Outdoor painting class at Ferme Saint Siméon, in Honfleur

Laurent Le Roy, Honfleur-based artist

Laurent takes pleasure in capturing the lively scenes, buildings, and boats of Honfleur and its surroundings, perfectly combining watercolour painting with Chinese ink.

Ferme Saint Siméon and its connection to Impressionist painters

Some places simply leave an impression, and the Ferme Saint Siméon in Honfleur is certainly one of them. In the 19th century, it became a beloved retreat for artists like Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, and others, who found inspiration in its tranquil beauty. More than just a place to eat and stay along the coast, it was a sanctuary for painting. A charming Norman manor, a 17th-century thatched cottage, a pigeon loft, apple trees, and, best of all, a panoramic view almost stretching 180 degrees across the Seine Estuary. All of this bathed in ever-changing light, shifting with the hours, days, and seasons—perfect for the artists we now call the Impressionists.

Nearly 150 years later, the spirit of these plein air painters still lives on in this delightful setting, which has since become a five-star hotel, proudly classified as “Relais & Châteaux.” Those who visit today might notice and appreciate the reproduction of Claude Monet’s painting Route sous la Neige (1865) displayed in one of the farmhouse’s restaurants, La Boucane. The piece captures the charming cottage on a winter’s day, a timeless tribute to the very place that inspired it.

Fortunately, on the day of our workshop, there was no snow. Instead, we were greeted by a bright blue sky that bathed the estuary, the Pont de Normandie, and the lush garden in vibrant shades of green. What a perfect backdrop for setting up our easels amidst the apple trees, guided by Laurent, our tutor and a local artist from Honfleur. Dressed in a classic striped jersey and French beret, he opened his briefcase, revealing all the art supplies we would need to begin: thick paper and sketchbooks, paintbrushes, palettes, water and cups, soap and rags, and, most importantly, several boxes of watercolor paints, his true area of expertise.

Watercolour painting of a traditional Norman thatched cottage

We settle into the gardens, with the perfect subject before us: the historic thatched, half-timbered cottage of La Ferme Saint Siméon, now known as La Boucane. “Today, you will create something beautiful as a memento of your stay,” Laurent promises, his voice full of encouragement as he gives us our first instructions. “With watercolor, start with the lightest shades and work your way to the darkest. And remember, take your time.”

Watercolor is a perfect medium for the Impressionist style, and Laurent’s step-by-step guidance takes us through techniques used by some of the most influential artists of the late 19th century. “You know you’ll have to sign your masterpiece, don’t you?” he says with a grin, as we eagerly grab our paintbrushes and begin our creative journey.

The first step is to sketch lightly with a pencil, setting the basic lines and proportions. “Observe carefully, keep your eyes wide open,” our instructor encourages us. “In fact, Claude Monet once said of Eugène Boudin, ‘It is to him that I owe the education of my eye.’ Painting is all about observation, before you paint, you must first truly see,” he adds.

With brushes in hand, we begin to add colour, blue for the sky, followed by various shades of green for the garden. Laurent, always close by, leads by example in his sketchbooks, demonstrating how to handle shadows, which brushes to use, and which tones to focus on. “Remember to leave some whites and step back occasionally to take in your work,” he advises, guiding us through each step with ease and precision.

Now, it’s time to focus on our subject: the thatched cottage. With delicate brushstrokes, we begin to outline the building’s structure. Slowly, our paintings start to take form, and as Laurent had promised, the colors begin to merge and soften. Fully immersed in the process and discovering our own artistic flow, we begin to develop a unique style. And what a surprise! None of us expected to create pieces worthy of a frame! The final step involves using Indian ink to highlight certain details, adding depth and definition to our work. With a sense of pride, we sign our masterpieces, marking them as complete.

Keeping the inspiration flowing

Just like the painters of the past, who often extended their stays to soak in the beauty of the place, we linger a little longer at the Ferme Saint Siméon. After a relaxing carriage ride, we settle down at the bistronomic table of La Boucane (which means “thatched cottage” in Norman dialect), where the colors now come to life on our plates. It’s a delightful moment, made even more special by the view of Monet’s painting. Truly, the spirit of Impressionism is always in the air.