinner at a wonderful restaurant on Friday night are also included.
We will be walking on old, cobbled streets, and at the beach, with your drawing supplies -- participants should be comfortable with carrying their gear on uneven surfaces and should be fit enough to walk unassisted for at least two hours and manage uneven stairs and occasionally steep footpaths, as we visit historic towns and villages. Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
Exquisite lodging in Trôo at
Le Château de la Voûte
Stay in this beautiful "petit chateau de charme" with it's manicured gardens, towers, troglodyte swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and gym in the old stables. Studio space for painting indoors available.
The bedrooms are decorated with authentic period antiques, hardwood floors, and tastefully appointed en suite bathrooms. Fabulous views from all rooms, including the ground floor dining rooms and salons where you can read, play the piano, or a game of chess in the library. There are caves housing a game room and the swimming pool, and a double jacuzzi in a tower.
An exquisite family-owned bijou of a chateau in an extraordinary cave village setting... it's the best of both worlds.
At A Glance
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small group allowing personalized instruction at all levels
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7 nights
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lodging in an extraordinary chateau
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Breakfasts, lunches and 3 home-cooked gourmet dinners included
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Welcome wine & cheese soirée
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Group exhibition open to public (participation optional)
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Farewell haute cuisine dinner
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Van excursions to the best destinations: local chateaux, markets, wineries & landmarks
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Early bird 200 euro discount discount for sign up by May 23
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20% discount for non-drawing participants
Cost
All inclusive cost (see above):
2500 euros for the week
per person, based on double occupancy
Single room option:
add 350 euros
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Sign up by May 15 and receive a 200 euro discount!
plus
20% discount for non-painters
New format! Deluxe lodging in Trôo at
Le Château de la Voûte
Le Château de la Voûte
Stay in this beautiful "petit château de charme" with it's manicured gardens, towers, troglodyte swimming pool, sauna, steam bath and gym in the old stables. Studio space for drawing indoors available.
Painting Instructor Shirley Lehner-Rhoades
Shirley has been a professional graphic artist, typographer and painter for over thirty years. She currently teaches watercolor, acrylic and oil painting classes to all age levels at Scotts Valley Art Center in Scotts Valley, California. Shirley is a member of Gallery 24 in Los Gatos, California and exhibits in various shows throughout the year; Coastal Arts League, The Visual Arts Network, Saratoga Rotary Fine Art Show, Palo Alto Fine Art Festival and Open Studios in Santa Cruz, California.
Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne
Kate Kilbourne has owned the Cave Yuccas property since 2000. In 2005 she began restoring the cottage above the cave which she now rents out as a vacation home (see cave-yuccas.com). Kate is an excellent bilingual guide to the local markets, chateaux, and vineyards, and she will do everything she can to make your week in this ancient troglodyte village a magically memorable holiday.
Paintings by Shirley Lehner-Rhoades
Click to enlarge
Included in Holiday
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6 days of instruction
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7 nights lodging in Le Château de la Voûte
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All breakfasts & lunches plus 5 dinners
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Van transport to and from Vendome TGV station
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Local van excursions
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Welcome wine and cheese soirée
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Farewell haute cuisine dinner at Le Manoir de Saint Quentin
Not Included
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Air fare
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Travel insurance
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Medical insurance
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Train fare
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Art supplies
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Two dinners (on Tuesday & Thursday -- allows you to try the local restaurants)
Cost
The cost for the 7 night holiday, inclusive of everything listed under "Included in Holiday", varies according to whether you prefer a single room or are planning to share a double. Accommodation is in the extraordinary Château de la Voûte. Visit the Lodging page for more details.
Double Room: 2500 euros
Per person
Single Room: 2850 euros
Per person
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Sign up by May 15
and receive a 200 euro discount!
20% Discount for non-drawing participants
Typical Schedule
Subject to change depending on weather, desires of group, or other unforseen circumstances.
Saturday
Arrival at Vendome TGV station -- van pick up, check in to the Château de la Voûte
Saturday night
Welcome wine and cheese soirée on the terrace of the Château de la Voûte
Sunday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:00 am - 12:00 pm instruction
12:00 - 2:00 pm picnic lunch
2:00 - 6:00 pm free painting session
7:30 pm Dinner
Monday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:30 am - 12:30 painting in Trôo
12:30 - 2:00 pm picnic lunch
2:00 - 6:00 pm painting in Trôo
7:30 pm Dinner
Tuesday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:00 am - 12:00 pm painting at the Château de Courtanvaux
12:00 - 2:00 pm lunch in local bistro
2:00 - 6:00 pm painting at the Château de Courtanvaux
7:30 pm Free Dinner on your own7:30 pm Dinner out at bistro of your choice (not included)
Wednesday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:00 am - 12:00 pm painting at farmers market in Montoire-sur-Le-Loir
12:00 - 2:00 pm picnic lunch
2:00 - 6:00 pm free painting session in Trôo
7:30 pm Dinner
Thursday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:00 am - 12:00 pm painting in Lavardin
12:00 - 2:00 pm bistro lunch
2:00 - 4:00 pm painting at Lavardin
8:00 pm Dinner
Friday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
9:00 am - 12:00 pm painting in Trôo
12:00 - 2:00 pm picnic lunch
2:00 - 5:00 pm free painting session
5:30 - 7:30 pm public vernissage
8:00 - 10:00 pm farewell dinner at Le Manoir de Saint Quentin
Saturday
8:00 - 9:00 am breakfast
Check out of accommodation and van transport to Vendôme TGV station
