Inspire Your Creativity
Where Creativity Meets Tranquility
About Studio Préniac
We offer a range of courses created and led by experienced and well-known tutors, each of whom uses their individual styles and expertise to guide students through a week of ideation, experimentation and creativity, using the Préniac landscape and the local area as a source of inspiration. Courses are fully-catered, making the most of the wonderful local and regional produce, with all students and tutors staying on-site.
Préniac, originally an ancient hamlet, is a collection of traditional white stone buildings in the Quercynoise style. It is built around a delightful courtyard of a lovely 18th Century farmhouse, and is perfectly situated on the brow of a hill, providing stunning 360-degree views across the beautiful rolling countryside of the southern Lot. The buildings have been sympathetically converted into charming and tasteful holiday accommodation (mostly private en-suite rooms) as well as a large, well-equipped studio workshop.
Préniac is set within a large area of tranquil countryside, which includes a small lake as well as a 12 x 6 metre swimming pool with enchanting views across the valley from the sun terraces.
The immediate surrounding area is a haven for walkers and cyclists, with stunning views in all directions. It is also renowned for a large variety of flora and fauna, including an abundance of wild orchids, carpenter bees, tree frogs, wild boar and the beautiful hoopoe bird.
Close-by are many medieval/bastide towns and villages, such as Montcuq, Lauzerte and St Cirq-Lapopie. Cahors, the Prefecture of the Lot region, famous for its deep red wine, elaborate municipal gardens, the Pont Valentré (a medieval bridge with 3 towers) and the imposing Cathédrale St-Étienne, is a 20-minute drive away.
About Us
Moving to France from the UK has been a 16-year dream for us. We fell in love with Préniac from the first moment we saw it, and we haven’t looked back since we made the move. We live here with our 6-year-old daughter Millie (who attends the local primary school and is already bilingual), Chris’ mum Cynthia (a member of various local cake, gardening and lunch clubs), our 8-year-old cat Winnie (a petite black softie), our two new kittens Pip and Bramble, and six rescue hens (providing us with fresh eggs on a daily basis).
Our sole focus is to provide you with a wonderful holiday where you can develop your skills and confidence, have fun, relax, unwind, and enjoy a week of creativity, good food and good company.
Prior to making the move, Chris worked in the Real Estate Industry for 15 years, and Nicki worked in Media and Marketing for 20 years. We are both passionate about travel, local culture/history, nature and food. We have been lucky enough to visit many extraordinary places across the globe, meet many wonderful people, see many endangered animals in the wild and eat delicious local produce. We are both qualified Advanced Scuba Divers and love the magical world under the water. Chris is also a passionate cook and loves to create dishes from across the world.
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(approximately once every 3 months)
Creativity Holidays
Creativity Course Schedule
Fragments of the Landscape
More Inspiring Watercolours with Liz Rogers in South West France
A Summer Sketchbook Inspired by Préniac
Exploring Colour Further with Ruth Issett
More Inspiring Watercolours with Liz Rogers in South West France
Faces, Figures, Facts & Fictions
Marks from the Land
Textile Collage
More Inspiring Watercolours with Liz Rogers in South West France
Chasing the Unknown and Unexpected: Exploring Dyed and Printed Colour, Surface and Stitch
Préniac - A Textile Diary with Jan & Jean
Colour and Pattern: Close Focus on Flowering Plants
Stitch-Sketch-Books: Textile Books
Landscape Unfolds; Exploring Place Through Inspiration: Observation: Imagination
Crossing Borders - Stitch Invasions
Exploring the Possibilities of Colour, Print & Paper Surfaces
More Inspiring Watercolours with Liz Rogers in South West France
Explore Colourful Surface Mark & Stitch
Landscape Unfolds; Exploring Place Through Inspiration: Observation: Imagination
Print Glorious Print; Fabric and Paper
Dancing Light and Layered Shadow
Préniac - A Textile Diary with Jan & Jean
Accommodation
Lavande Gîte
Private one-bedroomed gîte with its own terrace overlooking the countryside and swimming pool.
Learn More
Pavot Gîte
Private one-bedroomed gîte with twin/double bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/living space.
Learn More
Pricing
The cost of our creativity holidays is inclusive of the following:
- Course fees and basic materials
(except for any course specific materials that the tutor requests you bring with you) - Airport collection and drop-off
(allotted airports and times only) - Accommodation
(price varies by type of accommodation selected - we assume single occupancy by default unless you specifically request to share with a friend/partner) - Breakfast, lunch and dinner
(one meal taken at a local restaurant - to be paid by guests at the time) - Tea and coffee throughout your stay
- Aperitif and wine/beer with evening meal
- Transport to and from any excursions
- Bed linen and towels
- Access to all amenities throughout your stay
- Local tourist taxes
Prices per person for 2023 are as follows:
| Private en-suite bedroom (excluding Garden Room) | |
| Single occupancy | €1,700 |
| Double occupancy | €1,450 |
| Garden Room | |
| Single occupancy | €1,800 |
| Double occupancy | €1,550 |
| Lavande / Pavot gîte | |
| Single occupancy | €1,900 |
| Double occupancy | €1,600 |
| Day student (no accommodation) | |
| Day student | €650 |
| Non-participating partner | |
Non-participating partner (sharing a bedroom with a course participant) | €1,000 |
The Local Area
The Lot
Montcuq
Lauzerte
Cahors
Rocamadour
Saint Cirque Lapopie
Domme
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Figeac
Flora and Fauna
Gallery
Testimonials
F.A.Q
What's included in your stay
- Airport collection and drop-off (allotted airports and times only)
- Accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner (one meal taken at a local restaurant - to be paid by guests at the time)
- Tea and coffee throughout your stay
- Wine/beer with evening meal
- Transport to and from any excursions
- Bed linen and towels
- Access to all amenities throughout your stay
- Local tourist taxes
What we supply for the workshops
We supply a range of basic art and textile media which includes paints, dyes, fabrics, and paper as well as non-consumables such as scissors, needles, pins etc. We also provide additional resources specific to each course.
In addition, we supply a range of threads, both hand and machine, but recommend that guests bring a small collection of threads for personal use as required. We also recommend that guests bring their own sketchbooks and small brushes.
Prior to your departure, the tutor will also provide you with a list of necessary materials.
NOTE: There may be a requirement for a supplementary fee where specific materials are required for a particular course.
In addition, we supply a range of threads, both hand and machine, but recommend that guests bring a small collection of threads for personal use as required. We also recommend that guests bring their own sketchbooks and small brushes.
Prior to your departure, the tutor will also provide you with a list of necessary materials.
NOTE: There may be a requirement for a supplementary fee where specific materials are required for a particular course.
What's NOT included
Cost of Flights.
Note that we do provide a free pickup and return from Toulouse Airport (preferred airport) or Bergerac Airport (as needed).
Medical treatment/costs
This is in the event of illness or accident
Travel insurance.
It is strongly recommended you and your party arrange comprehensive travel insurance, which includes cancellation, repatriation, medical and personal cover and also full cover for the party's personal belongings.
Transfers outside of allowed hours
This is only applicable if your travel times are not aligned with our pick-up airports and times.
One evening or lunchtime meal
This is taken at a local restaurant or auberge and is payable locally (approximately 20-25 euros).
Note that we do provide a free pickup and return from Toulouse Airport (preferred airport) or Bergerac Airport (as needed).
Medical treatment/costs
This is in the event of illness or accident
Travel insurance.
It is strongly recommended you and your party arrange comprehensive travel insurance, which includes cancellation, repatriation, medical and personal cover and also full cover for the party's personal belongings.
Transfers outside of allowed hours
This is only applicable if your travel times are not aligned with our pick-up airports and times.
One evening or lunchtime meal
This is taken at a local restaurant or auberge and is payable locally (approximately 20-25 euros).
Food and drink
Great food is, in our view, a vital part of every holiday and at Studio Préniac we aim to provide both imaginative and delicious cuisine set in a warm and homely environment.
All meals are handmade and prepared in our farmhouse kitchen, with an emphasis on French local and regional produce, but also utilising the wonderful local produce to enhance dishes from all over the world. Evening meals start with an aperitif followed by a selection good quality wines (or beer if this is your preference), making the most of those from the beautiful Lot region.
We are also happy to cater for vegetarians/vegan/gluten free on request.
All of our fully catered holidays include:
All meals are handmade and prepared in our farmhouse kitchen, with an emphasis on French local and regional produce, but also utilising the wonderful local produce to enhance dishes from all over the world. Evening meals start with an aperitif followed by a selection good quality wines (or beer if this is your preference), making the most of those from the beautiful Lot region.
We are also happy to cater for vegetarians/vegan/gluten free on request.
All of our fully catered holidays include:
- Continental breakfast
- 3-course lunch
- 3-course evening meal with good quality local wine followed by tea or coffee
Dietary requirements
With advance notice we are more than happy to cater for any food allergies or preferences such as vegeterian, vegan or gluten free.
Please ensure you notify us of any requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you are well catered for.
Please ensure you notify us of any requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you are well catered for.
Getting here
We collect our guests from either Toulouse or Bergerac airports on day one of the workshop and you should book a flight that allows for a mid to late afternoon collection. We will only undertake one pick up from each airport, so it would be better to arrive earlier and wait at the airport for collection, rather than arrange a flight that arrives later in the day and potentially missing the collection time. If you have any questions at all then please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will make one transfer from Studio Preniac to the airport(s) on the day of departure, arriving at the airport(s) around lunchtime. The exact time we leave Studio Preniac will be based on the the time of the first departure from the airport, however for any early flight departures (before 11am) it may be necessary for you to pay for an independent transfer in consideration of the rest of the groups departure time. You should allow for the airport transfer to take approximately 90 minutes in addition to the airline requiring you to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance.
We are aware that the pandemic has caused a lot of movement in flight schedules and may continue to do so. As a result last minute alterations to collection times may be necessary in the event of flight changes. We will of course only make changes if absolutely necessary.
Those travelling by train should go to Cahors station. Please contact us with your proposed arrival time so that we can arrange collection.
Guests who come to us by car can arrive anytime from 3pm on day one of the workshop. Please ensure you call us early on this day to advise of your likely arrival time. Parking is available on site.
We will make one transfer from Studio Preniac to the airport(s) on the day of departure, arriving at the airport(s) around lunchtime. The exact time we leave Studio Preniac will be based on the the time of the first departure from the airport, however for any early flight departures (before 11am) it may be necessary for you to pay for an independent transfer in consideration of the rest of the groups departure time. You should allow for the airport transfer to take approximately 90 minutes in addition to the airline requiring you to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance.
We are aware that the pandemic has caused a lot of movement in flight schedules and may continue to do so. As a result last minute alterations to collection times may be necessary in the event of flight changes. We will of course only make changes if absolutely necessary.
Those travelling by train should go to Cahors station. Please contact us with your proposed arrival time so that we can arrange collection.
Guests who come to us by car can arrive anytime from 3pm on day one of the workshop. Please ensure you call us early on this day to advise of your likely arrival time. Parking is available on site.
Facilities/amenities
Guests can make use of the following amenities during their stay with us at Studio Préniac:
- Heated swimming pool
We have a 12x6m chlorine heated swimming pool with a handrail for easy access and enchanting views across the valley from the sun terraces. - Gym
We have a small amount of gym equipment (mainly weights) which can be used by guests. - Orchard
We are lucky enough to have a plethora of fruit trees on our land. Please feel free to help yourselves to any ripe fruit during your stay!
WiFi access
We have a high speed Internet connection which is available for guests to use in the main Barn as well as some of the bedrooms. The property also has both a good 3G and 4G mobile phone signal for staying connected.
Disabled access
We have some bedrooms with step-free access and the art studio also has step-free access,.
Please note, however, that the property is built on the side of a hill so there are steps in places to allow you to fully access all parts of the property. The pool does have ramp access as well as a handrail which has been installed for ease of access.
If you have any worries about your level of mobility and being able to stay here then please do contact us as we are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have in advance.
Please note, however, that the property is built on the side of a hill so there are steps in places to allow you to fully access all parts of the property. The pool does have ramp access as well as a handrail which has been installed for ease of access.
If you have any worries about your level of mobility and being able to stay here then please do contact us as we are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you have in advance.
Climate
Being located in South West France means we are very lucky to have four very pronounced seasons. It does also mean that we can experience some extreme weather events - it can get very hot in the summer months and every room has a fan (more on request) to help keep you cool.
Equally for those courses in Spring and Autumn it is possible to have cold and wet weather as much as it is possible to have hot weather. All rooms have electric radiators and both the Barn and the art studio have large wood burning stoves to ensure you are kept warm if the weather is less warm.
We would suggest packing some warmer clothing in the unlikely event we do have a period of colder weather.
Again if you have any questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Equally for those courses in Spring and Autumn it is possible to have cold and wet weather as much as it is possible to have hot weather. All rooms have electric radiators and both the Barn and the art studio have large wood burning stoves to ensure you are kept warm if the weather is less warm.
We would suggest packing some warmer clothing in the unlikely event we do have a period of colder weather.
Again if you have any questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Allergies, pets and wildlife
Please note that we have two cats that live here with us at Studio Préniac and whilst every effort is made to keep them away from guest areas, they will want to come and say hello if they think there is a tickled chin at the end of it.
If you have any severe pet allergies then please let us know. However, please rest assured that they have no access to guest bedrooms (unless encouraged in!) or the art studio.
Being located in such a beautiful and rural part of the world means that we are extremely lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of wildlife. It does also mean that at times this wildlife does occasionally like to visit a bit closer than some might like. Should you have any concerns at any point during your stay then please notify us immediately and we will do our best to rectify the situation if possible.
If you have any severe pet allergies then please let us know. However, please rest assured that they have no access to guest bedrooms (unless encouraged in!) or the art studio.
Being located in such a beautiful and rural part of the world means that we are extremely lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of wildlife. It does also mean that at times this wildlife does occasionally like to visit a bit closer than some might like. Should you have any concerns at any point during your stay then please notify us immediately and we will do our best to rectify the situation if possible.
Booking Form and Pricing
Please complete this booking form for your chosen course and preferred accommodation options.
Please note that this is not a live booking form and does not guarantee your booking. We will contact you via email to either confirm your booking or to let you know the latest situation in terms of course and accommodation availability.
Please note that this is not a live booking form and does not guarantee your booking. We will contact you via email to either confirm your booking or to let you know the latest situation in terms of course and accommodation availability.
Contact us
- Préniac, Saint-Pantaléon, 46800 France
