Painting and Art workshop vacation, La Belle Epoque, Burgundy, France

La Belle Epoque
Painting and Art workshop Itinerary

Auxerre to Clamecy

Our Art vacations are suitable for beginners and leisure painters with some experience as well as the more accomplished artist. This delightful cruise/workshop includes one full day and two half days full instruction on location as well as visits to local artists studios.

Guests should note that easels, paper, brushes and a good basic selection of water colour paints are available on board, but they should also bring their own art boxes. Instruction will be mainly in charcoal, pencil and oil crayons as these are ideal for artists on the move.

Find out more about La Belle Epoque, visit the
La Belle Epoque barge page

Sunday, Art cruise Day 1 - AUXERRE Guests are met in Paris at 1.30 pm and transferred to the elegant La Belle Époque. Following a Champagne Welcome, explore the medieval town of Auxerre with its cathedral before returning for dinner aboard Monday, Art cruise Day 2 - AUXERRE TO VINCELLES Auxerre was built to be painted; the medieval streets wind their way to the Tour de l'Horlorge, marking the bustling centre of town. Angled rooftops viewed from the Gothic Cathedral of St Etienne or the historical banks of the River Yonne are reminiscent of Van Gogh paintings. The private art gallery in the centre of town is also a good stop to see how local artists have painted the area. We rejoin the barge at Vincelles for lunch. The afternoon excursion is to St Bris, where we take a tour through the network of medieval passages beneath the town. A wine tasting introduces you to the outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the 12th century cellars of Madame Bersan. Dinner aboard. Tuesday, Art cruise Day 3 - VINCELLES TO VERMENTON After breakfast we visit the hillside town of Bailly where the church is also the setting of the gallery for the local artist Hossotte. His vibrant oil paintings may be seen throughout the region, as he is renowned for his ability to capture the rich beauty of Burgundy. This morning we cruise to the hamlet of Accolay where lunch is served overlooking clear trout pools and the Abbayé de Crisenon.

During the afternoon we visit the 14th century hilltop town of Noyers with its half-timbered houses, painted doors and intricate decorative carvings. The banks of meandering river Serein are idyllic, holding spectacular views of both the surrounding countryside and the town its self. The scenic possibilities this town has to offer are outstanding. In the evening we cruise through the rich pastoral valleys of the Yonne, past grazing Charolais to Vermenton. Dinner aboard. Wednesday, Art cruise Day 4 - VERMENTON TO MAILLY-LE-CHATEAU This morning we visit the charming village of Vermenton, for a full day of instruction, which offers many a picturesque scene from the village square to the medieval clock tower and the peaceful gardens of the old water mill. We recommend taking the time to really discover the town before choosing your perfect spot for sketching. When you return to the barge, late afternoon we cruise to Mailly-le-Chateau followed by aperitifs on deck. This evening we take you to a restaurant ashore for an evening of fine dining in Burgundian style. Thursday, Art cruise Day 5 - MAILLY-LE-CHATEAU TO CHATEL CENSOIR Cruise past the Saussois cliffs where an international climbing centre creates a spectacular setting and a perfect lunchtime mooring. Half days instruction today in Vézelay, one of Burgundy's most famous treasures where the Roman Basilica of St.Mary Magdalene stands proudly on the Eternal Hill. Having wandered around local craft shops and discovered the fine views of the surrounding countryside, you'll find a pastiche of images to include in your sketchpad to really capture the spirit of Vezelay. Dinner aboard. Friday, Art cruise Day 6 - CHATEL CENSOIR TO CLAMECY After breakfast we visit the studio of artists Stanley and Avril Rose, located in a 14th Century privately owned chateau that overlooks the Nivernais canal. Before taking us to the tower, which is their new studio, Stanley Rose takes us on a fascinating tour around the chateau We rejoin the barge for lunch and a cruise through the beautiful countryside to Clamecy, the old capital of the logging industry that was once so important to this forested hilly region. We visit Clamecy for your last half day of instruction. Its ancient streets and colourful market stalls clustered around the Gothic Cathedral and vibrant village cafes provide a perfect spot for capturing the essence of French rural life. Captain's Farewell Dinner aboard. Saturday, Art cruise Day 7 - CLAMECY Depart after breakfast by Coach, arriving back to Ampere Villiers Hotel in Paris at about 1.30pm.

This is a sample itinerary. Alternative weeks the cruise will be in reverse direction.