French Chateau Quiltng Retreat
Join Pat Archibald for a week of creativity surrounded by fabulous alpine landscapes. We’ll be staying at the wonderful Chateau des Comtes de Challes, a stunning 15th Century chateau that has been lovingly restored and retains many of its traditional features. There will be great opportunities to learn new quilting techniques during the four days of workshops, as well as to explore the local area on two included excursions to Lyon and Annecy.
Your Tour Includes
- Seven-nights’ accommodation at the Chateau des Comtes de Challes on a half-board basis
- ¼ wine and coffee included with dinner
- Return British Airways economy flight London Heathrow to Lyon with one piece of hold luggage
- Airport transfers
- Four full-day workshops with Pat Archibald
- Use of Bernina machines
- Welcome drink in the chateau’s own wine cellars on arrival day
- Porterage at the hotel
- Tourist tax
- The services of an experienced tour manager
- Tours & Experiences:
- Full day visit to Lyon including entrance to Maison des Canuts
- Half day visit to Annecy with boat trip and free time for shopping
- Idyllic French chateau location
- Tour accompanied throughout by Pat Archibald
- Wine and coffee included with dinner
- Use of Bernina machines
- Explore Lyon’s silk weaving heritage
- Welcome drink in the chateau’s own wine cellars on arrival day
- Tour accompanied throughout by an Arena Travel Tour Manager
Itinerary
Please choose your preferred 7 day itinerary
Meet your Tour Manager and Pat Archibald at London Heathrow airport for your British Airways flight to Lyon. On arrival we'll transfer by private coach to Challes les Eaux and our base for the week, Chateau des Comtes de Challes. This evening we’ll enjoy a welcome drink in the wine cellars before our evening meal.
Two full days of quilt workshops at the chateau with your tutor Pat Archibald, with use of Bernina sewing machines.
Today we'll enjoy a full day included trip to Lyon, France's third largest city and the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region. The city, which boasts a wealth of historical and architectural landmarks, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and renowned for its illustrious silk weaving heritage. The neighbourhood of Colline de la Croix-Rousse was favoured by Lyon’s weavers. Here we'll see its ‘traboules’, a series of tunnels and passageways once used by weavers to quickly reach the waters of the river. We'll also visit Maison Des Canuts. This charming museum, complete with a range of full-size looms from every era of Lyon’s silk weaving timeline, tells the story of the city’s silk trade over the past five centuries.
Another day of quilting, chatting and relaxing with Pat Archibald
Annecy, the capital of the Haute Savoie region and lying on the northern tip of Lake Annecy, is best known for its old town with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel coloured houses. We’ll spend the morning exploring the town on foot and by boat, before taking some free time for lunch by the lake and shopping. This afternoon we’ll return to the chateau to relax in the peaceful gardens or continue with our quilting projects.
Final day of quilting, chatting and relaxing with Pat Archibald.
This morning we'll transfer back to Lyon airport to check-in for our return flight to London Heathrow
- Seven-nights’ accommodation at the Chateau des Comtes de Challes on a half-board basis
- ¼ wine and coffee included with dinner
- Return British Airways economy flight London Heathrow to Lyon with one piece of hold luggage
- Airport transfers
- Four full-day workshops with Pat Archibald
- Use of Bernina machines
- Welcome drink in the chateau’s own wine cellars on arrival day
- Porterage at the hotel
- Tourist tax
- The services of an experienced tour manager
- Tours & Experiences:
- Full day visit to Lyon including entrance to Maison des Canuts
- Half day visit to Annecy with boat trip and free time for shopping
Accommodation
The stunning 15th century Château des Comtes de Challes is situated amongst over two hectares of beautiful grounds offering luxurious rooms, a charming atmosphere and a peaceful location. The chateau has been lovingly restored, retaining much of its traditional charming features - which will no doubt inspire your own creativity during your stay. A short 10-minute walk will take you into the centre of Challes-les-Eaux, which is a spa and resort town situated in the valley of the Bauges close to Chambery.