Creative Journeys & Bespoke Experiences
Welcome to Manor & Maker's vibrant world of events! Here you'll find our current & future offerings, each designed to inspire creativity and foster connection in our enchanting Dordogne setting.
For advance access to events, sign up for our newsletter on the bottom of any page of our site - including this one!
Current Events
Watercolour Weekend at the Chateau
B&B Weekend
August 2 - 3, 2025. Two day watercolour workshop at Chateau de Saint-Germain-des-Pres
Instruction by experienced facilitator Femke Koome
In this 2-day watercolour course you will learn to create loose, flowing floral and informal botanical watercolour art, from the initial subject choice, composition considerations, precise pencil drawing, establishing values and contrast, creating shadows, and applying consecutive transparent layers to create depth in your artwork.
Pages, Plates & Pours
Reading Retreat
Sept 13-19 A Bibliophile's Castle Escape
For a blissful week, lose yourself in favorite books and fairytales while enjoying soul-warming meals prepared by our Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs using local Dordogne flavours. Between chapters, wander with us through the charming streets of Brantome and Perigueux, where bookshops await your discovery. In our little corner of the French countryside, we've created a literary haven where the tranquility of rural France meets exceptional cuisine and cultural discoveries - a perfect escape for those who treasure books and authentic experiences.
Faerie Life Retreat
B&B Weekend
August 22-28, 2025.
Costumes. Castles. Community.
Come create your legend.
What if your life felt like a page from a fairytale, a whispered legend brought to life, or your favorite romantasy novel?
This August, escape to a secluded château and step into your own fae-touched tale. Over seven days of creative play, guided portrait sessions, and candlelit castle evenings, you'll co-create dreamy visuals, craft crowns and wings, and inhabit the story only you can tell.
Creative Adventures
2025 & 2026 Dates Available
Art Retreat
Are you ready to unlock your inner artist in the enchanting heart of France? Whether you've wielded a paintbrush or not, imagine yourself in our private château, where judgment has no place, and creativity knows no bounds. Picture yourself leaving with your own creativity journal and the awe-inspiring fruits of your artistic endeavors, all while saying, 'WOW – I had no idea I could create that!'
Chateau Lens & Light Retreat
Art Retreat
Transform your smartphone photos into stunning art, perfect for any skill level. With Elske's expert guidance, create beautiful mementos of your French getaway. Savor meals by Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs and discover a new skill that can turn your art into personal highlights, or sellable artworks.
Event Vibes
Propose Your Workshop
We want to hear from facilitators with adult education experience, who want to run workshops & retreats in a private Château in the French countryside. Please read our guidelines below, and if you think your workshop fits, please reach out via email.
Guidelines:
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Workshops for 6-20 people, who would stay on-site or near by
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You provide the itinerary and daily structure for the event
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We provide accommodation, and food & beverage for you and the guests
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We provide flexible workspaces with tables and chairs, additional equipment could be by negotiation
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Ask us for connections to local providers & excursions to enhance your itinerary
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Use our templates for pricing, marketing & sales support
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Professional graphic design services in house (RGD with 25 yrs experience)
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Host your retreat page on our site - we provide the hosting, and page set up using UX reviewed design
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Inclusion is important to us, and our accessibility may be limited in the early days - please ask for what you and your guests may need