Artists’ in France
September 14 - 28, 2012
OK, so you've seen France as a tourist, but have you seen it as an artist? Certainly not ever as Lautrec, Pisarro or Gaugin would have seen it.
You've climbed the Eiffel Tour, but have you set up your easel along the Canal St. Martin?
You've gone to the Louvre, but have you sketched in Monet's garden at Giverny?
You've strolled down the Champs Elysée, but have you painted in the Jardin de Luxembourg or the Bois de Boulogne?
You have fought the crowds in the Côte D'Azur, but have you walked the ancient customs path or the beaches of the Côte D'Armor in Brittany?
Avid Traveller's popular “Artists’ series” is back by popular demand. This time around, guides Kevin & Daphne Bice will help you immerse yourself in two very different but special locations in beautiful France. Our first location will be the “Ville-Lumière” itself, Paris, which for centuries has inspired creative spirits from all over the world.
Included in the tour is a 5 day Metro Pass to allow for easy movements within the city. Furthermore, a 4 day Museum Pass will allow you to visit all the important works of art, as many times as you wish and without any queues. From here there will be an excursion to Giverny for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sketch in Monet's famed gardens. Next we travel to the Brittany region to the fascinating walled town of Dinan, which has been described as having “a medieval heart which beats to the lively rhythm of modern life”.
Inclusions:
- 8 nights Paris:
3 star centrally located Hotel Andre Latin or similar - 5 nights Dinan:
3 star centrally located Hotel le D'Avaugour or similar - Breakfast daily
- 1 lunch
- 5 dinners
- Wine with arrival and farewell dinners
- Train transfer from Paris to Dinan and Dinan to Paris
- Private motorcoach transportation on
excursions from Paris & Dinan - 5 day Paris Metro Pass
- 4 day Paris Museum Pass
- Entrance Fees as per itinerary (Monet's Garden, Cidery, etc)
- Services of Novack’s Avid Traveller tour leaders:
Kevin and Daphne Bice - Artist instructions, mentoring, critiquing throughout with Artist Kevin Bice
- Sightseeing, activities and excursions as per itinerary
- Hotel service charges and taxes
Because travellers who choose to come in this trip are looking for something other than a typical sightseeing tour and because artists have different requirements than the average tourist, we will approach the itinerary in a unique way.
For most days, there will be very little formal structure.
The focus point of the day – and perhaps the only point in the day when the whole group will come together - will be for drinks and a daily critique from 6 to 7 in the evening.
At this point, Kevin & Daphne will introduce you to possible ventures for the next day which, apart from sketching, may include shopping, visiting art galleries or artist's studios or perhaps just stretching your legs with a good walk.
Your guides are Kevin and Daphne Bice. Kevin is an experienced artist and traveller and has worked in various locations throughout Europe for over 30 years. Daphne is a multi-linguist who also has extensive travel experience. If members of the group wish, Kevin will be available to act as your informal guide to a number of the major art collections in Paris such as the Louvre, the Musée D’Orsay, the Marmottan, Monet’s “Waterlilies” at the Orangerie, the Rodin Museum, etc. He can also take you to sketching locations like the Canal St. Martin, the Jardin de Luxembourg or the Bois de Boulogne. In Paris and Dinan, he can offer advice and suggestions about aspects of sketching outdoors from sketching the difficult perspective of medieval houses to handling colour. For those unfamiliar with the language or who merely wish assistance in navigating this lively but sometimes confusing city, Daphne can help you to explore in French.
