LUXURY PAINTING HOLIDAY IN CENTRAL FRANCE

July 6 to 12, 2025

Last update on March 3, 2025:
Only 3 places left available on the estate (option 1)
Externally (option 2) 3 places are still available.

From July 6 to July 12, 2025, visual artist Debbie Nijland is once again organizing a wonderful fully catered luxury painting holiday / creative holiday / painting retreat. (Re)discover your creative talents in the tranquility of the French countryside. This week is based on full board, so all you have to think about is painting and enjoying. Peace and space are already present, relaxation comes naturally.

​WHERE DO YOU STAY:
You will stay at Domaine Lavau, the 3.5 hectare domain with spectacular views of ~ 25 km of fields, forests, a single farm and nothing else but an infinite beautiful silence, in the green heart of France (720 km from Breda, 3 1/2 hours below Paris). You will stay these 6 days in one of the two gîtes. Both gîtes have two double bedrooms, which you share with another participant or painter friend. The rooms are all equipped with very comfortable single box springs (and can be connected if desired). The gîtes have modern bathrooms, separate toilets and fully equipped kitchens with a cozy sitting area and dining area. Debbie's large flamboyant paintings play a role in the various rooms. We have combined the authentic atmosphere of the 200 year old barn with contemporary comfort (click here for the Domaine Lavau website).

​WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO:
The theme is, given the beautiful location, "landscape", but for those who already know me, know that this concept is very flexible for me and even extends from completely abstract, to (sur)realism to working on your own project. Everything is possible. As a beginner, you will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the material, the technique and with basic principles such as light-dark, color, perspective and composition. Daring is important: once you have overcome that first hurdle, you will develop surprisingly quickly.

As an experienced person, you will be encouraged to further develop the unique character of your work and to increase its expressiveness or, depending on your needs, to improve your skills. You are free to choose the materials you want to work with (but bring them from home!).

No matter how much or how little prior knowledge you have: this painting holiday is a unique experience for everyone with a heart for drawing and/or painting. Guidance is individual, at your level and at your own pace. A group can be stimulating when developing your own way of working! If you would like help with putting together your materials or more background information about the different types of materials, I am at your service. You can make this painting holiday as colourful as you want.

AGENDA:

Sunday 6 July:
We expect you on Sunday 6 July between 4 and 6:00 PM. After a nice refreshment, I will show you the gîte and room where you will be staying this week. At 7:30 PM we will enjoy the festive welcome dinner together. In a relaxed way, we can get to know each other a little better. Travelling partners* who are staying elsewhere are also very welcome on this evening.

Monday 7 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat. Then a walk around the domaine. Where can you sit comfortably, where do you have the nicest spots or the most beautiful view. 10:00 - gather in the studio in the cathedral barn with coffee/tea and see where everyone "stands" in terms of drawing and painting. I have small educational assignments for those who want that can be done during this week.
Then we get started.
13:00 to 14:00 - lunch
14:00 to 19:30 - work on assignments / continue working or take some time for yourself, at the pool or elsewhere / explore the area. For those who want to continue painting, I am available until 16:00 to help you with tips, tricks and suggestions.
16:00 - coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine are ready
19:30 - dinner

Tuesday 8 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat.
09:00 - work meeting in the cathedral barn and get started
10:30 - coffee and tea (or keep working if you're 'in the flow')
13:00 to 14:00 - lunch
14:00 to 19:30 - continue working on your painting/drawing or take some time for yourself, by the pool or elsewhere / explore the area. For those who want to continue painting, I am available until 16:00 to help you with tips, tricks and suggestions.
16:00 - coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine are ready
19:30 - dinner

Wednesday 9 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat. 09:00 - today we will visit an inspiring location outside the domaine. We will bring our stuff and of course also coffee and tea. Perhaps this new angle can be used as inspiration.
13:00 to 14:00: lunch at the home location.
14:00 to 19:30 - work out sketches/drawings from the morning or continue working on them. Or take some time for yourself with a book by the pool or elsewhere. I am available until 16:00 for tips, tricks and suggestions.
16:00: coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine are ready
19:30: dinner

​Thursday 10 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat. 09:00 - work meeting in the cathedral barn and get started
10:30 - coffee and tea (or keep working if you're 'in the flow')
13:00 to 14:00 - lunch
14:00 to 19:30 - continue working on your painting/drawing or take some time for yourself, by the pool or elsewhere. I'm available until 16:00 for tips, tricks and suggestions.
16:00 - coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine are ready
19:30 - dinner

Friday 11 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat.
09:00 - work meeting in the cathedral barn and get started
10:30 - coffee and tea (or just keep working if you're 'in the flow')
13:00 to 14:00 - lunch
Today we'll work until 15:00 and I'll collect all the works made to set up the exhibition.
18:00 - festive opening of the exhibition where we also invite friends and locals to come and have a drink and view the results of this week.
20:30 - farewell dinner where any partners* staying elsewhere are also more than welcome.

Saturday 12 July:
08:00 to 09:00 - breakfast buffet with fresh croissants, baguettes and pain au chocolat.
10:00 - farewell and hopefully "a l'annee prochaine!"

*partners who want to dine with us on the opening and closing evening are welcome (charged extra).

WHERE DO WE WORK:
We work in the enormous cathedral barn in my studio. The porteau entrance is more than ideal for working out wonderful sketches or painting out of the sun / in the shade. We start there in the morning at 09:00 and discuss the day. Easels, wooden boards, tables etc. are available. A library with over 400 art books is at your disposal. Of course, painting in the shade of the old chestnut or walnut tree is also a great alternative or, if you have brought a parasol, elsewhere on the extensive grounds.

FOR WHOM:
Due to the small scale and for practical reasons, we offer this luxury painting holiday exclusively to women and is very suitable for both the novice painter / draftsman and for the more experienced painter / draftsman as well as for the (semi-) professional painter who wants to work on her skills. The age of the participants is somewhere between 30 and 80 years. Maximum 12 people in total. If you choose option 2 for your stay (see below), the non-painting partner (m/f) can of course stay externally.

​​​​BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER:
This Luxury Painting Holiday is based on full board: breakfast, lunch and an extensive dinner are provided every day by our wonderful kitchen brigade Doortje & Sue. On request, they take gluten-free and vegetarian diets into account. Debbie's husband Peter is once again the sommelier on duty this year / chef of Cold Drinks. Tea and coffee are also available at set times. All you have to think about is painting and... enjoying!

​​WHO's DEBBIE:
Debbie Nijland is a professional visual artist and successfully completed her training at the IKO Art Academy Hogere Graag Schilderen in Hoogstraten in 2013. She has now been teaching small and large groups for 19 years and provides private lessons in all techniques for the age category from 30 to 130 years. She guides both beginning and experienced drawers/painters from the first paint or pencil stroke to (semi-) professional painters. Participants do not copy 'what the teacher paints', but she searches for your individuality and signature. This can vary from hyper realistic to lyrical abstract and everything in between. Every subject is conceivable. She does not believe in talent but in curiosity and perseverance. She likes to go on a 'journey of discovery' with you and does so with a lot of passion, enthusiasm, positivity, humor and the ability to put things into perspective.

GOOD TO KNOW:
Pets are not allowed this week.

HOW TO GET THERE?
Domaine Lavau (click here for Google Maps) near Néret is located approximately 720 km from Breda,
3 1/2 hours south of Paris, and can easily be reached by car in one day.

COSTS:
Option 1 - on the domain:
€1195 per person, incl. a shared bedroom (6 nights) in one of the Domaine Lavau gîtes on our property, use of the swimming pool (during the day and in the evening), all meals and drinks during meals, welcome dinner on Sunday, use of easels, tables, wooden drawing boards etc. Are you coming with two people? Then we will of course make sure that you can share a room together!

Option 2 - external:
€895 per person, incl. all meals and drinks during meals, welcome dinner on Sunday, use of the swimming pool during the day, all painting lessons, use of easels, tables, wooden drawing boards etc.

With this option you are responsible for renting an accommodation / holiday home / gîte or camper / camping site in the vicinity (various options, ask for information).

NOT INCLUDED:
Your travel to the location.

You must bring your own paint, brushes, canvases/paper and other painting materials (stool, easel, parasol, etc.).

DEPOSIT:
Your registration is final after we have received the deposit of € 350 (p/p) on our bank account. The remaining amount must be paid before May 1, 2025. If you have any additional questions, you can always email me at debbienijland@gmail.com or reach me by phone at +33-6-80800247 (also for Whatsapp).

You can register via the button below!

See you on this Luxury Painting Holiday Central France 2025!