"Emilie In Normandy" - A Watercolour Retreat
Dates: August 31st to September 5th, 2027
Location: Honfleur, Normandy
Join Emilie Otto, artist, owner and Creative Director of House of Hobby in Perth, Western Australia, for Madame Voyage’s very first retreat in Normandy, an intimate six-day watercolour escape limited to just 14 guests. Based near Honfleur at the beautiful 4-star Hotel & Spa Les Jardins de Coppélia, with its swimming pool, gardens and peaceful surroundings, the retreat offers the perfect setting to slow down and create.
Emilie’s warm, approachable style makes watercolour feel joyful, restorative and accessible, while the week will also take guests beyond the easel to explore Normandy’s coastal landscapes, beautiful gardens, charming villages and rich artistic heritage.
Inclusions
- Accommodation: Five nights at the beautiful 4-star Hotel & Spa Les Jardins de Coppélia, ideally located near Honfleur. Surrounded by peaceful gardens with an outdoor swimming pool and elegant interiors, the hotel offers the perfect setting to relax and create. We will also have our own private covered creative space in the garden throughout the retreat, giving the group a dedicated place for watercolour sessions in a calm, inspiring setting.
- Room Options: Guests may choose between a private single room or a shared twin room, each thoughtfully appointed to ensure a comfortable and elevated stay. A curated selection of gifts will be waiting in your room, featuring Madame Voyage pieces and regional specialties.
- Host: Dedicated Madame Voyage hosts will be on hand throughout the week to coordinate activities, answer questions, and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
- On-Site Transportation: Private transportation will be provided for all scheduled activities and excursions throughout the retreat.
- All meals and drinks are included, celebrating the flavours of Normandy: Each day begins with breakfast at the hotel and continues with carefully chosen lunches and dinners showcasing the region’s produce, coastal flavours and French classics. Guests can expect beautiful local restaurants, relaxed lunches, fresh seafood, regional specialities, local cheeses, cider and carefully selected wines. Vegetarian and gluten-free requirements can be accommodated.
- Champagne flowing all week, of course!
Activities (yes, also included!)
Sketching & Watercolour Immersion
- 12 hours of sketching and watercolour across four workshops with Emilie Otto
- Inspired by Normandy’s gardens, flowers, landscapes and coastline
- Sketching and watercolour kit included
- Relaxed, guided sessions focused on colour, light, botanicals and scenery
- Personalised guidance, suitable for all levels
Discover Honfleur & Étretat
- Explore the historic harbour town of Honfleur during a private guided visit. Enjoy lunch, free time to wander through its charming streets and boutiques, followed by a watercolour session overlooking the picturesque old harbour.
- Discover the dramatic coastal landscapes of Étretat & its extraordinary Gardens. Enjoy lunch in the village, free time to explore and an inspiring afternoon watercolour session.
Floral Crown and Garden Experience
- Visit a local flower farm for a creative workshop using dried flowers. After making your own floral crown, spend time painting your creation in the peaceful garden surroundings.
Norman Heritage and Flavours
- Visit the Château de Boutemont and its beautiful gardens before discovering the traditions of Norman cider making at the Christian Drouin distillery. Enjoy a guided tasting of cider, pommeau and Calvados, accompanied by a selection of local cheeses.
Memorable Dining Experiences
- Enjoy carefully selected lunches and dinners at local restaurants throughout Normandy.
ITINERARY
Day 1 — Tuesday 31 August
Welcome to Normandy. We’ll meet at Trouville–Deauville Train Station at 4:00 PM for our private group transfer to Les Jardins de Coppélia. Once everyone has settled in, we’ll enjoy our first dinner together at a local restaurant.
Day 2 — Wednesday 1 September
We’ll spend the day discovering Honfleur, beginning with a guided visit through the town before lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll have some free time to wander, shop and explore before our first sketching and watercolour session at Le Haut Bassin. Dinner will be enjoyed together at a local restaurant.
Day 3 — Thursday 2 September
Today is all about flowers, gardens and Normandy flavours. We’ll begin with a flower crown workshop at Fleurs de la Clarté, followed by a sketching and watercolour session in the gardens. After a countryside lunch, we’ll visit Château de Boutemont before heading to Christian Drouin Distillery for a tasting of cider, Pommeau and Calvados, accompanied by a cheese platter. We’ll finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 — Friday 3 September
We’ll head to Étretat to discover its famous cliffs and enjoy a guided visit of Les Jardins d’Étretat. After a casual lunch in town, there will be time to explore at your own pace before another sketching and watercolour session inspired by the surrounding landscape. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Day 5 — Saturday 4 September
Our final full day begins with the last creative session with Emilie. After lunch, the afternoon is yours to relax, enjoy the hotel and gardens, or simply take some time for yourself. In the evening, we’ll come together for our farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6 — Sunday 5 September
After breakfast and check-out, our private group transfer will depart the hotel at 10:00 AM for Trouville–Deauville Train Station.
GETTING THERE
Getting there: Our private group transfer will depart from Trouville–Deauville Train Station at 4:00 PM on arrival day. The station is easily reached from Paris by direct train from Paris Saint-Lazare, with the journey taking around 2 hours. Closer to the retreat, we will let you know which train we recommend booking so that everyone arrives in time for the group transfer.
INCLUSIONS
From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, absolutely everything is taken care of.
Your transport, your meals, your experiences, it’s all included, so you can fully relax and soak up the magic of your retreat.
Start your mornings with buttery croissants, pains au chocolat, and the classic tartine au beurre, plus a few savoury options if that’s more your style. Every meal is lovingly prepared by our private chef, using fresh, local ingredients to celebrate the flavours of the region. Expect long, generous lunches and cosy, shared dinners that feel like home, just with better wine.
Speaking of which… yes, wine is always included. From crisp local rosés to rich Burgundy reds, each glass is thoughtfully paired with your meal. And to kick things off in style, we’ll welcome you with a glass of Champagne on arrival.
You’ll enjoy a curated program of unforgettable activities, too, all organised for you. No extra costs, no logistics to juggle. Just bring your appetite, your curiosity, and a love for beautiful things. We’ll take care of the rest.
Dietary needs? No problem, we’re happy to accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other preferences with care and creativity.
EXCLUSIONS
- Airfares and other transportation fares to and from the retreat
- Anything not explicitly listed above
- Travel Insurance: For complete peace of mind while travelling, we highly recommend taking out travel insurance. Australian guests can view our recommended partner here, and guests from other countries can find suitable options here.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the retreat be confirmed?
Please note that we require a minimum number of participants for this adventure to take place. We recommend that you wait until we confirm the retreat before making any travel arrangements, including booking flights. In the event that the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will notify you as soon as possible, and any payments made will be fully refunded.
What’s included in the retreat?
From the moment you arrive at the meeting point, everything is included, accommodation, all meals (prepared by a private chef), wine, activities, excursions, local transfers, and surprises along the way. The only things not included are your flights and travel insurance. (We do have a travel insurance partner – contact us for details!)
Do I need to speak French?
Not at all! All activities are led in English unless otherwise stated. A love for French culture is all you need.
What if I have dietary requirements?
No problem! We cater for vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other common dietary needs. Just let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely! Many of our guests join solo. Our retreats are designed to be warm, welcoming, and inclusive, you’ll feel part of the group from day one.
How do I get to the retreat location?
We’ll send you clear travel instructions ahead of time, including suggested trains or flights. Transfers from nearby stations are included. If you're unsure, we're happy to help with your travel plans.
How active are the retreats?
Our retreats blend culture, relaxation, and light activity (such as walking tours or market visits). You won’t need to be super fit, but expect to be gently on the move.
What’s the accommodation like?
We handpick unique, charming places, from countryside châteaux to boutique villas. Rooms are comfortable, beautifully styled, and often with private bathrooms.
What should I pack?
We’ll send you a tailored packing list before departure based on the season and retreat style. Think comfortable clothes, a touch of chic, and a good pair of shoes.
How many people will be on the retreat?
Most of our retreats are small and intimate, usually between 10 and 14 guests. This allows for a more personalized and relaxed experience.
Do I have to participate in every activity?
While we hope you’ll be excited about the itinerary, all experiences are optional! This is your retreat, feel free to skip an activity and enjoy some downtime whenever you like.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?
Due to the nature of our tours, retreats and experiences, which require advance payments to accommodation providers, hosts, venues, guides, and other suppliers, we are only able to offer refunds for change of mind or other reasons other than emergencies or events outside of our control in accordance with the table below.
Months prior to the retreat or tour Refund payable More than 6 months 50% of any amount paid More than 4 months until 6 months 30% of any amount paid 4 months or less No refund To learn more about our cancellation policy please read our Terms & Conditions
Désolée, this retreat has now sold out
Merci beaucoup, you are now part of the waitlist!
Please try again later.
What you will learn and discover
Capturing the Beauty of Normandy
Throughout the retreat, you’ll step into Emilie’s world of sketching and watercolour with four dedicated creative sessions, offering a total of 12 hours of tuition. Inspired by Normandy’s gardens, flowers, coastline and natural scenery, the sessions will encourage you to slow down, observe and capture the beauty around you. You’ll receive your own sketching and watercolour kit and be guided closely by Emilie as you explore colour, light, botanicals, landscapes and the small details that make a place feel special. The approach will be relaxed, joyful and accessible, with plenty of room to develop your own style.
Finding Inspiration in Normandy
The experience is deeply connected to the region itself. In Honfleur, you’ll sketch and paint around the picturesque harbour, while visits to Fleurs de la Clarté and Château de Boutemont offer endless inspiration through flowers, gardens and beautiful French surroundings. In Étretat, the dramatic cliffs, coastline and extraordinary Jardins d’Étretat provide a completely different palette of shapes, textures and colours. Each day has been designed to give you new subjects to observe, sketch and bring to life through watercolour.
Food, Gardens & Normandy Life
And of course, creativity is only one part of the experience. You’ll discover Honfleur, wander through beautiful gardens, create your own flower crown and taste some of Normandy’s most iconic flavours during a visit to Christian Drouin, with cider, Pommeau and Calvados. Long lunches and dinners at carefully selected local restaurants bring the week together, creating a beautiful balance between painting, nature, food and the simple pleasure of experiencing Normandy at a slower pace.
A few images of our Normandy Hotel
Rooms & Pricing
Oui! The price listed is all inclusive.
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Get to know your host
Emilie is the artist, owner and Creative Director behind House of Hobby in Perth, Western Australia. Known for her warm, approachable teaching style, Emilie has a beautiful way of making creativity feel relaxed, joyful and accessible.
With a particular love for sketching and watercolour, she encourages guests to slow down, observe the world around them and enjoy the creative process without pressure.
Throughout the retreat, Emilie will guide the group through inspiring sessions influenced by Normandy’s gardens, flowers, coastlines and natural beauty.
Join us!
Contact Us
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