‘Thank you so much for such a super week in Minervois. Milton for the fabulous transport and sharing your wonderful knowledge of the region and its history and Erin for the superb sketching guidance to confidently discard my pencil and rubber and be more bold with colour ….and cleaner!! It’s been an absolute joy. I leave with the fondest memories and sketches to remind me of you both … and Linda ❤️ ,  this beautiful corner of France and the fabulous experience.’

Alex from NZ

Let’s Sketch
in the Minervois - south of france 2026
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7Day Sketch TouRs

7nights / 8days

Perfect for A Lifestyle Change in a rural village in the glorious South of France.

Max: 1 to 4 sketchers
.

2026
7Day tours
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Sunday MAY 17th to Sunday MAY 24th
Sunday JUNE 14th to Sunday JUNE 21st
Sunday AUGUST 23rd to Sunday AUGUST 30th

We pick you up in Toulouse (airport or train station) at 2.00pm on the Sunday.
Return the following Sunday to catch your train or flight on your adventure.

COST: €2990pp
Non Sketching partner €2590
Deposit per person. €990
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Non refundable but can be transferred to another of my tours within 12 months.

ITINERARY
I like to take you to out of the way gorgeous places around the region, which our villages are. You’ll begin to feel part of the scene as we sketch, wander and eat locally. 😀
We sketch from 10.00am till 3.00pm.

One: Arrival Day.
We pick you up at Toulouse Airport (Blagnac) or Railway Station (Matabiau) at 2.00pm and bring you back to your accommodation Hotel in Caunes Minervois, (a pleasant 90 min drive.)
We will join you for a relaxing evening dinner nearby.

Two: Sketch Day
Our first sketch class.
After breakfast we’ll meet at 10.00am at La Marbrerie cafe and chat about our plans for the week.
We’ll do our first sketch here. Usually one of our fun still life settings.
For lunch we’ll have something delicious nearby.

Three: Sketch Day

French Trees and foliage of the area will be a great subject for today. Up close and in the distance. We’ll look at getting interesting ‘greens’ as well.

Four: Sketch Day

There is a very old beautiful church a short drive from here, along a road nearby. We’ll Sketch some of the architecture and the surrounds here which seems like the middle of nowhere.

Five: Sketch Day
A very exciting day today. One of the best wine tours in the region.
We meet our driver in the big carpark by the river and be whisked off to one of the an organic vineyard.
There will be tastings and you can try some quick sketches.
Lunch (included) will be with wines to go with your food.
A great chance to sketch what’s on the table
A fab chance to learn even more about why the wines here are so special and different.

Six: Sketch Day
Today we’ll sketch in my village of Trausse starting with a coffee at the local Epicierie.
We’ll take a look at some of the older French houses and focus on proportion and style. Add a few birds or little dogs we may see.

Seven: Sketch Day

We have a lovely old fountain in our village and a gorgeous view looking along the street. We may try sitting at our local Épicerie again and do a still life from there. By now you’ll be recognising the locals.

Eight: Departure Day
After breakfast we will pick you up at 8.30am and take you to Toulouse for your next train or flight.
That way you know to book your ongoing transport any time after midday.
You will have the most marvellous memories from your stay in the Languedoc wine growing rural area of France.
We know you’ll return.😀

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WHAT’S INCLUDED
Pickup at Toulouse Airport at 2.00pm on Arrival Day.
Drop off at Toulouse Airport the following week.
Daily sketching and tuition with Erin.
Fully Guided and organised visits to each location or village.
Transport every day from Caunes and return, to a new location each day.
History chats and info about the locations we visit with Milton.
Wine Tour including lunch later in the week. The best in the region.
Shopping opportunities. Markets, Brocantes and Antiques

NOT INCLUDED
Flights
Accommodation - we suggest 2 hotels Caunes Minervois- 5mins from my village.
(Scroll right down and you’ll see the info)
Lunches or dinners
Sketch Kit
Travel Insurance
Personal spending

HOW TO GET THERE
Fly into Toulouse Airport and wait in the Meet Up area by 2.00pm
If you’re arriving by train to Carcassonne station or Airport be sure to arrive by 2.00pm
We will pick you up there and bring you to Caunes Minervois and your hotel.

This is a very special experience just for yourself, a group of friends, or your Urban Sketchers group.
Fully guided, Unique & Personalised Tours with private transport every sketching day to a different location.
Perfect for all levels of sketching and I work with you however experienced you may be.
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You’ll love the locations in and around Caunes Minervois- where you’ll be staying - plus the fascinating villages dripping in Cathar history.
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The minute we pick you up, you are taken care of and can totally relax.
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Apart from daily sketching, we explore new places and learn the fascinating history of each.
We shop, discover, and enjoy different French restaurants for lunch.
Later in the week we take a truly wonderful day visiting two domaines for wine tasting with the best wine tour company in the region.
We then have a gorgeous lunch in a nearby restaurant and try the wines with our food.
Food and wine go together in France.

You’ll be staying at a beautiful old hotel (a former abbey) in the village of Caunes Minervois for the time you are here.
You can unpack and start feeling like a local
in this undiscovered historical and picturesque wine growing region in Southern France.

Erin Hill and Milton Hill are your organisers for these small more intimate tours.
It means we can more easily tailor our week to the things you’d most like to do.

Hotel d’ Alibert

A wonderful 300yr old family owned former abbey.

Rue Saint Genes, 11160 Caunes- Minervois
Email Frederic to book your room: frederic.guiraud.dalibert@gmail.com
All rooms are large with ensuites.
Daily breakfast included.
Approx €85 per night for double room with ensuite.

Hotel Le Minervois

A modern hotel in spacious grounds with a swimming pool.

4 Occitane Avenue, Caunes Minervois
Email to book your room: https://www.sejourenminervois.fr/le-minervois/
Reception is across the street from the hotel in the grand old building and where the shaded garden restaurant is.
Approx €85 per night for double room with ensuite.

 WHAT YOU'LL NEED
If you’re new to sketching you’ll need this sketch kit.
Sketch Kit - Available to order online if you’re in Australia, or get similar in UK, USA and France.

I’ve designed my custom sketch kit to be minimal and fit into your shoulder bag, ready at any moment.
It contains everything you need. Don't be tempted to bring more.

If you’re already a sketcher, bring your favourite sketch items.

Bring a folding stool if you like, a hat, sunglasses, sun lotion, money for incidentals, such as drinks and meals not included.
* Do get travel insurance - better safe than sorry.
* Come with a big happy smile and willingness to learn.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SKETCHING WITH YOU SOON 

Click the little icons below to see loads of my sketches on Pinterest and Instagram