Sketchbook Art Workshop in France with Koosje Koene
Travel with teaching artist Koosje Koene on the sunny French Riviera
Dates: May 2-8, 2027 Sold Out (waiting list available)
Duration: 6 nights / 7 days
Location: Antibes, France
Visit: Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cannes, Menton, and more
Cost $3595 double/twin, $4295 private single room
Max Class Size: 14
All prices in US Dollars, land only. Non art travel companion rate available.
Sketchbook Art Workshop in France
Experience the French Riviera through your sketchbook on a Blue Walk art workshop with Koosje Koene, based in beautiful Antibes. Each day we’ll explore coastal villages—Villefranche‑sur‑Mer, Nice, Cannes, Menton, and more—traveling by train, bus, and on foot. From seaside paths to fresh markets and regional flavors, the Riviera becomes your open‑air studio. With Koosje teaching on‑site each day, your sketchbook will fill with the colors, energy, and character of this unforgettable place.
What Is Art Walk France Like?
An Art Walk in Antibes, France with Koosje Koene is a sketchbook‑centered travel experience that blends on‑location drawing with slow, immersive exploration. With an insider guide leading the way, you’ll wander medieval village centers and follow locals‑only coastal paths, discovering the French Riviera by train and on foot. Instead of watching the scenery from a tour bus, you’ll experience it at eye level—present, unhurried, and connected. This is travel that invites you to be in a place, not simply pass through it.
We explore a stretch of the Côte d’Azur between Cannes and Menton, settling into charming Antibes for all six nights so you unpack only once. Each morning begins with an energizing seaside walk, leading to destinations like bustling markets, a quiet island monastery, or a colorful seaside village. Along the way, Koosje teaches on‑site sketching sessions, or we gather in town after lunch. Daily class sessions are 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours with additional, informal periods throughout the week. You’ll practice traveling lightly, drawing in the moment, and letting your sketchbook become a living record of the journey.
The energy from Koosje’s Art Walk starts with such positivity, it carries throughout the entire week. By the end, we parted with bittersweet goodbyes and lifelong friendships. I am so grateful to have this as part of my life! Nothing beats traveling and sketching with a mini art tribe.
What you’ll love
1. Small group classes
With a maximum class size of 14, you can expect quality time with Karen as well as your friendly, like-minded classmates.
2. Immersive experiences
Step away from your everyday life and fully experience the food, culture, and landscape of the French Riviera
3. Planning with Care
We take care of the details. You enjoy your vacation!
Example Itinerary…
Actual daily schedules may differ.collage travel journal vacation
Day 1
We will gather at our charming, historic hotel in historic Antibes just blocks from the sea. First, we’ll have a meet-and-greet and program overview. Then, an orientation walk will help you get to know the neighborhood. Along the way we may sample some local specialties to get a taste of the region.
Day 2
We start the morning with a short train ride to Nice’s old town and famous Cours Saleya Flower Market. There Koosje will lead a class inspired by the market’s sites. Then, a walk brings us to some of the most iconic views of the Riviera from Castle Hill. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore the Old Town. The day ends with a delicious welcome dinner.
Day 3
After breakfast, the train brings us to the colorful village of Villefranche Sur Mer. The honey-colored houses and marine blue sea views are the perfect setting for a leisurely travel journal session. Afterwards, you can visit the hilltop village of Eze on your own. Alternatively, we’ll offer a coastal walk around the stunning Cap Ferrat.
Day 4
In the morning we’ll set off for sunny Menton, wandering lemon‑lined lanes into the historic center. Koosje will lead a relaxed sketching session in a shaded village square, giving you time to capture Menton’s color and charm. The rest of the day is yours. Wander through the old town, cross into nearby Italy, visit dazzling Monaco, or join us for a stunning coastal walk along the Cap Martin sentier to Roquebrune.
Day 5
Today we experience the Riviera the way locals do. We’ll begin at Cannes’ vibrant Marché Forville, gathering fresh, seasonal treats for our picnic. A short ferry ride carries us to the peaceful island of Île Saint‑Honorat, where we’ll enjoy lunch along its quiet, sun‑washed coast. In the shade of the oaks, Koosje will lead an on‑location sketching session. A gentle walk through vineyards and olive groves brings us back to the ferry for our return to the mainland.
Day 6
On our final full day together, we’ll stay in art‑filled Antibes. We’ll begin with a walk along the ancient ramparts, taking in sweeping views of the sea and old town. From there, we’ll wander into the narrow streets of the historic center, where Koosje will lead our on‑location sketching session. We’ll end the week together with a festive farewell dinner at our favorite bistro, celebrating new friendships and full sketchbooks.
Day 7
After a delicous breakfast, we bid farewell to our artists’ retreat until the next time. You may depart at any time on this day. Our hotel will hold your luggage if you have a late departure.
A full week of leisurely sightseeing and cultivating creativity
sketchbook art workshop
What’s Included
sketchbook art workshop
- Daily, 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hour, on-site classes with Koosje Koene
- Daily, unique itineraries to discover the French Riviera
- Six nights at our centrally located 4-star hotel in Antibes, France minutes to the beach and Old Town
- Full hot & cold buffet breakfast daily
- Welcome dinner
- Gelato!
- Snack of a Niçoise specialties
- Farewell dinner
- One-week unlimited regional transport pass between Cannes and Menton
- Visit to Cours Saleya flower market
- Visit the towns of Menton, Villefranche Sur Mer, Nice, and Cannes
- Visit to Antibes’ Marche Provencal
- Ferry trip to the Lerin Islands and Île Saint-Honorat
- Guided walks along the coastal sentiers (paths) of the Cote d’Azur
- Absinthe museum experience (optional)
- Customized itineraries
- Your English speaking guide
- Fully hosted and escorted
- All hotel taxes and service fees
Important Notes
Travel Sketchbook Workshop in France
Deposits
Your place on a tour is secured once we have received and confirmed your deposit payment. Before the final payment date, a non-refundable deposit of $500 for walking vacations and $750 for art vacation workshops is required. After the final payment date, the entire tour amount must be received to hold a space on a program.
You may cancel for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure and your non-refundable deposit may be forwarded to a future tour. Any balance on your account will be returned. For complete details please see our Terms and Conditions.
Solo travelers and single supplements
For our guests who are traveling solo... for your comfort we offer private rooms. Whenever possible singles will be placed in the same room category as our double or twin rooms.
Twin / Double Rooms
Please be aware twin beds in Europe may have very little or no space between beds. Also, for double beds, instead of a king or queen mattress, double beds are often two adjoining twin mattresses secured together and made with double bedding.
Fitness
Walking is a part of this program. It is both a means of visiting locations and a way to immerse yourself in a place. Our scheduled walks are usually 1-2 hours long at a casual pace. Participants should be able to comfortably walk 2 miles in an hour. We provide a general description of our walks here. It is your responsibility to know your own physical and medical condition with respect to the advisability of participating in a chosen trip. Please be realistic about your physical abilities when booking an active walking vacation. We suggest you prepare by doing at least 1 hour of walking several times per week, and a longer walk at least once per week. Ideally, include walks with elevation change and stairs. (There are always stairs.) If you have compromised knees, hips, back this tour will be challenging and perhaps not appropriate.
As with any exercise program, we recommend you consult with your physician prior to your arrival regarding the suitability of a walking tour.
Some of our guests find trekking poles helpful on steep or uneven terrain. In Europe they are quite common. Before using them on a vacation, please practice at home. We strongly advise you get comfortable using trekking poles on familiar paths first.
For additional information on these topics and more, please see our FAQ page.
Take (another) Art Walk Vacation
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