Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of colour, creativity and connection? ✨

Périgord Retreats, Midi-Pyrénées, France

Are you ready to immerse yourself in a world of colour, creativity and connection? ✨ Join me Australian artist Georgie Forbes (Lordy Dordie) for The Colourful Path to Creativity—a 10-day art retreat in France designed to spark joy, unlock your artistic flow and fill your sketchbooks (and creative buckets!) with inspiration.

For 10 days, you’ll escape to the rolling hills and medieval charm of the Midi-Pyrénées region, staying at the stunning Périgord Retreats, where creativity meets French countryside magic. Picture yourself in the heart of the French countryside, where each day begins with soft golden light spilling across the hills and ends with shared meals and laughter around the table. For ten days, you’ll be part of a small, creative community at Périgord Retreats, a place that feels both inspiring and deeply welcoming.

This retreat is about more than painting, it’s about slowing down, noticing the beauty around you, and letting that beauty flow onto the canvas. We’ll spend time in the studio and outdoors, capturing landscapes, flowers, and moments of everyday French life. In between, you’ll wander through bustling markets, taste wine from the region, and discover villages that feel frozen in time.

I’ll be there to guide you through daily art sessions, encouraging you to play, experiment, and find joy in your practice. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the very first time or already confident in your style, you’ll find inspiration and support here. Together, we’ll paint, explore, and share in the simple pleasures of art and travel. I believe creativity is for everyone, and I can’t wait to share this unforgettable journey with you in the heart of France.

You’ll return home not only with a body of work, but with new friendships, full sketchbooks, and a heart brimming with memories of France.

What You’ll Experience

🌸 Daily Creative Sessions
Through playful mark-making, expressive painting, and mixed media exploration, I’ll guide you to embrace colour with confidence. Whether you’re picking up a brush for the very first time or already confident in your style, you’ll find encouragement, freedom and joy here.

🍷 French Food & Wine
Each day begins with golden light across the hills and ends with delicious shared meals around the table. Expect laughter, connection, and locally sourced feasts paired with beautiful regional wines.

🏰 Excursions to Inspire
We’ll wander through bustling markets, taste wine from the region, and discover medieval villages like Rocamadour, Sarlat and Saint-Cirq-Lapopie—perfect for capturing sketches, colour palettes and memories.

🌿 Time to Slow Down
This retreat is about more than painting. It’s about pausing, noticing beauty, and letting that beauty flow onto the canvas. Swim in the pool, wander lavender gardens, or simply rest and recharge between sessions.

✨ Every detail is taken care of so you can relax, create, and connect. All you need to do is book your spot and start dreaming of France.

👉 Spaces are limited to keep the group small and intimate—don’t miss your chance to be part of this magical experience. 

I’d love to share a little of the story behind Périgord Retreats, the beautiful place where we’ll be gathering.

Katel and Harrison, the founders, met back in 2016 — a serendipitous meeting in a small countryside town. Harrison had just moved from the UK, and Katel had recently arrived from the west coast. Two “outsiders” who both fell in love not only with each other but with this stunning region of France.

They’ve built something truly special here, combining Katel’s gift for creating incredible meals with Harrison’s deep knowledge of the area. Together with close friends (and sometimes family lending a hand), they’ve created a retreat home that feels both welcoming and inspiring.

What I love most is how much heart they’ve poured into this place. You can feel it in the warmth of their hospitality, the care in the food, and of course, the setting — rolling countryside, medieval villages, and those panoramic views over the valleys that take your breath away.

Travelling to Périgord Retreats

Getting to the retreat is easier than it looks on a map. There’s a train station just 5 minutes away in Gourdon, with a direct line to Paris. The journey itself is stunning — starting in the flatlands of Paris and gradually unfolding into the rolling hills of the Limousin and Périgord Vert. From Gourdon station, you’ll be with us in just a few minutes.

If you’d prefer to fly, there are three airports within 90 minutes (Toulouse, Bergerac, and Brive), and the team here is happy to arrange group pick-ups for travelling artists.

Gardens & Grounds

The retreat consists of two charming houses, set side by side on the edge of a quiet little village between the Quercy and Périgord regions. It feels wonderfully secluded — the loudest sounds come from birdsong and the rustle of wildlife in the woods nearby. It’s a place where time slows down, perfect for creativity and inspiration.

The Orchards

Over the years, Katel and Harrison have poured love into the gardens. They’ve planted trees, flowers, and over 1,000 lavender plants (yes — they even make their own honey and essential oils!). There’s also an old truffle orchard that offers magical dappled shade in summer, a back field filled with organic vegetables, and a small orchard of fruit trees. The fresh fruit finds its way into jams, chicken feed, and, of course, your meals.

For nature lovers, it’s heaven. Over 30 species of birds have been spotted in the garden, and if you take a gentle walk down the track or into the woods, you might catch glimpses of deer and other wildlife.

This setting — with its peace, beauty, and abundance — makes the perfect backdrop for our retreat. I know you’ll fall in love with it, just as I did.

One of the joys of this France Art Retreat is stepping outside the studio to explore the landscapes, villages, and history that make the Midi-Pyrénées so special. These carefully chosen excursions are designed to fill your sketchbook with inspiration and your heart with memories, adding a truly immersive layer to your painting holiday in France.

Some of the highlights include:

Saint-Cirq Lapopie
Perched dramatically on a cliff above the River Lot, this medieval village is often called one of the most beautiful in France. A dream location for sketching and soaking up history.

Rocamadour
The second most visited site in France, Rocamadour’s cathedral and cliffside village will leave you speechless. Its dramatic setting is perfect for plein air painting.

Domme
A fortified village offering sweeping panoramic views across the Dordogne. Every corner feels like a canvas waiting to be painted.

Moulin de Cougnaguet
An 11th-century watermill filled with history, charm, and atmosphere.

Beynac Castle
Once home to Richard the Lionheart, this imposing fortress overlooks the river and is surrounded by a storybook village.

Château des Milandes
The elegant former home of Josephine Baker, with manicured gardens, a shimmering lake, and a fascinating museum.

Gourdon
Just minutes from Périgord Retreats, this peaceful town offers quiet cobbled streets, a cathedral, and hilltop views.

Collonges-la-Rouge
Built from striking red sandstone, this medieval village is utterly unique and endlessly inspiring.

La Roque-Gageac
Regularly listed among the most beautiful villages in France, nestled along the river with a château rising above.

Sarlat-la-Canéda
A lively market town where perfectly preserved medieval streets transport you back in time.

Les Jardins d’Eau (Water Gardens)
A painter’s paradise of waterlilies, koi ponds, and flowers.

Autoire
A hidden gem surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls, offering breathtaking scenes to paint.

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Facing Beynac across the Dordogne River, this mighty castle has stunning views from every angle.

Cahors
Famous for its wines and medieval bridge, Cahors is steeped in culture and charm.

Seasonal Painting Days
Depending on the season, we may paint in blooming poppy fields or lavender gardens, filling our canvases with vibrant colour and fragrance.