ART + WELLNESS RETREATS
SOUTH OF FRANCE
ALL-INCLUSIVE STAY DETAILS
Experience a thoughtfully structured day that blends artistic practice, exploration, and rejuvenation. There is so much to explore, both inside and out.
Each week combines daily art instruction sessions led by expert instructors with free studio time, and optional holistic practices like rooftop yoga and sound-bowl meditation. Activities abound on-site and throughout the region In addition to the light and color that inspire creativity, the Riviera has long been a site for leisure and recreational activities, all just a few steps away. This is all about creating the experience that calls to you!
Our retreats take place in Mandelieu-La Napoule, France, at the historic Château de La Napoule, as part of the La Napoule Art Foundation. This picturesque costal town is 8 miles/12.6k from Cannes. The nearest airport is Nice which is approximately 40 minutes from the château. You can read more about the town HERE
REGISTER FOR $2850 | VIEW THE ACCOMMODATIONS PAGE FOR ROOM PRICING TIERS IF YOU'D LIKE TO UPGRADE YOUR ROOM
We have a deposit option available!
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
-
Airport transportation to and from the venue
-
Five nights at the historic Villa Marguerite (Monday - Friday)*
-
Five days of art session programming
-
Individual guidance and demonstrations with art instructor
-
Time for creative exploration and experimentation
-
Free access to the Château de La Napoule and its expansive gardens to roam and gather inspiration
-
Daily rooftop yoga
-
Sound bowl healing and meditations
-
An inspirational excursion
-
Swimming and paddleboarding on the Mediterranean, just steps from the venue
-
Lunch made with fresh local produce and responsibly sourced ingredients
-
Traditional Southern French cuisine prepared by resident Château Chef
-
Wine, cocktails, coffee, tea, and aperitifs daily
-
Please note: airfare and art materials are not included
*Participants are welcome to arrive on the evening prior to the retreat (Sunday) and stay at the Villa by adding an extra night to your retreat booking, which is available at checkout. We arrange transport from Nice mid-morning on Monday for arrivals, and on Saturday morning to Nice for departures. Otherwise we can assist you in booking your own transport via train or taxi.
-
CREATIVE IMMERSION
Dive deep into your artistic voice with daily painting or other mixed-media lessons led by expert and inspiring instructors. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, brushing up on your skills, or are entirely new to art. Our instructors are versed in teaching for all levels.
ICONIC ALL-INCLUSIVE STAY
Stay in the Villa Marguerite, former home of an Austrian princess, stroll through sculptor Henry Clews’ gardens, learn about the historic Chateau, and create beside the glittering Mediterranean. Included in the cost of your retreat includes accommodations at the Villa Marguerite, 2 healthy meals per day, art studio access, and optional soft wellness practices.
HOLISTIC ITINERARY
The itineraries for our retreats are designed so that you experience a balance of structured and free time. We want you to have time to learn about the art discipline you chose, and then have time to integrate. Slow mornings begin with an offering of a walk by the sea, rooftop yoga, or sound‑bowl meditation; afternoons begin with a mix of optional outings, evening dinners by candlelight, or time for you to explore the area
.
8:00 AM | Morning Movement
Guided seaside walk or gentle yoga to awaken the body and mind.9:30 AM | French Breakfast Under the Pergola
Fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, rich coffee, and conversation in the morning light.10:30 AM | Art-Making with Intention
Studio time focused on guided creative exploration and personal expression.12:30 PM | Chef-Prepared Lunch
A vibrant meal crafted from locally sourced ingredients, enjoyed al fresco.1:30 PM | Creative Studio or Free Time
Continue your art practice or relax — swim, read, journal, or simply rest.4:30 PM | Garden Aperitif
Aperol spritz or botanical mocktails in the garden as the afternoon softens.6:00 PM | Evening Integration
Sound bowl meditation, restorative session, or optional stroll into town.7:30 PM | Dinner by the Sea
A relaxed, candlelit dinner on the beach as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.THE CHATEAU Perched on the Mediterranean, the Château de La Napoule has been shaped by centuries of destruction and reinvention—from a Roman foundation to a 14th-century fortress. In 1918, artists Henry and Marie Clews transformed the ruins into a living work of art, weaving sculpture, symbolism, and imagination into every corner. Today, it endures as a creative sanctuary—where history, place, and artistic expression continue to unfold.
VILLA MARGUERITE Just beyond the château, Villa Marguerite invites a softer, more personal experience of the foundation. This Belle Époque home—once belonging to Princess Daisy of Pless—became part of the Clews’ vision after World War I, carrying forward a spirit of hospitality that still defines it today.
Guests stay in private rooms with sea or garden views, sharing meals, moments, and creative energy in a setting that feels both lived-in and quietly extraordinary.
What is included:
-
Daily art sessions, individual guidance and demonstrations with the instructor
-
5 nights of accommodation at the beautiful and historic Villa Marguerite
-
2 meals per day, including 1 per day prepared by the Chateau Cheffe (all meals prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions) Some traditional French cuisine, and many delicious dishes with fresh local produce and ingredients sourced by the Cheffe
-
Wine and aperitifs at meals
-
Coffee, tea, and water available throughout the day
-
Full access to the Chateau and gardens to roam and gather inspiration
-
A very short walk (2-5 minutes) to several beaches so you can relax or take a swim in the Mediterranean
-
Access to the Foundation's paddle boards
-
Art excursion to local or regional museum
-
Private transportation for excursions
-
Fully staffed retreat venue
-
Daily yoga, optional
-
Sound bowl meditation sessions, optional
-
Transportation to and from the venue when you arrive and depart *see the transportation for more information*
-
Plus all of the amenities listed on the accommodations page
What is not included:
-
Airfare
-
Travel Insurance
-
Art Materials
-
Other expenses guests may incur on their own
-
Unexpected medical expenses
2026 RETREAT program calendar
artist book history and making
JUNE 15-19
foraged books:
the art of place
Instructor: Cindy Parker
Delve into memory for your magical places and stories and forage the Château grounds for images and ideas to create your own artist’s book. Learn innovative book structures, experiment with various tools and mark making techniques, lettering, and ways of thinking about text and story.
OIL PAINTING
JUNE 22-26
THE HUMAN FORM IN OIL PAINTS
Instructor: Alex Soukas
This course offers instruction in painting the human figure from a live model. Students will explore color, anatomy, and expressive technique to capture the vitality and form of the human body. No experience necessary.
MULTI-MEDIA ASSEMBLAGE
JUNE 29-JULY 3
THE SECRET LIVES OF MATERIALS
Instructors: Cindy Parker & Kathryn Cameron
We’ll experiment with a wide range of materials and mediums—engaging their Textures, colors, energies, and origins—while exploring multi-media assemblage, unconventional tools, and embodied mark-making.
painting and mark making
JULY 6-10
Color as matter: EXPLORING PIGMENT, sURFACE & FORM
Instructor Kathryn Cameron
Discover the physical and symbolic power of color through ways that bridge painting and sculpture. Participants hand-make pigments, explore traditional binders, and learn the historical meanings of color. The workshop culminates in a collective installation of paintings and sculptural studies.
OIL PAINTING
JULY 13-17
THE ART OF BEING: JOURNEY TO YOUR style of AUTHENTIC PAINTING
Instructor: Joalida Smit
Through mindful observation, material exploration, and connection to the landscape, learn to paint from within. This immersive retreat offers the tools and space to replace imitation with authenticity and trust in your creative process.
OIL PAINTING
JULY 20-24
TURNING RESISTANCE INTO CREATIVE INSIGHT
Instructor: Joalida Smit
Rather than silencing your inner critic, learn to listen for the wisdom hidden within its voice. This retreat blends mindfulness, nature, and studio exploration to help you transform fear into fuel and deepen your confidence in your artistic painting intuition.
WRITING AND FILM
JULY 27-31
BEYOND THE FRAME:
AWAKenING THE INNER VISONARY
Instructors: Joalida Smit and Kristina Darling
This retreat invites artists to move beyond their primary disciplines and uncover untapped dimensions of their creative voice. From merging text and image and writing to short films, you’ll awaken new ways of seeing and making.
writing, assemblage and sculpture
AUGUST 3-7
REDISCOVERING THE SENSES: POETIC EXPLORATION, ART & FILM
Instructor: Kristina Darling
Each day will start with a poetry prompt. Over the five days, you will awaken your creative reflections through filmmaking, assemblage, and sculpture that invite you to imagine more freely.
OIL PAINTING
AUGUST 10-14
GESTURAL STILL LIFE PAINTING: FROM JOURNEY TO CANVAS
Instructor: Laura Brown
Discover how to transform your travel experiences into expressive, unfussy tablescape paintings. You'll learn how to arrange a balanced still life, capture mood through color, and use loose, intuitive brushwork.
OIL PAINTING
AUGUST 17-21
ALLA PRIMA PAINTING: LANDSCAPE
Instructor: Brandi McDermott
Immerse yourself in nature as you learn to observe light, color, and atmosphere. This plein air workshop strengthens your ability to translate what you see into expressive, confident paintings created outdoors.
oil painting
AUGUST 24-28
alla prima painting:
inside and out
Instructor: Brandi McDermott
Explore color, composition, paint application, and the foundational principles of oil painting while capturing favorite moments amid the beauty of the area. Experience growth in direct painting methods through intentional observation in the studio and outdoors.
MIXED-MEDIA
AUGUST 31 - SEPT 4
RARE MARK-MAKING:
TRACING BEAUTY THROUGH FOUND MATERIALS
Instructor: Ray Brand
This process-led workshop explores intuitive mark-making, where instinct and materials guide the creative process. Ideal for artists, makers, and curious beginners, participants reconnect with their hands and leave with experimental works and renewed creative intuition.
WORDS FROM OUR PAST PARTICIPANTS
“I'm continually fed by the connections and conversations from the wonderful group of creatives at the retreat. This was an incredible experience - the week fulfilled me in so many unexpected and beautiful ways, I can't wait to return!”
"I went on a whim, thinking it would just be a simple getaway. What I didn’t expect was a truly magical experience, one that allowed me to release all my worldly worries and rediscover my joy."
"I'm just full of calm and happiness today and it's thanks to your incredible talent for gathering people and making us feel seen, heard, welcome and most of all for your relaxed spirit of fun!"
“I just have to express my gratitude for that incredible week. It was life-changing, nurturing, everything! EVERYTHING!"
"There are people and places that change your life, and my experience at le Chateau de la Napoule has lodged itself as a sliver of inspiration and happiness into my consciousness. I was given the gift of agency to make discoveries around every corner and then embroider these discoveries as poetry, visual expression, and ongoing thought and investigation!"
“The Threshold Retreat was a truly magical experience. I learned, created, and tapped into my creativity in ways I never had before. And as an interior designer in the creative field daily - that's saying a lot. Between the art workshops, daily rituals, incredible food, swimming in the sea, and exploring France, it felt like a dream - one that I’ll carry with me forever. I left with not only inspiration but also deep friendships and a sense of renewal..."
Introducing STUDIO STAY
In the coming weeks, Threshold Art Retreats will be introducing a new program for artists seeking time, space, and independence within a setting steeped in artistic history. A STUDIO STAY offers self-directed time and space within the La Napoule Art Foundation—an artist-filled setting where all disciplines are welcome. Work independently, with access to the Château, gardens, and a shared creative rhythm alongside the retreats.
Reservations open in two weeks—join the list for first access.