Special European Tour – On the Trail of the Impressionists, Painting and Barging in France –
France, June 21 – 30, 2025
Our 2022 painting tour of Holland and 2024 painting tour in Croatia organized by Jeanne Fontaine, owner of Artful Travels, was an incredible delight for all. Such amazing adventures! 2025 will find us painting and cruising the rivers of France. We will follow the trail that led to the development of Impressionism from the comfort and convenience of the lovely barge The Fleur.
Join Monica and Bob for a Very Special Tour
We will be visiting many different locations; historic artists’ homes/studios as well as charming villages and other inspirational locations for painting.
Have a look at our itinerary, costs, what’s included, etc. – scroll down
The great tradition of plein air painting as we know it today, was born and developed in the countryside outside of Paris, beginning in the 1820s. It was to one of those villages, Barbizon, that artists journeyed with a promise of room and board at the newly established inn Auberge Ganne. The Auberge provided lodging for painters who typically forayed into the nearby forest in warm weather and retreated to Parisian studios in winter. After daylong excursions in nature, artists convened at the Auberge Ganne to share ideas, discuss technical practices, and revel in one another’s company. Years later, already eclipsed by Impressionism, these pioneering painters of nature were called the Barbizon School.
We will visit Monets garden and home in Giverny
We will visit Rosa Bonheur's home and studio, (above).
Born into a family of artists, Rosa Bonheur is considered one of the most famous female painters of the nineteenth century. She broke stereotypes and taboos of the time, (needing permission from the police to wear trousers), choosing the company and intimacy of woman. Bonheurs telegraphing her personal life was groundbreaking and pioneered the way for woman’s rights and that of lesbians. She adopted clothing and activities of men, not to “be a man”, but she identified with the power and freedom reserved for men. If you have been to the Met. in New York, you have likely seen her magnificent and large, (8′ x 16′) painting The Horse Fair. She was also an animal rights advocate, (one might say a precursor to what we call today a Wildlife Painter).
We will follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers and advocates of plein air painting in the 19th century, such as Theodore Rousseau, (1812 – 1867), and Charles Francois Daubigny, (1817 – 1878), founders of the Barbizon School of painting, which centered around the forest of Fountainebleau. In 1829, Jean Babtiste Camille Corot, (1796 – 1875) first painted there, where he met members of the school and could be considered their forerunner. Jean Francois Millet, (1814 – 1875), was also one of the painters among there ranks. During the late 1860’s, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, and others would visit the area to paint. In the late 1870’s they went on to establish the approach and art movement we know as Impressionism.
Theodore Rousseau
Jean Francois Millet
We will be painting in the same locations where they lived, painted and studied. Having many opportunities to both learn about and explore their methods and/or pursue and discover our own.
Our 20 passenger, well-appointed barge will travel along the Loing River beginning in Montargis then mooring in towns in and around Barbizon and the Fontainebleau Forest, ending on the Seine River in Paris. Along the way, we will visit important sites such as Fontainebleau Forest, Moret-sur-Loing and Grez-sur- Loing to set aside time for painting the landscape. Robert Masla will lead talks and do numerous demos as well as share techniques, and offer suggestions on approaching plein air painting. There will also be discussions and feedback for works in progress for those that desire it.
Rosa Bonheur's paint box
The Fleur on route and some images of The Fleur
Lounge
Cabins
The Deck
Dining area
Lounge
Masla doing a demo on the Yacht Barbara in Croatia
Masla presenting on the Demo Stage at the 2023 Plein Air Convention and Expo in Colorado
The barge has only 10 cabins, each with 2 beds and a private bath with shower. Upstairs is a lounge, dining area and bar. On deck are chairs from which one can relax and watch the ever-changing scenery. All meals are prepared onboard in the elevated standard of French cuisine. Breakfast is served buffet-style and dinner is plated and served by welltrained English-speaking staff. Guests on the barge can help themselves to fresh fruit, coffee, tea, water and light snacks throughout the day. In addition, the bar is stocked with an assortment of wine and beer available on the honor system.
The bridge at Grez-sur-Loing, subject of many paintersPainting in the forest of Fontainebleau
The artists of the Barbizon School collectively embraced their native landscape, particularly the rich terrain of the Forest of Fontainebleau. They shared a recognition of landscape as an independent subject, a determination to exhibit such paintings at the conservative Salon, and a mutually reinforcing pleasure in nature. Alfred Sensier, close friend and biographer of Barbizon painters Théodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet, wrote of the romantic attraction of the Forest of Fontainebleau, “They had reached such a pitch of over-excitement that they were quite unable to work… the proud majesty of the old trees, the virgin state of rocks and heath… all these intoxicated them with their beauty and their smell. They were, in truth, possessed.”
Monet’s gardens at GivernyHave a look at our Itinerary, costs, what’s included, etc.:
June 21: Overnight flight to Paris.
You’ll be leaving on an overnight flight for Paris. Dinner and breakfast will be served en route.
June 22: Montargis
We will meet you at the Charles de Gaulle airport, and transfer to Montargis where the barge Fleur, your home for the next seven days is located. Montargis is called the Venice of the Gatinais and is the former home of the painter Anne-Louis Girodet. After lunch, there will be free time to relax and explore this charming town. Before dinner, we’ll gather as a group with Robert Masla and meet our fellow travelers. The captain will introduce the crew and enlighten you on safety and other rules of the barge. Join your fellow painters for wine and cheese before our first dinner on the barge Fleur. L, D
June 23: Neronville
Breakfast onboard consists of a buffet with many choices: fruits, cold cuts, a variety of breads, cereals, crepes, eggs yogurts and always plenty of coffee and tea. Help yourself to the coffee, tea and hot chocolate machine all day long. Our destination today is Egreville where we’ll explore the beautiful sculptures and gardens at the Musee Jardin Bourdelle. Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929), the son of a cabinet maker, studied sculpting in Toulouse, and later in Paris. He became a praticien (roughing out stones and marble) under the direction of the famous Auguste Rodin. The grounds offers many opportunities to set up for our first painting session surrounded by Bourdelle’s famous sculptures in the beautiful garden. The barge will be waiting in the village of Neronville. B, L, D
June 24: Nemours
Two important villages are on the agenda: Grez-sur-Loing and Bourron Marlotte. Many painters who could not afford to live in Barbizon settled in these two artist communities–both with strong ties to the Barbizon School of painting. The villages border the river Loing and the forest of Fontainebleau where celebrated French artists had homes, including Cézanne, and where others came to indulge in “Bohemian weekends.” Today, we will paint the stone bridge in Grez-sur-Loing, as the Impressionists did years ago. Lunch is provided as you paint under the guidance and support of Robert Masla. Your trusted floating hotel is waiting in Nemours. B, L, D
June 25: Moret-sur-Loing
This morning, we’ll visit the village of Barbizon and learn about the history and the tradition that inspired the Barbizon School of landscape painters on a guided walking tour. Then, continue to the forest of Fontainebleau where the Impressionists set up their easels for plein air painting. You, too, will have an opportunity to paint in the same location. Lunch is provided as you enjoy a demonstration and painting session with Robert Masla. In the afternoon, we’ll return to our barge in Moret-sur Loing. Relax on deck and share your experience of the day with your fellow travelers and painters over a glass of wine. B, L, D
June 26: Moret-sur-Loing
After breakfast, we head for Barbizon and visit the Auberge Ganne, the inn that hosted many of the period painters, and now converted into a small museum (Musée des Peintres de Barbizon). Downstairs is a recreation of the original grocery shop; the upstairs galleries feature a collection of Barbizon School works, including the artists’ scribbles on the bedroom walls. Afterwards, we’ll set up to paint in this charming town. Late afternoon, we’ll return to the Fleur in Moret-sur-Loing. B, L, D
June 27: Melun
Following breakfast, we’ll paint in the picturesque medieval town of Moret-sur-Loing, established in the Gallo Roman era. Follow in the footsteps of the British Impressionist Alfred Sisley who lived and painted over 400 scenes of the village. You’ll be inspired by the confluence of the rivers Seine and Loing, a scenic location where Sisley spent many hours painting. In the afternoon, a visit to the home and studio of artist Rosa Bonheur in Thomery will acquaint you with this famous painter known for her accurate and detailed paintings of animals in their natural environments. The Fleur is waiting in Melun where you can relax and share the day’s painting experience. B, L, D
June 28: Paris
Get ready for Paris, City of Light. Your barge will motor along the Seine River while you enjoy the scenery from the deck. There will be time with Robert to review our week of painting and provide some suggestions for completing and adding to your collection of masterpieces and fond memories of your painting experience in France. We will celebrate our last dinner on the Fleur. Pack your suitcase tonight! B, L, D
June 29: Paris
Following breakfast, travel by coach to Giverny for a guided tour of Claude Monet’s water lilies and gorgeous gardens. Afterwards, there will be free time to take photos, explore the gardens and Monet’s home (and gift shop). Enjoy a lunch on your own nearby before we board our coach and head for Paris and check-in to our 4-star Hotel Frontenac located near the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. Join your fellow painters for dinner in a local restaurant. B, D
June 30: Group departure by bus to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Bon voyage!
Included:
• Group transfer from Charles de Gaulle airport to the barge
• One (1) night in a superior hotel in Paris
• Seven (7) nights accommodations on the barge
• Wine and cheese reception
• Daily breakfast (8)
• Daily dinner (8)
• Daily lunches (6)
• All transportation from the barge to sites listed on the itinerary
• Engaging painting sessions, demos and lectures with Artist Robert Masla
• All museum admissions as mentioned in itinerary.
• English-speaking local guide
Cost Land Only (Air Travel is not included)
Painters: $4590; Non-painters: $4400.
Single supplement (limited to 2 cabins), please add $2700.
Space is limited, a total of only 10 cabins on The Fleur! Don’t miss out – Sign up now to reserve your place!
For more information or to register, contact Jeanne Fontaine of Artful Travels: (413) 237 – 4631
[email protected]
