Painting in Dordogne: What to Expect
There is a point in every painter's practice where technique starts to feel like a ceiling rather than a foundation. Seven nights in the Dordogne, working alongside internationally exhibiting artist Alanna Peters at a private 16th-century French château, is where that ceiling lifts. Through grisaille, glazing, and alla prima, you will learn not just how to paint but why it works, and leave with the foundations to keep developing long after you get home.
The château itself is part of what makes this painting retreat in France different. Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a genuine 16th-century home in the northern Dordogne, with the warmth of a building that has spent centuries welcoming people through its doors. Meals are prepared by Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chefs using the produce and flavours of the region. A market excursion, an afternoon in one of the Dordogne's classified medieval villages, and 15 hectares of grounds to wander between sessions: the week is structured enough to be productive and spacious enough to breathe.
What the Week Includes
This Oil Painting Retreat in France Is For You If...
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You have some painting experience and want proper classical foundations, not just encouragement
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You are ready to work seriously, with structured daily lessons, demonstrations, and critique in a small group
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You want to paint outdoors in the Dordogne landscape as well as in the studio
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You are looking for mentorship from an artist who exhibits and teaches at the highest level
For two decades, Alanna has taught painters how to stop guessing and start seeing.
Authentic French Cuisine
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Champagne reception on evening of arrival!
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Continental breakfast with pastries fresh from the boulangerie just steps away.
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Meals at the Château, inspired by the cuisine of the famous Perigord
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Two Chefs trained at Le Cordon Bleu will welcome you into their kitchen
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House wines with meals, local terroir
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Non-alcoholic beverages of your choice.
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Tea & coffee all day, plus snacks and aperitif too!
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Other premium wines available for purchase from our cave
Live the Château Life
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Enjoy the Château common rooms and 15 ha of grounds during your 7-night stay.
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Bedrooms are generously sized, with a small seating area.
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Mix of en-suite and shared facilities - max 2 bedrooms share w.c. or shower.
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Rooms are first-come, first-served by reservation date.
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Stay with a small group of like-minded people - limit of 8 guests.
Taste of the Périgord
From village markets to château meals, experience why Périgord cuisine is legendary. Three meals a day, all prepared by Valérie and Megan of Sel Hospitalité, who hold all three diplomas (cuisine, boulanger, and patisserie) from Le Cordon Bleu. They love what they do and they love to share it, so you are welcomed in to watch, to ask, to pick up the small things that make a dish work. Each day a surprise that reflects the cuisine of the Périgord, generous and unhurried, but it is the warmth around it that guests carry home with them.
Valérie and Megan share culinary secrets and create dishes so beautiful you'll want to photograph them before tasting. These images capture real moments from our past events.
A Day-by-Day Overview
Please note: We might adjust this itinerary due to the usual reasons - weather, group direction, or unplanned opportunities!
1
Arrival
Settle into the château, meet your fellow painters, and join Alanna and your hosts Sara and Stephen for a champagne reception and your first dinner prepared by the Le Cordon Bleu-trained kitchen team.
2
Foundations
The week begins in the studio with the language of classical oil painting: setting up the palette, understanding the structure of an image, and your first demonstration in grisaille. Expect a slow and proper introduction to the techniques that have carried painters for centuries, with time in the afternoon to bring what you have learned onto your own canvas.
3
Progression
Build on yesterday's foundations as Alanna introduces glazing, the technique of layering transparent oil over a tonal underpainting to bring light and depth into the work. The morning belongs to demonstration and discussion, the afternoon to your own canvas as the painting begins to come alive in your hands.
4
Market Day
Experience authentic France with an outing to a farmer's market in our local town. Discover how to find the best produce, and taste the delights of the famous Perigord gastronomic region.
Carry on with your studio work in the afternoon, or take some "me time" to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
5
Quick and Loose
A change of pace with alla prima, the wet-on-wet method of working a painting through in a single session. Many painters find this is the day their hand loosens in ways that surprise them, and the energy in the studio shifts as the work follows.
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Nature
Take your easel outside and into the Dordogne landscape for plein air work. Light moves differently here than it does at home, and Alanna's eye for atmosphere will help you catch it. The afternoon returns you to the studio, with time to refine what you began outdoors.
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Exposition
Discover the delights of the Dordogne with an outing to explore a "Prettiest Village in France" or another château - or both!
Gather with your fellow artists in the evening for an exposition to share your week's accomplishments, then prepare your works for a safe journey home.
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Au'revoir
Head home feeling relaxed, and with a deeper understanding of your artistic practice.
Meet Your Hosts
Meet Alanna
Alanna Peters is a Toronto-based oil painter whose work is held in private collections across Canada, the United States, and Europe. She has spent over two decades teaching painting in classrooms, galleries, and art schools, developing a mentorship-driven approach that meets artists where they are while holding a high technical standard. Her instruction covers classical methods including grisaille underpainting, glazing, and alla prima, alongside the perspective of an artist who is still actively exhibiting and developing her own work. She teaches in English and French.
Meet Sara & Stephen
We are Sara & Stephen Cole, Canadians who dreamt of moving to France. We're excited to share our dream, our home, the Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
The tower of the Château is from the 16th century, and features a broad spiral stone staircase. Built by a noble family nearly 500 years ago, the 'blazon' or crest of the family still shows on the tower.
We created “Manor and Maker” to reflect the two sides of our adventure. One, to live as château owners with all the ups and downs and two, to pursue our passions as makers, creating art in all its forms. We invite others to come together, united by their passions, to share in this adventure.
We will be available on-site to ensure you have a comfortable stay.
Welcome to Manor & Maker.
Testimonials for Alanna and Manor & Maker
Teaching feedback 1
Definitely exceeded my expectations. Allowed me to enjoy the finer things in life that I don't always have time to do. It was a great experience. - R.S.
A really great package of painting, food, excursions. Everything was very relaxed. Well organized, yet with lots of choice and everyone was very accommodating. A wonderful package. - D.D.
Start Your Painting Retreat Today!
Reserve your spot by completing the deposit payment below. Completing your deposit is your agreement to the Terms & Conditions.
Single Occupancy
€3495
Private room.
En-suite or shared bath (max 2 rooms per bath).
Double Occupancy
€2995
Bring a Friend and Save 15%!
When you bring a friend and share a room (or elect to share your room), you'll both enjoy 15% off!
That's a savings of €500 each!
Non-participant Partner
€995
Total €4490 for artist + partner
Share the Château experience without joining the instruction. Includes meals and excursions.
What's Included
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5 days of tailored instruction by internationally exhibiting artist Alanna Peters
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7 nights accommodation at Château de Saint-Germain-des-Pres
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Transportation from the pickup point (local train station) to the Château
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All meals served at the Château
- Most meals prepared by professional chefs (arrival & departure days managed by hosts, and we may opt for a restaurant evening)
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Wines, beers, & ciders served with supper at the Château
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All non-alcoholic beverages throughout your stay
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Market excursion to enjoy an authentic French experience
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Day excursion to local site(s), including transportation and entry fees
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4 canvases, plus easels and workstations in the studio
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Access to Château common areas, grounds, and studio for free time
What's Not Included
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Art supplies - please bring your favourite paints, brushes and other tools or have them shipped to the Château
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Transportation from your hometown to the pickup point, including airfare, train connections, or car rental
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Baggage, accident, cancellation, nor travel insurance ('cancel for any reason' strongly recommended to protect your investment)
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Personal expenses, such as passport and visa expenses. telephone calls
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Meals not served at the Château
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Alcoholic beverages not served at meals at the Château
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Any extra tours or excursions off the property, should you choose to roam
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Shipping completed artworks home (there is a post office close to the Château)
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and any other items not specifically noted as included