Painting Retreat

An immersive painting retreat in the luminous landscape of Aveyron, South-West France.

Step away from the demands of daily life and give yourself this rare gift — space to create, to restore, and to be nourished in beautiful surroundings.

Come and be held by beauty, nature and art — and allow your creativity to nourish you from within.

EMAIL JOHANNA TO BOOK NOW

The Venue

The retreat takes place at The Mill. Set in the heart of the French countryside, a beautifully restored riverside mill on the River Cernon in Aveyron, in the charming town of Millau, South-West France.

The bedrooms are beautifully decorated and offer various choices in terms of single rooms, or shared. There is a separate apartment and a beautiful spacious loft. We also have the use of the existing art studios for us to work in. There is a waterfall swimming spot right by the house to cool down when needed.

We are certain that the peaceful riverside surroundings and the beauty of the house, will provide an environment to inspire you and support your wellbeing.

The Rooms

There are 7 rooms available at The Mill. Some are singles with either single beds or double beds.

The others have the option of two beds to allow two participants to share a room.

Most rooms have shared bathrooms either next door or very near, shared with one other room.

All the rooms are tastefully decorated and have a lovely feeling about them.

We have priced them all at slightly different prices depending on size of the room/bed, etc. Prices range between £1,100 for a bed in a shared room to £1500 for a double room and ensuite, with 3 other prices options available.

The Food:

All food at The Mill is an absolute treat in its own right.

Lovingly home cooked and seasonal, prepared from locally sourced ingredients by our host Nathalie.

We will eat all meals together as a group, either inside the house or outdoors.

The first meal at this retreat will be supper on the first day (July 4th) and the last will be breakfast on the last day (July 11th).

Guided Creative Exploration:

At the heart of the retreat is each participant’s creative journey.

Personal tuition within a supportive small group will encourage the development of your painting process in a way that feels truly individual, not matter where you are at with your paintings.

These retreats often attract a mix level of experience with painting, which is altogether very enriching. What everyone has in common is shared interest in art.

Painting work will be guided by nature observation informed by feeling.

We will not focus on exact likeness or very technical aspects, but instead, we will explore ways to come closer to depicting your felt experience, while developing your individual approach. A sort of “mindful abstraction” with full support when you need it.

We work with a daily rhythm of gathering together for feedback and instructions and individual painting for long sessions, always with me around for support. Also, in all my retreats feedback is never critical but always supportive. I don’t see the need for “challenging” criticism in art.

Who This Retreat Is For:

This retreat is designed for anyone seeking:

A focused, immersive creative experience
A chance to reconnect with themselves and their wellbeing
Inspiration from a supportive group and skilled guidance

What’s Included:

Accommodation at The Mill (Rooms will be allocated according to need on/preference, on a first come first served basis).
Delicious daily meals prepared on-site.
All basic materials and painting supplies.
Guided tuition and individual feedback.
Use of The Mill’s beautiful art studios.
Swimming, walking paths, a nearby village and a market.

Travel & transfers are not included.

Prices:

Retreat prices range from £1,100 to £1,500, depending on the type of room you choose. Please note that there are only 5 single rooms. The other 3 are shared with 1 other.

For more information about pricing and room allocation, please email me.

Please note: It is possible to pay in 5 x instalments including a deposit.

Get in touch with me for details

Booking & Practical Information:

Duration: 1 week in early July, 4th to 11th.
Arrival: After Lunch on July 4th.
Departure: After breakfast on July 11th.
Travel: Nearest airports include Rodez, Montpellier, and Béziers.
Local transfers can be arranged (but are not included).

Places are limited to 10 participants — book soon to secure your place.

For bookings or more information: email: johanna.berger@hotmail.com/ 07947475942

About Johanna Berger:

Johanna Berger is an award-winning painter, originally from Chile, now based in the South of England. She holds an MA in Fine Arts from Camberwell College, London, a BA in Design from PUCV, Chile, and a degree in Anthroposophic Therapeutic Arts.

She has taught painting for many years, curated exhibitions and community projects, and runs international art retreats. Her work is represented by Marisol Fine Arts in New York. Through her retreats, Johanna combines fine art expertise with a therapeutic arts perspective, creating a space where participants can reconnect with themselves, their creativity, and their wellbeing. More information here: www.johanna-berger.com

Testimonials:

“I rediscovered my love of painting after 10 years and also learned more about myself in the process. Johanna’s guidance allowed me to step outside my comfort zone.” — A

“Painting outside was liberating. Not having to worry about the practicalities of life felt like real freedom.” —K

“The retreat was richly rewarding, full of texture, colour, sounds, and memories of great food, drink, and company.” — M