The Brittany Art Experience
Welcome dear travelers, artists and friends!
My name is Mathieu Brousses, I have been hosting painting workshops in Brittany, Loire Valley and Provence for the past 9 years, let me tell you all about this all-inclusive Art Experience in Brittany with the artist instructor Heather Connole https://www.heathersartclasses.com/
Heather and I would like you to be our special guests for a unique painting workshop in a gorgeous area of Brittany: The Emerald Coast
First thing first! A few pictures of our home away from home for 10 days and 9 nights, a gorgeous 19th century french mansion in Saint-Cast le Guildo (pronounce « Saint Ka »). It’s by the ocean, with a divine garden, A FEW STEPS FROM THE BEACH! It is decorated with perfect taste and equipped with all modern conveniences. 6 bedrooms – 4 bathrooms – a gigantic living room and a kitchen to dream of.
Let me introduce you our itinerary
Upon your arrival, I will personally pick up the entire group at the RNS (Rennes) airport. After some refreshments, we will drive to our Saint Cast guest house. You will instantly feel at home in this very quiet and french atmosphere. We will then settle in with a local wine and a fresh seasonal lunch. Our dear cook will be preparing the welcoming dinner. This first day is all about settling down, resting after a long trip and getting to know each other. As a group of passionate artists and remarquable people, your enthusiasm and your adventurous spirit are the best recipe for a unique and memorable Art Experience!
In the following pages of this itinerary I will try and give you a taste of the villages and places I want to share with you. Just like this view of a hidden little beach in Saint-Briac
The chronological order of the following itinerary is subject to change according to the weather, to the calendar of cultural and traditional events, to our specific desire and energy as a group and to the incredible diversity of beauties Brittany has to offer. Please consider the following as a gourmet menu we will choose from!
Saint Briac, simple and very charming
Nestled among maritime pines on the peninsula of the same name in Saint-Briac, Le Nessay is the Côte d’Emeraude’s best-kept secret.
It was a French aristocrat from Saumur, Count Maurice de Villebresme, who built the Château du Nessay on the site of an old fortress in Saint-Briac, on a pine-covered peninsula.
West of Dinard, the seaside resorts of Saint-Lunaire, Saint-Briac and Lancieux offer pretty beaches, far from the crowds, and a wonderful view of the Emerald Coast. Many painters have found inspiration here, such as Auguste Renoir and Henri Rivière. For art lovers, there is an art festival every year in Saint-Briac.
Dinard, The charm of the Belle Epoque
Dinard flourished in the Belle Époque. From the 1850s, rich families were infatuated with the place and had luxury villas built here. Today, with a casino, art galleries and beautiful hotels, “Dinard, the elegant” is still a very sought-after seaside resort. To succumb to the charm of Dinard, lose yourself in the narrow streets and stroll along the Chemin des Douaniers.
Between Prieuré beach and Pointe du Moulinet, Promenade du Clair de Lune, lined with Mediterranean gardens, is ideal for relaxing, walking and painting!
Let’s not forget its beautiful street market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday!
Mont Saint Michel, France’s most stunning sight
A magical island topped by a gravity-defying abbey!
Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides, at the limit between Normandy and Brittany, stands a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the Archangel St Michel, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its walls.
Le Mont Saint-Michel was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
Sometimes referred to as “The wonder of the Western world”, Le Mont Saint-Michel certainly is a ‘must see’ French cultural, geographical and historical attraction.
We will go early morning so we beat the crowd!
Let’s not forget we also have an amazing guest house to get some well deserved rest
After a few days of walking around Brittany and exploring its wonders we will welcome a nice and slow day at the guest house! Paint, read, snooze, swim, take a stroll along the beach or in the village!
You might help me solve the mystery of the ephemeral sand art by the Saint Cast beaches!
It’s all up to you. The breakfast and lunch will be at the guest house and we might go to a local restaurant in the evening.
Dinan, A Delightful Medieval Town by the river Rance
The quaint little town of Dinan is one of the best preserved medieval villages in Brittany.
Where to look in Dinan when you walk? One thing is certain, not his feet at the risk of missing no less than 130 half-timbered houses. This architecture so typical with varied colors will amaze you. They were built between the 15th and 18th century and they give all its authenticity to the historic center. These beautiful « damsels » can be corbelled, porches or windows.
First a commercial port in connection with Saint Malo, then a marina in the 20th century. Imagine the trading scenes in Dinan which made the city prosperous. From the 11th century, the port of dinan was animated with exchanges towards Northern Europe (England and Flanders) then Spain and the Americas. Cozy atmosphere in the early morning and livelier on the terraces during the day and evening. The port is a place for strolling at the foot of the Medieval City.
St Jacut de la mer Abbey, a quiet gem by the sea
A Benedictine monastery founded by Saint-Jacut in the 3th century, the Abbey was, for Brittany and for centuries, a high political and spiritual place.
The Abbey buildings are located in the heart of a vast landscaped garden on the seafront invite you to wander and meditate.
Out of time but very much of its time, the Abbey is a haven of serenity and openness, within whose walls a thousand-year-old project of hospitality and benevolence still resonates.
Saint Malo, All the light we can see
Like a stone ship, Saint-Malo’s ramparts stand tall, keeping watch over its port and its beaches. They cut an altogether unique figure! There’s a sense of adventure in the air here whatever the season. At once a historical, seaside and portside city, Saint-Malo is a maritime cave of wonders… You’ll love its myriad atmospheres!
Saint-Malo, a bustling portside city for 500 years. The 14th-century trade boom; the terre-neuvas, French cod fisherman who sailed to Canada’s Newfoundland; the shipowners’ mansions… and the legendary privateers. This is where the Saint-Malo spirit, which fills us with such excitement, is sparked, in a great splash of ocean swell, adventure and freedom!
A few other options
Nature has no challenger when it comes to beauty. This lighthouse is at Cap Fréhel, its pink sandstone cliffs, green hills and blue ocean make for a sublime palette.
Fort La Latte is also nearby, a nice little walk to access a lovely place
All along the coasts of Brittany, little villages and marinas are just waiting for us and our easels.
Our chef!
And last but definitely not the least, I am so very proud to present you Fabien, our chef. This 39 years old man is just amazing. And I have seen a few! We are very lucky because he is available during our dates. I call him Fab Fab!
You can admire the artist at work and a few of his creations!
More pictures I took last year because Brittany is just so beautiful!
Please meet your art instructor: Heather Connole
She will help you capture the essence of those breathtaking places
Heather Connole www.heathersartclasses.com is a self-taught Impressionist oil painter with 16 years of
experience. Her colorful paintings inspire happiness and her bold brush strokes create movement in her
works. Her distinctive personal style emanates joy and peace. Picturesque landscapes, portraits, animals
and flowers, are all brought to life with contrasting and harmonious colors and bold compositions.
She is a member of the Baton Rouge and Manassas Art Guild. Heather is currently represented at the
Elizabethan Gallery in Baton Rouge, LA., Art and Curios, Calabash, NC., and Behold Custom Art and
Framing Bay St. Louis, MS. She was contracted as an artist in residency to teach art classes at retirement
homes and middle schools by the Manship Theatre and The Baton Rouge Arts Council. She is certified to
be a Talented Art Assesor for the state of Louisiana and would help with portfolio prep for ages 6-17 for
Talented Art programs. Heather’s artwork was featured in “Town Favorites,” “Coastal Living” and
“Country Roads” magazines. She also has artwork that has been rented for movies filmed in Baton
Rouge.
From a young age she has believed, “To live life to the fullest and to follow your dreams.” She Opened
up her own studio in 2018 and began to teach kids and adults basic to advanced drawing and painting.
She would set up art shows for her students around Baton Rouge and teach them about the business
side of the art world, hoping to inspire and build confidence in all her students. She recently moved back
to VA in her hometown in 2022 after living in Louisiana for 16 years. Heather is currently teaching art
classes at wineries throughout Virginia and wanting to open an art gallery and school.
Discover the art of Heather
A bit about me: Mathieu
your host, interpreter, guide, driver, jack-of-all-trades french friend!
I was born and raised in Arles, Provence. I studied biology and film making. After 10 years in Paris working for the movie industry and television networks I came back to Provence to enjoy life, my wife and son, rebuild and live in a 200 years old house near Aix en Provence. I know Provence and its people like the back of my hand. With Wendy Higbee Carando I co-founded the Provence Art Experience in 2015. Art is part of my everyday life. I will be doing everything so you have a memorable stay: a unique experience!
What I want the Provence Art Experience to be
A thoughtfully tailored adventure for a small group of passionate artists led by an attentive considerate guide-interpret-driver-friend through the beautiful and secret Provence.
One of my artist participant (whom I today call my friend) once told me
“You literally hand-carried us through Provence!”
The sentence stuck with me ever since.
Participants of Provence Art Experience painting workshops tell me I am a provider, a caretaker.
There is no secret about it. I love to meet people, I love to share with them the Provence I know and cherish.
I love to make sure everyone is comfortable.
Is your folding chair ok? Do you have enough shade? Would you like a bottle of water? Would you like some more wine?! Our mini-van is a bit high to step in? Let me put this little stool here!
A Provence Art Experience is nothing like a crowded tour bus.
Nobody will impatiently tap their wrist-watch to tell you to hurry and run because the bus is leaving.
You will not be an anonymous number in a crowd of 50 people. You will be my guests.
And – in my book – guests are always of honor.
You will be a part of an all-inclusive tailored private experience with fellow artists and your artist instructor.
I want to keep it this way so we can get to know each other. You get to discover French Culture and “art de vivre” with someone born in Provence – in love with Provence – and eager to share it with you!
Sharing is really the main idea. The meals together are always heartwarming and special moments, breakfasts at the guest house with fresh croissants and anything you might like with it, lunches at small cafés in the most beautiful typical villages or gourmet dinners with our talented and friendly chef at the guest house or in a delicious restaurant.
We will discover the treasures of Provence, in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne. On the small meandering back roads of this enchanting country we will visit old, typical villages and just enjoy the lights, colors and atmospheres.
I also make sure you get the rest you need because 9 days of immersion can be intense!
You will have your alone time to replenish your energy so you get to do and see more.
Provence Art Experience is the way to discover Provence like no where else.
Ultimately the most appropriate persons to talk about the Provence Art Experience are the artists who experienced it:
You can read their enthusiasms and the extremely sweet reviews they wrote on Facebook, they really are heartwarming for me:
The Experience is ALL INCLUSIVE
The pricing of our painting workshops – as you can easily compare with other offers – is more than reasonable for an all-inclusive private tailored journey in Provence.
We aim to offer you a memorable journey you will remember dearly – a unique artistic, cultural, gastronomic and immersive experience.
Your Provence Art Experience includes:
-your lodging in one of the carefully chosen beautiful guest houses we work with in Provence (check the itineraries)
-All your meals with beverages: breakfasts, lunches and gourmet dinners by our chef or in local restaurants!
-All airport transfers as well as everyday local transportation,
-The organization of the plein-air sessions and lessons by the artist instructor,
-The outdoor activities,
-The wine tastings,
-The tickets for the latest events, art museums and must-sees on the itinerary
-My 24/7 attentive and considerate presence as your host, driver, interpret, guide and provider of all you might need!
It does not include:
-The airfare tickets
-Your travel and airfare ticket insurances which I both recommend
Due to the variability in the dollar/euro exchange rate in the past years and to secure the higher level of services we are proud to offer for your Provence Art Experience – we now base the price on the Euro.
Our main goal is to offer the same level of service and quality for the lodging, the meals, the transportation, the tickets for the must-sees and everything else we pay in Euros here in France.
To secure your spot, please fill and send us this following application form
You can also find the PDF version here or I can send you a version at your email address or
you can download this one here, fill it and send it to mathieu.brousses@gmail.com
To pay your deposit, please follow this link to our PayPal secured payment page and select deposit 1,200 euros
I can also send you via email a PayPal invoice you can pay with a credit/debit card or a PayPal account.
Important infos :
My phone numbers :
+33 6 15 45 47 58
+33 6 37 04 00 93
The guest house address is :
Villa « La Bertinière »
Pointe de la Garde
7 rue Alfred Marinier
22380 SAINT CAST LE GUILDO – FRANCE
The closest hospital is the :
Hôpital Arthur Gardiner
1 rue Henri Dunant 35800 Dinard
+33 2 99 16 88 88 (for emergencies also)
For extreme medical emergencies just dial 15 – the SAMU
Emergency Numbers in France
The European Emergency number is 112 (114 for hearing-assisted).
Dial this number for any emergency service (ambulance, fire brigade, police) anywhere throughout Europe. Specially-trained operators will pick up the call, and in France are guaranteed to speak English and French. This number is free of charge and can be dialled from a fixed line or a mobile phone – even if the mobile phone is out of credit or locked. It exists alongside French national emergency numbers, which are:
- 15: Medical help/SAMU
- 17: Police/Police Nationale (Gendarmerie)
- 18: Fire department & accidents/Sapeurs Pompiers
In France, the SAMU is the national emergency organization.
It has a 24-hour service and gives medical assistance for all medical emergencies.
Its ambulances are manned by teams of trained personnel, and are equipped with emergency equipment for any cardiac or respiratory resuscitation.