Art de Vivre: French Retreat

Get ready for Art de Vivre: French Retreat where paint, play and pastries await!

Join artist Jeniffer Hutchins for a 10 day retreat to stimulate your senses and nourish your Creative Spirit. Art de Vivre is a French phrase referring to the art of living. We will take this phrase to heart as our retreat mantra. Step away from routine as you explore the beautiful Dordogne region of Southwestern France through the eyes of your inner artist. Take in the sights of rural towns and historic villages; indulge your taste buds with regional food; and train your ear to the French language. Capture the experience in paint or your favorite art media during regional excursions and in-studio experiences.
With over 20 years of experience as an artist and art workshop facilitator, Jeniffer offers gentle guidance that will help you loosen up, find your focus, and express your unique voice. Beginners and advanced artists welcome.
We will draw inspiration from the breathtaking French countryside to create expressive landscapes and vignettes.
Jen will share creative tips for working in paint such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor and will offer creative support for those wishing to work in other media. You will be invited to lean into your unique style with gentle guidance and lots of cheerleading during our workshop sessions.
Your creative well is sure to be filled in this majestic region. The area is celebrated for its beautiful countryside, vineyards, and historic villages. Group excursions provide the opportunity to engage in your favorite creative activities such as plein air painting, photography, or journaling, as well as time to take in the local culture, shop and dine.

Meet Your Host: Artist, spiritual leader, and creativity coach Jeniffer Hutchins has 25 years of experience creating art and artistic experiences that nourish the soul. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education, a master’s in divinity, and certification as a Reiki Master Teacher. She is founder of the non-profit organization Unity Arts Ministry through which she presents creativity workshops, retreats, and inspirational talks around the country, spreading paint -and joy- everywhere she goes.
As an artist she is inspired by her love of nature and travels cross-country and abroad. Through her art, she seeks to represent the interconnection between humanity, nature, and Spirit. She works with a variety of media including paint, collage, photography, and art journaling. Her award-winning artwork has been featured in group & solo exhibitions and represented by galleries across the United States.

Retreat Venue: Fontable

Nestled in the Couze valley in the Dordogne, Fontalbe is a spectacular former paper mill that has been renovated to the very highest standard.  Fontalbe is situated on its own private island; surrounded by rivers, forests and beautiful countryside in an idyllic corner of  France. Visit the retreat center website at www.Fontable.com

Additional Details

General Registration Opens August 1, 2026

Email jhutchins@unityartsministry.org to be sent a retreat registration form on Aug 1st when general registration opens. Registration priority and room selection will be given in order that the general requests come in. Note that pre-registration will be made available to those attending this year’s Cotswold Art retreat in July.

Retreat Center: Fontable, Dordogne, France

Dates: June 7 – 17, 2027
Pricing:
Shared Room: $3,800 per person
Single Room: $4,200 per person
Please note that due to the limited number of rooms at the retreat venue, we are encouraging shared occupancy. There will be a maximum of four single rooms available along with five double occupancy rooms – single or double bed arrangements available. Invite a friend who may want to join you! For those traveling solo who request a double occupancy room, roommates will be assigned for you.
*Additional fees may be collected to offset banking charges dependent upon your preferred method of payment. Fees and options available at the time of registration.

Your French Retreat Includes

  • 10 nights lodging at Fontable
  • Creativity Workshops
  • Regional excursions
  • All excursion fees
  • Meals (except 3 lunches on your own)
  • Soft drinks & wine with meals
  • Transfer to and from airport (check with us before booking your flights)

Items Not Included

  • Airfare (all participants must check with us before booking flights)
  • 3 lunches (plus your lunch upon arrival)
  • Staff appreciation
  • Art materials for personal projects
  • Personal items

Down payment: $600 USD due with registration form to claim your seat.

Remaining balance to be paid in two increments with full balance paid at least 8 weeks prior to the retreat.

REFUND POLICY: No refunds are offered once payments are made. The exception being – refund (minus $100 for office costs) may be made if the retreat is completely filled and your place can be filled from a waiting list. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE. Our refund policy is strict because we must pay for the rooms in advance.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend trip insurance for health, baggage, and trip cancellation / interruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

When are registrations & deposits due for the French retreat? Deposits are due at the time of your registration.

How many people can attend this retreat? Space is limited to 18. There are a total of nine guest rooms. A maximum of 5 single rooms are available and a minimum of 4 double rooms are available.

 

Should I bring art supplies? Yes, it is recommended that you bring your own art supplies.

What if I have special dietary requests? Our caterer is happy to work with your dietary requests such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc.

How can I connect and coordinate with others in the group before the retreat? We will be putting together a private WhatsApp group for registered participants. Through this group you will be able to coordinate travel plans as well as share things like packing tips, material lists, etc.

What if I have more questions? For additional inquiries please email jhutchins@unityartsministry.org

  • 00

    days

  • 00

    hours

  • 00

    minutes

  • 00

    seconds

Date
Jun 07 - 17 2027
Time
2:00 pm - 10:00 am
Category

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *