Painting Holidays Continued...
"Restarting painting at La Maison du Chateau has been wonderful. It has changed my life - thank you." Sept 09 (tutor: Susanna Lyell)
Since they bought the house over 20 years ago, the owners themselves, Susanna and Nicholas Lyell, have organised and hosted a large number of these holidays. Susanna tutors some of the weeks herself and is continuing to do so, since Nick's sad death in 2010.
The stimulating daily lecture/demonstration, optional, is followed by individual teaching/critiques/discussion. Those who wish, can paint before breakfast, to catc
h the early morning sun or rising mists. The Park, the church, the river, and the reflections in the tree-lined Canal de Bourgogne are all wonderful subjects whether in the freshness of spring or the glorious colours of autumn.
We make expeditions to paint some of the marvellous towns, abbeys and chateaux nearby, including t
he Abbey of Fontenay and the great Basilica at Vezelay. We have also been invited to paint interiors in some of the loveliest privately owned chateaux of the region.
La Maison du Chateau with its park is a magical place. There is a large studio on the first floor of the adjoining barn, with French windows leading down stone steps to the heated swimming pool and the gardens and park beyond. The 24-acre park is bordered on two sides by the wooded banks of the river Armancon, where we have a rowing boat and private fishing. There is a grass tennis court and a tall chestnut avenue leading to the back gates. Bird life and wild flowers are in abundance and the Spring and Autumn colours are breathtaking. A special feature of our painting holidays is the delightful house party atmosphere. Dinner round the big dining room table is always great fun with wonderful local wines and our French cook Delphine's delicious cooking. Whenever we can, we eat lunch outside under the trees by the pool, or Delphine prepares us an elegant picnic for our expeditions. 
For non-painters, in addition to the joys of the house and park, there are lovely walks and bicycle rides through the adjoining village, along the Burgundian Canal and up into the hills. There are also the expeditions to be made, either in the company of the painters, or separately, to the vineyards and cellars of Chablis, Beaune and the southern champagne district, all well within an hour of the house.
We can also arrange wine tastings at home and our cook is happy to share her cooking skills. Golf, riding and hot-air ballooning are also available. The house itself is elegant, warm and comfortable, with a log fire in the drawing room. We have two studios; the smaller, working studio in the Gate House and the magnificent studio cum music room, with a grand piano, where we hold our 'end of painting week' exhibitions.
Host: Susanna Lyell
Media: Watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel, and mixed media.
Suitable for all abilities, beginners to professionals. Daily optional lectures. Emphasis is on individual teaching / appraisal.
In addition to our hosted Painting Holidays, we welcome any groups who would like to host their own painting weeks at La Maison du Chateau. We are happy to offer any advice you might need to help you organise your holiday and you would also have all the help you needed from our wonderful cook and maids.
If you are interested in organising your own painting holiday at La Maison du Chateau please contact Marykate on 01582 840635 info@lmdc.co.uk for a quote and further details.
