Take a day out to soak in the peaceful and refreshing energy at the Jardin l’Argelière, a private oasis of abundance and beauty where you’ll enjoy a day of friendship and creativity. Learn or improve your technique and try your hand at capturing the essence of nature under your art instructor’s guidance.

The setting

Hidden in the hills of Provence, near the picturesque village of La Gaude, the Jardin l’Argelière displays an impressive array of 1200 species and varieties. A labour of love and dedication, it evolved over many years from a wild terrain to an extraordinary garden, under the nurturing hands of owners Lysiane and Antoine. A terraced garden typical of the area, it covers 3000 square meters, within an ecosystem where no pesticide or chemical fertiliser is used. Local flora, as well as many species from different regions, have found shelter under the trees or along the dry stone walls, while tropical plants thrive in the greenhouse. The soothing sound of water from small ponds invites visitors to relax and enjoy the serenity of this unique setting.

Your day

Morning sketching in the gardens

Spring is the perfect time to revel in the study of blooming flowers and vegetation coming back to life. Your art instructor will help you capture nature’s purest lines through sketching and watercolour painting. By lunchtime, your travelling notepad - “travelogue” - will be full of the mornings’ drawings, your memories on paper forever…

Lunch

Chat art, gardening and anything else over a delicious Provençal picnic lunch, freshly prepared using local products: cheeses, delicatessen, quiche, tapenade and regional wine or cider.

An afternoon visit of l’Argelière

After lunch, you will be taken on a private guided tour of the gardens by our host, Lysiane. She will share with you all the secrets of l’Argelière and her passion for gardening.

Practical information

When and where to meet

9.45am , 400 chemin des Vallières, 06610 La Gaude

How to get there

Take the A8 to exit 49 “Saint-Laurent-du-Var”, then follow  “Saint-Jeannet” (CD 118). After the IBM buildings, turn left at the intersection, following “La Gaude /Cagnes-sur-Mer.” 

Turn right at the traffic light, CR Thomas Garnies; then right again, CR Denis Amiel. Then take a left at CR les Vallières. Go down the chemin des Vallières until you reach a private dead end lane.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes… and that’s it! All equipment for sketching and painting will be provided - sketching paper, travelling notepad, pencils, watercolours, brushes, etc.

Language

The sketching workshop will be held in French, a great occasion to practice or improve your conversational skills! Art is a universal language anyway and Adela will be there to assist with any translation if required. 

Suitable for

Lovers of art, nature and all things creative.  No painting experience required, our friendly instructor Dominique will guide you every step of the way! 

What´s included

2.5 hours sketching and watercolour session

Provencal Picnic Lunch – please advise of any dietary requirement

1.5 hours guided tour of gardens

Join us! We keep our groups small for a personalised experience, space is limited to 8.

Cost: 95€

RSVP by 5th May

Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions, we’re looking forward to seeing you there!