Where:
Chateau L’Age Baston, St Projet St Constant, La Rochefoucauld, France.

Aside from the pastis and the pineau, what appeals to many L’Age Baston veterans is the opportunity to indulge in six full days of painting. Most of this takes place in the dedicated art studio or within the château’s 20-odd acres. When you need to clear your head, the solar-heated pool is just across the grass. Prepare to be astonished by your first sight of Napoleon the donkey. He’s a chocolate brown, rasta-haired rare breed with a character to match.

La Rochefoucauld is a short stroll down the hill and the chateau here is well worth a visit. Non-painters are known to walk further up the street and spend the rest of the day at the Café Des Sports.

In previous years, we’ve visited street markets in the Dordogne, water-mills, Cognac distilleries and the donkey fair at Villognon. Most of the time, however, students at L’Age Baston are happy to spend their days, sketching in the orchard under the shade of the walnut trees, or grappling with the tricky angles of the pigeonier.

18 to 25 June; 25 to 2 July; 2 July to 9 July; 9 to 16 July 2009.

Cost:
Early Booking Price - book before the end of December 2008
Painting 7 nights £TBC, 14 nights £TBC

Non-painting partner rate

Sharing room: 7 nights £TBC, 14 nights £TBC
Own room: 7 nights £TBC, 14 nights £TBC

What's included:
7 or more nights bed and full board at Chateau L’Age Baston, wine with meals, tuition (individual and group). Transfers to and from Angoulême Station (collection from Bordeaux, Poitiers, Limoges by arrangement).

What's not included:
Travel costs, holiday insurance (which is obligatory for all participants) and alcohol.

To reserve your place on this holiday:
Contact David on 01373 300362, visit www.lagebaston.com.or telephone Alexandra or John Waddington on +33 5 45 63 09 03.

They can tell you immediately if we have a place for you and mail you a reservation form.

How to get there:
By car: the journey from Le Havre or Caen takes 5/6 hours.

By rail: Eurostar/SNCF St. Pancras - Angouleme 7 hours via Lille Europe or Paris.
There is just a platform change at Lille, which is the easiest but slightly longer journey.
The journey via Paris requires you to change stations.

By air: to Poitiers, Limoges or Bordeaux. Free pick up may be available. Contact Alexandra or John.