Creative Art Retreat With David Shillinglaw
August 30th – September 4th 2026
Creative Art Retreat With David Shillinglaw
August 30th – September 4th 2026
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Join us for a week of creativity, connection, and quiet inspiration. This exclusive artist retreat, hosted in the serene and sun-drenched countryside of the Charente, offers you the rare opportunity to work closely with acclaimed contemporary artist David Shillinglaw. Together, in a small and supportive group, you’ll spend 4 days exploring your creative voice and forming a body of work that is deeply personal.
Throughout the week, David will guide you in creating a handmade artist’s book, a one-of-a-kind object that brings together your sketches, paintings, notes, colours, thoughts, textures, and experiments. Rather than focusing on a single “finished” piece, this retreat celebrates process over perfection, encouraging play, curiosity, and expression. Your book becomes a record of your journey: a companion, a memory, a piece of art in your hands.
You’ll stay in luxury accommodation surrounded by fields and vineyards, with time built into each day to relax, wander, talk, or simply breathe. Delicious plant-based meals prepared on site will nourish body and mind, while evenings offer space for conversation, reflection, or simply watching the sun go down.
Whether you’re an experienced artist or someone starting your creative journey, this retreat is designed to be both nurturing and energising. A chance to slow down, make work with intention, and rediscover the joy of making.
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What’s included
Tuition and workshops with the renowned contemporary artist David Shillinglaw
All the required art materials and equipment needed for the retreat
5 nights stay in luxury accommodation with full use of gardens & swimming pool
All your meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and drinks
“The residency will revolve around the creation of a hand made sketchbook, learning techniques that will allow those who attend to continue making books after the trip. the sketchbook will act as a vehicle to lead us through the week. Somewhere between a journal and a map, the sketchbooks will gather and hold ideas, absorbing and reflecting the environment via a series of workshops. Challenging the way a book can be used, we will mix the traditional craft of book making with a more experimental approach to drawing and mark making. The week will emphasise the sketchbook as a safe place to fail, to focus on the process as a way to celebrate uncertainty.“
– David Shillinglaw
What you’ll be doing
Binding your own artist book
Creating a one-of-a-kind object made from all the works that you produce during the week. You’ll learn how to assemble, stitch, glue, and bind a hard cover book.
Experiment with a multitude of mediums
Experiment with drawings, rubbings, sketches, map-making, paintings, cyanotypes, etc. (all while being in the rural French countryside, surrounded by Congac vineyards!).
1-1 guidance & feedback
The ultra-small group size (maximum 9 people) for this artist retreat means that you get plenty of 1-1 time with David and feedback on your work.
Cyanotype workshop
Learn how to harness the sun to create rich prints from objects from the beautiful French surroundings.
Mornings
Guided studio sessions & creative exercises
Afternoons
Personal work time, rest, walks, conversation
Evenings
Shared meals, wine, gentle reflection
“It all starts with the sketchbook”
Your tutor
Image: Laetitia Paroz for Caran d’Ache
David Shillinglaw creates vibrant and eclectic artwork, which spans various mediums including painting, murals, and installations. His work explores themes of identity, the complexities of the human condition and the languages we use to describe our experiences. Shillinglaw’s practice is characterised by a playful yet thoughtful approach, employing a collage-like aesthetic, his art is both introspective and outward-looking, inviting viewers to reflect on personal and collective narratives.
Books have been a consistent part of David’s practice for many years, keeping sketchbooks, producing hand made zines and publishing a number of books including The Dance of 1000 faces first published by Agnes b. in 2012, and more recently mattress mantras published by Rough Trade Records. His most recently publication titled, Only Human, is hand made and publish by Jumbo press and features text contributions from Nikolaj Schultz and Max Porter.
“David Shillinglaw explores the conflicted, messy human condition: a relentless need for control within a disordered world. His vibrant, vital paintings present a tumultuous system in which natural forms, freely connected words and human features both burst from and are contained within grids, boxes and organised lines.” – Emily Steer.
Accommodation
La Cour de Husson is nestled in the beautiful rolling fields and cognac vineyards of The Charente. Guests will stay in two newly renovated self-contained gîtes (holiday cottages). Please see the prices section for more details on room setup.
The Gardens
The Rooms
Meals
All your meals during the weekend are included in the price. You can expect delicious homemade freshly cooked plant-based food. Breakfasts feature sticky homemade cinnamon buns, layered yoghurt and compote pots, fresh fruit, spiced masala beans on toast, and much more. Take a look at the images below to get an idea of what will be on offer.
“Throughout the week there will be lots of opportunities to share our learnings over food and time to share what has been created during the day.”
What our guests say
I went to La Cour de Husson for an art retreat they hosted. It was a wonderful experience! Jen and Nick were wonderful hosts! They were incredibly helpful during both the planning of the trip and during the retreat itself. All the meals they prepared were delicious! The gites were lovely and comfortable and quite frankly giving me interior design ideas (if I can somehow recreate the feeling of living in a cottage in the French countryside at home). Highly recommend it!
If you want to feel completely looked after and cared for, this is the place to be. From the very beginning, Jen and Nick could not have been more warm and welcoming, meaning we could truly relax and enjoy our escape to the stunning French countryside.
Everything about our stay was perfect. The interior is beautifully designed and well thought through. You can tell the hosts have poured their hearts into renovating the gîtes to an exemplary standard.
The food was absolutely exquisite – every meal featured a beautiful and generous selection of inventive dishes using fresh ingredients, many of which were sourced from the neighbouring area. So not only are Jen and Nick the friendliest hosts you could wish for, but they are incredibly talented in the kitchen too.
We spent much of our trip plotting our return – we can’t wait to come back with our families to show off this gem we are so pleased to have discovered.
La Cour de Husson is such a beautiful place to stay! I was there for an art retreat and absolutely loved my time there. The gites were very well renovated and very comfortable (I’d love to live there) and the public space and landscape was so beautiful and picturesque. As part of the retreat we got three meals each day and the food was absolutely incredible. Nick and Jen are the nicest people ever and they were amazing hosts. Plus, they have an adorable pup! I would absolutely stay again and recommend to anyone.
My stay at La Cour De Husson was a wonderful experience. Nick and Jen are great hosts, very helpful and friendly and was their adorable pup Betty.
The gites are a delight, tastefully decorated and full of charm. The vegan food they prepared for our stay (art retreat) was delicious. I am looking forward to returning soon.
Prices
● Limited to 5–9 places
● Payment plan available
Large Double
€2200
4 days tuition with David Shillinglaw
Core materials
5 nights accommodation
Full board
Large double room
Shared bathroom
Small Double
€2000
4 days tuition with David Shillinglaw
Core materials
5 nights accommodation
Full board
Smaller double room
Shared bathroom
Twin Room
€2200
4 days tuition with David Shillinglaw
Core materials
5 nights accommodation
Full board
2 single beds, perfect for bringing a friend
En-suite bathroom
Bring an extra artist
€1500
Bring an artist friend or partner with you - Share a room and the experience
4 days tuition with David Shillinglaw
Core materials
5 nights accommodation
Full board
Bring a partner
€695
Bring your other half with you to enjoy a week relaxing at La Cour de Husson
5 nights accommodation
Full board
Excluding art workshops
FAQs
How do I get there?
Depending on where you’re traveling from you can fly into the following airports:
Poitiers – 50 minute drive
Limoges – 1 hour 20 minute drive
La Rochelle – 1 hour 45 minute drive
Bordeaux – 2 hours drive
If you are travelling by train our local main station is Angoulême (there are direct trains to Paris & Bordeaux from here)
You can pick up car hire from all of the airports and train stations as there is no public transport beyond these locations.
Travel to the retreat is the responsibility of the guest.
Our address is: La Cour de Husson, 5 Route de Husson, 16140 Charmé, France
What do I have to bring with me?
Just yourselves. All the materials and equipment for the retreat will be provided. However, if you have a favourite medium or brush, please feel free to bring it along.
How do I get there?
Depending on where you’re traveling from you can fly into the following airports:
Poitiers – 50 minute drive
Limoges – 1 hour 20 minute drive
La Rochelle – 1 hour 45 minute drive
Bordeaux – 2 hours drive
If you are travelling by train our local main station is Angoulême (there are direct trains to Paris & Bordeaux from here)
You can pick up car hire from all of the airports and train stations as there is no public transport beyond these locations.
Travel to the retreat is the responsibility of the guest.
Our address is: La Cour de Husson, 5 Route de Husson, 16140 Charmé, France
What do I have to bring with me?
Just yourselves. All the materials and equipment for the retreat will be provided. However, if you have a favourite medium or brush, please feel free to bring it along.
I have not had the opportunity to stay with them but the friendly and honest reactions in our communications for sure makes me even more see the Cour de Husson with my own eyes.
Everything about our stay was perfect. The interior is beautifully designed and well thought through. The bedrooms and communal areas are modern without sacrificing a homely feeling. You can tell the hosts have poured their hearts into renovating the gîtes to an exemplary standard.
The rest of the property is equally stunning, with a lovely pool area as well as a cosy covered area lit by fairy lights.
The food was absolutely exquisite - every meal featured a beautiful and generous selection of inventive dishes using fresh ingredients, many of which were sourced from the neighbouring area. So not only are Jen and Nick the friendliest hosts you could wish for, but they are incredibly talented in the kitchen too.
We spent much of our trip plotting our return - we can't wait to come back with our families to show off this gem we are so pleased to have discovered.
home, days spent by the pool, epic scenery, even the weather was perfect. And homemade vegan ice cream, come on! Jen and Nick are super hosts and went above and beyond to help us have the best, most relaxed time. We are vegan gîte converts now and we're already counting the days until we return. Merci pour tout!
The grounds and house is absolutely stunning, with a huge garden, great pool, BBQ etc and set in lovely fields. Very quiet, relaxing area but with plenty to do nearby. The hosts are super nice and accommodating. The vegan breakfast was a highlight also.
Loved our stay there and would certainly come again.
I was personally after a trip where I was able to switch off and relax, but also be able to explore a bit of this fairytale part of France - and this stay really delivered! We were able to find real peace chilling out in the gîte, but also enjoyed fun days out cognac tasting, exploring local towns, eating cake in local villages, going for evening walks through the fields and even visited some historical sites and museums (thanks to Jen & Nick's amazing recommendations!) I honestly barely had to use my brain the whole time - and had no idea how much I needed that!
I cannot recommend La Cour de Husson enough - and can't thank Jen & Nick enough for being such brilliant hosts. We will absolutely be back!
Thank you for the best stay- we will 100% be returning!
Although Jen & Nick were around if needed it was such a private little haven, honestly I could have just stayed there the whole time and been extremely happy! I read on my private terrace for hours with a beautiful local wine that my lovely hosts suggested I try. However, there are some lovely places to see nearby and there is a book of things you can do too in the gite which I found really handy.
The vegan breakfast was also divine!! It was so delicious, among other things I tried Jens vegan cinnamon buns. For all my fellow vegans out there, just come for those alone! Next time I also want to try the vegan picnic hamper that you can organise via the hosts too.
Without a doubt I will definitely be coming back here again. I felt so comfortable and at home, and there is still so much I would like to do. I genuinely feel like I had a luxury break away from the madness of London.
Thank you so much to Jen & Nick, I hope to see you again next year!!
The surroundings are beautiful and lovely towns and villages to go to.
Jen and Nick made our holiday unforgettable, for so many reasons. And we also love the vegan life.
We hope to visit them again and enjoy everything they have to offer.
And the swimming pool is the best we had in years.
Nick & Jane are high-quality hosts who go out of their way to offer you a very high standard of stay (special mention for vegans, who will appreciate the efforts of adapted breakfasts).
The lodgings are extremely comfortable, perfectly equipped, and decorated with great taste, in a rustic and modern mix which totally preserves the authenticity of the atmosphere.
The place is in a hamlet which adjoins a medieval village with many shops (including a very practical grocery store / tobacconist), and 10 minutes from a town which offers all amenities.
The ideal place to visit a region that never ceases to surprise us, for its tranquility, its immediate nature, its historical heritage and even its proximity to the ocean!
Thanks again !
Nestled between cognac vines and sunflower fields is a beautiful relaxing place. La Cour de Hudson. Our hosts welcomed us with a delicious vegan dinner and couldn’t have been more welcoming.
The gite is surrounded by local markets and farm shops. A treasure trove for a foodie like me.
The accommodation itself is sparkling; beautifully decorated and every night was like sleeping in cotton wool. We couldn’t have asked for more than an everyday refreshing swim in the clear blue pool before drinks in the courtyard.
Nick and Jen were perfect hosts and knew best recommendations.
I’ll definitely be returning !
Nic and Jen went above and beyond to make our stay perfect !
Will definitely be returning
The Gite is stylish, tasteful, and simple yet chic, with every convenience. I even had my own private little courtyard - perfect for coffee and croissant in the mornings after a sublime morning dip in the crescent shaped pool!
The wonderfully comfortable beds with gorgeous crisp, white linen ensured a great nights sleep in this haven of peace and tranquility.
Jen and Nick are lovely: perfect hosts, discrete yet on hand when needed. They have done an amazing job of bringing this wonderful old building back to life.
Thank you for a really enjoyable stay!
Top tip: try the delicious vegan breakfast served in the courtyard - I'm now a convert to vegan cuisine.
What we all loved about staying here is that it felt like no detail was left unnoticed. The gite had everything we needed and was decorated so tastefully-it's the perfect combo of feeling "homey" and also like a hotel. There were fresh flowers and a great welcoming basket of snacks (chocolate, chips, Lotus cookies, cake), all excellent quality, when we arrived. Then we had beautiful breakfast spreads every morning -fresh baguettes, homemade cinnamon rolls, overnight oats, preserves, orange juice, chia yogurt cups, homemade granola-a different combo of the above, each day. They had coffee and tea and options for all: French press, espresso maker, and Italian coffee maker, and non dairy milk. All of it was tasty and we really looked forward to the breakfast every morning.
The rooms are spacious with cute decor and we had plenty of space. We loved the big tub in one of the bathrooms (and plenty of hot water for baths!!!!), and the aromatherapy soap was a nice touch:)
The setting doesn't get more beautiful. It overlooks the countryside, and there is a ton of outdoor space. There's an area to barbecue, including a full-sized grill and table. There's an area to hangout on the hammock and read a book. There's an area for lounging at the beautiful, clear blue pool. It's all so peaceful and picturesque. It's a dream switch up for us city people-all the amenities but in nature!
Jen and Nick, the owners were the most hospitable and gracious, hosts. They left no stone unturned inside the gite and with the meals. They also were super helpful with info and recommendations on what to do in the area, where to eat, and just made us feel at home and comfortable. We went to a local cake and flower shop that they recommended as well as a Cognac tour, about 45 minutes away and enjoyed both. We loved staying here and plan to come back whenever we next visit France.
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