Art d'Oc Drawing and Painting
in the Languedoc, South of France
Location
  The
Languedoc-Roussillon region of Southwest France is one of the
most fascinating areas of Europe, blessed with a wonderful climate,
rich wildlife, great wines, a spectacular coast, mountain ranges
and an astonishing history, including Troubadours and Cathars.
The Pyrenean Languedoc is the ideal location for a plein air
painting course. Not far from the area that Cezanne made famous
with his landscapes, nor from the majestic idyllic landscapes
that Poussin studied for his paintings.
The 16th century Château St Ferriol, where Ferreolus art courses
are based, is a rugged and romantic reminder of traditional France.
 St
Ferriol is located in the heart of Cathar country on the hill
top South of its sister Château Rennes-le-Château.
It sits on a 475 metre arrête that commands a view of the
Pyrenees to the south and the dappled beauty of the carefully
cultivated vineyards, orchards and potagers to the north. To the
east and west are chestnut and oak forests and garrigue (a grazing
pasture of thyme, Mediterranean grasses and wild flowers). The
landscape, flora and micro climate change in character between
individual hills and glades guaranteeing an inexhaustible range
of subject matter.
 Apart
from natural beauty the Languedoc's landscapes offers an equally
exciting and awe-inspiring human touch. At the foothills of the
Pyrenees, vineyards and farms graduate into spiky mountains that
support clinging châteaux and fortifications from a former
age. From a compositional point of view, the stone architecture,
the rolling hills, and the dramatic mountains Saint Ferriol and
its surrounds offer a cornucopia of beauty and inspiration.
The course does not include day tripping excursions but we do
encourage students to take an extra week to explore the markets,
architectural history and natural beauty at more leisure. We will
help in any way we can with accommodation and schedules.
Visitors may also like to take the opportunity to visit Toulouse,
Lourdes, Barcelona and Andorra. None of them are very far away.
The village of St Ferriol is is a 45 minute drive south of Carcassonne.
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