Paint the French Riviera

Sketchbook Art Vacation with Jennifer Orkin Lewis (also known as August Wren)

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Jennifer Orkin Lewis sketchbook art vacation in France

Sun, Fun, Arting, and Lots of Good Times

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Dates: June 21-27, 2021

Duration: 6 nights

Location: Nice, France

Cost: from $3195 based on double occupancy

Single Supplement: from $595

The basis of the 6-day sketchbook art vacation in France will be sketching and painting on location in and around beautiful Nice and the Riviera. Basic drawing and loose, intuitive watercolor will be taught. This will become the heart of our travel journals.

Inspired by this coastal paradise, we’ll draw small landscapes, flowers, unique architecture, and farmers market treasures. Your sketchbook travel journal will be completely infused with a moment-in-time sense of place. In short, bursting with color, pattern, and nature – each page is a memory of our week together on the dazzling French Riviera.

Learn more about Jennifer and view her sketchbook art journal on her Artist Page.

Sketchbook Art Vacation in France

Rothschild Villa at Sunset art vacation in France with Lorraine Bell

Sunset from Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, France

For over a century the gorgeous French Riviera has inspired some of the world’s most famous modern artists. First attracted by sparkling blue water and scenic streets, the perpetually mild climate and beautiful light became a reason to stay. Picasso, Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, Munch and Chagall (to name a few) all called this sunny region home. The spirit of these artists serve as inspiration for creating your keepsake travel journals with Jennifer Orkin Lewis in Nice, France.

The week together will focus on collecting inspiration and making content for your travel journal. You will visit beautiful locales on the French Riviera using the regional train. We will have wonderful food and lots of laughter along the way. There is some walking to get from one place to another, but the included walks will be short (less than 45 minutes) and most are optional.

Art Program 85% 85%
Sight Seeing 80% 80%
Walking 65% 65%
Fun! 100% 100%

View of the Promenade from Cap Martin, Carnoles, France

What’s Included: Sketchbook Art Vacation in France

Daily Sketchbook Art Vacation in France classes with Jennifer Orkin Lewis
Six nights at our centrally located 4-star hotel in Nice, France minutes to the beach
Full hot & cold buffet breakfast daily
Welcome dinner
Gelato Break
Snack of a niçoise specialty
Farewell dinner
One-week unlimited use TER regional train pass along between Cannes and Menton
Visit the towns of Menton, St. Jean, Villefranche Sur Mer, Antibes, and Cannes

Visit to Cours Saleya flower market (or Monday antique market)
Admission to Villa Ephrussi
Visit to Antibes’ Marche Provencal
Ferry trip to the Lerin Islands
Guided walks along the coastal sentiers (paths) of the Cote d’Azur (optional)
Absinthe museum experience (optional)
All maps, train schedules, and daily customized itineraries
Your English speaking guide
All hotel taxes, fees & service charges
Fully hosted and escorted
All hotel taxes and service fees

Highlights: Sketchbook Art Vacation in France

1. Small group classes

With a maximum class size of 14, you can expect quality time with Jennifer as well as your friendly, like-minded classmates.

2. Daily guided excursions

Discover the colorful coastal villages, markets, great food, and scenic views of the French Riviera

3. On-site classes

With loose and intuitive style, Jennifer will teach how to use color and pattern to fill your travel journal on location, inspired by what you see.

Example Itinerary: Sketchbook Art Vacation in France…

Actual daily schedules may differ.

Day 1

We will gather at our charming hotel in central Nice, France just blocks from the Promenade des Anglais. After a meet-and-greet and program overview, we will have an orientation walk to get to know the neighborhood.

Our first day comes to an end with a delicious welcome dinner of traditional French specialties.

Day 2

We start the morning with a short stroll to Nice’s old town and famous weekly antique market. Of course we’ll stop at our favorite family-run cafe for a traditional niçoise snack. After free time to shop, have lunch, or explore more of old Nice, we will gather at the hotel for the first sketchbook art vacation class with Jennifer.

Day 3

After breakfast we’ll gather for a morning class with Jennifer on the sunny hotel patio. Later, a short train ride brings us to Beaulieu Sur Mer. We will enjoy a serene stroll along landscaped coastal paths and past handsome French villas to St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. The villa enjoys incredible views of the riviera from it’s private gardens.

Day 4

Start the day with Jennifer building your journal from found treasures. Afterward, the day’s excursion takes us to the lovely city of Menton on the French/Italian border. We will wander it’s lemon-lined avenue, charming historic center, and sunny harbor. Some may want to visit Italy or Monaco on this day. Both are easily reached by train.

Day 5

Today we truly experience the Riviera like the locals. After shopping at the bountiful Marché Forville open market in Cannes, we will take a short ferry to Île Saint-Honorat. There on the quiet coast of an island sanctuary we will enjoy a picnic of the season’s best offerings. At the end of the day the hotel welcomes us for another sketchbook art vacation class with Jennifer.

Day 6

On our last full day we will explore the port town of Antibes. We will tour the beautiful harbor and inspiring public art before entering the historic city center. You can wander its winding alleys, discover artisan boutiques, and visit the Picasso Museum.

There will be time in the studio to finish up your travel journals before meeting for a convivial show-and-tell aperitivo and farewell dinner.

Cap Ferrat Lighthouse Blue Walk France walking tour Lighthouse overlooking the sea at sentier littoral Saint Jean Cap Ferrat

Day 7

After a delicous breakfast shared together, we bid farewell to our artists’ retreat until the next time.

A full week of leisurely sightseeing and cultivating creativity

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