Art Retreat, 21st - 28th June 2026
Join British painter Daniel Murgatroyd for an inspiring art retreat in the heart of the French countryside. Set within the elegant surroundings of Château Degay, this experience combines structured studio sessions, individual guidance and enriching excursions with refined hospitality and unhurried French living.
With a maximum of 12 art students, the retreat offers a focused yet relaxed environment in which to develop your work, build confidence and explore new creative directions. Accompanying guests are also warmly welcomed, with the option to enjoy the accommodation, cuisine and excursions without participating in the art sessions — making it an enriching countryside escape for artists and non-artists alike.
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Where you'll be staying...
Château Degay is a beautifully renovated 18th century historical chateau located in the Lot-et-Garonne, Nouvelle Aquitaine, France. Set in a 23 acres estate and surrounded by rolling countryside, market villages, sunflowers fields, vineyards and panoramic views, Château Degay is the perfect setting for a relaxed and private luxury retreat to momentarily escape everyday life. The Château exudes grandeur with its high ceilings, original stone floors and restored historical features but with all the added modern touches for a very comfortable stay. A large pool and multiple sun terraces, party barn and large gym add to the high end facilities that are all available to use during your stay.
Typical Day at the Château
Continental buffet breakfast
8:00AM
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9:00AM
Event Details
Continental buffet breakfast
A generous selection of fresh breads and pastries, seasonal fruit, yoghurt, cereals and regional produce, served alongside coffee and tea to...
8:00AM
-
9:00AM
Morning Group Art Session
9:00AM
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12:30PM
Event Details
Morning Group Art Session
Led by Daniel, the morning session combines live demonstration with guided practice, focusing on developing ideas, refining composition and ...
9:00AM
-
12:30PM
Buffet Lunch
12:30PM
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1:30PM
Event Details
Buffet Lunch
A relaxed and nourishing midday meal prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients — an opportunity to pause, connect and reflect before ...
12:30PM
-
1:30PM
Afternoon Excursions & Exploration
2:00PM
-
6:00PM
Event Details
Afternoon Excursions & Exploration
Afternoons are left open for exploration, relaxation and optional experiences. Guests may choose to visit nearby historic towns such as Lauz...
2:00PM
-
6:00PM
Dinner à Table
7:00PM
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9:00PM
Event Details
Dinner à Table
An elegant evening meal shared together at the château, celebrating regional flavours and unhurried conversation at the end of a creatively ...
7:00PM
-
9:00PM
About Daniel, your teacher
We are delighted to welcome Daniel Murgatroyd to lead our art retreat at Château Degay for an inspiring week of creative exploration. A British painter based in south-west France, Daniel works in oil and acrylic, with a distinctive style characterised by bold colour, expressive brushwork and a strong sense of light and atmosphere. His approach balances elements of realism and impressionism, encouraging artists to capture movement, energy and emotion within their work.
Largely self-taught, Daniel began painting seriously in 2017 and has since established an international presence, with exhibitions in Paris, The Hague, Montreal, Toulouse and Troyes, and work held in private collections across Europe, North America and Asia. During the retreat, mornings focus on structured group workshops, while afternoons offer time for individual painting, excursions and relaxation. With a warm and approachable teaching style, Daniel creates a supportive environment where artists of all abilities can develop technique, build confidence and find inspiration in both the studio and the surrounding landscape.
What's Included?
Luxury Accommodation
Guided Creative Sessions
Guided Creative Sessions
Welcoming up to 14 guests, your stay at Château Degay, a private 18th century château in southwest France, offers comfortable and beautifully decorated accommodation with all the amenities you could need. Thoughtfully designed interiors, peaceful surroundings and elegant charm create a restful space to fully unwind and feel at home.
Guided Creative Sessions
Guided Creative Sessions
Guided Creative Sessions
Each day begins with a morning group art session led by Daniel, combining demonstration and guided practice to develop ideas, refine composition and build confidence in your chosen medium. Afternoons are left open for exploration, with opportunities to visit nearby villages, vineyards and markets, offering fresh inspiration and rich subject matter, or to paint independently and enjoy the surroundings at your own pace. Evenings are shared over relaxed dinners, creating space for conversation, reflection and creative exchange throughout the week.
Nutritious Meals
Guided Creative Sessions
Nutritious Meals
Daily continental breakfasts and relaxed buffet lunches are complemented by elegant dinners à table, all prepared by skilled chefs using fresh, regionally sourced ingredients. Inspired by French cuisine and seasonal produce, each meal is thoughtfully created to sustain creative energy throughout the day. Wine and drinks are included, inviting long, convivial evenings shared around the table.
local discovery
local discovery
Nutritious Meals
Surrounded by rolling countryside and timeless villages, the beauty of rural France provides constant inspiration throughout the week. From wandering cobbled streets and sketching in local markets to quiet walks through open landscapes, there is space to observe, absorb and respond to the light, textures and atmosphere at your own pace.
Transportation
local discovery
Transportation
Complimentary return airport transfers to and from the château are included, ensuring a smooth and effortless arrival. From the moment you land, every detail is thoughtfully arranged, allowing you to settle into the creative rhythm of the week and depart feeling inspired and refreshed.
What's not included?
Flights to and from France are not included, nor are the two restaurant lunches during our visits to Issigeac and Villeréal. Personal art materials are also not provided, and any optional spa treatments are arranged separately. Guests should bring their own preferred supplies, although paper and canvases will be available to purchase on site if required.
Accommodation Pricing
Rates & Booking
Artist
From £1,595
Sole Occupancy
ARTIST
From £1,380PP
Shared Occupancy
ACCOMPANYING GUEST / NON-PARTICIPANT
From £750PP
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at vanessa@propertyair.com or +44 7712 822172 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
The retreat is held at Château Degay, an 18th Century Château set on six hectares of private parkland, accessed by a wrought-iron gate and tree-lined driveway, with panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. Located in the Heart of Southwest France. North Lot-et-Garonne, at the gateway to the Dordogne.
No previous art experience is required. Daniel has led workshops where he creates a warm and supportive environment where you can develop your skills at your own pace, with guidance tailored to your individual level.
This retreat is not about pressure or perfection, but about creative exploration, inspiration and enjoyment. Spend your days sketching, painting and refining your work, savour nourishing food, soak up the French sunshine and unwind in the beautiful surroundings of Château Degay and its peaceful countryside setting.
Yes. The retreat is designed to welcome mixed abilities, from complete beginners to more experienced artists. Daniel offers clear group guidance in the mornings and dedicated one-to-one support across the retreat, allowing each participant to develop their work at a level that feels appropriate and rewarding. With her experience and encouraging approach, you will feel supported, challenged and free to progress at a pace that suits you.
Yes, accompanying guests are very welcome. If you would like to join the retreat without taking part in the art sessions, a reduced rate applies. Non-participating guests can enjoy the accommodation, meals, excursions and beautiful surroundings, making it a relaxed and enriching experience in the French countryside.
Nearest airports include Bergerac, just 25 minutes away, and Bordeaux, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes by car. You can also travel via Paris or Bordeaux by train into Marmande, with onward transfer to the château.
Guests may check in from 3.00pm on arrival day, with airport transfers arranged to coincide with recommended flights.
Check-out takes place after breakfast on departure day, with transfers arranged to coincide with recommended flights.
Comfortable clothing suitable for painting and working in the studio, along with casual evening wear for relaxed dinners. We recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes for village visits and exploring the grounds, swimwear for the pool, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle.
Please also bring your preferred art materials, sketchbooks and any reference materials you may wish to work from.
All meals are prepared using fresh, bio-organic ingredients and are thoughtfully designed to be wholesome and nourishing. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let us know as soon as possible after registration by emailing vanessa@propertyair.com so we can ensure you are fully catered for during your stay.
Yes, guests are asked to bring their preferred art materials and equipment, including brushes, paints and sketchbooks. Working with your own supplies ensures you feel comfortable and confident as you develop your work. Paper and canvases will be available to purchase on site if needed.
Everything within the retreat is optional, allowing you to shape the week in a way that feels right for you. While afternoon sessions offer dedicated one-to-one tuition and time to develop your work, you are free to step away to explore the surrounding countryside, visit local villages or simply relax by the pool. This is your time to create, unwind and take from the experience what feels most rewarding and restorative.
All bookings and payments are handled personally by Vanessa. Once your enquiry has been received, availability, payment details and next steps will be communicated directly with you via email or WhatsApp. This ensures a smooth, personal and attentive booking process from your initial enquiry through to arrival at Château Degay.
To book, you can either:
- Email vanessa@propertyair.com
- WhatsApp +44 7712 822172
- Or Fill out an Enquiry Form
A 30% deposit is required to secure your place on the retreat. This deposit is non-refundable.
The remaining balance is due 4 weeks prior to the retreat. If full payment is not received by this date, your reservation may be cancelled and your place released.
This retreat offering is not responsible for your expenses incurred in preparation for any cancelled retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for your trip.
We recommend that guests ensure they are comfortable with the terms before booking.
For Full Terms & Conditions CLICK HERE