Courses

We run fully residential all inclusive courses in our home in Central Brittany. This course is aimed at beginners who would like to learn the art of mosaic, and to develop their creative side in relaxed and peaceful surroundings.

Non-participating partners are also welcome . They may wish to explore the surrounding countryside; walk along the Nantes-Brest canal or relax in the house and garden .

The house is a a traditional stone-built Breton house which is part of the small village of Motreff, 10 minutes drive from the town of Carhaix in central Brittany. We have a large spacious oak-beamed lounge which is ideal for working in with good light, although if the weather is warm, we can work in the garden. The garden is three quarters of an acre to the back of the house, with a lovely panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Accommodation and food

We cater for small groups of between 3 and 6 at a time. Accommodation is in the family home with shared bathroom facilities. We have three guest bedrooms, two with a double bed and one with a single but if you wish an ensuite room, for an extra 25 euros a night, ensuite accommodation can be provided in a B and B in the area-approx. one kilometre from the house.

Meals are all home cooked, using seasonal and local produce from our own garden when possible and eggs from our own hens. Vegetarians and special diets can be catered for.

An example of a day's menu:

Breakfast:

Poached egg on toast (home-made bread and eggs from our own hens),

Yogurt, fruit, muesli

Lunch:

Grilled aubergines with lemon salse verde

Selection of cheeses

Fresh peaches with crème fraiche and cassis

Dinner:

Aperitifs

Apple and cider salad with melted camembert dressing

Chicken Basque

Example of vegetarian options:

Baked pancakes with spinach, mushrooms and gruyere

Pasta with feta and courgettes

Roasted Mediterranean vegetable lasagne

Courses run on a daily basis . The cost is 100 euros approx. £80 a day, which includes accommodation, food, wine, tuition and all materials.

Additional evening meals, for friends or the evening before arrival cost 25 euros; additional lunches are 10 euros.

Guests who do not want any art tuition are charged at a daily rate of 65 euros.

(25 euros extra if choosing the en-suite accommodation).

Outline of a days activity:

Breakfast in our farm-house kitchen (or on the terrace), followed by meditation, if desired.

For beginners -Introduction to mosaics- from choosing a design and selecting materials, cutting and placing of tiles to grouting, with advice on the use of colour. Start to work on mosaic.

Lunch at 1p.m.

Afternoon- time to continue work on mosaic with support available when needed until 4p.m.

Before dinner a guided walk is available around one of the many beauty spots in the area. There is a beautiful walk along the Nantes-Brest canal just 5 minutes drive away). Or you may like to explore the local area-we can advise on where to go and how to get there or if you just want to relax in the house and garden, you are welcome to do that too. You might like to read or draw and paint for an hour. If it’s cold, we have a wood burning stove in the living room

As well as mosaics, You might like to try your hand at ceramic painting and make a hand painted tile, or plate or bowl (examples below).

Ceramic painting is fun and easy to do-the finished artefact can be fired in the oven and is dishwasher-proof. There is a small additional charge of 5 euros for using these materials (if you choose to make a plate or dish, tiles are free).