12th century Vernet-les-Bains is in one of the most inspirational and beautiful parts of France and it’s known as Paradise in the Pyrenees for good reason. At the foot of Mount Canigou and within the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, the village is surrounded by valleys and mountains, Medieval abbeys and walled cities, ancient fortresses and some of the prettiest villages in France. It has long attracted artists and writers, inspired by the beauty and atmosphere, it’s the perfect haven for creative workshops in France.
An inspirational backdrop
There is nothing quite like the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the echo of history and footsteps past to inspire creativity. And in Vernet-les-Bains, you can immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine and still take time to nurture your creativity with one of a number of inspired workshop experiences.
Picture yourself for a moment, writing your memories, or painting in watercolours or oils in the courtyard of a Belle Époque manor or the garden of a traditional stone gîte tucked away on a mountain path. Or perhaps you want to explore the cobbled backstreets and brightly coloured houses of the town with your camera at hand, hoping to capture that poignant and memorable shot or learning the art of visual storytelling.
Judith Texier, award-winning journalist, author, the founder of Creative France Workshops says “The scent of roses, astonishingly clear air, the sounds of church bells, tinkling cowbells and crowing roosters. Excellent inexpensive dining that is truly farm to table. 300 days of sun, even the narrow car-free side streets are sunny, no dark medieval corners despite its ancient history. This atmosphere makes Vernet a wonderful open-air studio for painting, photography and writing.”
A chance to explore your own creativity
Creative France Workshops offer a range of creative workshops that include memoir writing, watercolour and oil painting, scenic photography and photo essays where images capture those moments to tell a visual story.
Run over the course of six days (and five nights) Creative France workshops are a combination of individual sessions with your instructor and small group workshop sessions. Your instructors have all been chosen for both their own skill and experience and also their ability to help and inspire others. And they are always on hand to help teach you new skills as well as to help hone those skills that you already have.
If you’re writing your memoir, you’ll get help finding and refining your voice and really understanding the significance of your story. If it’s watercolour painting, you’ll learn different aspects of light, movement, color and texture as your instructor guides you around the theme of flora and fauna. In the oil painting workshop, you’ll develop your landscape painting as you deepen your understanding of composition, perspective, proportion and pigments.
Whilst for photographers, you’ll be guided in those all-important skills of composition, focus, lighting and symmetry, as well as learning the secrets of landscape photography.
Feed your soul
Whichever workshop you choose, you’ll also have a choice of charming accommodation from grand manor houses and villas to a quirky artist’s house or a luxurious gite. You’re greeted with local cheese and wine and can enjoy lots of local produce at breakfast and lunch before feasting your senses on evening meals prepared by the fabulous chef. And for the creative foodies, a Relais meal at a 5-star Château is the perfect way to round off your stay before you head home.
Because creativity doesn’t happen in isolation, there is plenty time to explore this beautiful corner of southern France and excursions are organised for you. Take inspiration from the local market where you may hear the sound local Catalan folk music and where you can explore the bustling streets of this historic town and fill your basket with local wines, cheeses and bread. Or take a break from creativity with wine tasting at the Cave du Mas Llossane and a visit to the Le Convent, named the Best Boulangerie in France.
For slightly longer excursions, head up into the mountains to the stunning Molitg-les-Bains, a small village and spa built in the rocky face of the Gorges de la Castellane, head to the birth place of Fauvism, Collioure, on the shores of the Mediterranean or walk in the footsteps of creative giants like Pablo Picasso, Marck Chagall and Jean Dubuffet in the elegant town of Céret.
Exploring Vernet-les-Bains
The village of Vernet-les-Bains gently climbs the hillside to the Medieval castle that overlooks it, with Mount Canigou looking on. It’s a spa town with health and wellbeing at its heart, but it’s also known for its stylish Belle Epoque architecture. Its beauty has inspired great writers like Rudyard Kipling, Hans Christian Andersen and painters such as Raoul Dufy and George-Daniel de Monfreid. But it’s also a great place for walking and exploring, with the 11th century walled city of Villefranche de Conflent, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nearby. Climb up the steps to the Liberia Fortress or take the distinctive yellow train and discover the mountains.
In such a rich landscape, good food and wine are always going to play an important role in life, and you’ll find a blend of French, Catalan and Mediterranean influences in local dishes that include seafood, local meats and intriguing flavours. There are dozens of top-quality local restaurants, perfect for al fresco dining and lingering lunches, and look out for their speciality dishes like picoulat of mushrooms, escalivade or even snails Catalan-style.
Creative France Workshops host small group creative workshops which include meals, accommodation and excursions. The workshops cater for a range of abilities from beginner to intermediate and you can found out more and book at: creativefranceworkshops.com
