Painting Holidays

Together with English professional artist Nicola Blakemore, we are pleased to offer residential painting holidays at Bigno Garrigo.

Nicola arrived in Quarante from the UK at the end of May 2008, fulfilling a long held dream to live and work as an artist in France.  She originally trained as a graphic artist, and then followed a different career path working in the media and travel. After time spent in both London and Paris, she returned to her creative roots and became involved with interior design, specialist paint effects and creating murals for clients in both the UK and overseas. She has taught art at college level, at a school for children with special needs and worked with private groups.

Now installed in the Languedoc she continues to create murals, specialist paint effects, teach art and paint. She is accomplished in a variety of media and styles including portraiture, has exhibited her work in both England and France.

Watercolours have long been the medium chosen by the traveller and holiday maker, as a flexible and quick drying paint that is also easy to transport.  It is with watercolour paints that Nicola will help you create your own souvenirs of your time spent in the stunning Languedoc region of the Hérault.  With an amazing choice of landscapes ranging from the relaxing Canal du Midi to the rough and rugged garrigue, there will be plenty for the enthusiastic painter of all levels to get to grips with.

 Bigno Garrigo is a former wine “chai” (wine store) and stands in grounds of nearly 3 acres, with colourful garden areas, an olive grove and a large area of “garrigue” with wild herbs and a variety of flora and fauna.  Make the most of our picturesque setting - unwind over a glass of wine (or two) after your day's hard work and enjoy the superb views over the vineyards across the beautiful green valley.  If you are feeling energetic, you can enjoy the 50 sq m heated pool (enclosed and alarmed for child safety), or work off surplus energy playing table tennis, badminton and other games on the large recreational area, or in a more leisurely way playing boules.  Click here for details on how to find us.

The Studio is a light and airy galleried room with huge picture windows offering lovely views of the valley.  You will have unlimited access to the studio facility for your stay and if you wish to work into the evening or early mornings then you are most welcome.

Materials and Equipment: You will need to bring your own materials and equipment that which you would normally use on a painting session. We will provide lightweight chairs for outdoor excursions, jam jars for water, kitchen roll and drawing boards.

Absolute Beginners: You will need to bring a watercolour paint box along with two or three paintbrushes suitable for watercolour painting (your supplier will advise you) along with a mixing palette, at least a 2b pencil, sharpener and eraser. You will also need an inexpensive sketch pad at least A4 in size and a watercolour block. If possible this block should be glued and no less than 300gms in weight, rough or smooth and no less than A4 in size.  If you can manage the larger A3 for both of these items that would be great.

Your hosts - Sarah, Steve, Charlotte, Emily and Alex look forward to welcoming you to Bigno Garrigo and to this lovely part of France.  In 2005, we gave up the stresses and strains of the City and swapped it for life here in the Languedoc.  It is very different to what we were used to and we have enjoyed every minute of it.  Charlotte attends the local school in Quarante and has picked up French without any problems.  Emily, born here in June 2006, and so a true Languedocienne, is doing the same.  Alexander's arrival in June 2008 has completed our family.

We are around most of the time and are always available to help you with any queries or problems that may arise.  Our aim is for you to have a great holiday and we will do our best to make your stay with us memorable. 

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Price £650/715€ per person per week (£495/545€ non-painting partners)

Special Offer - Easter weekend - £400/440€ per person (£300/330€ non-painting partners). Arrive Friday, paint Saturday-Sunday.  Depart Monday.

The price includes:

Full Board Accommodation (7 days / 6 nights): Bed, Breakfast,
Lunch and Evening Meals - see below for sample menus.
Use of our studio. 
Unlimited Refreshments, Internet Access (free WiFi connection) and Parking.
See below for transport option extras 

Non-painting partners are also welcome - there is plenty for them to see and do in the local area. 

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Course Itinerary*

Day 1:
Arrive.  A chance for you to look around and settle in.  Depending on the time of your arrival we will supply Lunch or Afternoon Tea and Nicola will be joining us for our Evening Meal.  See below for sample menus

Days 2 and 3:
Painting from 9.30am - 1pm and 2.30pm - 5.pm:  
6 -7pm: Aperitifs on the Terrace (weather permitting)
7.30pm - 9.30pm: Dinner

Day 4:
Free day with the possibility of an excursion.

Days 5 and 6:
Painting from 9.30am - 1pm and 2.30pm - 5.pm.  
6 -7pm: Aperitifs on the Terrace (weather permitting)
7.30pm - 9.30pm: Dinner

Day 7

Depending on the time of your departure we will supply Breakfast and Lunch.

*The above painting schedule is subject to change depending on the location selected in which to work, weather conditions and number of painting guests.
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Sample Menus

Steve is an accomplished cook and is looking forward to cooking for you.  Meals are prepared using fresh, local ingredients every day. Do let us know if you have any allergies and we will prepare a menu accordingly.  

Breakfast: Served between 8.00am - 9.00am
A Selection of Cereals, Croissants, Bread, Cheeses, Jams, Fruit Juice, Tea (Herbal/Fruit or Breakfast) or Cafetière of Coffee.

Lunch might include one of the following: Served between 1pm - 2.30pm
(Served with a Glass of Wine and a Bottle of Water)

Grilled Goats' Cheese Salad
Jacket Potato with Tuna Mayonnaise Salad
French Onion Soup served with fresh bread
Home Made Quiche and Salad

Weather permitting, meals will be served outside on our patio.

Evening Meal: Served between 7pm - 9.30pm

Weather permitting, we aim to have a BBQ one evening during your stay. 
Evening meals include 1 bottle of wine per two persons.
 

In addition to our wines, we offer Digestifs or Cocktails (charged as extras)
Aperitif: Pastis, Cassis, Martini or Scotch with Nibbles, Olives, Peanuts, Potato Crisps.

Starters:
Melon Salad with Cucumber, Tomato and Feta cheese  - A refreshing salad served with a mint dressing.

Melon with Ham – A favourite local dish - served with a Parma-style ham.
BBQ Garlic Prawns - Served with a green salad

Smoked Salmon Canapés - Pain Grillé with layers of Marinated Smoked Salmon and Egg
Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic – Tomatoes Scattered with Whole Garlic Cloves, brushed with Olive Oil and roasted until Sizzling. Served with French Bread.
Spinach Stuffed Mushroom Topped with Cheese – Mushrooms in a Garlic, Lemon Juice, Thyme and Olive Oil marinade, baked and topped with seasoned Spinach Cheese.

Main Courses:
Boulangère Potatoes - Layers of thinly sliced Potatoes flavoured in a vegetable stock and baked until crisp. Served with Seasonal Vegetables.
Home Made Lasagne – Served with salad and garlic bread

Roast Chicken - the chicken is marinated either with herbs or lemon and is served with roast potatoes, vegetables and/or a salad.

Boeuf Bourgignon - served with rice or potatoes and a salad.

Desserts:
Tarte Tatin - Caramelised apple tart served with cream/fromage frais

Tarte au Citron - Delicious tart with a creamy lemon filling.

Clafoutis au Cerises -  An exquisite French classic.  Cherry clafoutis is a cross between a flan and a tart and is served with cream.

A selection of fresh fruit and cheeses.

Coffee or Tea

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Accommodation

Le Caprier: ground floor level with a double bedroom, living room/kitchen, shower room and separate wc. 

La Lavande: top floor level with a double/twin bedroom, living room, open plan kitchen, shower room and separate wc.  Huge terrace with superb views.

La Sarriette: next door to La Lavande and almost its mirror image (including the huge terrace!).

La Passiflore: two large bedrooms, living room, open plan kitchen and a large patio area with a vine-shaded terrace.

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Optional Extras
Airport/railway station pick up and drop off

Béziers Railway station -  20 euros e/w

Béziers Airport - 30 euros e/w

Carcassonne Airport - 50 euros e/w

Montpellier or Perpignan Airport - 70 Euros (including motorway tolls) e/w

Toulouse Airport - 120 euros (including motorway tolls) e/w

Girona Airport -  120 euros (including motorway tolls) e/w

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How to Book

To book a place on one of our courses simply e-mail your choice of dates, along with your level (beginner, intermediate, experienced) to:

holidays@bignogarrigo.com
or
Tel:  +33 (0)4 6738 0612

        +44 (0)871 717 4289

Mob: +33 (0)6 2608 6584

Your booking is confirmed with a deposit of 30%, and the balance is due one month before your course.

If you would like to pay your deposit via Paypal we will send you an invoice via e-mail.
Payment can also be made by International Bank Transfer (details available on request).

On confirmation of your booking we will send you a receipt.
We will contact you a week before your course to confirm all arrangements.

Please note:
•Cancellation received more than 2 months prior to arrival will receive a refund of deposit minus 20% for administration.

•Cancellation less than 2 months prior to arrival will forfeit deposit in full.

• You are advised to purchase Independent Travel Insurance and to bring your European Healthcard with you.
 

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Our Address:

Steve and Sarah Over

Domaine Bigno Garrigo

Hameau de Barrès

34310 Quarante

France

Tel:  +33 (0)4 6738 0612

        +44 (0)871 717 4289

Mob: +33 (0)6 2608 6584

e-mail: holidays@bignogarrigo.com

How to get here

There are a number of airports within an hour of Bigno Garrigo.  Click here for details on who flies where, as well as how to get here by car or train.

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2010 Dates and availability:

If you cannot make any of the above dates, contact us about alternatives - we can be flexible.