Name: Lyon In Watercolour, A Retreat With Varia Fedotova
Price: 1035.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

Dates: June 8th to 13th, 2027

Location: Lyon, France

Discover a refined watercolour retreat in Lyon, centred on urban light, architecture, and artistic expression. In collaboration with contemporary artist Varia, this immersive experience combines structured painting workshops with curated gastronomic and cultural moments in one of France’s most elegant cities.

Limited to just 12 guests, the retreat offers an intimate setting with personalised guidance and meaningful creative progression. Across four dedicated workshop days, participants will deepen their understanding of composition, light, perspective, and movement, working both on location and in focused studio-style sessions. Guided inspiration walks, museum visits, and river scenes provide rich visual material, while Varia supports each guest in developing a cohesive body of work by the end of the week.

This retreat is designed for those who wish to slow down, observe more closely, and translate the atmosphere of Lyon into expressive, confident watercolour pieces within a supportive and elevated environment.

Inclusions

Accommodation: Five nights at four stars Fourvière Hotel, a former convent transformed into a design-led boutique hotel. The property offers refined interiors, spa facilities, outdoor pool, and generous communal spaces combining history with contemporary elegance.
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.
Host: Two 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: A city transport card will be provided, offering unlimited access to public transportation throughout your stay.
All meals and drinks are included, celebrating the richness of Lyon’s renowned culinary heritage: Each day begins with a refined breakfast at the hotel and unfolds through carefully selected dining experiences across the city. From traditional bouchons to contemporary tables, guests will discover the depth and generosity of Lyonnaise cuisine. Long, relaxed lunches and convivial dinners highlight regional specialities, seasonal produce, and exceptional local wines. A glass of Champagne awaits on arrival to open the week in style. Vegetarian or gluten-free requirements are accommodated, with the same care given to flavour, balance, and presentation.

Activities (yes, also included!)

Watercolour Immersion

Four dedicated painting sessions combining on-location work and guided studio development
All participants will receive a complete professional watercolour kit valued at 250 euros, fully included in the retreat price.
Technical focus on light, composition, perspective, and urban movement
Personalised guidance from Varia to develop a cohesive body of work throughout the week

Artistic & Cultural Inspiration

Guided visit to the Musée des Beaux Arts for compositional and historical inspiration
Curated inspiration walks through Vieux Lyon and the Presqu’île
Exploration of architectural details, hidden passageways, and river perspectives
River & Reflection Experience
Boat cruise along the Saône and Rhône
Painting session inspired by water reflections, bridges, and shifting light

Lyonnaise Gastronomy

Gourmet food tour through Lyon’s historic centre
Hands-on cooking class celebrating regional cuisine
Curated lunches and dinners in traditional bouchons and refined local restaurant

ITINERARY

Day 1 – Welcome to Lyon

Arrive in the afternoon, settle into your room, and take a moment to land. A small welcome gift will be waiting for you. In the evening, we’ll meet over a glass of Champagne, followed by a relaxed welcome dinner with Varia.

Day 2 – Food & Inspiration

We start the day slowly before heading out to explore Lyon through its food. A guided gourmet walk through the old town, then time to wander, sketch, and take it all in. In the afternoon, we translate what we’ve seen into our first watercolour session. Dinner together in the city.

Day 3 – Art & Technique

A morning immersed in art at the Musée des Beaux-Arts, followed by time to paint and develop your technique. Later, a hands-on cooking class inspired by Lyonnaise cuisine.

Day 4 – Light & Water

We spend the morning on the water, seeing Lyon from a different perspective. In the afternoon, a painting session focused on reflections, light, and movement. Dinner in the city.

Day 5 – Your Time to Create

A slower day. Time to paint, explore the city at your own pace, or simply enjoy a quiet moment. Dinner together in the evening.

Day 6 – Au revoir

A final breakfast before we say goodbye. You’ll leave with your work, new inspiration, and a beautiful week in Lyon to take with you.
GETTING THERE
Getting there: Hôtel Fourvière is easily accessible, approximately 20 minutes by Uber or public transport from the main train station, and around 45 minutes from the airport. Please make your own way to the hotel, where we will welcome you from 3:00 PM.
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

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

Capturing the Essence of a French City

Throughout the retreat, you’ll step into Varia’s world of watercolour, with four dedicated painting sessions that blend on-location inspiration and guided studio time. You’ll receive your own professional watercolour kit, and learn to work with light, composition, perspective, and the movement of a city. Varia will guide you closely throughout the week, helping you develop a small body of work that feels personal and meaningful.

Finding Inspiration in Lyon

The experience is deeply connected to Lyon itself. From a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts to quiet walks through Vieux Lyon and the Presqu’île, you’ll gather inspiration everywhere... in the architecture, the hidden passageways, and the changing light. A gentle boat cruise along the Saône and Rhône offers another perspective, becoming a beautiful moment to observe and paint reflections, bridges, and shifting tones.

Food, culture & simple pleasures

And of course, this is Lyon! so food is part of the experience too. A gourmet food tour, a hands-on cooking class, and long, relaxed meals in traditional bouchons and carefully selected restaurants bring the week together, creating a perfect balance between creativity, culture, and simple pleasure.

Varia Fedoitova is a watercolour artist based in Kuwait, known for her delicate, light-filled work and her ability to capture atmosphere in the most effortless way.

Her art is deeply inspired by travel, architecture, and everyday moments... the kind you almost miss if you’re not paying attention. Through soft washes and fluid movement, she brings scenes to life with a sense of calm and emotion that feels both intimate and timeless.

What makes Varia’s approach so special is how accessible she makes it. Her classes are gentle, intuitive, and encouraging, whether you’ve never picked up a brush before or already have experience. It’s less about perfection, and more about learning to see, feel, and translate a moment onto paper.

Spending time with Varia is not just about painting, it’s about slowing down, observing the world differently, and reconnecting with your creativity.