# Sketch Your World Retreat with Artist Jane Blundell in France

Dive into the world of sketchbook travel art in the Dordogne region of France. Over the course of this magical retreat with artist Jane Blundell, you will explore color mixing, palette creation, on-location sketching, and composed sketchbook spreads, all while drawing inspiration from one of the most picturesque corners of the French countryside.

Jane's teaching centers on observation and sketchbook practice, helping you focus on what's right in front of you and develop your own way of recording the world around you, working across a diverse range of materials and tools.

The retreat welcomes all levels of experience, though you'll benefit most if you already have some prior experience with the mediums, as well as some familiarity with Jane's work and style of teaching.

Venture out into the heart of the Dordogne to discover charming villages and historic towns bursting with artistic inspiration. Sketch the dramatic hilltop castle Château de Beynac in Beynac-et-Cazenac, wander the cobbled streets of Issigeac, and soak up the lively atmosphere of Eymet's vibrant local market.

Stay at an elegant historic estate from the Napoleonic era, set amidst vibrant gardens, secluded woodlands, a natural pond, and a heated pool, and savor delicious chef-made food paired with fine wines from one of France's most celebrated wine areas. Enjoy a wine and cheese tasting experience, and find inspiration for your sketchbook in the local culture of southwestern France.

## Details

- **Dates:** April 26 - May 3, 2027
- **Location:** Eymet, Dordogne, France
- **Starting Price:** $4,750
- **Currency:** USD
- **Status:** open
- **Group Size:** Max. 15 students
- **Category:** [Painting](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreats/painting) · [Browse on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreats/painting)

## Overview

**What's included**

1. Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artist Jane Blundell
2. Art studio equipped with: tables, chairs, field easels, a printer-scanner, printer paper, plein-air artist chairs, water containers, paper towels, professional studio lights
3. 7 nights of accommodation at a spectacular private estate in southwestern France, dating back to the Napoleonic era
4. Exclusive use of the entire 25-acre estate with a private heated pool, art studio, indoor and outdoor lounge areas, beautiful gardens, terraces, private woodland, and natural pond
5. All meals: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners carefully prepared by a private chef
6. All diets catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, gluten-free, and lactose-free
7. Afternoon snacks, coffee, tea, and water available throughout the day
8. Local award-winning wine served with dinner
9. Non-alcoholic drinks served with lunch and made available during dinner service
10. A wine and cheese tasting experience at the venue
11. Half-day art trip to the medieval town of Issigeac
12. Full-day art trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac, with a guided visit of its hilltop castle, Château de Beynac
13. Entrance ticket to Château de Beynac
14. Half-day art trip to Eymet market (self-guided)
15. Sketching and painting opportunities on location for all art trips
16. Private transportation for the trips to Issigeac and Beynac-et-Cazenac
17. English-speaking guide or chaperone for all planned trips and activities (except for the Eymet trip)
18. Round-trip transfers from/to Bergerac train station at prearranged times
19. All local tourist taxes and fees
20. Experienced retreat admin and UpTrek host on location
21. Fully staffed venue with drivers, cleaning and maintenance staff, and chef and kitchen staff
22. Access to a private Facebook group with Jane Blundell and the other retreat participants four months before the retreat

**Not included**

- Airfare
- Travel insurance
- One lunch during the full-day trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac
- Art materials — a list of art materials recommended by artist Jane Blundell will be provided five months before the retreat takes place
- Tips for staff — tipping is customary in France
- Other expenses guests might incur on their own

## Program

### Sketch Your World Retreat
Sketch your way through the French countryside with artist Jane Blundell as your guide. Work across watercolor, pen, pencils, and ink, building a body of artwork inspired by the golden stone villages, rolling vineyards, and medieval towns of the Dordogne. Jane will introduce you to her creative process from day one, and each session will build naturally on the one before, guiding you from color and palette setup through on-location sketching, thumbnails, composed sketchbook spreads, and finally, a body of work that captures the essence of France.

Jane's teaching style is rooted in observation and sketchbook practice. Rather than following rigid steps, you will learn to focus on what's right in front of you, working from a limited palette that keeps you present in color and composition rather than lost in decision-making. Interactive sessions will keep your sketchbook full and your hand loose, with plenty of room to experiment with different tools and find your own rhythm.

Beyond the studio, set out on exciting art trips in the heart of the Dordogne. Explore the medieval villages of Beynac-et-Cazenac and Issigeac on two day trips, and walk to the nearby Eymet market for a morning of sketching and browsing just 15 minutes away from the venue. Each trip doubles as creative fieldwork, with time built in for on-location sketching and gathering the visual material that will fuel your studio work.

The retreat welcomes all levels of experience, though you'll benefit most if you already have some prior experience with the mediums, as well as some familiarity with Jane's work and style of teaching. By the final day, you will have a sketchbook full of studies and composed spreads to take home, along with a sharper eye for color and composition and a stronger sense of your own way of recording the world around you.

**Some of the topics covered during your classes with Jane include:**

- Working with a limited palette to create color harmony
- Drawing and painting on location in pens, pencils, watercolors, and inks
- Using a diverse range of materials and drawing tools
- Learning how to create quick thumbnails on-the-go
- Sketching people and busy market scenes at speed
- Painting florals and botanical subjects
- Learning different ways of scaling a subject and finding more than one viewpoint
- Creating an indelible memory: a lasting record of your trip
- …and many more!

Your home for the week will be an elegant historic estate from the Napoleonic era, set amidst vibrant gardens, secluded woodlands, a natural pond, and a heated pool. Delight in Dordogne's culinary heritage with daily chef-prepared meals, and savor the local wines through a wine and cheese tasting experience. Share meals, laughter, and creative conversations with 14 other like-minded artists, all in a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable learning and growing together.

### Day 1: Arrival
Catch the 3:30 PM shuttle from Bergerac train station to your retreat venue, a stunning 25-acre historic estate in the heart of Dordogne. Unwind in your well-appointed room, freshen up, and meet Jane Blundell, your instructor for this retreat.

Together with your art group, start your experience with a guided tour of the estate, showcasing its cozy shared spaces, the vast gardens, sunlit terraces, a heated swimming pool, serene woodlands, and a tranquil pond. Lastly, enjoy a warm welcome dinner featuring exquisite French cuisine and fragrant local wine, setting the tone for the inspiring week ahead.

### Day 2: Classes at the venue
Begin your day with a refreshing breakfast and a coffee check-in with Jane and the venue hosts, then gather in the studio and prepare for the first class of the retreat.

The morning will start with some introductions. Jane will go through all the materials you'll be using throughout the week and help you sort and organize your palette so it's ready to work from. You'll talk through what you each want to get out of the retreat and where you are in your own sketchbook practice, and Jane will tailor her guidance from there. From the start, the focus is on color, setting up your palette and getting a feel for how watercolor pigments can hold a page together.

After enjoying a leisurely lunch, head straight out into the gardens for an outdoors painting session. This session will lean into a botanical theme, with the flowers and greenery around the venue as your subjects. You will learn how to focus on what's in front of you and not get lost in decision-making by working from a limited palette that narrows your choices. Jane will be there to offer guidance and support as needed, helping you find your ground in color and painting.

As the afternoon winds down, take some time to recharge before dinner. Gather with Jane and your fellow artists for a delicious three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and paired with local wine.

### Day 3: Art trip to Issigeac
After a filling breakfast, gather your sketchbook and art supplies and head out with Jane for a morning in the village of Issigeac, a short drive from the venue.

The 15th-century medieval town stands out from other Bastide towns in the area due to its cylindrical structure, with narrow, winding streets that curl like a snail in its shell. Overflowing with history and historic architecture, Issigeac flaunts spectacular half-timbered houses, like the 'Maison des Têtes' on the corner of the Grand Rue, with some very ancient carved heads on its upper level, or the quirky 'Mushroom House.'

Today's focus will be thumbnails. Jane will demonstrate how to create a series of thumbnails, teaching you how to stop and stand and how to make quick sketches with a single drawing tool. Take reference photos and jot down color notes, writing down small details in your sketchbook that you might use later back in the studio. Jane will also show you different ways of scaling a subject and share tips for finding more than one viewpoint, so you come away with a full page of small, varied studies.

Return to the venue for a relaxed lunch, then continue the afternoon with another workshop. During this class, you will develop the thumbnails from the morning into your sketchbook. You'll bring several of them together into a single composed sketchbook spread, arranging the small studies into one page that reads as a whole. Jane will help you think about how the pieces sit together on the spread and where to add color, keeping the energy of the morning's quick marks as the page becomes more finished.

Take some time to rest and unwind in the late afternoon. Indulge in a delightful three-course dinner prepared by the in-house chef and paired with a glass of fragrant wine.

### Day 4: Art trip to Eymet market & wine and cheese tasting
Enjoy a wholesome breakfast, then pack your sketchbook and art supplies and join your group for a half-day trip to the nearby town of Eymet.

Located only a 15-minute walk away from the venue, the town of Eymet comes alive on market day with bustling stalls, locals catching up, and the hum of a heated bargain. Local French markets are vibrant, colorful, and a little chaotic, which makes them perfect for today's topic: drawing in busy environments.

A weekly market is one of the best places to draw life as it happens, and the morning is given over to sketching on location among the market stalls. Take your time finding subjects, such as the fresh produce and cut flowers, the striped awnings, the crates and baskets, or the people moving through. Make on-location sketches in both drawing tools and paint. You might commit to a longer study this time, a fuller village sketch that you build slowly. Jane will demonstrate how to sketch people in quick studies, reading gesture and shape fast enough to get them down before they move on.

Return to the venue for a satisfying lunch, then settle back in the studio to finish what you started at the market. If a scene didn't fully come together on location, you can keep working from a reference photo, taking an architectural detail or a corner of the market and developing it further. This workshop is also a session dedicated to experimenting with different tools. Jane will introduce the dip pen and the kakimori nib, which sits between a pen and a brush and is useful for both washes and fine detail, along with fountain pens and felt-tip markers, and show how each one changes the line you make.

As the class comes to an end, take some time to unwind before dinner. Come together in the evening for an exquisite wine and cheese tasting experience guided by a local sommelier, then enjoy a delicious chef-prepared dinner accompanied by a glass of local wine. Soak in the lovely atmosphere of the evening, sharing stories and impressions from the day.

### Day 5: Classes at the venue
Get ready for the day with a hearty breakfast, then join Jane and your fellow artists in the studio.

Spend the morning drawing the venue and its surroundings, choosing your own viewpoints and looking for snippets that catch your eye: maybe a doorway, a corner of the garden, the edge of the pond, or the trees along the woodland path. Jane will introduce you to water-soluble graphite and water-soluble pencils, helping you settle on colors that suit the setting. The focus of this morning's session is to document the venue, building up the small details that together describe where you've been staying all week.

Take a break for lunch and enjoy a nourishing meal. The afternoon picks up where the morning left off, shaped by the weather and the light. With the venue as your subject, you can decide how to spend the time, either pushing one piece into something more complex or filling more pages with shorter studies. Jane will be on hand throughout the class for feedback and guidance as you work.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy some spare time to relax. Gather with Jane and your fellow creatives for a wholesome three-course dinner prepared by the private chef and paired with a glass of French wine.

### Day 6: Art trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac
Start the day with a relaxed breakfast, then set out on a full-day trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac, one of the most striking villages in the Dordogne region of France.

This medieval town rises up the hillside above the river, its steep cobbled streets and stone houses gathering beneath the Château de Beynac. Start the morning with a series of smaller studies, drawing the details of the town as you climb: the worn steps, a shuttered window, a flight of rooftops, and the stonework that holds the village together. Jane will help you choose what to focus on and work through several pages of these closer studies.

Later in the morning, make your way down toward the water and find a spot on the riverbank to settle into. After a run of small, fast studies, this is the chance to slow down and work on something larger, whether that's the river itself, the village reflected in the water, or the Château de Beynac seen from below.

Pause for lunch on your own in the village and take in the setting before the afternoon. Then, visit the imposing Château de Beynac, a medieval fortress perched high above the river. Explore freely, sketch if you want to, take reference photos, or just soak in the atmosphere. Jane will be around to chat, offer feedback, or help you work through anything that's been on your mind.

Head back to the venue in the late afternoon and take some time to recharge before dinner. Savor a wholesome chef-prepared dinner and a glass of fragrant wine, sharing stories and impressions from today's trip with Jane and the group.

### Day 7: Classes at the venue
Begin your final day with a hearty breakfast and take a moment to appreciate how full your sketchbook has become since that first blank page.

Then, join Jane in the studio for a planned little surprise: a fast-sketching session to keep your hand loose and your marks quick right to the end. Expect to work at speed and have some fun with it, putting everything you've practiced all week into a run of rapid studies.

Pause midday for lunch and enjoy a leisurely meal. Then, move into the afternoon, a relaxed sharing session that will give you the chance to spread out your sketchbooks and look through what everyone has made. Walk through each other's pages, talk about what worked and what shifted over the week, and hear Jane's final thoughts and encouragement. Seeing the group's sketchbooks side by side is one of the best parts of the week, a reminder of how differently each person records the same place.

The week closes with a farewell dinner, a last evening together to raise a glass to a sketchbook full of memories, new friendships, and unforgettable moments!

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy one last breakfast with Jane and your fellow artists before it's time to part ways. At 9:00 AM, you'll head to Gare Bergerac train station, arriving around 9:45 AM.

## Instructors

- [Jane Blundell](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/instructors/jane-blundell) — Watercolor artist and urban sketcher

## Accommodation

### Historic countryside estate
Situated on the tranquil banks of the River Dropt, your home for the retreat with artist Jane Blundell will be a charming French estate, reserved exclusively for your group. This 25-acre historic property provides the perfect setting for creative inspiration, featuring well-appointed living spaces, a dedicated art studio, a heated pool, gardens, terraces, woodlands, and a peaceful pond.

Your classes with Jane will be held indoors in a spacious, well-lit studio measuring approximately 500 sq. ft. (50 sq. m.) and outdoors on the beautiful terraces and gardens. You’ll also have the chance to sketch en plein air in the scenic countryside surrounding the estate.

The venue has a rich history, dating from the Napoleonic era to its time as a World War I equestrian center. Local craftsmen have renovated it carefully, turning the old stable block into five large gîtes (French villas) that blend modern comforts with classic French charm. These beautifully restored spaces feature exposed brickwork, heating, and high-quality bedding for your comfort.

Throughout the retreat, you can relax and connect with fellow artists by the heated pool, on the airy terraces, or during peaceful strolls around the estate’s pond and private woodland, home to a variety of wildlife.

### Shared standard room
Three standard rooms are available for shared occupancy. You will share this room and its private bathroom with another same-gender participant. The shared standard rooms can be outfitted with either a double bed or twin beds, on request. They are spacious, tastefully decorated, and feature private bathrooms with showers or bathtubs. Blackout shutters and sound insulation walls ensure privacy and a quiet, good night's sleep. The windows provide great views of the countryside.

### Shared superior room
Two superior rooms are available for shared occupancy. You will share this room and its private bathroom with another same-gender participant. The shared superior rooms are spacious, with wide windows overlooking the splendid surroundings, and have private bathrooms with showers. Blackout shutters and sound insulation walls ensure privacy and a quiet, good night's sleep. One room located on the first floor has a private terrace with direct access to the courtyard. They can be outfitted with either a double bed or twin beds, on request.

### Single standard room
Three standard rooms are available for single occupancy. You will be enjoying your own private room, equipped with a comfortable double bed, a private bathroom, and shared access to a fully fitted kitchen. Blackout shutters and sound insulation walls ensure privacy and a quiet, good night's sleep. The common lounge area features floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto a huge lawn. The rooms benefit from superb views of the Dordogne countryside.

### Single superior room
Two superior rooms are available for single occupancy. More spacious than the standard rooms, the superior rooms feature comfortable double beds and private bathrooms. Blackout shutters and sound insulation walls ensure privacy and a quiet, good night's sleep. You will share access to a common lounge area with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the gardens and a fully fitted shared kitchen.

## Food

Savor the rich flavors of the Dordogne region during your retreat with Jane Blundell in France. Using the freshest local ingredients, the chef will craft a range of dishes that capture the essence of the region’s culinary heritage.

You'll be treated to a variety of culinary experiences, from elegant seasonal canapés to hearty BBQs. Each day will start with delightful breakfasts, followed by delicious lunches, and end with indulgent three-course dinners featuring regional wine. The retreat culminates in a special farewell dinner that celebrates your artistic journey. A wine and cheese-tasting session is also included to enhance the experience.

Throughout the day, you'll have access to water, coffee, tea, and a selection of snacks, including seasonal fruits and cakes.

Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month before the retreat. While we strive to accommodate most needs, we may not be able to cater to severe, life-threatening allergies. We are unable to accommodate dietary changes announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or fulfill last-minute requests on-site. The menu will vary based on seasonal ingredient availability.

All meals are included, except for one lunch during the full-day trip to Beynac-et-Cazenac.

For more details on the food offerings during the retreat, see the section below.

## Getting There

The venue for your art retreat with artist Jane Blundell is a picturesque countryside estate in southwestern France. Nestled on 25 acres overlooking the banks of the River Dropt in the Dordogne region, the property is surrounded by woodlands, renowned vineyards, and timeless stone houses. Rich in historical significance, the River Dropt region was once a vital trade route where goods like wine and wood were transported by barges. The area offers a window into its medieval past, with landmarks such as the Romanesque Pont du Bretou bridge and the quaint bastide towns dotting the riverbanks.

Just a 10-minute walk from the retreat venue, you'll find the charming town of Eymet, offering convenient access to its inviting restaurants, cafés, bakeries, pharmacies, craft shops, artist studios, and local boutiques. Bergerac, the designated pick-up and drop-off location for transfers, is about 16 miles from the venue. As part of the retreat, you'll explore the medieval town of Issigeac, located 15 miles away, as well as the historic town of Beynac-et-Cazenac, approximately 50 miles from the estate.

**To be transferred to the retreat venue, please arrive at Bergerac train station:**

We strongly recommend planning more time for long-distance international travel because of the current disruptions in flight schedules. It is best to arrive in France a day before the retreat starts to prevent any inconveniences caused by flight delays, rest after the long travel, and adjust to the new time zone.

**How to get to Bergerac:**

The best (quickest and most affordable) option is to fly to Paris or Bordeaux and catch a train to Bergerac from there. It's a very pleasant train ride, either from Paris (3h 40 minutes) or from Bordeaux (1h 15 minutes), during which you can enjoy the beautiful sights of French landscapes, towns, and cities.

You can book train tickets to Bergerac from the French National Railway Company, SNCF: [https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/](https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/)

Some guests traveling from Europe may also opt to fly to Bergerac Airport directly, then catch a bus or take a taxi to Gare Bergerac train station (15-minute ride).

**How to get from Bergerac to the retreat venue:**

Private transfers at prearranged times to and from Gare Bergerac train station are included. The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately 35 minutes. Check-in at the retreat venue starts at 4:00 PM on April 26, 2027. Check-out is after breakfast on May 3, 2027, by 9:00 AM. **Please note that we cannot accommodate early check-ins and late check-out requests, so we kindly ask that you plan your arrival and departure accordingly.**

- Arrival transfer: **April 26, 2027 — 3:30 PM** (leaving from Gare Bergerac train station, arriving at the retreat venue around 4:05 PM)
- Departure transfer: **May 3, 2027 — 9:00 AM** (leaving from the retreat venue, arriving at Gare Bergerac train station around 9:45 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, Bordeaux, or Bergerac pre-/post-retreat, and catch the transfer shuttles from/to Gare Bergerac train station.
- Grab a taxi to the retreat venue (address: La Palanque, 9 Rte de la Sabliere, 24500 Eymet, France; estimated cost: US$100 per way). Please note that taxi fares may vary.

## Reviews

**Reviews from previous UpTrek retreats at this venue:**

- "This is my second UpTrek retreat, and I had another wonderful time. The venue was beautiful. I loved the accommodations and how they were centrally located around a courtyard space. It felt very communal, while also providing ample space for people to spread out."

- "The venue was spectacular, in a glorious location and the team couldn’t have been more lovely and helpful."

- "The evening dinner chef and assistant were amazing. The food was varied and delicious every night. They provided excellent service. The venue's location and ground were beautiful."

- "I loved everything about the retreat! The location, the food, the people, the excursions, and the instructors. Everything was a dream. I was especially impressed and honored by their ability to accommodate my food requirements. They even packed me lunches for our days away so I would be sure to have something to eat. The grounds are beautiful and full of flowers and whispering trees."

- "Overwhelming! Beautiful room. The pool much appreciated. Fantastic food! Really helpful staff, Tasha and Marie."

- "Everything was perfect, done to the last detail."

- "Tasha and Marie and Katie and Scarlet were such a big part of making the retreat so cozy and inviting .... they were always available and welcoming. This retreat was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I will remember it fondly. And lastly .... the food was the best I’ve ever had!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you!!!!"

- "The venue itself was absolutely remarkable, and the hosts went above and beyond to ensure our every need was met. Tasha was so easy to talk to and had a wealth of local knowledge which was valuable. The grounds and immediate area are beautiful to explore whether on foot or bike. It really was a huge bonus that Eymet was within walking distance for use of ATM and pharmacy. The menu from breakfast, lunch and dinner was truly exceptional, offering a first-class dining experience. The local wines were also delicious - with the wine tasting a highlight. Each and every one of the excursions provided was of exceptional quality and added to my overall experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of these outings, as I’m a history geek and they provided a perfect balance between education and time to sketch on location."

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Is this retreat available to all levels?**

This retreat welcomes all levels of experience, though you'll benefit most if you already have some prior experience with the mediums, as well as some familiarity with Jane Blundell's work and style of teaching.

**When is the retreat available?**

The retreat with artist Jane Blundell takes place between April 26 - May 3, 2027.

**Are there any check-in and check-out hours?**

Please make your travel arrangements to arrive after 4:00 PM on April 26, 2027. Check-out is after breakfast on the last day at 9:00 AM, on May 3, 2027. **Please note that we cannot accommodate early check-ins and late check-out requests, so we kindly ask that you plan your arrival and departure accordingly.**

**How do I get to the retreat venue?**

Please plan to arrive at the Gare Bergerac train station. The retreat venue is located approximately a 35-minute drive from Gare Bergerac, the main train station in the area that has a direct connection with Paris. We advise allowing extra time for long-distance international travel. Arriving in France a day before the retreat starts helps mitigate potential issues due to flight delays, allows for rest post-travel, and facilitates adjustment to the new time zone. Private transfers from/to Gare Bergerac train station at prearranged times are included.

Please read the [Location tab](https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketch-your-world-retreat-artist-jane-blundell-france#location) for more information. Please refrain from booking flights until the retreat becomes guaranteed and you are charged for your participation.

**What’s the weather like in Eymet, France, in late April?**

The weather in Eymet in June is usually sunny and pleasant. You can expect average highs of 18°C / 65°F during the day that drop to around 7°C / 44°F at night. However, in recent years, temperatures have varied unpredictably. We recommend you check the weather yourself before your departure and pack accordingly.

**What should I pack?**

Please pack appropriate clothing, insect repellent, a raincoat, a swimsuit, sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses, a jacket for chilly evenings, comfortable shoes, 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 supplies do I need for the workshops?**

A detailed list of art materials recommended by artist Jane Blundell will be provided five months before the retreat takes place.

Tables, chairs, field easels, a printer-scanner, printer paper, plein-air artist chairs, water containers, paper towels, and professional studio lights are included and will be available at the venue. **Students are responsible for bringing their own art supplies, based on the instructor’s recommended list.**

**Is there a local currency I should acquire before arriving?**

The currency is the euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in most places. However, it might be a good idea to take out some euros from the ATM at the airport for taxis, small purchases, visiting the market, and tipping. Make sure you notify your bank that you'll be using your card in France.

**How many people are expected at the retreat?**

Maximum of 15 participants.

**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.

**Is Wi-Fi available?**

Yes.

**Do I need a visa?**

Guests from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and/or Schengen member states can enter France for tourism without a visa. If this policy changes, we will inform you promptly. For additional assistance, please reach out to us.

**Are there any age restrictions?**

There are no restrictions whatsoever. Please keep in mind that you must be 18 years of age to travel independently.

**What language is used during the workshops and other activities?**

The retreat is available in English.

**Can a non-participating guest join me?**

We do not accommodate non-participants at our retreats. This policy is in place to ensure the creative and immersive nature of our retreats remains intact for all participants.

**Is the retreat available to guests with limited mobility?**

Unfortunately, the retreat venue and day trips are not well suited to host people with limited mobility.

**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](https://www.agentmaxonline.com/agentmaxweb/storefront/index.html#/home/?emaillinkcode=ABIYU4TLWGBGTNHC6ZWLRSKAR7AIBWE33AAW7OYIPBPWYZZAHMNGET6NBV6WWVRS2EB7AEOQYOO5E24K3G6NKNN4EK62FALFDXR675FDOJI3PUILIAN7IKMAEL67FVJ7). Please review our [cancellation policy.](https://staging.uptrek.com/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.](https://uptrek.com/protect-your-trip)

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](mailto: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 instructor or by UpTrek?**

If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of UpTrek's and/or the instructor'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/sketch-your-world-retreat-artist-jane-blundell-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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**Canonical URL:** https://uptrek.com/retreat/sketch-your-world-retreat-artist-jane-blundell-france
**Last updated:** 2026-07-08