I’ve just booked my 3rd painting holiday with Loreto, a testament to the wonderful experiences I’ve had on the previous two! In a nutshell…. Top class, patient & encouraging art tuition where nothing was a bother & each level catered for (in my case, you couldn’t go much lower but I felt very proud of my work!), stunning surroundings especially in Taormina – it really is a special place, wonderful company & getting to know people – we had great laughs & chats, the swimming pool in Taormina, relaxing afternoons & in some cases day trips to Mount Etna & lovely coastal routes, dinners in the fab restaurants in the old town. Sometimes we went to local supermarkets to buy in salad/fruit/bread etc to self cater for breakfasts & lunches. Car hire was a great idea as we saw far more of the area. Loreto, and Marie our yoga instructor, are warm, welcoming & encouraging in every aspect of the holiday. It’s a very unique & special experience & I can’t wait for the next one in June!

Thank you Loreto & Marie!
Paula Lyne, Clare

I had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group of women on Loreto’s painting course in divine Taormina. The location was incredibly beautiful, a perfect setting for an art course, and its many magnificent views were an inspiration for even a total novice like myself. For somebody with no painting experience, I found Loreto to be patient and attentive as she guided me towards my first “masterpiece”! For those who were more experienced painters, Loreto encouraged and inspired, offered suggestions, and enabled the artists to produce works that were uniquely theirs.

I would happily return to Taormina with Loreto.
Caitriona O Donnell, Cavan

Many, many thanks Loreto for another wonderful week of joy, inner peace, and new learning experiences of painting with you in Taormina in Sicily. I had previously painted with Loreto in Soulitre in France in a beautiful chateau. What a wonderful experience that was. I always wanted to paint, but confidence in painting was an issue for me, so when the opportunity presented itself I decided to take the risk and try. Loreto’s course was perfect.
I learned so much in the short 7 days. She explains everything as you go along, never overwhelming or critical. She has a lovely gentle confidence-building approach and explains how sketching, colours, and shades work. And so much more.
I also loved that everything for the class is supplied. It’s also a good mix of group learning and one-to-one guidance in progressing at your own pace.
I couldn’t believe I completed several paintings whilst looking out over the Mediterranean.
Beautiful food, local wine, and bubbles were the order of the day. Plus it was a holiday I could do on my own, and meet lots of different nationalities. Who just wanted to learn to paint?
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of every class. Thank Loreto.

Looking forward to painting wherever the brushes take us!!!
Jacqueline Smith, Meath

I did a painting course in Italy with Loreto. I learned so much in the week but she also allowed and encouraged me to develop my own style. She explained how to choose a subject, how to see it, colors, etc…. I left at the end of the week with a love for painting. The ladies on the course with me were so much fun. We laughed all week.

I cannot wait for the next trip !!
Regina McCarthy, New York

Another fantastic week with Loreto painting in France. This year we were in the beautiful Chateau de Brussons, an authentic French secluded chateau on beautiful grounds where we were blessed with options to paint whichever way we turned.

This year we had the added bonus of yoga each morning with Marie. We stretched and meditated and with Marie’s encouragement, we grew to love and enjoy the morning yoga. This was so (early!!) relaxing and set the tone for the day. The food was excellent, as usual, and the wine flowed, and sing songs and laughs with this lovely group made the experience very relaxed and enjoyable.

Loreto’s expertise and gentle tutoring coaxed us along ensuring we grew in confidence and learned to experiment and put our new learning into practice, The culmination of this was our Exhibition on our final evening. We celebrated with champagne with Veronique and her husband, owners of the chateau, who were affirming and appreciative of our week’s work all based on the chateau de Brussons.

I now equipped myself with the basic paint colours, brushes, and boards and have the confidence to go forth and paint!

Many thanks Loreto and Marie!
Katerine Kennedy, Longford

I’ve just returned to England following a week in France!
Loreto’s course was splendid and as a novice ‘artist’ I learned so much in 7 days. She is an encouraging, enthusiastic teacher who offers positive advice yet with suggestions of how I might improve my work. Nothing was too much for her and I never felt belittled or dismissed as a non-painter.
Marie with her yoga was an inspiration too. The morning sessions set the pace of the day and allowed me to feel relaxed yet invigorated.
A truly memorable week – for many reasons!
Sally Edwards, Exeter

Thank you Loreto, for a wonderful week in the amazing Chateau de Brussons, loved every minute, especially the painting in the very inspiring surroundings of the chateau, the amazing food, and of course all the great wines. Marie’s yoga each morning was so good, especially after the late nights. Thank you again for all your encouraging words and patience. Looking forward to going back once again in 2018.
Maura Harty. Dublin

I have just returned from a wonderful week painting with Loreto in the lovely sunny Loire Valley in France. As a beginner I was encouraged by both Loreto and the rest of the class, she is an excellent teacher and was always available for support. All good quality materials were provided and we were introduced to various locations and landscapes which catered for students of all levels. The group comprised of many nationalities, abilities, and friendly people who all shared a love of painting, good food, local wine, and a sense of fun. I would thoroughly recommend this type of holiday to my friends and I am looking forward to going again next year, to Provence.
Breda Fordham, Essex

Thank you Loretta and Marie for painting and yoga in Chateau de Brussons. Lovely meals and wines. Trips to Le Mans and Tours. Going to France with Loretta and Marie for many years each year brings new things. Looking forward to 2018 in Provence.
Maura Rooney, Longford

Thrilled to have another opportunity to paint in the south of France! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the previous painting holidays in Italy and last year in France and am delighted with and proud of the work I took home!
Can you book me in on Course 3 please? I am looking forward to it already!
Katherine Kennedy, Longford

I love the Art du Midi course…the art teaching is top-class and very well-structured, but you also have plenty of time and space to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the village and beyond. Everything is laid on: accommodation, food, transport, and art materials. All the student has to do is show up! It is all very relaxing and stress-free. I would highly recommend the course to anyone, whether you are an absolute beginner, as I was, or a ‘want to improve’, as I now am.”
Eileen Mann, Dublin

“The Art du Midi course is the most wonderful experience from start to finish. From the moment you are greeted by Loreto you get a sense of the vibrancy that is about to unfold. Enjoyment is the essence of the week where even the most novice artist is encouraged to find and set free the artist within through a series of steps that make it seem easy. Variety and fun, delicious food, great company and incredible sing-songs made the week a truly memorable adventure.”


Margaret Sweeney, Dublin

Art du Midi offers a fantastic opportunity for aspiring artists of all ages to be inspired by the picturesque French countryside and embrace their inner impressionist by experiencing painting “en plein air”.

The course takes place in the unspoiled village of Quarante which offers modern conveniences such as friendly bars and cafes while maintaining a rustic charm. The course is residential, and all meals and art materials are provided which allows the student plenty of time to relax but also to focus on their art and enjoy the expert tuition and encouragement offered by Loreto.

The local wine and fresh bread is a particular pleasure as is the beautiful scenery. The opportunity to avail of a day trip to the beautiful beach in Collioure was also welcomed by the group but there are plenty of other nearby attractions that I hope to experience on a return visit. The Art du Midi course is a relaxing and holistic experience that offers the chance to develop one’s artistic ability in a supportive environment with no shortage of stunning landscapes to provide inspiration. I would thoroughly recommend the course.
Etain Finn, Meath

Starting with the friendly welcome at Carcassonne airport, the entire week in France was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Not only did I learn more about painting than on any other course I have done, but the warm sunshine, the feeling of being at home in Loreto’s lovely house, the delicious food, the stimulating conversations over a glass of local wine, and the charming surroundings of this authentic French village set in the vineyards of Languedoc combined to make this the best holiday I ever had.
Marie Meehan, Leitrim