French Countryside & Medieval Towns

12.10.2019 - 19.10.2019 Dordogne | Beth Ruggiero-York photography, landscape, life, light, people, excursion, adventure, urban, history 3095 USD

Capture the 'essence of place' in the Dordogne region of southern France staying in Marouatte Castle and exploring the charming medieval towns, castles, gardens, and surrounding countryside. Our castle home during this week-long workshop is set on 270 beautiful acres that offer endless photo opportunities. Our week will consist of day trips to the surrounding towns, castles, monasteries, markets and countryside, photographing around the castle and its grounds, including the full Moon rising over the castle on October 13th and the Milky Way on October 17th, classroom sessions and critiques, and fabulous meals at the castle or in the towns we visit. You will fly into Paris and take the bullet train to the local train station, where you will be met by castle staff.

Itinerary:

Saturday, October 12: Arrive at the castle and enjoy dinner and an introduction to Marouatte Castle. Meet the owner of the castle and our host, Miles Copeland. After dinner, brief instruction on shooting a full Moon rising and setting to prepare you for the following day.

Sunday, October 13: We will begin our first day shooting the full Moon setting at the castle as the sun rises and moon sets around 8:00 AM on the grounds. We then travel to the charming town of Brantome with its Benedictine Abbey built in 769 on the River Dronne, medieval and renaissance architecture, and gardens. Return to the castle for dinner followed by an evening shoot of the full moon rising as the sun sets at around 7:30 PM.

Monday, October 14: This morning, 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, large outdoor market, and Roman ruins. In the afternoon, we will return to the castle for a critique session and Lightroom/Photoshop features and techniques. Sunset at the castle.

Tuesday, October 15: Shoot sunrise on the castle grounds before a free day for sightseeing, shopping, photographing, or exploring other local sites. After dinner, we will photograph the castle bathed in moonlight.

Wednesday, October 16:Travel to La Tour-Blanche and its surrounding countryside and ancient villages in the north of Dordogne, an ancient village on the River Dronne, with castle ruins, French gardens, and beautiful vistas.

Thursday, October 17: Shoot sunrise from a hilltop at Montegrier overlooking the valley before going back to the castle. We’ll have an afternoon classroom session on shooting the Milky Way (tonight’s shoot) and critiques. After dinner at the castle, we will have a one-hour window to shoot the Milky Way over the castle before the moon rises.

Friday, October 18: We’ll head to the town of Riverac to photograph 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 at the river on the castle’s property.

Saturday, October 19: Breakfast at the castle before the workshop ends.

See more about the castle at: www.artatthecastle.com.

French Countryside & Medieval Towns
Beth Ruggiero-York