Paint
in
France
A relaxed painting and drawing holiday in the Dordogne, France
Bombel. 24290, St Amand de Coly, Dordogne, France     |    GPS: N45° 01.915 / E 001° 15.295     |    Tel: 0033 (0)553 302405

The PaintinFrance FAQ's

Here are our visitors' frequently asked questions...

If you are still none the wiser after browsing this website and reading these FAQ's, please email us, or even use a good old telephone: 0033 (0)553 302405.

COST / PAYMENT / WHAT'S INCLUDED:

How much does it cost?

You can find a very comprehensive breakdown of our prices by seeing the 'Prices' panel further down this page.

Do I need to pay a deposit, and when should I send the balance?

An initial deposit of 30% is required straight away in order to secure the booking. Please send the balance two months prior to the start of your painting holiday.

How do I pay?

In Sterling or Euros, by cheque or BAC (Direct Bank Transfer). Online by credit card via PayPal is also an option. Email us your desired dates and preferred method of payment.

Is there a damages deposit, as is normal with renting a gite for instance?

No, but if you break something, you'll be on spud-bashing duty! :-)

What's included, and what do I need to bring?

Course:
Everything you would normally need - paints, brushes, pencils, paper, supports and easels, etc, etc - is already here. Just bring your normal holiday gear, although we would suggest you bring your smock/apron, and some comfy shoes or trainers as there may be some standing.
See what's included in the five day painting holiday and our 1 & 2 day courses. Bedding, etc:
All bedding and towels are included and there is a hairdrier in your room.
Miscellaneous:
You may need to bring a UK/France electrical adaptor (although France is on a slightly lower 220V rating, all UK applances run just fine here).
Also, see our What to Bring page.

Are travel costs included in the price?

No, because you can probably get a better deal by hunting around the internet. However, if you'd like to take advantage of our return airport and rail transfers service, please let us know during your initial enquiry.

CONTACT / LOCATION / VENUE:

Who are you and how do I get in touch?

We are:
Jim Fisher (chef/owner)
Lucy Fisher (owner)

Address: Bombel, 24290, St Amand de Coly, France

GPS: N 45° 01.915 / E 001° 15.295

Email: enquiries@learntopaintinfrance.com (use this link for all general enquiries)
Tel: 0033 (0)553 302405
Mob: 0033 (0)622 655789

N.B. When phoning from abroad, remember to precede our number with "0033" and leave off the first zero of the number, ie 0033 553 302405.

Where are you?

We are situated in the Dordogne region of south west France near the pretty market village of St Geniès. We are 200km east of Bordeaux, 50km west of Brive le Gaillarde, 15km north of beautiful medieval Sarlat and 10km south of Montignac (where you can visit the famous Lascaux cave paintings). The nearest hamlet to us that is recognised by the Michelin road atlas is Brégégère. That's about 2km north of us.

What's the best way to get to you?

We are about an eight hour drive from Calais/Boulogne and five hours from Paris.

Our nearest airports are at Limoges and Bergerac, with Brive/Souillac due to open mid 2010. Both the former have Hertz and Europcar car rental outlets on their doorstep.

Nearest train stations are Brive la Gaillarde (45min drive) and Sarlat (30min drive) - see voyages-sncf for trains, tariffs and timetables.

If you'd like to take advantage of our return airport and rail transfers service, please let us know during your initial enquiry..

What's the weather like?

The Dordogne is subject to mild Atlantic continental weather systems. Summers are sometimes hot, but not scorching, with a generally pleasant spring and an often beautiful autumn. We frequently luxuriate in long warm dry Indian summers.

When's the best time to come?

Our season runs from early April through to mid-October. Generally, if you prefer milder weather, come during April, May, June, September and October. If you enjoy a bit more sunshine, July and August are good months to join us.

I want to paint, but my partner/family doesn't - what is there in the area for them to do?

Well, apart from the extensive grounds and pool at Bombel, we are perfectly situated for exploring the valleys of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, with medieval Sarlat, Beynac, Montignac (where you will find the famous Lascaux cave paintings), and the colossal fortified church of St Amand de Coly all within half an hour's drive.  
We are surrounded by an abundance of easily accessible recreational and practical facilities such as: horse riding, fishing, golf, canoeing, cycling, walking, cinema (often films are shown in Version Originale format, i.e. in English with French subtitles), open-air markets, pre-history sites and museums.

THE COURSE:

Do I need to speak French?

No, the course is conducted entirely in English. However, there will be ample opportunities for you to practice the lingo when we go to the market Wednesday morning and, perhaps, if you go out for an evening meal

You say "hands-on" - what does that mean exactly?

At certain establishments, such as at some of the more formal painting classes, you're only allowed to watch the tutor demonstrating her/his talents. We think that's like being back at school, which isn't our philosophy at all! After an initial chat about the week ahead, followed by one or two brief and informative demos, your tutor (that'll be either Gill Mitchell or Lynn Ralph) will waft around prodding this and that, seeing that all's well and generally guiding and aiding you.

Can I take my work home with me?

Yes, of course, bearing in mind the vaguaries of the medium you'll be working on (oil paint, for instance, dries notoriously slowly).

I am worried that the other students will be way ahead of me in terms of skill and knowledge of painting/drawing/colour theory, etc.

Have no fear - we don't populate our courses with people of wildly different skill levels.  This is a painting holiday and is meant to be relaxing. Each course is tailor-made to suit all our guests on any particular week, so you will all be of more or less similar aptitude and competence.

So, what sort of person do you get on your courses?

Although our classes are conducted in English, we receive enquiries literally from all over the world.
About 40% are Brits, with the rest made up of participants from - to date - Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Belarus, Latvia, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Spain, France... I could go on, but, well, I'm sure you get the picture!

Is there a minimum or maximum age?

The youngest we've had actually doing the course - as opposed to just coming along for the ride - is 11 years of age, and the maximum was a sprightly 88 year old! In general, though, participants tend to be in the 20y to 65y age bracket.

How long does the course last?

Your holiday starts on Monday afternoon, whereupon we will get you settled in and show you around. Join us later for a complimentary evening meal. The course looks like this:

  • Tuesday is a busy day spent with your tutor

  • Wednesday morning we have a break and go to Sarlat market.  The afternoon is again spent with your tutor. The evening is your time to relax and gather breath.

  • Thursday is another pretty full day paintign or drawing.

  • Friday again another busy day perghaps finishing off that masterpiece!

  • Saturday, sadly, is departure day.

What are the arrival and departure times?

We ask you not to arrive earlier than 4pm on the Monday, and leave no later than 10am the following Saturday. This is because we need time to prepare for your, and the next group's, holiday.

What if my partner/family want to come too?

No problem, they are very welcome to stay here and lounge around getting fed and entertained!
Apart from the extensive grounds and pool at Bombel, we are perfectly situated for exploring the valleys of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, with medieval Sarlat, Beynac, Montignac (where you will find the famous Lascaux cave paintings), and the colossal fortified church of St Amand de Coly all within half an hour's drive.  
We are surrounded by an abundance of easily accessible recreational and practical facilities such as: horse riding, fishing, golf, canoeing, cycling, walking, cinema (often films are shown in Version Originale format, i.e. in English with French subtitles), open-air markets, pre-history sites and museums.

THE FOOD:

I'm vegetarian

No problem - we can adjust the menu to suit, providing substitutes where necessary. Give us plenty of warning, though.

I'm vegan

There is, as yet, no known cure - you have our deepest sympathy (have a bacon sarny to make you feel better).

Can I drink the water?

Yes, all our water is perfectly safe being mains spring-fed. Likewise, the hot/cold water in the en suites comes via the hot water tanks direct from the mains (unlike the UK).

But won't I get fat eating all that gourmet food?

Yes.

THE FACILITIES:

What do I need to bring with me?

Course:
Everything you would normally need - paints, brushes, pencils, paper, supports and easels, etc, etc - is already here. Just bring your normal holiday gear, although we would suggest you bring your smock/apron, and some comfy shoes or trainers as there may be some standing. Bedding, etc:
All bedding and towels are included and there is a hairdrier in your room.
Miscellaneous:
You may need to bring a UK/France electrical adaptor (although France is on a slightly lower 220V rating, all UK applances run just fine here). Also, see our What to Bring page.

Should I bring towels/bedding/hair drier, etc?

Included in the cost of your painting holiday are: towels, bedding, hair drier, gas, electricity and heating. There is also free Email and Internet access.

Do you have laundry facilities?

We don't run a laundry service. However, in the event of those small emergencies life throws at you, we have been known to wash small items of your clothing as and when time permits.

Where's the nearest shop/bar/restaurant/bakers/butcher, etc?

The pretty market village of St Geniès (see above) is a 4km/5min drive away from us.

Is there a bar on-site?

No, but all aperitifs, and wine or beverages placed on the table for consumption with meals, are complementary. Also complementary are unlimited tea, coffee and snacks served throughout the day. However, if you fancy any ‘extra-curricular’ beverages, wine or soft drinks, i.e. if you’d like an extra bottle of wine with or after meals or in the afternoon, please let us know and we'll happily provide you with what you need from the drinks menu.

Prices: 2010
How to pay 
Terms and Conditions		  
All inclusive Five Day/Five Night residential painting holiday
(per person, based on two people sharing a room):
€795

One, Two, Three & Four-Day multi-day courses
(Per person, per day. Additional B&B accommodation available on request. Evening meal €17 per day):
€130
Non-painting friend or partner
(Five day/five night - lunch @ €12 & dinner @ €17 per person per day):
€395

B&B accommodation
(Multi-day courses - at venue or local B&B. Per person, per night):

€45
Return airport/rail transfers
(Per person. Agreed times only - see below. Email us prior to booking tickets):
€75
Single occupancy supplement
(five day/five night - for a dedicated en-suite room):
€195
Cooking & Painting holiday
(Five day/Five night residential.  Day courses from €130):
€795
RETURN AIRPORT/RAIL TRANSFERS:
We pick you up in our own seven-seater vehicle each Monday afternoon and drop you off the following Saturday morning. Destinations include Limoges airport, and Brive la Gaillarde and Sarlat train stations (see details of our airport and rail transfers).
If you want a transfer at another time or on another day, please EMAIL US or Tel: 0033 (0)553 302405 in order to discuss the possibilities.
Transfers are conducted on a first come first served basis. Detailed dates and times are to be agreed with us prior to booking your travel arrangements, so please do not book tickets until you've agreed them with us.
ACCOMMODATION:
Accommodation is normally on-site, but, under exceptional circumstances, 1 & 2 day guests may be accommodated at a very pleasant nearby B&B 5km away.
NUMBERS:
The optimum number of participants on a course is six, but sometimes we have fewer than that and have occasionally taken up to ten.
ITINERARY:
The itinerary may be subject to change according to the seasons and local weather and is variable in order to take advantage of regional festivals and holidays.
Painting holiday in France - your tutor, Gill Mitchell