Painting Gordes: a big challenge
Who says life is easy? Who says that being on vacation is a piece of cake? Today, the painters on the oil painting workshop to Provence have been confronted to a big challenge: painting the hilltop village of Gordes.

Here is Lynn Gertenbach’s painting in progress (Lynn is the teacher on this trip).
For the students, it was more of a struggle.

Bobbi and Betsy found a shady part but to get there they had to be a bit of a climber.

Holly was even more adventurous. After climbing, she went down a wall to be in the middle of a field with flowers. All the tourists coming to Gordes took pictures of her. She is going to be in pictures all over the world.

From Left to Right, Josephine’s easel (sorry Josephine, you are hidden behind Ghislaine), Ghislaine, Lynn (standing up), Lori and Patrish. They didn’t feel like climbing to paint. Besides, they like to paint a street going down towards Gordes to make it even more dramatic so they chose another spot by the side of a non busy road.

Oh, I do have a picture of Josephine. I can stand behind Josephine and she doesn’t hear me because she listens to her iPod.

Lori is advertising for me because she is wearing the “French Escapade” visor I gave each of them. You can tell by her smile that even though it was not easy to paint all those medieval houses, it was still fun.
But the trip is not all about painting. We went to an olive oil factory and the owner, Andre, gave us a tour of the factory explaining how he makes olive oil.

Then, the best part, was the tasting: plain olive oil, basil olive oil, truffle olive oil and rosemary olive oil. Even though everyone’s suitcase was already heavy when they arrive, everyone bought the oil. How can you resist such a great first cold press, extra virgin fresh olive oil?

So far, it has been a wonderful trip. The group is great, very funny and everyone is getting along.
Great weather, great food, handsome people, what else can you dream of?
















































































From L to R: Brenda, Linda, Susan H, Jan, Donna, Karen, Victoria and Susan M.


























My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering painting, cooking and cultural tours for only 8 guests each time. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about the countries I organize tours in, like France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, California but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about my travel company in the French Escapade section of this blog.