Cathy Nichols & Kate Sydney Workshop July 2026

Cathy Nichols is coming back to Perigord Retreats for her third workshop from the 8th – 17th July 2026.

This 10-day all-inclusive creative journey will be in the Dordogne and Lot regions!

A place full of exquisite beauty, fascinating history & endless inspiration!

Come create with me in France!

See price information and book your spot

Plein Air & Studio Painting

Delicious Homemade Dinners

Daily Excursions

To Beautiful Locations

Botanica: From Petal to Pendant

Join artist Cathy Nichols and jewelry designer Kate Sydney for Botanica—a one-of-a-kind retreat celebrating nature, creativity, and transformation in the heart of the French countryside. Surrounded by the wild beauty of Périgord, you’ll explore a variety of mixed media techniques to create expressive, layered botanical artwork inspired by the glorious landscape – it will be poppy season! Cathy will guide you through her signature process, blending painting, collage, and mark-making with a focus on color, storytelling, and the beauty of imperfection.

Then, with Kate’s expert guidance, you’ll transform a small mixed media vignette into a stunning statement pendant—a meaningful, wearable piece that captures the spirit of your time in France. You’ll also explore additional jewelry techniques and gemstone pairings to complement your design. No prior experience is needed—just a love of beauty, nature, and creative play. This is a retreat for artists, makers, and dreamers ready to slow down, connect, and create something truly unforgettable.

A Day out Looks Like this:

You’ll start your day with a breakfast of freshly baked French pastries, homemade yoghurt, or fresh fruit, which you can enjoy in the conservatory as you watch the sun rise. We’ll head out around 9 am when the places we visit are quiet and the weather is perfect.

You can spend a morning exploring a new place by walking around the side streets to get a feel for the local atmosphere or by sitting in a quiet spot to do some sketching. There’s always a beautiful picnic lunch of fresh salads, quiches, homemade cookies, and much more waiting in the shade when you’re ready to eat (wine, of course!).

Then, in the afternoons, we generally head back to the studio for some creative time as well as some time to use the pool, nap or find a quiet spot for reading, sunbathing, painting or chatting.

In the evening, we put on a homemade, locally sourced 3-course meal complete with wine. Katel really is the star of the show; you won’t be disappointed with her cooking!

After dinner, you’re free to head back to the studio to paint, enjoy the sunset or use the hot tub. There are plenty of little walks to go on, lots of nature to experience or time to catch up with family and friends.

We design our workshops so that everyone gets what they want out of their time with us.