Programme

The previous evening : Arrival & reception

Arrival and reception at Carcassonne airport or railway station. Transfer to our hotel** the Hostellerie in Alet-Les-Bains. Dinner at the hotel.

Day 1 : Walking accross the "Capitelles"

After breakfast, a short walk in the village to become acquainted with the surroundings.
Lunch : possibility to have a picnic.
A small walk along the path of the “Capitelles” (ancient little stone huts built in the country side) with our expert. She will proceed to explain the landscape for you at different levels : geological, historical, nature. This will be useful the next day in the choosing of landscapes to paint.
Evening : Dinner at the hotel.

Day -2 : Painting in the "Capitelles" - Watercolours workshop 1

After breakfast, our art teacher will take us along the same path again, where you chose the landscapes to paint the day before. Depending on how we feel, we shall go to the market in Esperaza, one of the most colourful of the area.
Evening : Dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 : Limoux and the wine cellar

Discovering the Blanquette de Limoux. In the morning, visit to the Saint Hilaire Abbey, where the monks first made the famous Blanquette in 1531.
Aperitif in the Sieur d’Arques’ Wine cellar, in Limoux, then Lunch at Yvane’s with her delicious vegetarian organic cuisine.
Afternoon : guided tour of Limoux (and, if time, visit to the Piano Museum, the only one of its kind in France).
Evening meal at the hotel.

Day 4. : Limoux - Watercolours workshop 2

After breakfast, our art teacher will take you back to Limoux for some painting.
Evening : Dinner at the hotel.

Day 5 : Around Carcassonne

Morning : Off to Carcassonne and to its famous medieval City. Walk through the city and lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon : walk and brouse through the town of Carcassonne with a visit to the Catha-Rama and to the Etablissements Cabarel where they still make a good quality local Absinthe in a décor more than a century old.
Evening meal at the hotel.

Day 6 : Carcassonne - Watercolours workshop 3

After breakfast, our art teacher will take you back to Carcassonne for more painting.
Evening meal at our hotel.

Day 7. : Corbières - Gruissan

Exploring the Corbières with its beautiful natural scenery. Visit to the village of Villerouge-Termenès and then lunch in the medieval restaurant of its castle.
Afternoon : we’ll continue on the way to Gruissan, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France with numerous views for you to paint. The choice is yours.
Dinner at our hotel.

Day 8 : Corbières - Gruissan - Watercolours workshop 4

After breakfast, our art teacher will take you back for another painting session.
Dinner in our country hotel.

Day 9 : The Montagne Noire and the Cabardès areas

In Aragon, with Adrian, the director of the Cabardès Trade-association we ‘ll taste this unknown but good vintage (500 hectars, 85% red wine, 15% rosé). Visit to a wine property.
After lunch, we’ll go to Montolieu, village famous for its books. A must for all readers, book lovers and writers. If time allows we shall visit the Book museum dedicated to the book trade.
Dinner at the hotel.

Day 10 : Aragon - Watercolours workshop 5

After breakfast, our art teacher will take us back to the Cabardès area, for more painting
Evening : Back to airport or place of departure.

In case of bad weather (or closing dates of museums, etc), the guide can change the programme around accordingly