Château du Puy Vidal, La Rochefoucauld-en-Angoumois, France
8 DAYS
The Lady of the Château is delighted to welcome Spanish artist Carlos San Millán back for a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in his world of painting and philosophy. Carlos’ work strikes a balance between the figurative and the abstract. More than recording his surroundings, he imbues each subject with a lived-in narrative that invites discovery—transforming interiors, everyday objects, and unfolding landscapes into something layered and in motion.
Known for the looseness and liveness in his work, Carlos encourages artists to look beyond what the eye perceives and paint the atmosphere that lingers. His opalescent palette, palette knife passages, and sensitivity to light and shadow capture life in all its nuance: how spaces hold memory and how forms dissolve into feeling. If you are ready to think deeply about visual processing—approaching a scene from both an intellectual and a practical perspective—this workshop is for you.
Throughout this week, Carlos will guide you to move past rigid detail and rethink your approach to tools. Whether with the tip of a brush, the edge of a palette knife, or even a simple metal scraper, he opens up new ways of mark-making—leading you toward a freer and more expressive way of painting. Still life, interiors, gardens, shifting landscapes, or the fleeting play of light itself all become pathways for exploration.
What’s Included in All Château Room Packages | €5,250- €5,950
✔ Accommodations: Private bedroom at Château de Puy Vidal with either private or shared bathroom (depending on room selection).
✔ Meals: All-inclusive gourmet dining—breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks (coffee, tea, and fine French wines). Plus, a 24/7 coffee & snack bar.
✔ Art Supplies: Easels, canvases, tripods, palettes, solvents, aprons, carry bags, stools, and student-grade oil paints (please bring your own brushes, sketch pads, and pencils).
✔ Itinerary: A curated blend of plein air, interiors and studio painting, designed to foster artistic growth and exploration.
✔ Facilities: Full access to the château’s art studio, salons, gardens, pool, and hot tub. Paint anywhere on the estate.
✔ Shuttle Service: Complimentary pick-up and drop-off at Angoulême Train Station (18 minutes from the château).
✔ Creative Atmosphere: A warm, supportive, and focused environment for artists.
Not Included
✘ Flights (participants are responsible for airfare).
✘ Train travel to Angoulême Station.
✘ Travel & health insurance (strongly recommended).
✘ Offsite participant lodging & transport.
Non-Painting Partner | €2,500
(Available only in Double Occupancy Rooms)
Offsite Participant | €3,900
(Full retreat experience while lodging at our neighboring B&B, Chez Jumaine. Offsite guests must arrange their own accommodations and transport daily. Chez Jumaine is a 2-minute drive or 8-minute walk from the château.)
Payment Details
To reserve your spot, a 35% non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining balance is split into two installments for greater flexibility.
