CASTLES, COUNTRYSIDE AND MEDIEVAL TOWNS OF SOUTHWESTERN FRANCE
A Travel Photography Retreat with
Beth Ruggiero-York
Itinerary
Fly into Paris and take the bullet train to the Angouleme train station, where you will be picked up and taken to the castle.
Monday, June 10, 2024: Arrive at the castle, get settled in and enjoy dinner and an introduction to the 13th century Marouatte Castle. Meet the owner of the castle and our host, Miles Copeland.
Tuesday, June 11: We will begin our first day shooting sunrise on the castle grounds. After breakfast, we will travel to the charming town of Brantome with its Benedictine Abbey built in 769 on the River Dronne. Explore the town's medieval and renaissance architecture, streets and alleys, and gardens. Return to the castle for a sunset shoot and dinner.
Wednesday,June 12: Shoot sunrise at local sunflower fields with a farmhouse or castle in the background. After breakfast at the castle, we head to the city of Perigueux, the capital of the Dordogne Department. Perigueux is home to the 12th century St. Front Cathedral (a UNESCO site) on the L’Isle River, renaissance-era lanes and alleys, a large outdoor market, and Roman ruins. In the afternoon, we will return to the castle for a classroom session. Shoot sunset and Blue Hour at the castle.
Thursday, June 13: Shoot sunrise on the castle grounds before heading out to the ruins of the medieval Abbaye Notre Dame de la Boschaud and then to the extraordinary cave system of Grottes de Villars. Milky Way night shoot on the castle grounds.
Friday,June 14:After breakfast, we will travel to La Tour-Blanche, an ancient village on the River Dronne, with castle ruins, French gardens, and beautiful vistas and its surrounding countryside and ancient villages in the north of Dordogne.
Saturday, June 15: Shoot sunrise from a hilltop at Montegrier overlooking the valley before going back to the castle for breakfast. Free day to explore the massive castle and grounds. After dinner, we will photograph the sunset.
Sunday, June 16: We’ll head to the town of Riberac to photograph and explore the busy Friday market, the largest in the region, and the town. Lunch in town followed by shooting in the surrounding countryside. After dinner, we will photograph on the castle’s property.
Monday, June 17: Breakfast at the castle before the workshop ends.
See more about the castle at: www.artatthecastle.com
The workshop includes:
• 7 nights lodging at the castle;
• All transportation while at the castle, including pickup and drop off at the train station in town;
• All meals (at the castle, except for some lunches in the towns we will be visiting);
• Beverages, including local wine from the Bergerac region and beer;
• Photography instruction.
The workshop does not include:
• International airfare;
• Train fare for the bullet train to and from Angouleme;
• Personal expenses.
Cancellation Policy:
After the initial deposit of $1,500, the balance is due 90 days prior to the workshop, March 9, 2024.
If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel less than 90 days before the workshop, the fees are non-refundable unless I am able to fill your seat in the workshop. Refunds cannot be granted due to weather or any other circumstances out of our control such as changes in travel arrangements or flights. For this reason, I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance.
Please contact Beth directly to sign up
Email: ruggieroimages@gmail.com
Cell: (508) 241-4412