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Home>Craft Holidays>French Chateau Quilting Retreat

French Chateau Quilting Retreat

8 days from £2,155pp

Stay at the stunning, 15th Century Chateau des Comtes de Challes and join Pat Archibald for a week of workshops and creativity. Learn new quilting techniques, using Bernina sewing machines, and visit Lyon and Annecy on two included excursions.

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

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.

Day 1:
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.
Days 2 & 3:
Two full days of quilt workshops at the chateau with your tutor Pat Archibald, with use of Bernina sewing machines.
Day 4:
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.
Day 5:
Another day of quilting, chatting and relaxing with Pat Archibald
Day 6:
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.
Day 7:
Final day of quilting, chatting and relaxing with Pat Archibald.
Day 8:
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

Pat Archibald

Pat is a UK textile artist and tutor based in Edinburgh. Her fascination for fabric began in her childhood when she discovered her grandmother’s scrap bag bursting at the seams with exotic fabrics and by the age of 11, she had created her first piece of patchwork. Throughout her creative career, Pat has exhibited her work worldwide, won some wonderful awards and even established Scotland’s first dedicated patchwork and quilting shop.

Pat loves to travel both around her home country as well as further afield. As her own horizons grow literally, then so too do the experiences that she can then express in her quilt making. She feels that each collection of quilts has its own unique identity and captures the essence of her view of the country or city.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Overview

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.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Delicious traditional and local cuisine is freshly prepared by the hotel chef on a daily basis and there is an on-site pool and spa if you fancy a little pampering during your stay. Breakfast is usually taken in the Summer Garden or on the terraces. It is continental with a wonderful range of French pastries, croissants, pain au chocolat and breads, cereals, cheeses, and cold meats, fruits and juices and honey from the hotels own hives. Scrambled egg is served from 08.00 am. The chateau can arrange optional light lunches, which are usually pre-bookable, and a limited option of snacks and sandwiches during the day.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All the bedrooms are individually designed 'charm rooms' offering the following:

TV
Direct dial telephone
Hair dryer
Full tiled bathroom with bath with shower attachment or walk-in shower
Toiletries
Laundry service
Air-conditioning

Room Types

Choose our standard room type for an enjoyable stay in comfortable surroundings, or upgrade to add a little extra luxury to your holiday.

Classic room
These lovely rooms capture the true spirit of the Chateau, combining comfort and charming finishing touches to enhance your stay. Classic rooms are available as a twin or double to share or for sole use.

Suite
Enjoy your stay at the Chateau in one of the beautiful suites with exceptional views of the Coomb of Savoie. They are quiet and comfortable, and are available as a double to share or for sole use.

French Chateau Quilting Retreat

8 days from £2,155pp

Day 1:

Days 2 & 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 6:

Day 7:

Day 8:

Pat Archibald

Fly from London Heathrow

Dates:

Prices:

Your Accommodation

Château des Comtes de Challes

Overview

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Room Facilities & Amenities

Room Types

French Chateau Quilting Retreat

8 days from £2,155pp

Your Accommodation

Château des Comtes de Challes

Overview

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Room Facilities & Amenities

Room Types

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