An Unparalleled Experience
Welcome to the great outdoors for an immersive art and cookery experience in the beautiful landscapes of Grand Champagne de Cognac.
Drawing and painting outdoors opens us to the sensory experience of being alive and present in nature. Sitting out in the elements encourages freedom and experimentation in one’s artistic process leading to new learnings.
And alongside your artistic practice, you will have an opportunity to express yourself in the kitchen too, with an introduction to the cuisine, wines and cognacs of this bountiful region of France.
About the Art
Fergal...here you may want to say something about the way in which you work and how the time together will be structured?About the Cookery
A series of sensory delights awaits! Under the watchful eye of Paul Joly, you will learn about our local produce, the Charentais cuisine, and help prepare authentic French dishes, some inspired by and others infused with Cognac! And you will take home some special recipes and more precious memories.
About the Artist
Fergal Flanagan studied at the National College of Art, Dublin under the late Henry Healy RHA, Des Carrick RHA and John Coyle RHA. His work spans landscape, seascape and urban scenes. Fergal paints mainly in oils and Gouache but also uses pastels, alkyd, watercolour and pencil. He has travelled widely and his work, which is exhibited in galleries across Ireland, reflects his adventures across the globe. Fergal teaches in Ireland and Italy.
About your Hosts
Olive and Charlie will be your hosts for the week, ensuring an unforgettable experience from start to finish. You will have the opportunity to learn about our local Charentaise cuisine and to cook alongside Paul Joly sensing and savouring his wonderful cuisine, which will of course be complemented by our local wines and spirits. To feed your creativity, there will be walks through the vines, along the local rivers, trips to local sights and ample time for rest and relaxation too.About the Venue
Fall asleep to the sound of the tinkling fountain, wake to bird song and when the stills are working, smell the unique aroma of cognac on the breeze. Set in 2 and 1/2 acres of gardens and parkland and surrounded by vines, L'Ancienne Distillerie is a calm, restful property in a peaceful hamlet just outside Cognac. Formed around a traditional Charentaise farmhouse, the accommodation has been created through the sympathetic conversion of the 150 year old buildings that made up the former cognac distillery.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Introductions
- Arrive at Bordeaux airport where you’ll be welcomed by your hosts Olive & Charlie
- Complimentary transfer to L’ancienne Distillerie which will be your home for the coming days.
- Settle into your comfortable accommodation, and mingle with your fellow travellers over a delicious lunch.
- Stroll around the vines, absorbing the senses and sounds of the stunning Cognac countryside.
- Over a welcome dinner, you will enjoy a first taste of the culinary delights that await you through the week.
Day 2: Easing into your Practice
- Breakfast will be served at 8.30 am…
- …followed by an introduction to materials, techniques and approaches to drawing and painting amongst the vines.
- Ease in to the residency with a 1-2-1 session with Fergal on your individual art experience and needs.
- A leisurely lunch will be served from 12.30 – 1.30 pm.
- Then begin your practice around L’ancinne Distillerie or take a walk or bike into the surrounding vineyards or villages.
- In the evening, the culinary journey continues with a ‘dégustation’ followed by a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Art and Cognac
- Breakfast will be served at 8.30 am…
- …followed by a morning continuing your practice amongst the vineyards & villages.
- A leisurely lunch will be served from 12.30 – 1.30 pm.
- In the afternoon, we will visit Cognac – home of the renowned spirit. Explore one of the great Cognac houses or take a leisurely stroll by the river and through the winding cobbled streets.
- In the evening, you will be free to savour the many culinary delights this historical town has to offer.
Day 4: Art and Cookery
- Breakfast will be served at 8.30 am.
- Enjoy a morning of painting in the surrounding vineyards or the local village of Segonzac.
- Enjoy a delicious French pique-nique served from 12.30 – 1.30 pm
- Chef Paul Joly will then guide you through an afternoon of French cuisine, preparing for an evening of culinary immersion.
- The fruits of your labour will be enjoyed over dinner and complimented by our neighbours fine wines and cognacs.
Day 5: Echappée à Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
- Be transported back in time with a visit to the magical Aubeterre-sur-Dronne.
- Enter and explore the largest troglodyte church in Europe.
- Enjoy lunch in the sunny heart of this charming village.
- Visit Château de la Mercerie, famed for its artistic splendour.
- End the day with a nourishing dinner in our fine local restaurant.
Day 6: Art and Cookery continued...
- Enjoy a leisurely brunch in the gardens of L’ancienne Distillerie.
- Over brunch, share together your art, your inspiration, your reflections on the past days.
- In the afternoon, rejoin chef Paul Joly in the kitchen for some more culinary teachings and treats!
- And round off the day with another wonderful dinner, prepared by you all under Paul’s watchful eye.
Day 7: Art and Culture
- Enjoy another delicious breakfast to nourish your final full day.
- Continue your artistic practice inspired by the sights, sounds and experiences through the week.
- Our final lunch will be a special one with a few ‘surprises’ in store!
- And on our final afternoon we will visit a local Pineau maker and learn about this spirit which is entirely unique to this part of France.
- A farewell dinner inspired by, and infused with, the very same Pineau…the perfect finish to a very special week.
Day 8: Farewell
- Begin your last day with a walk amongst the vines and a reflection together.
- Followed by a beautiful breakfast that will bring the residency to a close.
- We will depart L’ancienne Distillerie in good time to return you to Bordeaux airport for your journey home.
Note: This itinerary is subject to change but only for the better. We can’t wait to welcome you to this special experience!
*See ‘Travel Arrangements’ below
Travel Arrangements
If travelling from Ireland, we recommend Aer Lingus flights: Dublin – Bordeaux on Friday 12th September and Bordeaux – Dublin on Friday 19th September. This will ensure you have complimentary airport transfers to and from your accommodation.
Please do not book your flights/trains before we confirm minimum sign-ups. We will inform you at the earliest date possible.
Cost
The all-inclusive cost of this Art & Cookery Residency is €1,680 per person sharing. If you wish to avail of a private room, the cost is €2,100 per person. This covers all art and cookery tuition, accommodation, food and wine and cultural trips throughout the week.
Complimentary transport between Bordeaux airport/Angoulême train station and Maggy's home is provided at pre-agreed times on both the 12th and the 19th of September.
Register Your Interest
Is the thought of immersing yourself in the serene beauty of the French countryside while nurturing your artistic and culinary practice appealing to you? If yes, our autumn 2025 Art & Cookery Getaway is indeed worth looking forward to.
As we are in the process of fine-tuning some details of this retreat to ensure it provides a transformative experience, we are currently not accepting immediate bookings. However, we recognise that you might already be considering this retreat for your future plans.
Once you express your interest, you'll be among the first to receive updates about the retreat. We'll keep you informed about when bookings will open and any exciting details or enhancements to the itinerary as they are confirmed.