Painting Residencies in France

A.I.R. Vallauris

Vallauris, France

A.I.R. Vallauris (Artists in Residence) is a non-profit association located in the heart of old town Vallauris, France, that has welcomed over 500 international artists since its creation in 2001. Now entering its 24th residency season, the program welcomes artists from around the world to its lodgings and studios to meet with local artists and research and create new works in a unique setting. The residency operates in the historic pottery town of Vallauris on the Côte d'Azur, where Pablo Picasso once worked. The program provides an artistic laboratory specifically created for international artists to collaborate with local artists through cultural exchange between participants of different countries, nationalities, and backgrounds. Artists share knowledge, techniques, and experiences while creating new work in an environment conducive to and inspiring for artistic creation. The residency includes multiple program formats: Standard Residency sessions, Atelier Libre, Atelier Tremplin for recent graduates, and NCECA International Residency Awards. Artists participate in exhibitions, including the permanent display 'Invitation au Voyage' showcasing works created by artists from around the world.

Abstract Mag

Côte d’Azur, France

The Abstract Mag Summer Residency is a fully funded, two-week artist residency held in the South of France, providing 50 selected artists with an immersive creative experience. Open to artists working in painting, drawing, graphics, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and textile art, the program offers a chance to explore their practice in an inspiring setting. Participants will stay in a historic château with all expenses covered, including travel, accommodation, meals, and art supplies. The residency features excursions to major art institutions such as the Picasso Museum and Fondation Maeght, fostering cultural and artistic enrichment. At the end of the program, residents will participate in a group exhibition at a partner gallery, with their works featured in a printed publication. Additionally, 50 partnering galleries will consider the residents’ work for future collaborations. The program is designed to support artists in deepening their practice while engaging with a creative community in the culturally rich Côte d’Azur region.

Art Explora

Paris, France

Art Explora is an innovative international foundation, established in 2019 by entrepreneur Frédéric Jousset, with a mission to foster new encounters between the arts and audiences across local, national, and international levels. The foundation leverages contemporary approaches, digital technology, and mobile programs to enhance access, participation, and engagement in the arts. Collaborating extensively with artists, cultural organizations, and communities, Art Explora offers a variety of art forms and creates memorable cultural experiences. It operates on the collective efforts of numerous partners and over 1600 volunteers, embodying a spirit of collective journey and cultural exploration. With programs like the Tirana Artists' Residence in Albania, Art Explora continuously supports contemporary creation, offering artists and researchers platforms for intercultural exchange and artistic experimentation.

Centre International d’Art et du Paysage (CIAPV)

Beaumont-du-Lac, France

The Centre International d’Art et du Paysage (CIAPV) on Vassivière Island, France, supports research, experimentation, production, and dissemination of contemporary art. The CIAPV is unique within the French artistic landscape, known for its remarkable contemporary architecture and open-air permanent collection. The residency program offers an immersive experience in the landscape, history, and culture of Vassivière Island, fostering artistic experimentation and public engagement. The upcoming thematic residency, “Landscape and the Commons,” invites an artist-scientist duo to explore the relationship between landscape and the commons.

Centre Pompadour

Ercourt, France

Centre Pompadour, located in a château in Ercourt, Northern France, is the first and only feminist creative residency in Europe dedicated to exploring contemporary feminism and gender studies through creative, scientific, and artistic endeavors. Founded by Michaela Spiegel and housed in a renovated 19th-century château, the residency offers a serene and inspiring environment, complete with private rooms, communal workspaces, and expansive gardens. The program runs annually from mid-July to late September, catering to creative professionals who focus on feminist empowerment and gender equality in their projects. Residents can participate through invitation, a competitive grant application, or a paid residency option. The facilities include a library, themed films, and areas for relaxation and personal work, emphasizing privacy and tranquility conducive to creative work.

Domaine de Boisbuchet

Lessac, France

Domaine de Boisbuchet, founded by Alexander von Vegesack, is a unique cultural and educational institution that merges design, education, and nature. Located in a vast 150-hectare estate in South-West France, Boisbuchet offers a multidisciplinary approach to creativity, inviting artists, designers, architects, and thinkers from around the world to participate in its diverse programs. These include week-long summer workshops led by internationally renowned professionals, a residency program for artists and creatives to develop projects within its inspiring environment, and access to a rich architectural park, extensive library, and collection. The residency program, open to various disciplines, provides up to 10 artists at a time with private accommodation, studio space, and half-board meals, encouraging both individual and collaborative projects. Boisbuchet's commitment to fostering innovation and experimentation is evident in its support for residents to engage with the natural landscape, utilize a wide range of materials, and access specialized workshops. This nurturing environment is designed to inspire residents to explore new ideas and methodologies, contributing to Boisbuchet's reputation as a center for creative and cultural exchange.

Dora Maar

Ménerbes, France

La Maison Dora Maar et L'Hôtel Tingry offers a unique residency experience for mid-career artists and scholars in Ménerbes, France. The program provides fellows with a private bedroom and bath, as well as a study or studio space, facilitating a focused and creative environment. Fellows enjoy the support of round-trip travel expenses, a grant based on the duration of their stay, and access to shared facilities like a kitchen, library, and beautiful gardens. The residency is enriched with regular cultural interactions, including monthly salons from March to November, where residents present their work to the local community. Applicants are expected to contribute to the residency community and local culture, and acknowledge their stay in any subsequent publications. The application process is competitive and requires a completed application, project description, references, and work samples.

Ecole nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Lyon (Ensba Lyon)

Lyon, France

The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (Ensba Lyon) offers a prestigious Post-graduate Art program, established in 1999. This year-long program selects five artists from various nationalities, providing them with a €4,800 grant, accommodation in a shared apartment at Les Subsistances, and access to all school resources. Participants benefit from personalized support and have opportunities to engage with the cultural structures of the Lyon region. The program fosters high-level education and training, aiming to advance participants’ careers in contemporary art. It operates independently of the university system, offering a certificate of participation instead of a degree.

Fondation Fiminco

Romainville, France

The Fondation Fiminco, established in 2017, is located in Romainville, near Paris, and serves as a cultural hub and residency program designed to support visual artists and curators from around the world. The foundation aims to provide artists with a comprehensive environment conducive to artistic and professional growth. This includes access to a range of technical workshops for various mediums such as engraving, silkscreen, ceramics, digital production, and construction. Fondation Fiminco promotes interdisciplinarity and experimentation, enabling artists to engage deeply with the challenges of the contemporary art scene. The residency is part of a vibrant cultural district and offers tailored capsule residencies lasting from one to nine months, depending on the project needs and collaborative initiatives with partner institutions. The residency includes individual furnished studios, shared living spaces, and exhibition opportunities within the foundation’s facilities. Artists benefit from professional development sessions, including meetings with art world professionals, curators, and collectors, which enhance their visibility and network within the French and international art scenes.

L’AiR Arts

Paris, France

L’AiR Arts is an international residency program located in Montparnasse, Paris, focused on fostering intercultural exchange through art and research. The program is based at Atelier 11, a historic site that has been a hub for international artists since the 19th century. L’AiR Arts offers residencies to artists and cultural professionals from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, promoting artistic exchange, research, and professional development. Participants engage in both self-directed projects and curated group programs, connecting with local Paris-based professionals, institutions, and galleries. The residency aims to preserve the artistic legacy of the École de Paris while encouraging contemporary creation. Residents have access to studio and living spaces, participate in public programs, and present their work in various formats. L’AiR Arts is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for artists at all stages of their careers.

La Maison de Beaumont

Beaumont-de-Pertuis, France

La Maison de Beaumont is an esteemed multi-disciplinary artist residency located in the picturesque Provence & Luberon region of the South of France. Established to provide artists from diverse disciplines—including musicians, scholars, writers, and painters—a serene environment to cultivate their creative pursuits, this residency offers fully-equipped private apartments and dedicated studio spaces such as the Music & Exhibition room and a Fine Arts Atelier. Residents can immerse themselves in the Provençal lifestyle, benefiting from the natural beauty and historical backdrop of Beaumont-de-Pertuis, which enhances their artistic and personal rejuvenation. The program accommodates artists for stays from 2 to 12 weeks, providing various studio and apartment options to suit different needs and budgets. Additionally, the residency fosters community engagement through collaborative spaces, cultural workshops, and local partnerships that facilitate creative exchanges among residents.

La Moissie Creative Residency

Belvès, France

La Moissie Creative Residency is a family-run program located in a restored 16th-century hunting lodge in the medieval village of Belvès, France. The residency is designed to provide artists and writers from all disciplines with a serene and inspiring environment surrounded by the natural beauty and history of the Périgord Noir. Participants are offered private accommodations, shared studio spaces, and high-quality meals prepared with locally sourced organic ingredients. The residency promotes both individual and collaborative creative processes, with opportunities for community engagement through workshops, artist talks, and open studios. With a minimum stay of two weeks, the program encourages longer residencies, offering discounts for stays of three weeks or more. The program supports professional growth and cultural exchange while allowing flexibility for participants to structure their time. Additional features include proximity to local historical sites, contact with nature, and optional contributions to the residency’s art collection. Transportation to and from local train stations or Bergerac Airport is provided.

La Napoule Art Foundation (LNAF)

Mandelieu-La Napoule, France

La Napoule Art Foundation (LNAF) offers prestigious international residencies at the historic Château de La Napoule in the Côte d’Azur, France. Open to artists of all disciplines and nationalities, the residency provides a unique environment that fosters artistic creation, cultural exchange, and community building. Residents are housed in the Villa Marguerite, which offers private rooms with baths, and stunning views of the sea or gardens. Each resident is provided with a studio space and a stipend, and is encouraged to engage with other artists during communal meals and activities. The residency supports artistic practice through focused work time and provides opportunities for cultural enrichment in one of France’s most artistically inspiring regions. The International Artist Residency takes place twice a year, with additional specific programs for Canadian artists and filmmakers.

La Porte Peinte

Noyers sur Serein, France

La Porte Peinte serves as an international sanctuary for creative souls, nestled in Noyers sur Serein, a medieval village in Burgundy, France. This center, established in 2011, is set within a charming medieval half-timbered house that exudes a fairy-tale ambiance, offering artists a nurturing and inspirational environment. It supports a wide array of creatives including artists, musicians, writers, and filmmakers, fostering both focused work and cultural exchange. The center includes a gallery, tea room, and a shop, with accommodations provided in several artistically enriched bedrooms and annex spaces. La Porte Peinte is committed to diversity and accessibility in the arts, offering support to artists from varied backgrounds, including those affected by socio-economic hardships. It offers a range of residencies from self-directed to mentored ones, providing private studios and communal spaces for creative collaboration. The center also integrates with the local community through public workshops and events, enhancing the residency experience with rich cultural interactions. The setting in Noyers sur Serein, recognized as one of France’s most beautiful villages, adds to the residency's charm. Surrounded by natural beauty and historical sites, it provides a tranquil and inspiring backdrop for residents. The village's architecture and vibrant community life offer continual inspiration, while the center’s various programs encourage residents to explore new creative territories in an idyllic rural French setting.

Lafayette Anticipations

Paris, France

Since 2020, Lafayette Anticipations has extended its commitment to supporting contemporary creation through the À l’œuvre! Creation Support Programme. This program offers artists a grant, exceptional equipment, and support from the Fondation’s curatorial and production teams, allowing them to explore crucial stages of creation: research, experimentation, and design. The program emphasizes sustainable production practices, providing comprehensive support and resources to the selected artist.

Le Wonder

Bobigny, France

Le Wonder is an artist-run collective and residency space located in Bobigny, on the outskirts of Paris, France. Founded in 2013, it occupies large, repurposed industrial complexes and offers both individual and shared studios along with extensive technical resources. The organization emphasizes independence, experimentation, and collective work across a wide range of disciplines including visual arts, performance, and culinary practices. It fosters a collaborative environment where residents can engage deeply with the local and international art scene. Le Wonder runs a research and creation residency for international and French artists and curators outside the Paris region, focusing on experimentation rather than production. Artists receive financial support and access to comprehensive studio facilities and mentorship from members of the collective. The residency is embedded in a strong network of local art institutions and partners, enhancing artists’ professional development. It is supported by public funding and part of the Arts en Résidence network.

LM Studio

Hyères, France

LM Studio is an independent artist residency and gallery space located in the heart of Hyères, a picturesque town on the French Riviera. The program is open to a wide range of creative practitioners, including visual artists, writers, curators, designers, and art historians. Emphasizing flexibility, LM Studio offers a space for both solitude and community interaction depending on the artist’s preferences. Residents can use the opportunity as a creative retreat, engage with the vibrant local art scene, or present and sell their work in the onsite gallery located on a high-traffic pedestrian street. LM Studio is part of the “Parcours des Arts,” enabling residents to participate in local cultural activities and connect with other creatives and visitors. Artists live and work in a setting that fosters cultural immersion and everyday interaction with the town’s residents. With its strategic location between Marseille and Nice, LM Studio is well connected to major cultural events and institutions such as Villa Noailles. The studio supports a dynamic residency experience rooted in both contemporary practice and local engagement.

Providenza

Pieve, France

Providenza is an agri-cultural project, artist residency, and studio space situated in the Nebbiu region of Corsica, between the villages of Pieve and Rapale. Founded by filmmaker Antoine Viviani in 2016, Providenza transforms an abandoned family farming land into a hybrid space that merges arts and research. It hosts international and Corsican artists through its main and partner residency programs, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. The residency offers immersive work experiences in a natural environment and runs a farm and restaurant open to the public during the summer. Providenza also conducts workshops and masterclasses, engaging the local community and fostering cultural exchange. It is supported by various cultural and governmental organizations, including the European Commission.

Relais de Camont

Ste.Colombe-en-Bruilhois, France

Relais de Camont, located in Gascony, Southwest France, is a year-round residency offering a peaceful, inspiring environment for artists, writers, photographers, and culinary creatives. Set in a restored 300-year-old farmhouse, this residency provides private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and shared workspaces, including a studio, kitchen, and expansive gardens along the Canal de Garonne. Residents are encouraged to pursue self-directed projects and can also participate in curated food-writing retreats. The program emphasizes creative independence and offers a safe, welcoming space for solo women travelers and small groups. With 2- to 4-week sessions, residents immerse themselves in the local culture, enjoy access to village markets, and benefit from the supportive atmosphere of the rural French countryside. The residency supports all stages of creative careers and fosters cultural exchange through its peaceful, collaborative environment.

Studio Faire

Nérac, France

Studio Faire is an artist-run contemporary art space located in Nérac, South West France, offering residencies to a wide range of creative practitioners. Set in a historic 'Maison de maître' from around 1830, it provides a tranquil yet vibrant setting for artists, writers, musicians, and designers to focus on their work. The residency is self-funded and self-directed, aimed at fostering creativity and experimentation without the pressure of producing final works. For a 2-week period in March/April 2024, due to a cancellation, Studio Faire is open for applications. The residency includes a private double bedroom with retro decor, a small private office space overlooking the garden, and shared facilities. It's an ideal opportunity for creatives working in non-messy media to immerse themselves in the 'real' unspoilt France, surrounded by medieval villages, green hills, orchards, and vines.

Studio Meridional

Marseille, France

Studio Meridional, located in Marseille, France, is a self-managed space dedicated to fostering creativity in art, science, and culture. It provides a unique environment for artistic creation and co-development, welcoming artists across various disciplines. This residency offers a temporary studio-room rental, enabling artists to immerse themselves in their projects within the vibrant city of Marseille.