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FIND BEAUTY WITHIN
A Plein Air Painting Workshop
Landscapes
with Sergiu Ciochina
"A painting might start with just a few buildings or details, but sometimes I completely reimagine a place, creating contrasts with reality that reflect how I feel and perceive it."
Sergiu Ciochina
5,000 € - 6,000 €
August 27 - September 3, 2025
Landscapes
with Sergiu Ciochina
For the first time ever, rising artist Sergiu Ciochina—whose mesmerizing use of color has captivated audiences around the world—invites you to paint alongside him in highly focused weeklong workshop at Château de Puy Vidal. Born in Moldova and now based in Paris, Sergiu’s vibrant, impressionistic landscapes are a testament to his ability to see beyond the ordinary, transforming everyday scenes into luminous, emotionally rich works of art.
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This exclusive retreat is not just about learning technique—it’s about seeing the world through a new lens, one where color breathes life into light and shadow. Whether you’re an experienced artist or an advanced beginner, you’ll be guided through the expressive power of alla prima painting, mastering how to capture fleeting moments with bold, intuitive brushstrokes.
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Set against the backdrop of Château de Puy Vidal's historic walls and interiors and sunlit gardens, you’ll immerse yourself in plein air sessions, uncovering the magic of changing light as it dances across stone walls, ripples through water, and lingers in the twilight sky. Each day is an invitation to step into a world of pure creative energy—one that is both deeply personal and profoundly shared.
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Evenings unfold with French countryside dinners, wine under the stars, and conversations with fellow artists, making this retreat a rare opportunity to create, connect, and rediscover the joy of painting.
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Due to the intimate nature of this experience, space is limited—we encourage you to apply early.
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5,000 € - 6,000 €
MEET THE LADY OF THE CHATEAU
CREATIVE TEAM
We are your retreat designers and guides, and it is our pleasure to welcome you into our world. A multi-generational American family who moved to France, we combine our backgrounds in the film industry, painting, data science, tech and astronomy to shape and guide you through our retreat experiences which focus on creativity, personal growth and connection.
Julia and Caroline are a couple and are the founders of the Lady of the Chateau retreats. They scout talent from around the world to find Guest Instructors for each retreat. They design and run each retreat with Penelope, Julia's sister, and their parents Maruca and Robert, who enjoy hosting people from around the world. Together with our guest instructor, retreat chef, and chateau staff, we pride ourselves on retreats distinguished by fully integrated hospitality.
We cannot wait to welcome you to this experience that will leave your cup full for months to come.
7 -NIGHTS ALL INCLUSIVE
OPEN TO ADVANCED BEGINNERS
INTIMATE CLASS SIZE
“The painter must train not only his eye but also his soul.”
Wassily Kandinsky
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sergiu Ciochina
Sergiu Ciochina is a Paris-based painter whose striking use of color and light has captivated audiences worldwide. Born in Moldova in 2001, he graduated from the College of Arts in Moldova in 2021. With a deep appreciation for the beauty found beyond iconic landmarks, Sergiu transforms everyday scenes into luminous, impressionistic landscapes—blending reality with imagination to offer a deeply personal perspective on the world.
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Through his work, Sergiu explores the delicate harmony between nature and architecture, capturing the dance of light and shadow in his compositions. His plein air paintings radiate movement and vibrancy, inviting viewers to step into a world where color is not just seen but felt.
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As an emerging artist with an ever-growing international presence, Sergiu is passionate about the transformative power of creativity. His work is a testament to the idea that art can transcend the ordinary—illuminating new perspectives and inviting us to see the world through a lens of wonder, energy, and emotion.
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Discover more of Sergiu’s landscape paintings at mylandscape.store and explore his figurative works at artserge.com.
WHAT SETS HIM APART
Sergiu stands out as a painter whose mastery of color, light, and movement transforms ordinary landscapes into immersive, emotionally charged experiences - he has already built an impressive body of work, exhibiting in major salons across Europe and cultivating a dedicated following of admirers and art collectors around the world. His rapid rise in the art world is a testament to both his technical skill and his ability to evoke deep emotion through paint.
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What makes Sergiu’s work unique is his reinterpretation of reality—his paintings are not mere representations of places but expressions of how light, color, and atmosphere shape our perception of the world. Whether painting city streets, quiet interiors, or vast landscapes, he blends observation with imagination, creating compositions that pulse with vibrancy and life.
RECENT EXHIBITIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Exhibition: “Blue Shadows” – Oslo, Norway, February 2025
Salon des Artistes Français / Salon du Dessin et de la Peinture à l'Eau – Grand Palais, Paris, February 2025
Salon d’Automne – Paris, October 2024
Exhibited painting: “Chasing Your Own Tail”
Words from your Instructor
Dear Artists,
Painting en plein air transforms creation into an active dialogue with nature. Instead of copying what you see, plein air invites you to interpret and rethink your surroundings in real time. As you capture shifting light, textures, and colors, every brushstroke reflects your unique perspective. This method encourages you to observe closely and respond with intuition. Plein air painting is not about mimicking nature but engaging with it fully, empowering you to create art that is authentic and personal.
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Awakening the Flow
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Many times, I marvel at how lucky we are to feel with our eyes, and how truly happy I am when I can express my emotions and feelings by painting with oils on canvas. I invite you to join me in discovering how to do this together, and I am sure we will succeed. We will begin with techniques and the secrets of my approach, creating both in the studio and en plein air, not merely copying what we see, but interpreting our feelings, layer by layer, stroke by stroke.
We will immerse ourselves in the alla prima technique, without holding back on paint. Together, we will learn to notice fleeting beauty and how to express it on canvas, to move through doubts and fears, to recognize our inner impulse and follow it to become creators of our own lives. After all, this is the essence of Impressionism: to convey, through painting, the sensation of reality, its movement, changeability, and impermanence. We will observe the movement, changeability, and impermanence of shadows and light, their dance on the castle walls, in the garden, on the water. We will train our eyes to see blue tones in green leaves and the violet sky of the Impressionists. Sounds challenging, doesn’t it?
For this, we will master the fundamental meditation technique: I see, I hear, I feel. This practice opens all channels of perception, allowing us to be fully present in the moment, here and now. And then, in some moments, something will awaken: strokes of color will begin to fly onto the canvas, transforming into astonishing works of art. What is this? This is the Flow, and it is for these moments that we will create paintings together.
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What Will I Gain in This Retreat?
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I asked myself this same question, as this is my first retreat. And I am certain that beyond mastering technique, beyond the meaningful connections and painting lessons, we will each return home with something more—our own artworks. These pieces will serve as reminders of lightness, boundlessness, creativity, and the pure joy of self-expression.
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A retreat calls to you when the time is right. It is an answer to an inner impulse, a deep desire to explore and create.
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With an open heart, I welcome those seeking change—those ready to begin a new chapter, one that is expansive, vibrant, and filled with joy.
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With love,
Sergiu
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A Sample Workshop Day
8:30am - 9:30am
Breakfast in Chateau Courtyard
9:45 am - 1:30pm
Morning Lecture & Painting Session
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Lunch in Interior Courtyard
2:45pm – 5:30pm
Afternoon Painting Session
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4:30pm - 6:30pm
Rest, Relax or Keep on Painting!
7:00 pm
Aperitif Hour
8:00pm – 9:30pm
Dinner in Renaissance Dining Room
9:30pm - 11pm
Evenings at the Chateau
Cognac tasting, Bonfire under the stars, Cinema night
Tentative Workshop Schedule
A Preliminary Schedule for the Week
August 27
August 28
August 29
August 30
August 31
September 1
September 2
September 3
Arrival day
Welcome to the Château!
Recommended arrival between 2pm - 4pm.
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Settle in, meet Sergiu and your fellow artists, and tour the Château grounds.
7pm Welcome Circle & Artist Introduction
Seeing the World Differently: Light & Shadow Perception
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Morning Session: Training the eye—exercises in seeing blue in green, violet in the sky, and understanding how shadows shift throughout the day.
Afternoon Session: First plein air session—painting simple still life compositions using natural light as inspiration.
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The Dance of Light & Architecture
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Morning Session: Composition & perspective—interpreting architecture and landscape through dynamic color relationships.
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Afternoon Session: Painting the Château itself—exploring how natural light interacts with stone, foliage, and water.
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A French Village:
Capturing the Spirit of a Place
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Daytrip to a Nearby Village: Step beyond the Château to explore a quintessential French village, capturing its character through en plein air painting.
On-Site Painting Challenge: Participants will create a single alla prima painting inspired by movement, texture, and the surrounding environment.
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Master Copy Study | Learning from the Masters
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Morning Session: Master Copy Study – Recreating a classical painting to study brushwork, composition, and color application
Afternoon Session: Continue Master Copy principles into an alla prima painting from life
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Interior Light & Mood: Expressive Storytelling in Painting
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Morning Session: Moving indoors—creating atmospheric still life compositions in historic rooms of the Château.
Afternoon Session: Finalizing a painting from observation with a focus on capturing depth and warmth.
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The Artist’s Flow: Bringing it All Together
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Morning Session: Independent work—applying the week’s lessons to create a personal plein air piece.
Afternoon: Final group critique and exhibition of participant works in a Château salon setting.
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Departure Day
We bid you a warm farewell and provide shuttle service to the Angoulême train station, starting as early as 5:45 AM.
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Check out by 12pm.
ALL-INCLUSIVE WEEK
Our all-inclusive packages, lovingly curated, cover everything during your stay, from train pick-up to accommodations to day trips. Our goal in putting these together is to allow you to completely relax during your time here, delve into learning, and have the rest taken care of.
PAINTING CLASSES
A week of morning and afternoon painting classes including lectures, demos and lots and lots of painting time. Ongoing feedback and review as well as an end-of-week group review.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A private chateau bedroom and bathroom await you for your 7-night stay at Puy Vidal. These bedrooms are large enough to share so bring a fellow Artist or a Non-painting partner with you.
AUTHENTIC FRENCH
MEALS & WINE
Breakfast buffets each morning, with both continental and savory options. Light refreshing lunches. Aperitif hours with local cocktails and nibbles. Decadent dinners with flowing French wines.
DAY TRIP
Transportation on our day trip to the local village of La Rochefoucauld, entry ticket to Chateau museum, and lunch at a riverside restaurant all included.
CHATEAU EVENING ENTERTAINMENT
The Chateau's spirit comes alive after dinner. Join the group for bonfires under the stars, mystery games, costume nights, and cinema screenings by candlelight.
TRAIN PICK UP | DROP OFF
On arrival day and departure day, a Chateau shuttle will meet you at the train station in Angouelme - an 18min drive from the Chateau. The train is the best way to travel to the Chateau from Paris- the total time is 2 hours.
Included in Your Stay
ART SUPPLIES AT THE CHATEAU
The Puy Vidal Art Studio is outfitted just for you!
With a large variety of easels, canvases, lightweight tripods, palettes, solvents, aprons, carry bags,
painting stools, still life trinkets for inspiration, and much more.
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*Optional Add-on: we can ship your completed artwork home at cost.
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*Brushes Not Included.
A list of recommended colors and brushes will be supplied in advance.
“I speak from personal experience- this is a magical place you will never forget!
The hosts are fabulous, the atmosphere of the Chateau not only invites but insists that your creativity will be at its best, and living in a literal castle for even a few days…
come on now- this is the stuff Bucket Lists are made of!”
Terry Stanley, Creative Retreat Participant, 2023
How to Join Us
THE CHÂTEAU STAY
5,000 € - 6,000 €
All taxes & fees included
Chateau de Puy Vidal offers 8 bedrooms for Retreat participants to stay at the Chateau full-time. Ranging from large and magnificent rooms fit for a king, to romantic, sensual decor, to French country charm, we have an experience for you. To see each bedroom visit our Chateau Bedrooms Page here. Bedroom assignments happen on a first-come, first-served basis. Book early!
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To maintain a harmonious and inspiring environment, all potential participants are required to apply via our booking page below. This application process allows us to thoughtfully curate each group, ensuring a cohesive experience for all participants.
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Pricing based on single occupancy. For Artists looking to share a room please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com for more information. To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in three installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment plan that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!
If you'd like to bring a Non-Painting Partner to share your room with you they are welcome to join you in any of our double occupancy rooms. If they'd like to explore the region during the week, a car rental is recommended.
Non-Painting Partner rate: 2,500 €
THE OFFSITE RETREAT
3,900 €
Accommodations not included
The Offsite retreat option lets you experience Château de Puy Vidal by day while enjoying your own nearby accommodations by night.
This option is ideal for artists looking for a budget- friendly way of attending the workshop, as the local accomodation prices are very reasonable. It is also ideal if you prefer a bit more independence during your stay.
This package includes everything except your overnight accommodations - Guided Instruction, full access to all Château facilities (art studio, gardens, common spaces, pool, and sauna), art supplies, and three French-style meals daily, plus an all-day coffee, tea, and snack bar, as well as transportation on the day trip excursion. This does not include pick up or drop off at the train station, nor transportation to and from the Chateau each day.
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We provide a list of recommended nearby accommodations(family-run B&Bs) all within a 10 minute drive of the château. Our preferred B&B is called Chez Jumaine. It is quite a basic farmhouse B&B run by a lovely french retired couple, and it is right up the road, making it an extremely convenient home base for your retreat experience. It is very affordable, and decently comfortable. On average room rates are around 65 euro a night.
Even though it is walkable between the Chateau and this neighboring B&B( a beautiful 8 min walk), a car rental is required for daily travel between your accommodations and the château, as there are many late evenings and moments when it is much easier to drive back and forth. Hertz, Avis and Europcar all have locations at the Gare Angouleme (Angouleme Train station in french), making it very convenient to pick up a rental car upon your arrival in the region. On average count between 250 - 300 euro for a car rental for the week. We are happy to meet you at the station upon arrival and help you pick up your car.
To keep class sizes intimate, this option is limited to 3 spots. Please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com with any questions about this option!
APPLY BELOW
Our workshops and retreats are carefully curated to foster a harmonious environment, bringing together like-minded participants who inspire and learn from one another.
Due to high demand, as well as to ensure a cohesive group dynamic, we invite you to apply below. The application process ensures that we are able to personalize this journey as much as possible to your needs and that the group is balanced and supportive so that everyone can flourish.
You will be notified within 48 hours of submission whether you have been accepted.
Once accepted, you will receive an invitation to book your spot. Your spot will not be confirmed until you book.
To make this retreat more accessible, we offer flexible payment options. The retreat fee is divided in three installments, and we’re happy to work with you to arrange a payment cadence that suits your needs. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for details!
If you have any questions regarding our retreats or if you are having trouble booking please email us at retreats@ladyofthechateau.com
How do I get there?
Puy Vidal is nestled in the scenic Charente region, just 2 hours south via SNCF Train from Paris-Montparnasse station. This idyllic location offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility.
We offer complimentary pick-up and drop-off from our local train station of Angouleme just 18 minutes from the Chateau . If you’re driving, detailed directions will be provided upon booking. We’re easily accessible from major French cities, making your journey as smooth as possible.
What supplies do i need to bring?
Bring your Brushes!!
We provide the majority of the supplies, including painting tubes to share amongst your fellow Artists - Easels, Palettes, Solvents, Aprons, etc are all available for your to use in our Puy Vidal Art Studio.
Once you've booked your retreat we will send you your specific instructors Art Supplies.
What experience is needed for this workshop?
This retreat welcomes advanced beginners and beyond—whether you're looking to refine your skills or explore new creative techniques, you’ll be guided through the process in a supportive and inspiring environment with the guidance of your instructor Sergiu CiochinÇŽ.
Are Dietary Restrictions Accommodated?
We cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. However, due to the nature of our environment and kitchen, we cannot accommodate multiple food restrictions or severe life-threatening food allergies. Please contact us before booking at admin@ladyofthechateau.com.
In addition, if you have severe dietary or environmental allergies (e.g., to insects, dust, or humidity), please contact us before booking at admin@ladyofthechateau.com. For your safety, we reserve the right to cancel bookings if we determine we cannot safely accommodate your needs.
Is there a pool?
Yes! Our outdoor pool is heated, perfect for a refreshing dip in summer and a comfortable swim in spring and fall.
Our large hot tub makes a perfect place to unwind alone or with some new friends after a day of creativity.
FAQ
Our guests most frequently asked questions
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