French Art School in Morocco
$2,000.00
A Deposit of $2,000 Australian Dollars (AUD) is required to reserve your place. As a rough guide that’s Euros 1,107.69 or US $1,288.56 via XE Currency converter updated Aug 20,2025
Please see below for full costs & inclusions
Your Guide and tutor Jacqueline Coates
PAINT, TOUR, & DISCOVER!
APRIL 16-26, 2026
Enjoy 10 nights and 11 days in Morocco based in colourful and exotic Marrakech staying in a beautiful, spacious Riad in the heart of the medina or old town, which will be our base from which to explore, tour and paint.
- A deposit of $2000 (AUD) is required to reserve one of a maximum of 12 available places with the art component participation ( some rooms have the option of twin or triple share). There are a few places available for supplement packages where you can bring a friend, partner or family member not participating in the art component. More details below.
- My assistant will receipt and invoice you in increments for the balance which is to be paid in full 6 weeks before the commencement of the tour.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR THE DELIGHTFUL DETAILS!
Out of stock
FRENCH ART SCHOOL GOES TO COLOURFUL
MOROCCO!
APRIL 16-26, 2026
Why Morocco for artistic inspiration and subject matter?
Morocco has long been a magnet for artists, drawn by its rich colours, dazzling light, and mesmerising blend of tradition and modernity.
French painter Henri Matisse famously visited Tangier in 1912, captivated by the luminous landscapes, intricate patterns, and vivid textiles that infused his work with a new vibrancy.
Morocco has long been a magnet for artists, drawn by its rich colours, dazzling light, and mesmerising blend of tradition and modernity.
After several tours in Morocco visiting all over the country, Marrakech is my pick for culture and richness, a deeply rich destination with its ochre-hued architecture, tiled courtyards, keyhole doorways, palaces and labyrinthine souks.
Marrakech has particularly inspired creatives seeking an exotic escape and a fresh artistic vision.
There is so much for us to draw on for our art in this one place.
Jacques Majorelle, the French Impressionist painter and creator of the renowned Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, spent over forty years painting Morocco’s people, landscapes, and rich culture in radiant blues and fiery earth tones.
Delacroix, Klee, and many other artists also found inspiration here, seduced by Morocco’s hypnotic beauty.
Yves Saint Laurent renovated the house and garden of Jacques Majorelle and drew inspiration for his haute couture from Marrakech. The gardens are exotic subject matter for our painting.
Today, Marrakech remains a dream destination for artists, offering an intoxicating mix of colour, light, and atmosphere that invites you to capture its magic on canvas.
Being a specialist art tour designed for productive outcomes, ( the last group produced between 7-10 paintings each) at all times we have access to a settled creative space to create our art where you can be comfortable and supported. We are fully equipped for painting, with a generous supply of art materials provided so you can immerse with pleasure and get stuck straight in! Everything is on tap.
As one guest commented during the October 2025 Morocco tour when she saw the range of oils, acrylics, and other mediums, the canvases and table supports and brushes supplied for the tour..;
‘This is really quite an undertaking that you have taken on to give us this wonderful experience.’– Lee Anderson, Sydney, Australia
A Note About Dietary Needs
What sort of subject matter will we paint?
Marrakech offers an endless feast of subject matter for us as artists, brimming with colour, texture, and atmosphere.
From the fragrant roses and lush floral displays in riad courtyards and market vendors to the vibrant spice markets overflowing with saffron, cumin, and jewel-like dates, every corner is a painter’s delight.
Still life compositions come alive with exquisite ceramics, handwoven textiles, and traditional homewares adorned with intricate patterns. We will be creating our own magnificent still lives with items collected from the souks.
The city’s medinas, bustling with donkey carts, market traders, and artisans at work, provide a dynamic, character-filled scene to capture.
Ornate zellige mosaics, richly decorated interiors of our accommodations, and the play of light and shadow in
Students painting on the Riad terrace on the 2025 tour. This year we have an undercover Riad terrace studio and the option to work inside the Riad courtyard as well, while our private Italian cook prepares beautiful meals for us!
Still life painting lesson inspired by the bold colours of French artist Matisse who painted in Morocco.
Be inspired by the exotic citrus gardens of La Mamounia Hotel, the enchanting Jardin Majorelle with its bold cobalt blues, and the tranquil Secret Garden’s lush, oasis-like settings bursting with vibrant flora and striking Moorish architecture.
Teaching example inspired by the exotic orange and palm grove garden at La Mamounia. Also shown, are oranges and palms in the fragrant Secret Garden.
Paintings range from small to mid-size so they can pack on your suitcase easily at the end of the tour.
Beyond the city, the vast landscapes of the Koutoubia Gardens and the majestic Atlas Mountains offer breathtaking vistas, with their shifting hues at sunrise and sunset.
Whether drawn to the intricate details of Moroccan craftsmanship or the sweeping grandeur of its landscapes, artists will find an abundance of beauty to paint in every direction.
Enjoy the exotic interiors at our own riad and palace where we are staying, to draw inspiration from.
The keyhole-style doors commonly found in Morocco are known as “horseshoe arches” or “Moorish arches.”
This distinctive shape, with its elegant curves and pointed top, is a hallmark of Moroccan and Islamic architecture.
Often seen in riads, mosques, and palaces, these arches add to the enchanting, intricate beauty of Moroccan design. The interiors make for beautiful painting subject matter.
What will we be learning and painting?
- Receive a full colour digital manual specially made for participants on the tour that shares cultural and art history of Marrakech so you have an appreciation of the place even before you get there and can immerse even more deeply into the experience of the tour.
- Art video by Jacqueline providing a pictorial overview about how other artists have tackled the subject of painting Morocco in the past, full of colourful and inspiring examples as well as paintings created by French Art School in Morocco.
- Discover that paintings do not take long to paint. We will be aiming for 8 x half day guided painting lessons where we start and finish a painting each session. A painting demonstration will inspire you, a colour recipe sets you up for success, and stunning references are supplied. After a few paintings are in the bag, you can either follow the lessons, or if more experienced, paint from your own found subject matter as well from what is provided on the tour!
- You can choose to make the half day into a full day painting experience if you prefer to continue your painting rather than go out for a tour or some planned sightseeing , or come back and work on your art prior to aperitifs or after dinner. We will have a space set up to paint and be able to leave it there to come back at our accommodation.
- Enjoy photography and sketching opportunities in fabulous locations such as La Moumania gardens, Jacques Majorelle Gardens, Bahia palace, the souks, the rooftop cafes overlooking the spice markets, and the High Atlas mountains.
- Even if you have never painted before you will be able to create beautiful artworks due to the way Jacqueline creates the lessons to support NO FAIL outcomes with stunning photo reference and templates supplied.
- Cover a range of subject matter which includes free choice as well as provided material to encompass painting subject you will want to hang at home after the tour such as Marrakech interiors, still lifes with flowers, fruit and typical Moroccan textiles and ceramics adding pattern and colour, views of the Atlas mountains visit, the Moorish gardens we will visit, and anything else you capture yourself as reference to paint up.
- Learn that having pre- prepared Templates and photo references supplied from JAC means we can jump in straight away and get results whilst also finding our footing with our new visual environment
- Create your own colourful art diary with impressions and sketches
- How to build rich colour layers and allow texture and a contemporary feel to the work
- Learn the Moroccan colour palettes including for Moroccan gardens, Moroccan interiors, exteriors and the souks
- By inspired by Matisse’s colour palettes translated for you by JAC for painting Morocco
- Styling several of your own still life arrangements to paint from, utilising items we find in the souks
- How to use acrylics quickly and easily to produce a painting ready to hang in a half day
- How to use oils to luscious effect to produce a painting in a half day
- How to use Monoprinting on holidays to capture quick and wonderful impressions that are lightweight to travel with easy to frame when you get home
- Creating paintings when you are travelling
- Photography of inspiration to do when you are at home – continue the painting inspiration!
Enjoy the very rich culture of Morocco everywhere we go! I met these charming Berber musicians at the Jemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech where you will also hear African musicians and see snake charmers!
What will we need to bring?
What you can carry in and out of Marrakech very much depends on which airline you fly into Marrakech with because a short Europe to Marrakech flight may only allow 20-23 kilos of checked in luggage if it’s a budget flight say to Madrid or Barcelona.
Whereas arriving and leaving on an international flight allows for more checked in baggage usually 25-30 kilos. Please note that the shopping opportunities are amazing and you will want as much checked in baggage as you are allowed to have! This is something to be aware of at the time of booking your flights because the rugs and other items are stunning and great value.
The luggage limit also limits what I can bring in as the teacher!
So for this reason, an art pack may be sent to each Australian student prior to the trip so some students will be carrying a little bit of what they will be using for the art sessions where its practical to do so. I have also left paints and canvases and other supplies in storage in Marrakech so we are well covered. I will bring anything else we need in my own luggage allowance.
Some items will be optional and up to the students if they want to bring additional tools, however I am supplying what you need for all the lessons I provide and full details will be given at the time of booking with packs going out as need be 4-6 weeks before the tour.
If you want to work with an easel I recommend a BYO an aluminium easel for $30 from Montmarte or similar however it’s not really necessary. I supply table top easels which work very well so you can paint sitting down without craning your neck.
Kathi from Australia
Marianne from USA
Sherri from USA
Where are we staying?
We have an authentic Moroccan Riad with some staff, reserved for 10 nights, centrally located in Marrakech for our group.
The Riad is situated a very short walk from the Medina and next to the Berber market near Mellah, the old Jewish quarter. It’s possible to take a taxi from a few minutes walk away if need be, and to access restaurants, markets and shopping close by.
I have stayed in Marrakech several times and this is a great way to have the group together, enjoy a settled space to paint on the large and covered terrace or on the entry level in the protected leafy traditional design Moroccan courtyard. The private terrace is also a great place for aperitifs at the end of the day. You will be making this your home away from home for the entire time so no need to have to pack up and move till the end of the tour.
The bedrooms have air conditioning and cooling or heating if needed.
There is WIFI throughout, TV, and a washing machine.
We have our own Italian chef who will be with us preparing many of our meals, all included.
The garden has bougainvillea, hibiscus, oleander, pepper tree, jasmine, cacti, palm trees and citrus.
We dine in the indoor courtyard, and there are several areas with couches to relax in.
The Riad has several stories with safe steps and bedrooms that open to tiled interior terraces facing onto the internal courtyard.
BOOKINGS UPDATE
As at Feb 11, 2026 we have these two options for your room selection;
RIAD SUITE 2
- 1 queen and two single beds with a private bathroom which can be booked as a single room , a double or for three friends. Please see the details below
RIAD SUITE 1
- Share a very large and beautiful room with traditional features which has 3 queen beds and own bathroom, Two places available. Please see the details below
How many will be in our tour group?
We have the capacity for up to 12 art student guests on tour and the ability to include some supplement bookings for a friend, family member or partner who might like to come along as a supplementary booking at $5497 including everything but the art school component of lessons and supplies and bonus art lesson tuition after the tour.
Some rooms are a spacious twin share so there is a limited supply option to invite a friend as a supplement or a partner. Friends or partner won’t be taking the art component. They can enjoy everything else including touring and dining out and dining in, and the riad.
There are some options to twin share with another participant in the art tour. It will depend on who is booking as to the final number, but I forecast the art students will be somewhere between 9-12 students, and we may have a few supplementary guests as well.
See the notes re supplements.
OPTION TO BRING A FRIEND OR PARTNER WITH A SUPPLEMENT PAYMENT
There is the opportunity to bring a friend or partner with a supplement which can exclude the art component unless they are booked into do that prior to the tour.
This could be for a partner or a friend who accompanies you on the tour and enjoys the fun plus has a little free time to take part in many of the activities available in Marrakech or who is simply happy to enjoy relaxing at the accommodations while we paint then joining us for our sight-seeing activities and meals included in their tour supplement.
On the last tour, we had a daughter doing the art tour and her m other came along on as a supplement, and we also had a mother taking the art tour and her daughter taking the supplement with her. It was fun and worked out well for everyone. We usually paint for a half day, sometimes more and when we take a day tour, less!
It could suit a friend who might like to come and enjoy the sight-seeing and being with the group and being with you but they may not want to paint.
Or they can book a twin share price with you to share a room and include the art component and you can both enjoy a discount across the two bookings when booking in together as twin share a room. This is available on a first come first serve basis with a limited supply.
All guests have the following included; accommodation, entries to our visits, the day tour to the Atlas mountains, many meals prepared by our private Italian cook, the lunch and dinners we enjoy in Marrakech restaurants as supplied & included in the itinerary, taxis and transfers included in the itinerary, private Facebook for the group access, welcome and farewell dinners, luxury afternoon tea in the gardens of La Mamounia Hotel, aperitifs and wine we supply at the riad, a Moroccan cooking lesson and dinner, cultural highlight visits, and more. Plus there is so much to do in Marrakech. There are golf courses, hammams and massages. Or simply enjoy relaxing time at our riad. Do as much or as little as you like.
Perhaps read a book on the terrace. The painters in the group will be doing 8 x half day sessions ie Morning 9-12-30 or afternoon 1-5pm plus when they wish to return to their paintings which will be set up for access and some free time.
What’s included?
- 10 nights authentic Moroccan luxury accommodation in Marrakech
10 Moroccan style or western style breakfasts
- 6 in -house dinners of two courses at our accommodations prepared by Italian cook Jojo
- Welcome dinner
- Total of 8 lunches including in house prepared by our cook, and in some local Marrakech restaurants including a gorgeous tiled courtyard café with lemon trees, and in a private home in a village in the Atlas mountains. (Two lunches at local cafes own expense)
- Total 7 dinners & 1 supper including welcome and farewell dinners, cooking lesson that becomes long table dinner in the medina and in house meals prepared by our in house private Italian cook
- Delicious French Patissiere Pierre Hermes afternoon tea in the soothing gardens of the Hotel La Moumania including sketching and art opportunities plus taxi transfers to and from
- Monoprint sessions included oil on paper
- Art supplies; paint & mediums, brushes, table easel supports provided for your usage during tour, sketch book,
- Some alcohol in house
- Bonus online French Art School goes to Morocco art lessons supplied after the tour
- Photographic still life set ups with fruit and flowers and Moroccan objects
- French Art School goes to Morocco cultural notes in full colour before you leave home sent digitally
- Transport during the tour time
- Painting apron ( lightweight for packing)
- Art lessons 9 x half day guided each day except when we are on full tour day and reference for paintings supplied as well as art materials. Additional time available to paint or take free time to explore the souks of Marrakech
- Souks and medina shopping visits- rugs, leather, textiles, ceramics and vintage items! Shop together to get the best bargains and negotiating power!
- Farewell dinner at stunning courtyard with orange trees Marrakech restaurant with local musicians and Belly dancing
- Entries covered to Jacques Majorelle House and Garden, the Berber Museum and the YSL Fashion Museum, The Secret Garden, BAHIA PALACE, and Dar El Bacha palace, the cooking lesson and dinner
- Delicious French Patissiere Pierre Hermes afternoon tea in the soothing gardens of the Hotel La Moumania plus taxi transfers to and from
- Styling and supply of local objects, textiles and florals and produce for our still life painting options
- Photography reference creating sessions for use
in paintings throughout including tips and
styling - All art materials supplied including canvases and canvas boards, paints and brushes (brushes yours to keep), and mediums. Explore acrylics and oils, monoprinting and watercolour (see notes further along re the art
component)
- Equipment for painting including water containers, paper towels, tables, chairs, and clean up materials
- Morning welcome tour of the Marrakech Medina
- Day tour to the High Atlas Mountains, Three Valleys, Berber Villages, Atlas mountains waterfalls, Imlil Valley, 1hour 30 min walk to visit the villages and see beautiful views, followed by a visit to a private village for lunch at a family house cooked by the guide’s mum & family including couscous Tagine, bread, fruits and Mint tea
- Marrakech Desert Sunset BBQ under the stars with music and camel ride accompanied by local guide & inc transfers
- Exclusive use of one Riad property with the capacity to house 20 people including living quarters, all common areas, workshop spaces and terrace, dining & many lounge areas
- Access to a private Facebook group for
French Art School Morocco 2026. Meet
the other retreat participants several
months before the tour - Bonus Full Colour Marrakech Art Tour Manual sent digitally for you to download and enjoy to enrich your tour with background info and inspiration in preparation for our tour including about the artists who have painted in Morocco
- Taxis & shuttles for our arranged scheduled
sightseeing where needed
- Snacks, fruit, water, tea and coffee supplied at your accommodation
- Includes free time to rest, enjoy our accommodation or to explore as we like or even do more art, or read a book!
- PLUS BONUS TRAINING TO ENJOY ONLINE AFTERWARD
Enjoy the lessons captured and accessible after the tour, plus a few extra lessons created prior to the tour and then after the tour add to your series with additional reference to paint up and any colour notes we cover, bonus references to paint from etc. so you can continue your work at home after the tour and share in the private group page! - Private group Facebook page to communicate before, during and after the tour- stay in touch with everyone!
How much is the Morocco tour?
Including all of the above, the cost of the land package tour for a single booking with art tuition and own room with ensuite bathroom, all breakfasts, many meal inclusions and touring entry tickets (see the full list of inclusions)
$11,497 Australian Dollars*
Start and finish your land package in Marrakech
* As a rough guide that’s Euros 6,125 or US $7138
via XE Currency converter updated Aug 19,2025
SINGLE BOOKINGS: ENJOY YOUR OWN ROOM & private bathroom
SHARE OPTIONS
1. Twin share room booking when you book in together with a person known to you also participating in the art, is $10,497pp includes everything in the tour inclusions per person
SAVE $500 per person
2. Triple share large room booking (one only available) when you book 3 people in together known to each other, participating in the art other is $10,297 includes everything in the tour inclusions per person
SAVE $700 per person
3. BRING YOUR PARTNER AS A SUPPLEMENT who doesn’t take the art course but would love everything else in the offer and to share your room and bathroom but they enjoy everything else included in the tour add $5250 supplement to your order. Couple suite is larger and more spacious than twin share – only 2 available (more details to follow)
4. BRING A FRIEND AS A SUPPLEMENT: if you have a friend that wants to come on the tour without doing the art component and you are happy to have a twin share room with 2 single beds, your friend can pay $4,500
5. After paying your deposit, we will be in touch to discuss your room options and other requirements
How does it work for supplement bookings?
There are a range of rooms included in the accommodations. Some rooms are well suited to bringing a friend or partner, and the private residences we are booking are suited to larger groups as lots of living spaces. For others coming on the tour it will suit perfectly for one person to have a room all to themselves. When booking online you can also email me to ask for your preferred availability and if it is still available. I will update the plan and bookings availability as we go.
The rooms suited to supplements are;
there are two kinds of supplements I can apply and the supplementary person’s booking must be reserved within one day to make sure that we reserve the correct room for you. We do have two suites that are suitable for taking a partner and these are slightly more spacious and are listed below:
Any questions please email me jacquelinecoates1@gmail.com
Why travel with Jacqueline Coates on an art tour?
Jacqueline is an experienced arts and gardens tour guide leading groups since 2007 across the UK and Europe and into Morocco. She has a 5 star satisfaction google rating from her clients.
In 2016 Jacqueline established French Art School, providing a painting studio and accommodation for her students in the heart of France.
In 2023 she created an Italian art studio and base for her Italy France tours.
Jacqueline assists her clients on tour to create fabulous art, which are the best kind of memories to take home and enjoy.
She is a best-selling artist, art teacher, art program creator and is known for her thorough and helpful NO FAIL painting training helping students whether total newbies or more experienced artists to paint and create beautiful results. Check out her 5 star google reviews from her appreciative clients!
Morocco has always been a favourite destination and she has previously taken three groups to Morocco.
On this fourth tour to Morocco she has focussed on Marrakech, with distinctive and characterful comfortable accommodation for the group and side trips from our base, which has options of spaces to paint and respond to the rich environment creatively.
Marrakech is a rich source of culture, history, modern amenities, markets and souks, museums, spice markets and stunning exotic gardens, all great inspiration for creating paintings on tour! Step back in time, comfortably!
What’s not included?
- Flights to and from Morocco. This is a land package that starts and finishes in Marrakech.
- Transfers to and from the Riad at arrival and departure days though we can help arrange and full instructions will be given.
- Any additional days travellers wish to stay in Morocco not a part of the tour outline supplied
- Meals where not specifically included in the itinerary and all beverage purchases at meals, including alcohol
- Refunds if you pull out 90 days prior to the tour or during the tour. See terms and conditions.
- Bottled water, alcohol and snacks outside of our accommodations unless stated in the itinerary
- Two lunches and two dinners.
- Entrance fees to attractions, museums and historical sites apart from where specifically included.
- Activities and events during free time and associated expenses– including opportunities to explore the medinas, visit additional sites, relax at the hammams (Moroccan spa), enjoy a massage and shop for local handcrafts.
- Traveller’s Insurances. Check with your health insurance company regarding if they cover illness overseas and how to file a claim if you are sick overseas. Not all insurance companies cover overseas illness. We require all travellers to be fully covered for medical coverage and trip cancellation.
- Tips for hotels, drivers, restaurants etc. It is expected that each participant will tip the private cook at the end of the tour 25 euros per person.
- An optional recommended additional night in a Marrakech hotel April 15, 2026. I will recommend one to meet up at) so you can arrive the day before and have a rest night before we meet and go to the two accommodations
- Art supplies or photo prints other than supplied by Jacqueline as outlined and planned for the tour lessons though you are welcome to visit an art store and add to your materials if you need or want to or develop your photographs if you want to at your own expense
- Any costs before or after the official tour times incurred by participants
GOOD TO KNOW
No previous art experience necessary
All participants will need to agree to the supply terms for Blooms Art School which will be sent after the deposit is paid.
Please check your passport has sufficient time left on it for travelling at the time of departure. Its usually at least 6 months. If it’s close to that, then please check the entry requirements specifically for your country of origin.
A client form will be supplied at the time of booking we require to be filled out. We will ask if there any other health issues we need to know about or anything else such as dietary so we can make your tour as comfortable as possible and be aware of any potential risk factors.
See you on tour!
Love and paint brushes,
And a little bit of belly dancing!
Jacqueline Coates