PAINTING HOLIDAYS 
 
Our painting holidays are tailored exclusively to your requirements. Designed for  up to 6 participating artists, the small group size  ensures both  your individual attention and flexibility  within your stay. Whether you are a beginner or more experienced,  alone or with friends, our aim is to welcome you to an inspirational, creative yet relaxing holiday, at the same time giving you a taste of the rich cultural, historical  and gastronomic heritage of this beautiful region. 
 
Ariege is a  landscape painter’s paradise in all its glorious seasons – spectacular mountains, lakes and waterfalls, or gentler valleys of woodland and pasture. Gallo-Roman St. Lizier,  medieval Foix and  the villages of the Bethmale  present enticing architectural possibilities.    
 
The courses mainly run from May-Nov; however if you wish to paint the Pyrenees in winter we will be delighted to accommodate you. The mountains under snow are superb! 
 
Your holiday can be whatever you wish it to be: from an all- inclusive stay with as much tuition as you like to self-catering gite rental with a few hours of tuition in the garden or studio  - or anything in-between.  Non-artist friends or partners are  welcome. 
 
For example, an all inclusive 7 night includes:  
 
-All meals including one at one of the many excellent local restaurants; picnics and beverages. 
-Daily transport by Land Rover Discovery to a variety of stunning painting locations (including if wished, one painting-free excursion). 
-Friendly tuition which can be as intrusive or unintrusive as you wish, in your choice of media,  for as long as required each day. 
 
Price (based on 6 participants)  - £750pp. 
Please visit http://www.rodneymunday-sculptor.co.uk/paintingholidays.htm for other  possibilities or contact us with your requirements and numbers for an individual quote.  
 
A little about us  
Your tutor is Rodney, an artist with an international reputation, exhibiting in both London and Paris. Winner of the gold medal for sculpture at the prestigious Salon d’Art du Colombier at St. Arnoult-en-Yvelines, Rodney has in the Pyrenees returned to his love of 2D work in a variety of media, inspired by the extraordinary beauty of the scenery  and exceptional quality of the light. His relaxed and friendly approach brings out the best in all his pupils, beginner and accomplished alike.  Further information about Rodney and his work can be seen on our website.   
 
His wife Eleri is there to ensure that your stay is everything you could wish for. A dedicated and enthusiastic hostess, she delights in producing delicious meals from local produce, and  has developed a considerable repertoire of French  and Ariegeoise  cuisine, not to mention picnics! Special dietary requirements are naturally catered for. 
 
WALKING HOLIDAYS 
 
The Ariege-Couserans (18 valleys converging on St Girons) contains some of the wildest, most remote and most spectacular scenery in the Pyrenees, as well as the gentler beauty of its lower valleys and slopes. You can walk for miles even in high season with only the sound of birds, the rustling of leaves and the sound of running water for company. 
 
The choice is superb,  whether you go directly from Miramont, locally in the stunningly beautiful valleys of the Garbet, Ustou and Salat or to the more challenging peaks reachable from within an hours drive. There are walks of all lengths to suit all capabilities - from gentle family strolls to those requiring "Randonneur Experimente" status. The GR(Grande Randonnee)10 passes at several points within 15k of Le Pichet and is easily accessible. A number of  walks lead to the Spanish border, such as the wartime escape route, “Le Chemin de la Liberte,” and those to the Ports  de Salau, Couillac and Marterat. You can also arrange longer treks  staying in refuges, such as the ascent of the region's most magnificent peak -le Mont Valier. 
 
Le Pichet has an extensive range of guide books and maps for your use - most of the texts available are in French but  nevertheless fairly easy to follow. Please contact us should you require a list  in advance. 
 
We are happy to help if you wish with any aspect of your walking holiday; to suggest  suitable walks, to accompany you on those with which we are familiar, or to help with transport for any which require the use of two cars, such as the descent (or ascent) of the GR10 from the Col de la Core into Seix, or from  Guzet into Aulus. We make a nominal charge for accompanying you (we originally bought Le Pichet as a base for our own walking holidays and consider it  a joy and a privelege to share our knowledge of this beautiful region with others) and if you need a second vehicle we charge at cost for petrol. 
 
Please note that we are not mountain guides; for those requiring  professional “accompagnateurs de montagne” we will put you in touch with their office in Seix, or our Dutch friends at www.bergtoppers.nl.

For more information visit  Our Website