Excursions 

The ideal location of Les Tapies just north of Provence provides extensive opportunities to draw on the cultural riches of such historic cities as Avignon, Nîmes, Arles, and Aix-en-Provence. During frequent excursions students explore many nearby medieval villages such as Pérouges, Gordes, and St. Pierreville, which are also ideal subjects for painting, drawing, and photography.

Visits to the local Chestnut Museum and the Wool Mill, picnic walks in the mountains, kayaking down the Ardèche Gorge (a 3-star Michelin site), and fishing or swimming in the crystal clear Eyrieux River, provide relaxing breaks from the intense studio work, and opportunities to discover the beauty of the Ardèche countryside. Students are directly involved in creating a special quality of life at Les Tapies, which includes visiting local markets for food shopping, and speaking French with local residents and artisans. The diverse backgrounds and talents of the students and faculty, as well as the opportunity to participate in an intimate community life with a shared creative focus, add an important dimension to the program.