Watercolour Art Retreat in Southern France
Art retreat, France - June 2027
This retreat is fully booked, but you can find out about my other retreats here, or contact me to be added to the waiting list.
Join me for a watercolour art retreat in the Dordogne, southern France. This is a small-group, artist-led painting holiday — ten days sketching medieval villages, riverside scenes, and some of the most beautiful countryside in Europe.
- 21 - 30 June 2027
- 10 days from €4,000 per person
- Small group (usually 12-14)
Fill a sketchbook with vibrant watercolour memories of France – medieval villages bathed in golden light, riverside scenes along the Dordogne, the dramatic cliffs of Rocamadour captured in your own hand. Become confident with your paints and sketchbook so that you'll never travel without them again.
Join me on this 10-day watercolour painting trip to some of the most beautiful villages in southern France!
Renee’s watercolor retreat at Perigord was delightful and well organized. She was nothing but encouraging to all levels of artistic experience and combined art education with humor, friendship, history, and relaxation perfectly.
I'm returning to Perigord Retreats, Gourdon, in 2027 for my 6th year. What a place! I just have to keep going back, and some of my students too.
Video wrap-up of our 2026 retreat...
Where we'll explore: the most beautiful corners of the Dordogne
Over 10 inspiring days, we'll sketch and explore our way through southern France's most paintable treasures:
- Rocamadour – The vertiginous pilgrimage town clinging dramatically to cliff faces
- Medieval castle towns throughout the Dordogne and Lot valleys
- Honey-stone Périgord villages with their timeless charm and terracotta roofs
- Riverside scenes along the Dordogne – perfect for capturing light on water
- Local markets bursting with color and life
- Hidden gems that Harrison (our incredible host) has discovered over the years
Between painting excursions, you'll have studio time to develop your work and plenty of freedom to explore (sketchbook in hand, naturally!).
We paint OUTSIDE – that's where the magic happens
This is about capturing life as it unfolds. Our focus is plein air watercolour sketching – setting up in enchanting castle towns, along riverbanks, in village squares where locals wave bonjour as you paint.
In a encouraging atmosphere, with plenty of laughter, a glass of wine in hand (if needed!) and the day to day details all taken care of, I promise you'll leave France with a sketchbook bursting with memories and the confidence to paint anywhere, anytime.
Back at 'home' there's gorgeous 24/7 studio for demos, skills practise or for when inspiration strikes at midnight.
I’ve been to many workshops ranging from color theory, perspective, painting loosely, painting detail and watercolor pigments and painting with Renee is my favorite of all. After painting for 25 years I learned so much from her. Patient, supportive, and very talented I would recommend her… Read more… watercolor retreats to anyone who wants to have fun while learning.
What makes this art retreat special: small groups, big impact
Small group sizes mean I have ample time to help each person every day. You'll receive:
- Daily one-on-one feedback tailored to your level and goals
- Step-by-step demonstrations showing my process and decisions
- Personal guidance on color, composition, and perspective
- Encouragement to be brave and try things outside your comfort zone
Non-painting partners welcome! There's plenty to do beyond painting: kayaking, hiking, swimming, exploring local markets, or simply unwinding with a book in the French countryside.
Everything taken care of
Whether you’re coming with paints in hand or just a curious heart, this week is about more than sketching — it’s about experiences you’ll carry home long after the trip. You'll be thoroughly looked after by our exceptional hosts, Harrison and Katel. Harrison takes us to the most inspiring locations – places full of history, charm, and breathtaking scenery. Katel prepares meals that are truly memorable, crafted with care and local ingredients.
The details
-
When…
21 to 30 June 2027 (10 days, 9 nights) -
Where…
Perigord Retreats, Gourdon, Occitane, France. -
Cost…
- €4,000 (~$4,700 USD) per person – Private bedroom & shared bathroom
- €4,500 (~$5,300 USD) per person – Private bedroom with ensuite
- €7,300 (~$8,600 USD) per couple – Couple bedroom & ensuite
What's included (Pretty much everything!)
✓ Daily excursions to beautiful painting locations
✓ Expert watercolour instruction with one-on-one guidance
✓ 9 nights of comfortable accommodation
✓ 24/7 access to fully-equipped art studio
✓ Indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and beautiful grounds
✓ All meals and drinks (except 2 lunches & 2 dinners)
✓ Transport from/to Gourdon train station
✓ All excursion entrance fees and transport
Not included: Flights to France, travel insurance, art supplies (detailed list provided upon booking).
What you'll learn: watercolour skills that travel with you
This retreat is for watercolour enthusiasts of all levels – whether you're a complete beginner or have experience but want to grow your confidence painting on location.
Core skills you'll develop:
- How to become confident painting en plein air with minimal materials
- How to choose what scene to paint (when everything is so beautiful!)
- Working with a limited watercolour palette for harmony and cohesiveness
- Understanding perspective (and not being afraid of it!)
- Capturing light, shadow, and atmosphere quickly
- Creating loose, expressive sketches that capture the feeling of a place
- How to develop your sketches into full studio paintings
- Building a visual travel journal, that reflects your personality, and that you'll treasure forever
Beyond technique:
This retreat is about more than just improving your painting skills. There's a magic combination of shared meals, laughter, and unforgettable moments – whether we're gathered around the table or enjoying a picnic after a morning of sketching. There's a special camaraderie that forms here, a sense of connection that makes it feel like friendships will last a lifetime.
Want to see my teaching style in action? Here's a full painting demo at Perigord Retreats in July 2022...
And a little intro video of Perigord Retreats and their surroundings...
I'm passionate about travel sketching
For 18 years, I've never traveled anywhere without a sketchbook. What started as a side hobby on a climbing trip to Spain and France completely transformed how I experience the world. Now I have a massive stack of sketchbooks filled with priceless memories – villages, landscapes, flowers, food, people, and little notes that transport me straight back to those moments.
Since 2007, I've spent about 6 months a year in Europe and now I live in Spain, and sketching outside has immersed me in places in ways I never could have imagined. It's created vivid memories and allowed me to meet so many locals I wouldn't have encountered otherwise.
I've been teaching watercolour since 2017. My approach is simple: I want to make you braver. Whether you're nervous about painting in public, unsure about color mixing, or intimidated by perspective, I'll guide you through it with patience, encouragement, and practical demonstrations. By the end of our time together, you'll be the artist who never travels without a sketchbook.
Renee is an outstanding watercolor artist and teacher. In early 2022 I began taking classes online from her on a regular basis and then attended her in-person workshop in the Dordogne region of France later in the year accompanied by my photographer husband. It was an experience of a lifetime.… Read more… Returning home to California after the wonderful retreat I continued taking online classes from Renee to hone my skills and to be encouraged by her personal direction in small groups. I am a Patreon supporter of Renee's and pursue the projects and lessons she provides on that platform regularly. Recently in March 2026 my husband and I again participated in one of her retreats in conjunction with Perigord Retreats. This time the location was Marrakesh in Morocco. Once again the experience exceeded our expectations and as a result my art practice continues to grow and thrive. I am grateful for her guidance and her rare ability to be both a fine artist AND a skilled teacher. I highly recommend Renee to any watercolor artist searching for a teacher who will make a difference and will help you along your creative path.
Renee is a great teacher! I learned so much about color theory, composition and perspective. After that I finally understood 2-pt perspective and completed my first picture of a complicated building. We had a good balance of plein aire painting in amazing places and studio time. And best of all,… Read more… Renee is a warm, friendly, kind person, and fun, fun, fun.
This is an amazing experience and Renee gets you started off right. No matter your experience level, or whether you’ve done Plein Air painting or not there is so much for you here. Everyone’s paintings developed over the eight days and were not all the same.
I’m now continuing Plein Air on my… Read more… own and feel so much more confident in what I’m doing. I may even add people (carrot people that is.). I really hope to go back in a couple of years and explore more. There were several repeats at this class.
Renee is a talented artist and teacher!
Her encouragement and skills were shared equally to all in our group at Perigord retreats. Lots of laughter was a feature of our stay here and there was individual attention to everyone’s needs .
If you want to begin or are already skilled and want to take… Read more… your work to the next level Renee is who you need 😀
Frequently asked questions
What level of experience do I need?
All levels welcome! Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced painter, you'll receive personalized guidance suited to your skill level.
What watercolour supplies do I need to bring?
A detailed supply list will be provided upon booking. We focus on painting with minimal, portable materials – perfect for travel sketching.
What's the weather like in the Dordogne in May?
May is beautiful! Expect warm, sunny days (18-24°C / 64-75°F) perfect for outdoor painting. Occasional rain is possible, so we have indoor studio space as backup.
Can my partner come if they don't paint?
Absolutely! Non-painting partners are welcome. There's kayaking, hiking, swimming, markets to explore, and beautiful countryside to enjoy.
How do I get to Gourdon?
Most guests fly into Paris or Toulouse and take the train to Gourdon. We provide pickup/dropoff from Gourdon train station. Full travel details provided upon booking.
What if I've never painted en plein air before?
Great! This is the perfect place to start :-) I'll teach you everything you need to know to feel confident painting on location.
Join me in France
Contact me today to find out about this retreat.
Join waitlistYour adventure starts here
Perigord Retreats
Dordogne, France
21 - 30 June 2027
Small group (usually 12-14)
10 days from €4,000 per person
See accommodation options.
Your adventure starts here!