Location & Accommodation
La Guiraude, a traditional farmhouse built in1843, is steeped in the tradition of the Lauragais area. It is the ideal location for a photographic holiday in France as it is conveniently placed for a myriad of photo opportunities. Get great shots of the still waters of the Canal du Midi at dawn and enjoy delightful vistas and shadows of the Pyrenees bathed with the glow of the evening sunset.
Carcassonne, ‘Le Cite Medievale’, with its double ring of fortified walls and 52 towers, is the largest of many delightful picturesque, fortified hillside bastide settlements that abound in this beautiful area. Bastides such as Revel, which has one of the best markets in France, and St-Felix Lauragais with its most spectacular views - experience these amazing places for that ‘special photographic holiday’.
The development of digital photography and software such as Photoshop has encouraged keen photographers to explore their interest and take photo holidays to places such as La Guiraude where there is such a diverse range of photographic subjects to stretch their creativity. In this region the digital photographer is spoilt for choice - in addition to the photogenic places mentioned above, there are Cathar castles and abbeys, vineyards and markets, mountains and lakes, and in summer, the spectacle of fields of sunflowers.
We have been very careful in the choice of our ‘European photography course’ venues and are delighted with the discovery of La Guiraude which has been lovingly renovated to offer a truly ‘first class’ venue. Everything about the place projects quality and refinement: the en-suite rooms, which have been carefully decorated in keeping with the style of a luxurious villa, are spacious, bright and beautifully furnished. This is an outstanding residence constructed of stone and brick under a tile roof with many original decorative ironwork features. The garden, Italian style pool house and pool area are beautifully landscaped with trees and shrubs. The outlook offers wonderful views across the valley - another opportunity to take great landscape photographs direct from the gardens of La Guiraude.
First class accommodation without delicious gourmet style food and good quality wines from the region wouldn’t seem right!. So, you can rest assured that the claim ‘A Photography Course - Par Excellence’ is fully justified and that your French photography holiday will serve up a gastronomic delight and a creative photographic adventure that is excellent in every way!
La Guiraude comprises two wings - La Grande Maison and La Toscane - either side of the main
large lounge with an original stone/brick fireplace, Italian tiled floor and a wooden staircase leading to the spacious gallery - a library/reading/music area with exposed beams and attractive wooden flooring - you will find images here
