Your once-in-a-lifetime chance to walk in the footsteps of the masters
How often in your life will you experience the works of masters like Matisse, Renoir, Cezanne, Chagall, Picasso, and more, in their original settings in the south of France?
Provence is the cathedral of 19th and 20th century art. It was the incubator for some of the most revered creativity in history in an environment close to heaven.
The Artist’s Dream
Join the Artist’s Dream, an exclusive, guided pilgrimage to these masters with artist, teacher and guide, Cally Lotz. For six days in the sultry Provencal spring, you can revel, with a handful of art lovers in the best of many worlds — exquisite paintings, sculpture, mosaics, designs, throbbing Provencal markets, stunning views. At the end of each heady day of exploration, inspiration and education, you return to La Bastide for relaxation and refreshment, gourmet style.
You’ll receive from Cally privileged insights into the art. The origins and meaning, the techniques, the stories, the triumphs and the tragedies. Her wisdom comes with a passion and a depth of knowledge that only a life devoted to creating and teaching art can nurture.
Hallucinatory beauty
Your journey will take you through the hallucinatory beauty of some of the oldest civilised sites in and around the Riviera and the Cote d’Azur. You’ll probe the very heart of artistic and historic Provence, exploring the imposing architecture and the magnificent museums, galleries and churches.
Then Cally will guide you into the pulsing village life of villages such as St Paul de Vence and Mougins. There, you’ll re-acquaint yourself with some of the most inspiring images of the last two centuries. And you’ll meet contemporary artists seduced by the endless cycle of invention.
The tour builds into your adventure visits to legendary Nice & Antibes, the heart-beat of the Riviera.
Sights, sounds and flavours
All the while the sights, sounds and flavours of inimitable Provence are yours, brought to you by expert locals, Trish and Ian Rodwell, owners and operators of La Bastide, and our visiting art expert, Cally Lotz.
You’ll also have time to savour the tastes and pace of ancient hilltop hamlets such as Seillan—home of La Bastide, Fayance and Bargemon.
These are the better known features of the tour. With so much art, history, and human drama saturating the landscape, other options are available day to day. Let your curiosity off the leash.
The old masters might just be stirring in their graves.
The detail
Arrival
• Pick up from airport or train station
• Arrive at La Bastide or accommodation, after 4.00 pm
• welcome drinks, afternoon tea
• unpack, relax, have a swim, settle in
• drinks and dinner at Bastide
Day 1
• Breakfast on the terrace about 8.30
• 9.15 transport to Vence, visit Matisse’s Chapelle du Rosaire, opens 10.00.
• To St Paul de Vence(about 30 minutes)
• Maeght foundation
• Very short transfer to St Paul de Vence
• Lunch at a local café, local food, local wine and fabulous views
• After lunch stroll through the town, brim full of local artists’ works, fabulous views and the most painted fountain in Provence
• Back to la Bastide, about 4.00
• Tea/sundowners/swim/canapes and drinks followed by dinner at Bastide
Day 2
• 8.00 Breakfast on the terrace, fresh fruit, croissants, baguette, home made jams, yoghurts, cereal, juices, fresh coffee and selection of teas
• 9.00 transport to Nice , about one hour
• 10.00 visit the Museum of Contemporary Art
• drive down the Promenade des Anglais and head to the old town, Vieux Nice
• Wander at leisure through the Cours Saleya, Nice’s famous food and flower market.
• Grab a light lunch or snack in the market
• Come out at the eastern end, head towards the Chateau.
• Stroll through the gardens at the top, take in the view of Nice and the Baie des Anges beyond and the old port.
• transport back to the Bastide
• Time for a swim and rest before dinner
• Wine, aperitif and dinner on the terrace
Day 3
• After breakfast a short transfer to Mougin old town
• Visit the Museum of Classical art. Fabulous collection of classical and contemporary art
• Lunch in Mougin
• Wander through this charming old town, visit the shops and galleries.
• Transport to Vallauris to visit the Picasso Museum and historical ‘pottery’ town
• Transport to La Bastide for swim/rest/wine/aperitif and dinner
Day 4
• Breakfast on the terrace
• 9.00 transport to Antibes
• Antique market along the old wall
• Provencal market in the main square
• Food market
• Picasso Museum
• Lunch in the old town of Antibes
• transport to La Cannot to visit the Bonnard Museum
• transport back to the Bastide
• Time for a swim and rest before dinner
• Wine, aperitif and dinner on the terrace
Day 5
• Fayence market, our local market and biggest regional, traditional market
• Transport to Seillans to wander through the old town
• Lunch at the beautiful Deux Rocs restaurant for lunch on the terrace
. Visit the Max Ernst Museum
• Transport to Bargemon, view the Beddington Gallery and Sculpture Gardens
• Dinner at la Bastide, a last supper to share experiences, friendship, good food and wine
Day 6
Breakfast on the terrace
Transport to Nice north
Visit the Chagall Museum
Visit the Matisse Museum
Transport to Cagnes sur Mer for lunch
Transport to Renoir’s House and Museum
Transport home to LaBastide for a last dinner and time to share experiences, friendship, good food and wine
Day 7: Departure
• Relaxed breakfast at la Bastide
• Transfer with our driver to airport, train station or to local hotel
If after this busy week you would like to extend your stay and simply rest and relax on the poolside terrace, or explore the local area, stay at la Bastide on a B & B basis.
This is a unique opportunity to experience real Provencal life, stay in a 350 year old farm house, taste the life of Provence and and immerse yourself in the taste, sound and look of this rich and intriguing corner of artists heaven.
FOR MORE INFORMATiON AND BOOKINGS PLEASE CONTACT US HERE.
