Art Cruise - with Nina Weiss

Art cruise - with Nina Weiss

1 - 7 August 2027

Landscape Painting Workshop aboard the Luciole
A Returning Art Cruise through Burgundy

Following a wonderful first Art Cruise aboard the Luciole in 2026, artist and educator Nina Weiss returns to Burgundy for another week of painting, tuition and cruising along the Nivernais Canal and River Yonne.

Our inaugural week brought Nina and her students together to paint in a wonderful variety of settings: beside the River Yonne, from the deck as the Luciole cruised, beneath the dramatic Rochers du Saussois and in a beautiful private garden close to the canal. Nina's teaching throughout the week encouraged each artist to explore colour, composition and their own creative vision.

For 2027, we have once again shaped the itinerary especially for artists. Burgundy offers an extraordinary range of subjects, from vineyards and medieval villages to limestone cliffs, historic architecture and peaceful waterways. The week combines Nina's expert tuition with cruising, visits and plenty of time to sketch, paint and work at your own pace.

The itinerary deliberately retains a little flexibility. Weather, light and inspiration can determine the best place to paint - sometimes beside the canal, sometimes in a village and sometimes directly from the Luciole's deck.

The workshop welcomes artists of different levels of experience, with Nina offering guidance and encouragement while allowing everyone time to develop their own work and enjoy the landscape around them.

Tuesday

Art Class: morning tuition with Nina on the banks of the River Yonne in Vincelles. Time to study the play of light on water.

Cruise: Vincelles – Accolay

We cruise away from Vincelles, looking up to the vineyards of Irancy and limestone cliffs, before taking a branch canal - the Vermenton Arm - to our mooring in Accolay beside the old lavoir, the village washhouse.

Wednesday

Visit: to the market town of: Noyers-sur-Serein

Officially one of France’s most picturesque medieval villages: cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, and flower-filled squares. Idyllic “chocolate-box” village scenes and characters to sketch. La Porte Peinte Centre pour les Arts underlines the village’s long connection with artists.

Free time to explore and draw the village streets at your own pace.

Cruise: Accolay – Mailly-le-Château. A long afternoon cruise, giving the opportunity to sketch and paint on deck – or to take a bike or walk along the tow path beside the canal.

2

Thursday

Cruise: Mailly-le-Château – Châtel-Censoir With a stop along the way at Les Rochers du Saussois, where you can paint the dramatic limestone cliffs reflected in the River Yonne. These cliffs are home to nesting peregrines and are popular with climbers.

Visit: Vézelay

The Eternal Hill crowned with the majestic Basilica of Mary Magdalene. Rich inspiration in the Musée Zervos and local art galleries, along with sweeping panoramic views across Burgundy.

A guided explanation of the Basilica’s history, spirituality, and the artistic inspiration behind the creation of the remarkable Romanesque architecture.

Friday

Visit: Morning Art Class with Nina - we visit a gorgeous local garden, with a babbling stream and myriad of summer blooms. A true painter’s paradise.

Cruise: Châtel-Censoir - Clamecy

The final cruise into Clamecy, with a wonderful wide stretch of the River Yonne. At our mooring there is time to wander around the quaint town, to see the interplay of water and reflections with the many bridges over small canals. Quiet medieval streets with an authentic, unspoilt atmosphere — ideal for contemplative sketching.

Leisurely time to wander the town, observe, and reflect artistically before the final ‘Captain’s Diner’ of the cruise.