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Join Sunway and Catherine Lawlor of Dublin Art Classes for an unforgettable journey to Paris, the City of Art! With over 20 years’ experience guiding students en plein air, Catherine will lead you through the winding streets and picturesque landscapes of Paris, helping you hone your observation skills and capture the essence of the city on paper.

Why Travel with us
- A true adventure for a dedicated art lover who wishes to understand the artistic journey/discovery of great impressionist painters
- Explore historical locations of where the great impressionists met and shared their ideas about art which were about capturing the fleeting nature of a moment in time, the study of light and colour’s interaction and how everyday living made a worthy subject worth painting.
- The convenience of an all-organised trip where all details are planned for you and you are guided through one of art history’s most influential cities and periods

Itinerary Highlights:
- Explore the charming streets of Montmartre and the Latin Quarter, sketching the historic architecture and vibrant street life, just like the Impressionists who once roamed these streets
- Visit the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, and capture its stunning Gothic beauty
- Stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, and capture its serene beauty
- Discover the grandeur of Versailles and translate its majestic vistas onto paper
- Visit world-renowned galleries, including the Musée d'Orsay, to study and gain inspiration from the Impressionist masters
- Art class outside, capturing the original source, focusing on perspective in the streets, and applying the seven elements of art (Line, Shape, Form, Texture, Color, Value, and Space)
- Learn techniques and art history to enhance your skills and inspire new compositions, following in the footsteps of the Impressionist masters
- Sketching in charming cafes, capturing the city's café culture and the beauty of everyday life
- Gain new subject matter for future projects and explore new creative directions
- Worksheets and short videos provided throughout the trip to help you identify and apply these elements in your artwork

What You'll Take Home:
- A unique art journal, filled with sketches, notes, and inspiration from your Parisian adventure
- A memory book, capturing the highlights of your trip and the art you created
- New skills and techniques to apply to your future projects
- A deeper understanding of art history and its application to your own work
- A network of like-minded creatives and fellow art enthusiasts
- Memories of fun, laughter, and the joy of discovery, all while cultivating a deeper appreciation for the beauty of life around us
- A renewed passion for art, creativity, and the City of Art itself!

Perfect for:
- Experienced artists looking to refine their skills, gain new inspiration, and explore new creative directions
- Art students eager to develop their technique, build confidence, and immerse themselves in the world’s most inspiring artistic city

Itinerary

Day 1 – Travel to Paris
Our art holiday begins as we fly from Dublin to Paris. On arrival, our local guide will take us on a panoramic coach tour of iconic sights including the Louvre, Champs-Élysées, and the Eiffel Tower.
We will then check into our charming three-star hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter, once home to creative giants like Dalí, Picasso, and Beckett.
This evening, join Catherine and our fellow travellers for an optional Seine River cruise aboard one of the famous Bateaux Mouches - the perfect chance to capture twilight sketches as Paris lights up. (Payable locally.)

Day 2 – Notre Dame and Musee D’Orsay
After breakfast, we’ll walk with Catherine through the charming streets of the Latin Quarter to the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral for a plein air drawing session, focusing on its flying buttresses, gargoyles, and rose windows through quick sketches and compositional exercises.
We'll then continue, on foot or by metro, to the Musée d’Orsay for a gallery sketching session among masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, and Van Gogh, exploring how the Impressionists used light, movement, and emotion.
The afternoon and evening are free to explore at your own pace.

Day 3- Jardin du Luxembourg and Montmartre
This morning, we'll stroll to the Jardin du Luxembourg for a sketching session beneath the chestnut trees, capturing everyday Parisian life and the shifting light across statues and gardens.
Later, we'll take the metro to Montmartre, the bohemian heart of Paris, with its cobbled lanes, Sacré-Cœur, and lively Place du Tertre. Catherine will lead a café sketching session to capture Montmartre’s creative energy.
Enjoy a free evening or opt for a traditional cabaret show (optional, additional cost).

Day 4 – Palace of Versailles and Gardens
Today let's visit the Palace of Versailles for a guided tour of the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and royal chambers. Catherine will help us observe decorative detail, reflected light, and grand perspective to inspire your sketches.
Outside, the elegant gardens offer endless material — fountains, sculptures, and sweeping avenues perfect for exploring composition and scale.
We will return to Paris in the afternoon for a final evening at leisure.

Day 5 – Return Home
After breakfast, we will travel to the airport and bid farewell to Paris - taking home not just photographs, but sketchbooks filled with new skills, memories, and friendships.

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Price includes

• Return direct scheduled flights Dublin to Paris
• All airport taxes
• Airport transfers
• 10kg check in bag per person + Pre-booked Seat
• 4 nights Bed and Breakfast in the 3 star Hotel Apolonia Mouffetard in the heart of Paris’ Latin quarter
• Guided Paris coach panoramic tour
• Entry to the Musee D’Orsay
• Full day guided excursion to the Palace of Versailles
• Art drawing sessions lead by expert art teacher Catherine Lawlor

Extras

• Single supplement
• Insurance
• Tips
• Lunches, dinners and drinks
• Metro tickets
• Boat cruise on the Seine
• Cabaret Show
• Art pack

About Catherine

Catherine Lawlor is a contemporary Irish artist and the founder of Dublin Art Classes, one of Dublin’s largest and most established private art schools. With over twenty years’ experience in fine art, gallery work, and education, Catherine is renowned for her warm, encouraging teaching style and her ability to inspire creativity at every level. Alongside her studio courses, she has led numerous art holidays and sketching trips across Ireland and Europe, guiding students in capturing light, atmosphere, and sense of place through on-location drawing and painting. Her passion for sharing the joy of art, both in the classroom and out in the field, has made her a much-loved mentor to artists of all ages and abilities.

Pop over to www.dublinartclasses.com to see more about Catherine and her work.

Perfect for solo travellers

Dreaming of an art holiday but don’t want to travel alone? You’re in excellent company. Most of our guests on this holiday are solo travellers - l like-minded artists eager to explore Paris, sketch iconic scenes, and connect with others who share their passion. We make it easy and comfortable to travel solo, with two options available: enjoy your own single room for a supplement or share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex at no extra cost. Feel part of a warm, welcoming community on this holiday and enjoy an unforgettable artistic journey through the City of Light.

Testimonials

I have been on several art holidays, with the Dublin Art Classes, over the last 10 years. They have included trips to France, Greece, Holland and UK and each one has been a unique and enjoyable experience for me. You are part of a group with similar interests in art and, with excellent guidance and knowledge from our art teacher, Catherine, you will learn techniques and gain confidence sketching en Plein Air. It's so satisfying to have these sketches as memories of your trip and maybe develop them into paintings, when you get home.
If you're looking for a holiday, with a difference, I would highly recommend Dublin Art Classes! - Lavina

I’ve taken several art trips with Dublin Art Classes, both in Ireland and abroad, and they’ve been a fantastic way to travel, learn, and meet like-minded people. Catherine Lawlor creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere and teaches everyone at their own level, helping beginners gain real confidence in just a week. From singing Mamma Mia on a Greek island to painting in windswept Kerry, every trip is fun and memorable with a bit of mischief too! I’ve travelled to Greece, Spain, Holland and London with Dublin Art Classes and can’t wait for more adventures. I highly recommend joining one of the upcoming 2026 trips. - Jane