- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Price
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- FAQ
The glorious Herault Region of Languedoc in South West France with its rich history and land of the Cathar heresy.
A UNIQUE PAINTING TOUR EXPERIENCE
Stay in a private manor away from any tourists, among vineyards, medieval villages and the Unesco World Heritage Canal du Midi.
Gracious renovated bedrooms built in 1805
Our own garden and pool to relax by
Daily excursions
Most meals included in the tour price.
June 12- 19 in 2025, join our fully escorted tour with renowned artist Alex Hillkurtz - an American artist born in the UK who lives in Paris!
There is just SO MUCH to enjoy, see and experience in this beautiful region!
-Sketchers and painters of any standard/experience level welcome
- Non-painters welcome if they are travelling and sharing a room with a sketcher as there is just so much to see and explore in this trip.
-Immerse yourself in the gorgeous towns of historic Languedoc France around the Unesco World heritage Canal du Midi.
Your experienced tour manager and guide Kate Stedman is an historian, art lover and avid sketcher and she will take you to her favourite spots and regale you with fun facts and historic gems each day as well.
WHERE IS IT ?
Our medieval town is called Quarante near Capestang by the historic Canal du Midi. It is a 25 minute drive to the historic town of Beziers which we will visit and sketch on the tour.
Please see the FAQ tab above for more information on how to arrive and depart.
ABOUT ALEX HILLKURTZ
Currently living in Paris, Alex has turned his focus to a career as a watercolor artist, and uses the language of cinema to inform his images.
His works have been exhibited in solo and group shows in Europe and the United States, and he conducts regular workshops and masterclasses on watercolor painting and sketching.
Alex is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society (USA), an associate member of the California Watercolor Association, as well as a member of French Plein Air Painters, and USK Paris.
Alex will introduce you to his method and show you how to expand your understanding of watercolour during this week.
We have some truly very special activities planned for you these 7 days that only a local can know and take you to.
Our tours are always designed for fun and amiability and we want everyone to learn as much as they can whilst enjoying themselves and making new friends. We carefully curate all our itineraries to provide variety, scenic beauty, interest, enriching visits and experiences for everyone.
Your tour is fully escorted.
ALEX will teach you Tips, Tricks and Techniques to enhance your sketches.
He will teach
-pen and ink sketching
-watercolour wash sketches
-constructing & composing a scene to sketch
-use watercolour better
-mix some other media in for special effects
-enhance your travel sketches with mixed media
-create a forever travel journal of each day's experience on tour
Most mornings we will head out to sketch en plein air
-by a vineyard
-at a country market
-by a river looking at fortresses on mountain backdrops
- sketch boats and rural scenes on the Canal du Midi
- take morning tea amongst the vines at a local chateau
-sketch in quaint village squares
-we will shop at country markets for food ( get some great linen clothing!) and sketch with coffee
-have a superb long lunch in a vineyard by the canal du midi.... the list is endless.
Each day provides variety and pleasure and new discoveries. We have some gems of spots to take you to!
ACCOMMODATION
- Our own private mansion built in 1805 and lovingly restored.
- Own enclosed garden on half an acre
- Swimming pool for relaxing with a local rosé
- Meals will be al-fresco dinners on the terrace of fresh local produce or at our local village bistro.
- Each room is large and cool and has its own bathroom
-There are acres of space inside for workshops, to do your laundry, play the piano and even cook a meal if you want to.
[There are two TWIN SHARE options to have your own room and share a bathroom. Please inquire about these.]
This amazing place is all ours to stretch out and relax in and is equipped with indoor and outdoor workshop spaces in shade and sun with a terrace for balmy evenings.
Alex will hold workshops both at the mansion and out on excursions and there will be plenty of time to relax, shop, explore and do more sketching as you like.
Our tour begins with an afternoon check-in at our Mansion Villa on June 12 in 2025.
You are free to arrive any time in the afternoon before we all enjoy a welcome aperitif and dinner on the terrace to meet everyone. (More arrival information available after you have made your reservation)
The tour ends after breakfast on the morning of June 19 at our Mansion when you are free to make your own onward travel arrangements. We can assist with all your arrival and departure planning.
We price all our European tours in EUROS to accommodate exchange rate fluctuations but you will be paying for your tour in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS as we are an Australian tour company.
- The 7 day tour price is: 3,390 euros per person for two people sharing a double bed room with own ensuite bathroom
(check www.xe.com to get an estimate of what the tour will cost in your own currency on today's rates) - Solo traveller in own room with ensuite bathroom: 3,985 euros (check www.xe.com to get an estimate of what the tour will cost in your own currency on today's rates)
- TWIN SHARE : The twin share option for this tour is to have your OWN ROOM and share a bathroom between 2 rooms: 3,545 euros pp
- Non-sketcher - must be sharing room with a sketcher - : 3,150 euros (check www.xe.com to get an estimate of what the tour will cost in your own currency on today's rates)
PLEASE NOTE: THE BEDROOMS:
6 large, historic period bedrooms with views.
These will be offered first to guests.
There is a slight price adjustment for taking other smaller ensuite rooms as bookings fill. (infact, all rooms are spacious, but some are more spacious than others!)
If you would like to economise then please ask for the rate for your OWN ROOM but SHARED BATHROOM option. We have 2 of these available only
Get in early!
This TOUR PRICE includes
-
All historic accommodation whilst on tour with your own bathroom
-
Daily breakfasts
-
5 dinners
-
6 lunches (one will be very special!)
-
All entries
-
All transport on tour (after you have arrived at our accommodation near Beziers. Private vans and local buses)
-
Your Tour Manager
-
6 demos & workshops with ALEX HILLKURTZ
- Travel outside tour dates (June 12-19 in 2025) - we can assist you with all your arrival and departure arrangements - see the FAQ's tab
-
All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary
-
International flights
-
Travel insurance which is mandatory on all our tours
Our historic private mansion and separate private villa with ensuite bathrooms, pool and garden. 3 star charm category.
Rooms are large and most have ensuite bathrooms.
All rooms have fans and are very cool with 3 foot thick walls and wooden shutters to keep out the sun and heat.
The nearest airport to our accommodation is Beziers (a 25 minute drive away).
More regular flights go to Toulouse airport and then take train to Beziers and taxi to our accom.
There are several flights which use this airport from France, the UK and other cities.
You could also take the train Paris to Beziers which takes 4 hours.
Another option is to fly in to either PERPIGNAN, CARCASSONNE or MONTPELLIER airports and get a transfer to meet you and drive you to our village in Quarante.
Please contact us for any advice you might need on this.