French Art School
FRENCH ART SCHOOL 2025
WITH JACQUELINE COATES & THE BLOOMS IMPRESSIONIST WORKSHOP
French Art School May 3-13 now sold out
Wednesday May 21 - Friday May 30, 2025
NEW DATES AVAILABLE!
Tuesday 30 April – Friday 10 May 2024
(optional night in Paris 29 April)
NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY
Paint in the heart of country France!
Open yourself to beauty and art, and learning how to paint your own stunning masterpieces using my Blooms Impressionistic Painting Techniques – in one of the most naturally beautiful parts of France, whilst living like a French person in a charming peaceful hamlet and authentic French country villas. (own room and shared bathrooms).
What we paint will depend on what is available seasonally and we create our painting schedule afresh for every French Art School.
There is always plenty of inspiration to choose from to paint up.
Either follow the demonstrations and subject matter shown as your lessons or use it as inspiration to paint your own choices
Enjoy the spring floral season in France, known for it’s Roses, Peonies, Tulips and Lilacs as well as stunning product to paint from the markets. Dive into divine creativity and the enjoyment art brings.
Best of all, you’ll be taught everything you will need to know to paint beautiful paintings using a range of tools.
Being a painting school, it is a painting intensive but you can do as little or as much as you like.
Paint alongside me, Jacqueline Coates, in my private art atelier, the Ballroom Studio at L’Hirondelle. Lots of painting demos to teach and inspire. Lots of support is offered on your own paintings.
My characterful charming French villa, once a popular auberge, is now loved by students who come from all over to experience my French Art School since 2016. Many have been back for the 3rd time.
I cannot wait to fill the studio with our gorgeous Blooms paintings inspired by the French Impressionists and my contemporary Blooms freestyle techniques for luscious colourful painting results. There is the option to do some en plein air painting in the charming hamlet of La Foret du Temple, weather permitting. Enjoy local walks in a bucolic landscape with ancient oak trees, and gentle Charolais cows, sometimes seen being herded to fresh pastures through the village.
Participants have their own rooms and join me to paint each day. Our French chef cooks many of our beautiful meals. Wine and aperitifs are supplied. Unwind and meet lovely like minded others.Enjoy 7 full days of painting and a day of local touring including the local markets, brocantes, and a visit to the Priory D’Orsan monastery gardens.
Chef Jose will also invite you into the kitchen for a French cooking lesson.
There is the option to meet in Paris the day before the tour starts for some Paris fun where I give my time and local knowledge as a bonus if you would like it.
Arrive to the spring season and enjoy the luxury, sensuality and colour of stunning blooms, plus beautiful reference to paint from Jacqueline’s French Blooms reference collection including peonies, poppies, irises, roses and the hydrangeas of the Limousin.
ENJOY MY 6 STUNNING BONUSES EXCLUSIVE TO FRENCH ART SCHOOL
WORTH A TOTAL OF $2,330!
Quite apart from a satisfying 7 days of painting, a full day of local touring, a relaxing half day to transfer from Paris and arrive to a welcome evening, your own room, French chef who cooks for us, idyllic inspirational location and country walks, the collection of paintings you will paint and more, I’ve added these amazing bonuses which adds up to $2,230
Remember there are a maximum of 7 places available. So if you don’t want to miss out, hit up the booking button below and bag your place!
Join me for an unforgettable art immersion!
Wednesday May 21- Friday May 30, 2025
NEW DATES AVAILABLE!
Tuesday 30 April – Friday 10 May 2024
(optional night in Paris 29 April)
START AND FINISH IN PARIS, ALL TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRENCH ART SCHOOL INCLUDED
Imagine finally setting aside time for yourself to embrace your creative ambitions in the inspiring landscape of rural France near where Claude Monet painted his first series of paintings. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking to rekindle your passion or someone who rarely picks up a brush, this art immersion offers the chance to develop painting fluency. Create and complete paintings reflecting your personal vision, whilst mastering techniques. Tackle a diverse range of subject matter with confidence. Unlock your unique artistic voice. Paint with a new independence empowered by new skills.
BONUS 1
BONUS FRENCH ART SCHOOL ONLINE LESSONS PACK VALUED AT $1297 YOURS FOR FREE TO ENJOY AFTER YOUR TOUR
for 12 months access.
Enjoy 10 quick and easy French Impressionist inspired guided video painting sequences recorded at French Art School!
Create a collection from home as a follow up to your French Art School training.
Paint peonies, roses, a bouquet, a lavender field, haybales, and more.
BONUS 2
Set of French Art School painting reference of 100 stunning photos worth $497
BONUS 3
Quite apart from the studio supplied art materials we use to create our studio based work, you also receive a set of travel size paints and brushes and travel size canvases worth $80. You also get usage of a Blooms Travel Paint Box for outdoor painting.
BONUS 4
These are my brand-new French Art School aprons designed especially by me, which are only available to students of French Art School.
You can’t get hold of one unless you are a student of French Art School from 2022 onwards. Limited edition!
They are in pale aqua, in a comfortable canvas cotton, have deep pockets in the front, cross over back with straps, a ring to hold your painting rag, and beautiful embroidery for French Art School with a pink peony. They look and feel great on everyone. One size fits all! Value $89 – yours as a bonus!
BONUS 5
Tour In Paris with Jac for even more painting inspiration! Worth $578
Optional: Get yourself to Paris a day or so before the tour and we can meet up and I’ll show you my inspirational Paris.
Not included in your tour dates however I am happy to give some of my time for free.
I’m happy to give you my time and recommend a great hotel making meet up easy.
I’ll take you to my favourite florist, along the Seine, to my art shop, an art museum, or wherever else we decide as a group to visit as there is always something new on offer in PARIS! This allows you some time to catch up on jet lag too if you have flown in from another country.
Value for my specialised guided time $578 pp (you don’t need to pay as I’m including this for free) which includes covering my own travel expenses to be there in Paris with you. I’m giving you my time and local knowledge for free!
BONUS 6
Your own set of studio brushes yours to keep worth $121
These are my favourite brushes to use for all stages of the painting suitable for the painting we are doing in the Studio. Take them home to continue your painting journey with!
Total of French Art School bonuses $2,671
Yours at no charge when you book and pay in full and participate in French Art School 2024
$8,967 per person
Wednesday May 21- Friday May 30, 2025
NEW DATES AVAILABLE!
Tuesday 30 April – Friday 10 May 2024
(optional night in Paris 29 April)
START AND FINISH IN PARIS, ALL TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRENCH ART SCHOOL INCLUDED
9 nights and 8 days, plus a relaxing transfer from Paris to La Foret du Temple on Day 1 and Chef Jose's welcome dinner adding a half day, (and the option of bonus time in Paris before we start the tour. ) Our chauffeur takes the group to meet the train to Paris morning of Friday May 30 to arrive 10.22am in Paris at Gare d’Austerlitz train station to make your own next travel plans from Paris at the end of the tour. Exact train times to be confirmed a little closer to the time.
LIMITED TO MAXIMUM 7 STUDENT PLACES
Learn Colour mixing, mark making, paint handling, and how to take your paintings to a whole new level inspired by French Impressionism and Blooms Freestyle techniques.
Learn Acrylic and Learn Oils!
Learn how to handle paint with my BLOOMS FRANCE IMPRESSIONIST Paint Brush License
Create a series of Portable canvases to post home or carry home.
What’s included?
- Inc 8 full days and 9 nights accommodation in 1860’s renovated stone French villas
- own room and shared bathrooms
- catering breakfasts, refreshments, lunches and dinners, most prepared by our French chef or sourced locally
- Aperitifs and wine with evening meal
- Travel to and from French Art School at La Foret du Temple by train and our private chauffeur – total 3 hours of travel
- Enjoy a day of touring in the Creuse and the Indre regions with Jacqueline and the private chauffeur with all entries covered
- Full set of brushes and tools you will need supplied as a gift worth $100
- All of your canvases and paints are supplied
- Bonus set of 10 French School painting lessons online to do after your tour (1 year subscription included)
- Canvases, paints and provision of easel and any other materials we may need
- Tuition, guidance and demos with Jacqueline Coates throughout
- Ballroom studio access and provision of easels
- Floral photography session
En plein air painting sessions - Photography session with you and your stunning paintings (please bring your smart phone or camera)
- Deepen your knowledge and painting confidence. Loosen up and become fluid and productive
- Get your Blooms France Impressionist Paint Brush Licence
- Learn Oils and learn Acrylics and how to make a painting from scratch
- We usually complete 6 paintings
- Local walks in and around our picturesque hamlet
- Packing materials supplied for your paintings to travel ( we won’t have time to post them during Blooms France but you can do that from Paris in your own time or simply carry them with you when you fly)
Plus your 3 AWESOME BONUSES VALUED AT $2,230
$8,967 per person
Wednesday May 21- Friday May 30, 2025
START AND FINISH IN PARIS, ALL TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRENCH ART SCHOOL INCLUDED
9 nights and 8 days, plus a relaxing transfer from Paris to La Foret du Temple on Day 1 and Chef Jose's welcome dinner adding a half day, (and the option of bonus time in Paris before we start the tour. ) Our chauffeur takes the group to meet the train to Paris morning of Friday May 30 to arrive approx 10.22am am in Paris at Gare d’Austerlitz train station to make your own next travel plans from Paris at the end of the tour. Exact train times to be confirmed a little closer to the time.
Deposit of $2,000 required at time of booking to reserve your place.
Balance due in payment schedule prior to 22nd MARCH 2023
FAQ'S
What spending money will I need?
We will visit a fab Brocante and you may want a memento to take home such as vintage French linen or a porcelain jug. Last time I bought a stunning pair of metal pheasants for about $80 that are now on the mantelpiece. Allow $30-$100 if that sounds like you! We also visit the food market and a stunning carton and tapestry museum at Aubusson. All your entries are paid.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop is held at La Foret du Temple in the Creuse region of the Limousin. It’s about 3 hours from Paris by the time you take the train for two hours, and a further 40 minute drive with our chauffeur who will collect us from the train station at Chateauroux to take us to the very pretty La Foret du Temple.
What’s the area like?
It’s a peaceful rural area of undulating hills and forested areas of oak, hazelnuts and chestnuts. There are lots of charming walks to take locally and you will have time to relax as well. The fields are bordered by hedge rows. There are the creamy Charolais cows and the honey tan coloured Limousin cattle. Locally there are wild deer, hedgehogs, falcons, owls, squirrels, and more and the local buildings are made from stone and oak, most with typical French shutters, barns and adjoining fields. There are lots of wildflowers and wild growing produce.
What is the accommodation like?
The two villas where the clients stay are L’Hirondelle and La Tonnellerie. Both are two storey stone homes, typically French with shutters, each with a cellar as well. THe properties have been renovated. Both properties are nearby each other so a short walk. Both are filled with art, have comfy beds and fireplaces. They were built around 1860 but have been updated a great deals since 2016 to 2023.
Each student will have their own bedroom and bathrooms are shared.
Typically, French Art School students create 6 good sized paintings and learn to paint productively, and independently with confidence
I have renovated the accommodations to suit the needs of my students who like character AND comfort!
The houses were built in the time of French impressionism. The well at L’hirondelle is inscribed with 1868.
Both houses are filled with art and inspiration.
Will I get time off?
Knowing my students they like to paint as much as possible. Knowing my students I know they also need rest time! So, I have built in some rest time, walks in the charming hamlet, lounge time and enjoy our meal times, plus a relaxing day tour. The work we do is very freed up and not intensely detailed so it’s productive and fun. We take the time to enjoy good meals. I encourage free time for walks or lazing with a good art book from my art library.
If you want to slow your pace and take time out, that’s fine because you still have your bonus 10 online art lessons to do when you get home.
Many students come along alone meeting other students and making great friends. There is lots of time for chatting and getting to know each other. I often have students from the USA, CANADA, SPAIN, GERMANY AND THE UK as well as AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND.
How can I keep in contact with home?
You can call landlines in Australia for free from the L’Hirondelle phone. Both villas have free wifi.
How do I get back to Paris?
The chauffeur will collect everyone at the same time in the minibus and take us to Chateauroux to meet our approx. 8.15am train to Paris arriving approx. 10.22am at Gare D’Austerlitz, Paris.
From there you’ll make your own arrangements according to your plans. The chauffeur will collect everyone at the same time in the minibus and take us to Chateauroux to meet our approx. 8.15am train to Paris arriving approx. 10.22am at Gare D’Austerlitz, Paris.
From there you’ll make your own arrangements according to your plans. Train times to be confirmed closer to the time.
I can recommend my fave Paris hotel that all my students have loved. There’s lots to do and see in Paris if you want more time in Paris.
To get to the airport Charles de Gaulle its about 45 minutes by taxi from the train station but it can take half an hour or more to get a taxi if there is a Q and you will have to allow extra time for traffic jams.
$8,967 per person
Wednesday May 21- Friday May 30, 2025
START AND FINISH IN PARIS, ALL TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRENCH ART SCHOOL INCLUDED
9 nights and 8 days, plus a relaxing transfer from Paris to La Foret du Temple on Day 1 and Chef Jose's welcome dinner adding a half day, (and the option of bonus time in Paris before we start the tour. ) Our chauffeur takes the group to meet the train to Paris morning of Friday May 30 to arrive 10.22am in Paris at Gare d’Austerlitz train station to make your own next travel plans from Paris at the end of the tour. Exact train times to be confirmed a little closer to the time.
Deposit of $2,000 required at time of booking to reserve your place.
Balance due in payment schedule prior to 22 MARCH, 2023
NO NEED TO MISS OUT ON ANY LEARNING
All participants enjoy access to the BONUS 10 lessons pack to do after the tour to continue with the inspiration.If you missed a day or a few days for any reason you will still have be able to enjoy thoroughly prepared and presented with videos and full colour stills French Art School painting lessons.
FULL TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDED TO COVER ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES IF YOU GET COVID
You will need to cover your own medical costs for any medicine from the pharmacy or doctor for helpful items such as cold and flu caps, throat gargle or throat spray and Panadol or whatever you regard as useful which you could bring with you as a precaution, PCR test or tests ( approx 40 euros each),train transfers different to the tour trains booked for you, and local transport outside of the tour offer to get supplies and manage any aspects that you may or may not need if we require a driver to assist, medicine and/or additional catering for days after the tour if you require it- likely to be minimal costs which can be receipted so you can claim on your insurance if appropriate.
In the event of emergency, we will call a pompier, who in France is a fire brigade unit however they operate as the ambulance service. You will need your travel insurance details available for paperwork.
DEPOSIT
Deposit is only refundable up to 48 hours after receipt of the tour terms and conditions.
Full payment is required 90 days prior to the tour start date. You can cancel up to 90 days before the start of the tour but the deposit will be forfeited.
No cancellation within 90 days of tour start date.
It's wonderful to get back into travel and we can do it if we plan to do it safely and have a plan in place that offers you support and value.
Any questions please email jacquelinecoates1@gmail.com
$8,967 per person
Wednesday May 21- Friday May 30, 2025
NEW DATES AVAILABLE!
Tuesday 30 April – Friday 10 May 2024
(optional night in Paris 29 April)
START AND FINISH IN PARIS, ALL TRANSFERS TO AND FROM FRENCH ART SCHOOL INCLUDED
9 nights and 8 days, plus a relaxing transfer from Paris to La Foret du Temple on Day 1 and Chef Jose's welcome dinner adding a half day, (and the option of bonus time in Paris before we start the tour. ) Our chauffeur takes the group to meet the train to Paris morning of Friday May 30 to arrive 10.22 am in Paris at Gare d’Austerlitz train station to make your own next travel plans from Paris at the end of the tour. Exact train times to be confirmed a little closer to the time.
Deposit of $2,000 required at time of booking to reserve your place.
Balance due in payment schedule prior to 22nd MARCH, 2023