Enhance your drawing and painting skills as you unwind in the scenic beauty of our location.
Discover our Creative, Drawing and Painting Holidays in unspoiled France
Experience your perfect drawing and painting holiday in France. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, all our holidays offer relaxation, inspiration, and a welcoming atmosphere. You’re warmly invited to join us for an unforgettable experience.
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” Albert Einstein
For a creative, drawing or painting holiday in France, quality workshops are key, but the personal touch and the beautiful surroundings makes the holiday unforgettable.
For a creative, drawing or painting holiday in France, quality art classes are key,but the personal touch makes the holiday unforgettable.
Discover or Improve Your Artistic Potential in 2025: Find Here Your Creative Holiday in France
In the spotlight: Creative Printing Holiday, August 16-23
Are you passionate about trying out new techniques and materials? This creative holiday is just what you need! Beginners will be introduced to several interesting printmaking techniques that are easy to practice at home. Advanced participants can explore their artistic vision further with the help of an experienced art teacher. Get more details about this inspiring holiday experience.
The pleasure of botanical drawing
If you are fascinated by flowers and plants and you want to learn how to capture there beauty into a drawing, then this is your holiday. Enrich your experience of nature!
Saturday April 26 – May 3 Saturday July 19 – 26
Urban Sketching & Rural Sketching
Our area is so full of beautiful places, both urban and rural that we have to share it with our guests. And what better way then organising a urban & rural sketching holiday?
Saturday June 7 – 14 Saturday September 6 – 13
Drawing & painting from life
Everybody can learn how to draw and paint. Drawing and painting is all about really seeing the subject and translate what you see on paper. That is not a ‘talent’, it can be learned.
Saturday May 24 – 31 Saturday July 5 – 12 Saturday August 16 – 23
Two creative holidays in the South of France, where you’ll enjoy the company of others in a relaxed atmosphere La Semaine Souriante creative holiday in June, and the mother/daughter creative retreat in August.
The art and painting workshops are great for beginners & advanced
Work behind an easel, at the table, or just sit and work on the grass
All drawing and painting materials we use are included.
Enjoy a friendly pick-up and drop-off at Najac station
Everything you need for drawing and painting is included in our prices
Painting & drawing materials
In our creative workshops, you’ll work with a variety of materials—choose your favorite drawing medium, or dive into watercolors and acrylics. For sketching: charcoal, graphite, and fineliners offer endless possibilities.
Enjoy a friendly pick-up and drop-off at Najac station
Going to Najac station
Accessible by train, with the Eurostar, by plane, to Toulouse airport and by car, through the eurotunnel, our village Najac, is easy to reach! An ideal place for your painting holiday in France.
Small Group, Big Creativity!
Art workshops for beginners Art workshops for advanced
Experience the power of personalized learning in our small group setting, with no more than 8 participants. The open and welcoming atmosphere makes each class fun, inspiring, and full of learning! Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, Anita adapts each lesson to fit your individual creative journey.
Almost every child enjoys drawing and painting. The joy of mixing colours, creating your own world on a piece of paper, making someone happy with your drawings: children know the value of being creative together.
Rediscover the joy of drawing and painting: learn how to draw with charcoal, graphite and pastel, learn how to paint with acrylic or watercolour or improve your drawing and painting skills
Where to Find Atelier Souriant in the South of France?
Najac is one of the plus beaux villages de France, nestled in the unspoiled Aveyron, where beautiful nature, picturesque villages and the historic castle in Najac create the perfect backdrop for inspiration. The area around Najac is renowned for its stunning hiking trails. YIt’s a beautiful, inspiring setting for our creative holidays and a peaceful retreat, surrounded by nature. Visit the tourism website for a glimpse of its beauty!
A beautiful gateway in Cordes, an ideal spot for urban sketching.
Abbaye de Beaulieu en Rouergue
with a beautiful rose garden and a modern art museum
Beginner or Advanced? Everyone is welcome in our creative workshops.
You are searching for a beginner friendly painting holiday in France
* You are certainly not the only one. * You don’t need natural talent to start drawing or painting; a desire to learn and enthusiasm are all that matter. * As an experienced teacher, Anita has motivated a lot of beginners to explore and enjoy creating. * During the week you can experiment with different kinds of materials to find the ones that suit you best.
You are searching for advanced painting and drawing classes on your painting holiday
* There’s no rush, no pressure; you can take all the time you need to explore your creativity * Meet enthusiastic, like-minded people and enjoy an inspiring vacation together! *As an experienced qualified art teacher, Anita is well-equipped to guide you in exploring your unique style and potential. * The small groups ensure that you get a lot of one-on-one time
“I came with no drawing experience, but I didn’t feel hindered by that this week. Anita knows how to provide the right guidance and inspire enthusiasm. The relaxed atmosphere in which all of this takes place contributes to the holiday feeling.”
Charming and Unique Accommodations
Choose between the beautiful gîte, the charming chambre d’hôte, or the roomy glamping tent. Which of our six exceptional accommodations will be your top pick?
Would you like to come together? Along with solo accommodations, we also offer duo options. One or both of you can take part in the creative workshops, starting from £1700.
Smiling owners of La Forêt Souriante and Atelier Souriant
Anita van Overmeeren & Tjarco van Wijngaarden
Anita and Tjarco cherish the joy of the creative holidays in their ‘smiling forest’. They feel it is a true privilege for them when guests choose to enjoy their holiday experience with them. Together they create unforgettable holiday experiences for everyone who visits. Originally from the Netherlands, they speak fluent English and good French.
Meet Anita
Teacher and Organizer of the creative holidays
“To master drawing and painting, the first step is having fun, the second step is observing without judgment.”
Get to know Anita
Anita is a visual arts teacher who graduated from the Amsterdam School of the Arts. In addition to her teaching role, she is a dedicated pedagogue and educationalist, having earned both of her Master’s degrees from the Rijks Universiteit of Groningen.
She loves visiting museums, and each time, she thoroughly enjoys the experiences during the creative holidayweeks at the Abbaye de Beaulieu en Rouergue, with its inspiring abstract art museum.
In addition to her love of teaching, she has a passion for micro macramé and gardening. Anita has also a passion for delicious, healthy food, beautifully presented on stylish, matching tableware.
With her warm sense of humor, Anita creates an atmosphere where everyone in the group feels comfortable and welcome, making it easy for everyone to join in and connect.
Meet Tjarco
Organizer of the creative holidays
“It’s the extra attention to guests that turns a good vacation into one you’ll always recall with a smile!”
Get to know Tjarco
Tjarco is co-owner of La Foret Souriante and Atelier Souriant, dedicated to ensuring that every guest feels at home. With a passion for creating memorable experiences, he loves to accompany guests on excursions and walks, sharing the beauty of the surroundings.
Together with Anita, he prepares delicious meals and takes great care in maintaining La Forêt Souriante, making sure that every detail contributes to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
He draws on his cameraman experience to capture beautiful photos of the organized creative holidays for the marketing of Atelier Souriant and as souvenirs for guests.
Tjarco shares Anita’s enthusiasm for art and he finds joy in visiting museums and going to modern dance performances.
What our guests say about their holiday
We are smiling because all our reviews have
★★★★★
“The stunning nature, the view of the castle, the beautiful house, the wonderful hosts, and the fantastic people in the group with whom I shared so many laughs—all of this created a serene atmosphere. The delicious meals and the opportunity to be outdoors constantly enhanced the experience. The incredible lessons and workshops always felt too short; I could have happily stayed for another month! In short, I highly recommend it!”
Mady de JonghGoogle review for ‘Drawing and Painting from life’ holiday week July 2022
“The greatest strength of Anita and Tjarco lies in their unconditional love for their guests and participants. You can see it in the welcoming design of their gîtes, smell it in their smiling garden filled with flowers, herbs, and deer, hear it in the deeply personal stories they share, feel it in the care with which they surround you, and taste it in their delicious, healthy meals.”
Concetta PergolaGoogle review for ‘Drawing and Painting from life’ holiday week July 2022 and June 2023
“The journey to and from Atelier Souriant was seamless, thanks to the plane, shuttle bus, and train. Upon arrival at the station, I was warmly greeted by Tjarco. Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to ride with Tjarco, Anita, or others who had driven, allowing us to explore all the beautiful gems in the area. One highlight was the grounds of La Fôret Souriante itself: a beautifully maintained garden, forest, and accommodations.”
Judith Kleine‘Urban and Rural sketching holiday week’ September 2024
“Upon arrival at La Forêt Souriante, you immediately sense what a special place it is. First and foremost, a very warm welcome from the hosts, Anita and Tjarco, confirming the pleasant communication we had via email beforehand. The accommodation is easily accessible and beautifully situated. The garden is a picture, offering a stunning view of the greenery and the nearby village of Najac with its castle.”
Mieke SchiphorstGoogle review for a stay in gîte Albizia in august 2021 and august 2024
“This is a truly lovely place with charming and very helpful hosts. The gite has its own pretty patio and is in a beautiful shared garden with views across to the castle at Najac. The gite itself is spotless, decorated beautifully and fitted out to a very high standard. It’s a place where you can happily do nothing, but also take advantage of the location to go kayaking or swimming down in the river or walking and cycling up and down the hills and valleys. “
Tanith JamesGoogle review for a stay in gîte Albizia in july 2022
We love to welcome you in Najac!
It is always nice to have something to look forward to. We are very much looking forward to welcome our previous guests again next spring and summer and we are excited to meet our new guests as well. We hope you are looking forward to spend your holiday with us in Najac next spring or summer! À bientôt!
