# Collage Your Travels Art Retreat with Artist Catherine Rains in France

Join mixed media artist Catherine Rains for a week of storytelling through collage in the enchanting Loire Valley, France. This immersive retreat invites you to chronicle your travel experience through a soulful blend of collage-making and smartphone photography. Each step of the way, you’ll be gently supported to follow your creative spark as you experiment with techniques for making expressive, one-of-a-kind collage papers, and then transform them into collages that are infused with the colors, textures, and spirit of your time in France.Whether you’re brand new to collage or an experienced artist looking to deepen your practice, this retreat is open to all levels.Inspiration will come not just from the studio, but from the world around you. You’ll explore the vibrant atmosphere of a local French market, the riverside charm of Saumur, and the exquisite patterned gardens of Château de Villandry. These excursions offer endless opportunities to gather source material, capture photos that tell the story of your travels, and create two concertina-style journals that reflect the beauty and energy of your week in the Loire.But the journey doesn’t end there. Armed with new skills and expanded creative confidence, you’ll return home ready to collage your future adventures, whether exploring your own neighborhood or traveling across the globe. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll leave with lasting friendships and deep connections to kindred spirits who share your passion for creativity and discovery.You’ll stay in a 19th-century château surrounded by quiet gardens and woodland paths. Enjoy fresh, nourishing meals each day, find cozy spaces for reflection and sketching, and connect with a small circle of like-minded creatives. Evenings invite conversation, community, and celebration of your evolving work.

## Details

- **Dates:** September 2 - 9, 2026
- **Location:** Concourson-sur-Layon, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,250
- **Category:** [Painting](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreats/painting) · [Browse on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreats/painting)

## Overview

What's includedArt classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artist Catherine RainsSeasonal vegetables and fresh fruits for the workshop component7 nights of accommodation at a stunning retreat venueExclusive use of the entire property with living quarters, common areas, outdoor workshop spaces, indoor art studio, a heated pool, private gardens, fruit orchard, and terracesAll meals: traditional French cuisine and international dishes prepared under the supervision of the château nutritionistCheese boards with a selection of fine French cheeses accompanying certain three-course dinnersUnlimited local wine during dinner serviceA complimentary wine-tasting event at the château before dinner with the top local sommelier, who has spent six years in the UK working with Gordon Ramsay before moving back to his native LoireTea, coffee, and water available throughout the day at the retreat venueAfternoon snacksArt trip to SaumurArt trip to Château de VillandryArt trip to a local French marketPrivate transportation for tripsFully-staffed retreat venueExperienced UpTrek host available at the venueRound trip transfers to/from Angers (St. Laud) train station at preset timesAll local tourist taxes and feesAccess to a private Facebook group with Catherine Rains and other retreat participants four months before the retreatNot includedAirfareTravel insuranceArt materials (unless otherwise specified) — a full list of art materials recommended by Catherine Rains will be sent five months before the retreatOther expenses guests might incur on their own

## Program

### Collage Your Travels Art Retreat
Join mixed media artist Catherine Rains in the Loire Valley, France, for a retreat rooted in self-discovery through collage and travel photography. Surrounded by vineyards, stone villages, and garden paths, you will spend a week creating layered artwork that captures the feeling of being somewhere fully. Using hand-painted papers, altered photographs, and found materials, you will explore how to turn daily experiences into something personal and lasting.Over the course of seven days, you’ll create more than eleven types of collage papers, each reflecting the energy of the Loire Valley and your unfolding experience. Mid-week you will create the first of two concertina journals where you will start to use your growing collection of collage papers to learn collage composition.Whether you arrive with no background in collage or bring a practiced hand, you will be invited to slow down and look closer and to gather and translate the world around you into something personal and resonant.You will walk through the patterned hedges and sculpted symmetry of Château de Villandry, photographing clipped leaves and shifting shadows in the garden paths. In Saumur, you will gather images of limestone alleys, iron balconies, and shopfronts worn soft by time. At the village market, you will move among crates of fruit and stacks of printed paper, collecting textures and objects that speak to the tone of daily life.You will leave with two concertina journals that chronicle the sights, sounds, and small details of the Loire Valley.Topics covered in your classes include:How to use a limited color palette of 2 primaries to create harmonious collage papersCreating a collection of 11+ types of collage papers using travel-friendly techniquesBuilding a mini concertina journal mid-week to explore collage compositionSmartphone photography for capturing meaningful travel imageryInfusing a collage with the energy, texture, and rhythm of a placeMaking a one-of-a-kind travel concertina collage journal during the final daysCreating from a place of joy, intention, and love…and many more!The retreat takes place at a majestic 19th-century château featuring lush gardens, a heated pool, and stunning surroundings. Immerse yourself in French culture in a picturesque setting, coupled with authentic French cuisine prepared by the venue's private chef. Indulge in a wine-tasting event hosted by a renowned sommelier in the château's gardens, where you'll discover the finest flavors of the region.

### Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Angers' St. Laud train station with enough time to catch the 4:00 PM group transfer, arriving at the beautiful château by 5:00 PM. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly welcomed by Catherine and your fellow artists. After settling into your comfortable room, take part in an orientation tour to get familiar with the incredible venue, including its picturesque gardens, serene woodlands, historic salon, and cozy library. In the evening, join Catherine and the art group for a special welcome dinner. Indulge in a delicious, three-course meal accompanied by a delicious glass of French wine and delightful cheese platters.

### Day 2: Art at the château
Wake slowly to birdsong and filtered light, then step outside for a refreshing breakfast in the château gardens. Sip your coffee and ease into the day’s rhythm while Catherine introduces the creative focus ahead.Begin with setting personal and artistic intentions. Ask what you want to uncover in yourself, and how that curiosity can guide your creative choices. With Catherine’s direction, start turning those ideas into painted and printed collage papers using a limited palette of two primaries, plus black and white. Play with texture, brushwork, and subtle shifts in value. Move between instinct and observation while gathering small natural elements around the property, which will become part of your visual vocabulary for the rest of the week.After lunch, carry the morning’s momentum into using monoprinting techniques with vegetables, leaves, coffee, and salt. Over the course of the week, you’ll build a wide-ranging collection of more than eleven types of collage papers, each one capturing the essence of your time in the Loire Valley. The surface of each sheet will become a place to hold emotion, memory, and the quiet shifts in how you see.As the sun shifts lower, wander back through the gardens, rest by the pool, or leaf through a favorite book in the château library. In the evening, gather for a warm, seasonal dinner paired with local wines.

### Day 3: Art trip to a local French market
Begin your day with a visit to a bustling French market, alive with color and scent.Wander through stalls stacked with fresh produce, spices, breads, cheeses, and flowers, taking reference photos of whatever draws your eye. Pause at tables of vintage papers, advertisements, packaging, and handwritten signs, selecting pieces to carry back as both visual memories and future collage materials. Every item you collect will become part of your own unique interpretation of the market.Back at the château, rest over a garden lunch and then move into the studio. Begin the afternoon by spreading out your finds. With Catherine’s guidance, start shifting these everyday fragments into collage paper through crayon resist, painted overlays, and layering techniques. Paint directly over advertisements and receipts. Turn travel documents into pattern and color. Let what you gathered in the morning reshape itself into something beautiful and new.As light softens, step outside and notice how the landscape feels different now. Sit beneath the trees, take a walk through the grasses, or leaf through something quiet. End the day together with a warm and delicious dinner, paired with a glass of wine.

### Day 4: Art trip to Saumur
Begin with a full breakfast and prepare to head out to Saumur, a riverside town shaped by pale limestone, iron balconies, and steep rooftops.Walk its winding streets where ivy spills over old walls and shop windows are lined with vintage packaging and handwritten labels. Notice faded posters, produce crates, tiled doorsteps, and the worn textures of shutters and signage. Use your phone to capture reference photos that tell the story of your journey. Gather paper scraps, ads, wrappers, and any found material that carries the visual language of the town.Return to the château and unpack your images and objects. With Catherine’s guidance, start transforming what you collected into layered collage papers. Paint over advertisements and turn them into artwork that reflects your experience and artistic voice. Try new techniques that respond to the textures and colors of Saumur, building surfaces that reflect its contrasts: sunlight on stone, shadow under balconies, and the soft geometry of old ironwork. Learn to create many types of “finishing touch” collage papers on tissue paper that will add the perfect top layer to the collages you will start creating the following day. Continue shaping a practice that allows collage to travel with you, wherever you go.Step outside to walk among the trees or pause in the studio to take in the work so far. Gather again for an evening meal, and let the patterns and textures of Saumur linger as you think forward to what they’ll become next.

### Day 5: Art at the château
Wake to a wholesome breakfast and fresh coffee, then return to the intentions you set when the retreat began.Sit with Catherine and revisit the intentions you set at the start of the retreat. Reflect on how your work has changed and begin embedding those ideas into a new mini concertina journal. Use this small format to explore how layout, contrast, and placement create clarity and meaning. Learn to work with the painted papers you’ve already made, applying core principles of composition while allowing intuition to guide the page.After a refreshing lunch, return to your space and spread out everything created so far. Catherine will introduce a few additional collage paper-making techniques to expand your collection. What you create now will lead into the travel journal you’ll begin shaping in the days ahead.As the light shifts outside, step away from the table and take in how far your work has come. Share dinner with the group, surrounded by pages that now hold your own visual language.

### Day 6: Trip to Château de Villandry
Step into the day with a hearty breakfast and coffee before heading out toward the Château de Villandry.Pass through farmland and stone villages until the towers appear and the gardens open wide around them. Walk with your camera through rows of clipped hedges, patterned flowerbeds, and long canal paths. Photograph sculpted leaves, repeating borders, framed arches, and the tension between symmetry and growth. Move through the Garden of Love, the Water Garden, and the kitchen beds lined with herbs and edible flowers. Document anything that holds rhythm or what catches your eye and lights up your heart along the way.Pause midday for a packed lunch in the gardens. Go over your photos and talk with Catherine about how to select and edit your images, and convert them into black-and-white images that will form the focal points for your main travel journal.In the afternoon, return to the château to create your main travel concertina journal. You’ve spent the week building up to this moment, experimenting with more than eleven distinct approaches to collage paper-making. Begin by sorting through the beautiful collage of painted papers you've created, sorting by value. You will then set aside the ones that make your heart jump a beat when you look at them, and begin creating your travel collages, integrating your photographs, and using the composition tools introduced earlier in the week.Enjoy dinner together as the sky darkens across the property, and take in how a single day can now live in your hands as something entirely your own.

### Day 7: Art at the château
Begin with the sound of paper shuffling and the smell of coffee in the air as you prepare to bring the retreat into focus.As the week nears its end, spend the morning continuing to create collages in your travel concertina journal. Pull from the collection of collage papers created throughout the week, weaving in your favorite photographs of your journey through the Loire Valley. Catherine will offer guidance as you create each collage, offering suggestions for making them a unique expression of you and your journey. At the end, narrate the story that your collages are sharing about what you learned and experienced.After lunch, gather for the closing ceremony and open your beautiful travel journal. Consider the intentions you set when you arrived and how they were met, were transformed, and what they taught you along the way. Share your favorite moments, the images that surprised you, and how the Loire Valley found its way into your materials and your heart. Walk through your collage travel book with Catherine and others, page by page, taking in the story you’ve assembled.Spend the last stretch of daylight however you choose. End the evening with a final dinner, surrounded by good company and the pages that now carry everything you came here to find.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast with your art group, exchange any last contacts, and get ready for your 8:00 AM transfer to the St. Laud train station, arriving at about 9:00 AM.

## Instructors

- [Catherine Rains](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/instructors/catherine-rains) — Mixed media & collage artist, educator

## Accommodation

### French Château
Your home for the retreat will be a 19th-century château nestled in the romantic Loire countryside. You'll have the unique opportunity to stay at a magnificent estate and step back into history, surrounded by the lush greenery of its vineyards.The estate has three beautifully restored buildings: the main 19th-century château, a rustic coach house, and a cozy farm cottage. Each building exudes elegance and comfort, featuring ornate ceilings, period woodwork, and tiled floors, all while preserving their original charm. The rooms at this stunning venue can be shared or single, and they are distributed across these three buildings.Indulge in the unique indoor amenities that include a large library brimming with books, a period salon for intimate gatherings, and a games room equipped with a pool table, all found in the main château. The coach house and the farm cottage have their own common rooms as well. Outdoors, you'll find manicured French gardens, a heated swimming pool, and airy terraces. These peaceful spots are perfect for inspiring chats with fellow artists or taking in the fairytale atmosphere.Your classes will take place outdoors, on the covered deck, or on the shaded pergolas. Indoors, a spacious, bright studio awaits; it is located in the central courtyard and benefits from plenty of natural light.Please note that the retreat is not suitable for participants with limited mobility - the upper floor rooms are only accessible via stairs, and the art trips will involve plenty of walking on uneven, cobbled streets. As the venue is located in the French countryside, expect some insects during your stay. Since the venue is not equipped with window screens (to preserve its original architecture), some insects may come into your room if you leave the windows open.

### Shared room - shared bathroom
You will share this room with another same-gender participant. The room also shares its bathroom with one other single-occupancy room, meaning that three retreat participants will be sharing the spacious bathroom. The room is located in the farm cottage on the second floor and features two comfortable twin beds with delicate woodwork and beautiful beams supporting the high domed ceiling. Participants staying at the farm cottage also have shared access to the living room and fully-equipped kitchen of the cottage, as well as a charming terrace.

### Shared standard ensuite room (female only)
You will share this room with another same-gender participant. There are three shared standard ensuite rooms; two of the rooms are located in the coach house (on the first and second floors), while the other is located on the first floor of the château. The rooms feature private ensuite bathrooms, comfortable twin beds, and tall French windows with gorgeous views of the courtyard. Guests will also have access to the shared spaces of the coach house and the château, respectively, as well as the outdoor terrace.

### Shared superior ensuite room (female only)
You will share this room with another same-gender participant. Located on the top floor of the château, the room features an ensuite bathroom and comfortable twin beds. The room has tall windows overlooking the beautiful gardens of the venue.

### Shared bathroom - single room (female only)
You will share the bathroom with two other retreat participants, but you will have this room to yourself. Located in the farm cottage on the second floor, the single room shares a large bathroom with another double-occupancy room down the hall; three guests will be sharing the spacious bathroom in the farm cottage. The room is furnished with a beautiful double bed and features original wooden beams and charming decorations. Participants staying at the farm cottage also have shared access to the living room and fully-equipped kitchen of the cottage, as well as a charming terrace.

### Single standard ensuite room
Two single standard rooms are available for single occupancy. The rooms are located on the second floor of the coach house. They are spacious and feature double beds and ensuite bathrooms. Guests will also have access to the shared spaces of the coach house, as well as the outdoor terrace.

### Single superior ensuite room
One single superior room is available for single occupancy. Located on the second floor of the château, this bright room offers a spacious double bed for your comfort. Tall windows frame picturesque views of the enchanting French gardens below. Your ensuite bathroom ensures convenience and privacy.

### Single deluxe suite
Two single deluxe suite are available for single occupancy. Located on the second and top floor of the château, the rooms feature a double or king-size bed. They have ensuite bathrooms with a tub and a separate shower.

## Food

No trip to France is complete without a tour of its culinary heritage. During your retreat with Catherine Rains, you'll be treated to an authentic gastronomic journey that will delight your senses.Each morning, wake up to a tantalizing breakfast buffet brimming with freshly baked bread, croissants, a variety of local cheeses, savory ham, and eggs, and the essential cup of tea or coffee. During lunch, enjoy a light two-course meal featuring creamy soups, fresh salads, sandwiches, baked tarts, or other French staples. Dinner is a three-course feast, perfectly complemented by select wine.Moreover, you'll learn why the Loire Valley is one of France's most celebrated wine regions with a unique wine-tasting event. The experience will be led by a top local sommelier who refined his skills working alongside none other than chef Gordon Ramsay before returning to his native Loire.Your retreat includes all meals, afternoon snacks, artisanal cheese platters, wine during dinner service, and a selection of tea, coffee, and water available throughout the day. During your full-day trip to Château de Villandry, you'll enjoy a packed lunch from the venue.Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. We may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot cater to dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or accommodate last-minute requests made on the spot.

## Getting There

The art retreat with Catherine Rains will take place in the heart of France's picturesque Loire Valley. This stunning region will provide ample inspiration for your paintings, thanks to its magnificent châteaux (castles), sprawling vineyards, historic towns, and scenic landscapes. The Loire Valley is one of France's foremost wine regions, and its lush valleys have earned it the title of "The Garden of France".During your retreat, you'll visit Château de Villandry, a Renaissance-era castle famous for its architecture and expansive gardens, found 50 miles away from the retreat venue. Saumur, the birthplace of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, is a mere 15 miles from the venue, boasting a magnificent château and a vibrant local culture. Just 25 miles away, you'll find Angers, the transfer pick-up/drop-off point.Check-in at the retreat venue starts at 4:00 PM on September 2, 2026, and check-out is after breakfast on September 9, 2026, by 8:00 AM.We strongly recommend planning more time for long-distance international travel. It is best to arrive in France a day before the retreat starts to prevent any inconveniences caused by potential flight delays, rest after the long travel, and adjust to the new time zone.Please refrain from booking flights until the retreat has been guaranteed and you have been charged for your participation.To be transferred to the retreat venue, please arrive at the Angers (St. Laud) train station.How to get to Angers (St. Laud) train station:The best (quickest and most affordable) option is to fly to Paris and catch a train to Angers (St. Laud) train station from Gare Montparnasse Paris. It's a very pleasant, direct train journey (1 hour, 40 minutes).Please keep in mind that the journey from the Paris (CDG) Airport to Gare Montparnasse Paris train station takes 1 hour by train.Another convenient option is to fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport and take a direct TGV train from the airport terminal (Roissy–CDG 2 TGV) to Angers (St. Laud) train station. This is a comfortable and straightforward journey that takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes on average, with no need to transfer into the city.Please note that while this route may be slightly more expensive than taking the train from Gare Montparnasse, it avoids the need to travel across Paris with luggage and may save time depending on your arrival.You can book train tickets to Angers (St. Laud) train station from one of the following:https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/https://www.thetrainline.com/en/train-times/paris-to-angers-st-laudhttps://www.omio.com/trainsHow to get from Angers (St. Laud) train station to the retreat venue:Private transfers at prearranged times to and from Angers (St. Laud) train station are included. The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately one hour.Arrival transfer: September 2, 2025 ⁠— 4:00 PM (leaving from Angers (St. Laud) train station, arriving at the retreat venue around 5:00 PM)Departure transfer: September 9, 2025 — 8:00 AM (leaving from the retreat venue, arriving at Angers (St. Laud) train station around 9:00 AM)If your travel arrangements don't work with our pre-set transfer times, please consider the following options:Spend extra days at a hotel in Paris or Angers before and/or after the retreat, and catch the transfer shuttles from/to Angers (St. Laud) train stationGrab a taxi to the retreat venue (address: Château de la Vigne, La Croix Patron, 49700 Concourson-sur-Layon, France, approximately 160 EUR/170 USD per way from Angers. Please note that taxi fares may vary.)

## Reviews

Venue reviews:"The venue exceeded my expectations. From the quietude and beauty of the property to May's wonderful meals, everything was wonderful. Guy, May, and Roger have my highest recommendation as hosts. And my thanks to *you*, Ana (UpTrek), for so seamlessly facilitating all the details. I felt very comfortable going into the trip because of all the prep beforehand.""Perfect. Great food, fab hosts, great learning opportunities in an ideal location.""From the arrival to departure my needs were met and my learning was vast. I have to mention the fun had by me and the relationships we made. I would go to this retreat again in a heartbeat! Food was wonderful and May, Guy, and Roger were the best.""Well planned and executed. Everyone helped/supported/encouraged everyone else.""Gracious hosts, delicious food, comfortable accommodations, friendly participants, fun field trips, and fabulous art instruction.""I know it sounds dramatic but this trip was everything I hoped it would be and so much more. To begin with, the venue was lovely. May and Guy were fantastic hosts and May is an incredible chef. The meals were outstanding as was their hospitality. Thank you for helping to make everything up front go smoothly. I’m back to reality now but have wonderful memories 😊""May and Guy were great hosts. I have never been so looked after dietary wise thanks to May’s excellent cooking skills. Also thank you to you Ana, you have always been very responsive and friendly thereby making it an easier journey for us all."

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is the art retreat available to all levels? The art retreat with Catherine Rains is open to all levels and perfect for anyone interested in exploring collage, whether you're new to it or looking to add it to your existing art practice.When is the art retreat available?The art retreat with artist Catherine Rains takes place between September 2 - 9, 2026.Are there any check-in and check-out hours?Please make your travel arrangements to arrive after 4:00 PM on September 2, 2026. Check-out is after breakfast on the last day, September 9, 2026.Is Wi-Fi available?Yes.I am vegetarian/vegan. Can I book this retreat?Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. We may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot cater to dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or accommodate last-minute requests made on the spot.How do I get to the retreat venue?Roundtrip train station transfers from/to Angers (St. Laud) train station at prearranged times are included. The arrival transfer on the first day of the retreat leaves at 4:00 PM from Angers (St. Laud) train station, and the departure transfer on the last day leaves for Angers (St. Laud) train station at 8:00 AM, arriving at the train station a little before 9:00 AM. The retreat venue is located an hour's drive from Angers (St. Laud) train station. The TGV train journey from Paris to Angers takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. For more information, please read the Location tab. Please hold off booking any flights or trains until the retreat becomes guaranteed and you have been charged for your participation.What should I pack? Please pack appropriate clothing, sunscreen, a swimsuit, insect repellent, a cardigan for chilly evenings, comfortable shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses, personal care items, and any personal medication you might need.Can I do laundry while on the retreat?Laundry facilities are available at the retreat venue and you are welcome to use them for free during your stay.What art supplies do I need for the workshops?A detailed list of art materials and equipment recommended by artist Catherine Rains will be provided upon booking, five months before the retreat begins. Seasonal vegetables and fresh fruits for the workshop component are included.What’s the weather like in Doué-en-Anjou in early September?The weather in early September in Doué-en-Anjou, the closest town to the retreat venue, is usually mild and pleasant. You can expect average highs of 21°C / 70°F during the day that drop to around 12°C / 54°F at night. In recent years, however, temperatures have varied unpredictably. It is a good idea to check the weather yourself before your departure to the art retreat and to pack accordingly.How many people are to be expected at the retreat?Maximum 16 participants.Do I need a visa?Guests traveling from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and/or Schengen member states may enter France for tourist purposes without a visa. If this policy changes, we will inform you promptly. For additional assistance, please reach out to us.What language is used during the art retreat and other activities?The retreat is available in English.Are there any age restrictions?The art retreat is open to anyone aged over 18.Is the art retreat available to guests with limited mobility?There will be plenty of walking on uneven, cobbled streets during the art trips; the trips may not be suitable to participants with limited mobility.Can a non-participating guest join me?We do not accommodate non-participants at our art retreats. This policy is in place to ensure the artistic and immersive nature of our retreats remains intact for all participants.What happens if I need to cancel?Once the retreat is guaranteed, all payments are final and nonrefundable. Bookings are nonrefundable under any circumstances. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. After your payment is processed, you may purchase insurance through the following link: Purchase insurance. Please review our cancellation policy.Do I need travel insurance?Yes. Since all bookings are nonrefundable, travel insurance is mandatory for all UpTrek travelers. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. We strongly advise that your chosen policy provides cover against lost or delayed baggage, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidents, illness, injury, medical expenses, death, and emergency repatriation.For your convenience, UpTrek is affiliated with Allianz Travel and is a Registered Travel Retailer under AGA license. Click here to purchase your insurance plan.Please note that UpTrek is not qualified or authorized to answer questions about coverage, benefits, exclusions, or conditions of any Allianz Travel Insurance plan. If you have questions about your plan, please contact Allianz Global Assistance directly at CustomerService@AllianzAssistance.com or by phone at 1-800-284-8300. Be sure to provide the reference code F215276 so Allianz knows you are purchasing protection for an UpTrek trip.We strongly recommend reviewing the terms and conditions of any insurance policy you purchase to fully understand the coverage, benefits, and claims process. We will gladly provide the essential documentation to support refund claims with the insurance provider.Do I have to pay a deposit?No. Once the number of guest reservations reaches the minimum number required for the retreat to become guaranteed, UpTrek charges the guests the cost of the retreat. Guests who reserved will be notified 48 hours in advance that their payment method on file is about to be charged.Will I receive a full refund if the retreat is not guaranteed?UpTrek does not charge the payment method we collect until the retreat becomes guaranteed. Once the retreat is guaranteed, there will be no reimbursement. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.Will I receive a full refund if the guaranteed retreat is canceled by the artist or by UpTrek?If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of UpTrek's and/or the artist's control, UpTrek will let you know as soon as possible, refund the total cost of the retreat, and help you find another option for your vacation.

## Book This Retreat

👉 **[Reserve your spot on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreat/collage-your-travels-retreat-artist-catherine-rains-france#book)** — no deposit required.

See [cancellation policy](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/cancellation-policy) and [travel insurance requirements](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/insurance).

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