Provence Watercolour Workshop with Chan Dissanayake
Provence Watercolour Workshop with Chan
- Arles • Aix-en-Provence • Villefranche-sur-Mer, France
- May 2026
- 10 Days / 9 Nights • 4★ Hotels (Arles 3N • Aix 3N • Villefranche 3N)
Paint the southern light that inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne with award-winning watercolourist Chan Dissanayake. This relaxed 10-day itinerary balances daily plein-air sessions, clear demos, and one-to-one guidance with gentle sightseeing across Provence and the Riviera.
We base ourselves in Arles, Aix-en-Provence, and Villefranche-sur-Mer to minimise travel and maximise easels-down time, staying in comfortable, centrally located 4★ hotels. Specific painting spots may adjust for weather, light, or local events to optimise conditions.
- Arles & Camargue – Roman stones, Van Gogh trail, manade (white horses/black bulls), flamingos, Aigues-Mortes salt pans
- Aix-en-Provence – Cézanne’s haunts, elegant squares, Château La Coste Art & Architecture stroll, Sainte-Victoire viewpoints
- Villefranche-sur-Mer & Cap-Ferrat – pastel harbour, Citadel exteriors, coastal studies on the sentier du littoral
- Accommodation – Quality 4★ stays in walkable areas, ideal for painters and partners
💰 Pricing
📩 How to Book
🎨 Provence Watercolour Workshop with Chan Dissanayake
Arles, Aix-en-Provence & Villefranche-sur-Mer | May 2026 | 10 Days / 9 Nights
🚨 Bookings now open – limited spaces! 🎨🌊
Immerse yourself in the southern light that inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne on this 10-day watercolour workshop with award-winning Australian artist
Chan Dissanayake. From the Camargue’s flamingos and salt pans to Aix’s elegant squares and the pastel harbours of the Riviera,
each day blends relaxed plein-air painting with gentle sightseeing, great company, and practical, hands-on tuition.
Suitable for all levels—from first-timers to experienced painters—this retreat focuses on composition, values, and atmosphere, with clear demos,
one-to-one feedback, and friendly group critiques.
🖼️ Workshop Overview
Three perfectly placed bases minimise travel and maximise easels-down time:
Arles (3 nights) for Roman stones and Van Gogh landmarks,
Aix-en-Provence (3 nights) for Cézanne’s city and Sainte-Victoire,
and Villefranche-sur-Mer (3 nights) for the jewel-toned Riviera and Cap-Ferrat coast.
🗺️ Note: Daily sequence and painting spots may adjust for weather, light, or local events to optimise conditions.
🌟 Tour Highlights
✔️ Immersive Painting Focus: Camargue wetlands, Provence towns, Riviera harbours
✔️ Led by Chan Dissanayake: Award-winning tutor; clear demos and practical guidance
✔️ Daily Sessions: Plein-air tuition, one-to-one feedback, supportive critiques
✔️ Smart Pacing & Comfort: Private coach + central 4★ hotels (3 bases / 9 nights)
📍 Planned Locations (subject to change):
- Arles — riverside quays, Roman stones, Van Gogh trail
- Camargue — manade (white horses/black bulls), flamingos, Aigues-Mortes salt marshes
- Château La Coste — Art & Architecture walk with sketch stops
- Aix-en-Provence — fountains, ochre façades, Cézanne haunts
- Sainte-Victoire — classic Provençal viewpoints near Le Tholonet
- Villefranche-sur-Mer — colourful harbour, Citadel exteriors, old town lanes
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat — accessible sections of the sentier du littoral
🗒️ What’s Included (summary)
- 9 nights in quality 4★ hotels (Arles 3N • Aix 3N • Villefranche 3N)
- Private coach per itinerary, incl. arrival transfer (MRS → Arles) and departure transfer (to NCE)
- Welcome dinner and farewell dinner
- Daily tuition with Chan; hosted by Painting Holiday Tours
Not included: flights, travel insurance (required), most lunches & dinners, personal expenses, optional activities, art materials.
💳 Pricing Options
🎨 AU$ 5,995 (Twin Share per person)
🏡 AU$ 7,595 (Single Fare)
🌟 Non-Painting Partner Discount: AU$ 200 off!
📩 How to Book?
- ✅ Reserve Your Spot Today!
- Book online via our website.
- Call us: 📞 0408 547 840
- Email: ✉️ paintingholidaytours@gmail.com
⏳ Limited spaces available—secure your place now and join us for this unforgettable artistic adventure! 🎨✨
From our gallery
Step into the creative journey of our watercolor workshops with a collection of inspiring moments captured during our painting tours. The gallery showcases breathtaking artworks created by participants, picturesque landscapes from our tour locations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our immersive painting sessions led by Chan Dissanayake.
Tour Plan
🗓️ Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome in Port Fairy
- 🏨 Check-in: Central 4★ hotel (Arles 3N)
- 🍽️ Evening: Welcome Dinner & workshop introduction
🗓️ Day 2 – Camargue Painting Day
- 🐎 Options: traditional manade (white horses/black bulls), flamingos at Pont de Gau, Aigues-Mortes salt pans & medieval walls
- 🎨 Plein-air sessions with demos and 1:1 guidance
- 🍴 Lunch at leisure
🎨 Day 3 – Arles: Van Gogh Walk
- 🎨 Morning/afternoon town plein-air (shady squares, façades, riverside)
- 📝 Informal critique/recap late afternoon
🚌 Day 4 – Arles → Château La Coste → Aix-en-Provence
- ➡️ Continue to Aix-en-Provence; check-in 4★ hotel (Aix 3N)
- 🌆 Evening at leisure in Aix
🎨 Day 5 – Aix: Cézanne City & Plein-Air
- 🧭 Walk the Cézanne route: cafés, ateliers, viewpoints
- 🍴 Lunch at leisure; optional short studio/sketch session
🎨 Day 6 – Sainte-Victoire Landscape Day
- 🎨 Landscape studies focused on design & values
- 📝 Progressive critique; evening at leisure back in Aix
🚌 Day 7 – Aix → Villefranche-sur-Mer
- 🛑 Optional en-route stroll/sketch: Saint-Paul-de-Vence or Antibes (time permitting)
- 🏨 Check-in 4★ hotel (Villefranche 3N); sunset harbour walk optional
🗓️ Day 8 – Villefranche Harbour & Old Town
- 👣 Gentle lanes & lookouts for varied viewpoints
- 🍴 Lunch at leisure; optional local guide
🍽️ Day 9 – Cap-Ferrat Coastal Studies & Farewell Dinner
- 🌊 Coastal sketches along accessible sections of the sentier du littoral; gardens/viewpoints nearby
- 🖼️ Pack artwork; group review
- 🍽️ Evening: Farewell Dinner back in Villefranche
✈️ Day 10 – Departure
- 👋 Bon voyage!
Gallery
Step into the creative journey of our watercolor workshops with a collection of inspiring moments captured during our painting tours. The gallery showcases breathtaking artworks created by participants, picturesque landscapes from our tour locations, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our immersive painting sessions led by Chan Dissanayake.
🎨 Provence Watercolour Workshop with Chan Dissanayake
🚨 Bookings Now Open – Limited Spots! Secure your creative escape today! 🎨✨💰 Pricing Options
- 🎨 Twin Share: AU$ 5,995 per person – Includes accommodation, daily tuition, and scheduled transfers.
- 🏡 Single Fare: AU$ 7,595 – Ideal for solo travellers seeking private accommodation.
- 🌟 Non-Painting Partner Discount: AU$ 200 off for partners sharing accommodation.
✨ Our Tour Highlights
- 🏨 Quality 4★ Hotels — Centrally located stays in Arles (3N), Aix-en-Provence (3N), Villefranche-sur-Mer (3N).
- 👥 Small Group — Personalised instruction, demos, and one-to-one feedback with Chan.
- 🚌 Private Coach — Comfortable transfers for painting days and inter-city travel.
- 🍽️ Welcome & Farewell Dinners — Start and finish with relaxed group meals.
📍 Inspiring Locations:
- 🏛️ Arles — Roman stones, riverside quays & Van Gogh trail spots.
- 🦩 Camargue — Manade (white horses/black bulls), flamingos at Pont de Gau, Aigues-Mortes salt pans.
- 🖼️ Aix-en-Provence — Fountains, ochre façades & Cézanne haunts.
- ⛰️ Sainte-Victoire — Classic Provençal viewpoints near Le Tholonet.
- ⛵ Villefranche-sur-Mer — Pastel harbour, Citadel exteriors, old town lanes.
- 🌊 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat — Coastal studies on the sentier du littoral (accessible sections).
✅ What’s Included?
✔️ Accommodation: 9 nights in centrally located 4★ hotels (Arles 3N • Aix 3N • Villefranche 3N). ✔️ Meals: Welcome dinner (Day 1) & Farewell dinner. ✔️ Art Program: Daily tuition with Chan — demos, plein-air coaching, feedback. ✔️ Transfers & Transport:- Arrival transfer from Marseille (MRS) → Arles.
- Departure transfer to Nice Airport (NCE).
- Private coach for scheduled painting days & inter-city moves.
❌ What’s Not Included?
✈️ Flights (international/domestic). 🎨 Watercolour materials (paper, brushes, paints). 🛡️ Travel insurance (required). 🍽️ Most lunches & dinners, personal expenses, optional activities.📩 How to Book?
✅ Reserve Your Spot Today!- Book Online via our website.
- Call us at 📞 0408 547 840.
- Email us at ✉️ paintingholidaytours@gmail.com.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that sometimes plans change. Below is our general cancellation policy for all tours:🔹 Cancellation by the Participant
- More than 120 days before the tour start date: Full refund minus the holding amount, which is non-refundable.
- 120 to 30 days before the tour start date: 50% refund of the total tour price.
- Less than 30 days before the tour start date: No refund.
🔹 Cancellation by the Organizer
In the rare case that we need to cancel the tour due to unforeseen circumstances (such as natural disasters, insufficient registrations, or instructor unavailability), you will be offered:- A full refund of all payments made (including the holding amount), OR
- The option to transfer your booking to a future tour at no extra cost.
🔹 Travel Insurance & Liability
- Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended that all participants secure their own travel insurance. This should cover unforeseen cancellations, medical expenses, personal liability, loss of luggage, and other potential travel risks.
- Liability: While every effort will be made to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour, Painting Holiday Tours is not responsible for any personal injury, loss, or damage during the trip.
🔹 Substitutions & Transfers
- If you can no longer attend, you may transfer your booking to another person up to 7 days before the tour (subject to approval).
- Date changes are allowed only at the discretion of the organizer and may be subject to additional fees.