General Terms and Conditions for your Painting and Drawing Holiday in France
Creative Holiday Weeks Terms & Conditions
Your painting and drawing holiday in France is here – relax, enjoy, and let your creativity flow.
General Terms and Conditions of
Atelier Souriant & La Forêt Souriante
Article 1
Booking a holiday with Atelier Souriant & La Forêt Souriante
1.1
You can submit a booking request by completing and sending the booking form. Within 2 days of registration, you will receive a response. If your preferred accommodation is available in your chosen week, we will confirm the booking. If it is not available, we will offer you a suitable alternative.
You can then finalise the booking by paying a deposit of 25% of the total amount or by paying the full amount, depending on the booking date. By finalising the booking, you agree to these general terms and conditions.
1.2
We expect the deposit or payment to be made within the timeframe stated in the booking confirmation. The remaining balance must be paid no later than 4 weeks before departure.
1.3
A booking becomes binding only after the deposit or the full participation fee has been received, depending on the booking date.
1.4
Participation in activities and meals is entirely voluntary. Participants may take a break from the programme or skip meals; in these cases we do not provide refunds or alternative activities.
1.5
Anyone aged 18 or over is welcome to join us for a creative holiday.
1.6
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for the holiday, as these are not included in the price.
Article 2
Cancellation of the creative holidays
2.1
Unfortunately, circumstances may arise that make it necessary to cancel the drawing and painting holidays in France.
If guests cancel their booking themselves, they may be entitled to a (partial) refund of the participation fee under the following conditions:
– If cancellation occurs up to 8 weeks before the start of the holiday week, the full amount will be refunded.
– If cancellation occurs between 8 and 4 weeks before the scheduled start date of the creative holiday, the deposit will be retained. This means that the amount paid by the guest, minus the deposit, will be refunded.
– If cancellation occurs within 4 weeks of the arrival date, the full amount will be charged.
2.2
If you are unable to attend the holiday week, you may arrange for a replacement participant to take your place. Please provide the replacement participant’s details no later than three days after your cancellation so that we can reserve the accommodation accordingly.
2.3
The organisation reserves the right to cancel the all-inclusive creative holiday if there are valid reasons to do so. These include, but are not limited to: illness of one of the two organisers, illness of the painting model, insufficient participant numbers, or force majeure (including, but not limited to, natural disasters, government restrictions, or other events beyond our control).
In the event of cancellation by the organisation, you are entitled to a refund of the participation fee. No further compensation or damages will be payable.
Article 3
Liability
3.1
We aim to organise each creative holiday week with due care and to provide participants with accurate and complete information.
3.2
Participation in art classes and additional activities during the creative holiday is at the participant’s own risk. The organisation is not liable for any damage, loss, or injury incurred during the stay or activities, except where such damage or injury results from intent or gross negligence on the part of the organisation.
3.3
Participants must inform us in advance of the holiday week of any relevant physical, medical or other conditions that may affect participation, so that we can take these into account where reasonably possible.
3.4
The organisation is not liable for loss, theft or damage to participants’ personal belongings or materials, unless caused by intent or gross negligence on the part of the organisation.
3.5
Where the organisation is found to be liable, such liability shall be limited to the amount paid out under the organisation’s public liability insurance policy in the relevant case.
3.6
If the organisation provides transport as part of the holiday, this will be carried out using a vehicle insured in accordance with legal requirements. For short journeys during activities or to and from the village train station, up to four guests may travel per trip in our car.
Guests are expected to use their own car during activities. They may offer lifts to other participants at their own initiative and risk. The organisation cannot accept liability for passengers in guests’ own cars.
We ensure that all participants are able to reach the destinations for scheduled activities, either using our transport or by their own means.
3.7
French law applies to this agreement and to participation in the holiday. The organisation endeavours to comply with all applicable French regulations regarding consumer protection and safety during recreational activities.
Article 4
During the painting and drawing holiday in France
If you have any questions before or during your stay, please do not hesitate to let us know — we are happy to help.
4.1
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises, in the accommodations, or throughout the grounds.
4.2
Pets are not permitted anywhere on the premises, in the accommodations, or throughout the grounds.
4.3
You may use the studio and materials outside scheduled lesson times. We kindly ask that you leave the studio and materials as you found them.
4.4
We’re delighted that you want to continue drawing and painting outside of the scheduled lessons! You are welcome to create art outdoors on the grounds or in the studio. To help us keep the accommodations comfortable for everyone, please note that drawing and painting are not permitted inside the holiday accommodations.
4.5
Final cleaning of the bedroom and bathroom is included in the price. We kindly ask that you leave the accommodation tidy. To help us prepare the accommodation for the next guests, please return all furniture and items, including garden furniture, to the positions they were in when you arrived.
Cleaning of the living room in the gîtes is included. If you have used the kitchen, please ensure it is left clean and tidy before departure. This includes returning items to their original place, ensuring that plates, pans, and utensils are clean and stored in the cupboards, and leaving the dishwasher and refrigerator empty and clean.
Thank you for helping us prepare the holiday accommodations in good time for our next guests.
