France Art Schools

One final—and, again, pricey—study-abroad option will let even the amateur finger painters discover their inner Rodins.

Centre de Sculpture, Fonderie de la Dure, Montolieu 11170, Toulouse (☎04 68 24 81 81; louise.sculpture@wanadoo.fr). Residency program for visual artists in nonprofit rural art center.
Lacoste School of Art, York Hall, 115 E. York St., Savannah, GA 31401, USA (☎+1-912-525-4786; www.scad.edu/lacoste). French location at rue du Four, 84480 Lacoste. Administered by the Savannah College of Art and Design. Summer and fall courses in architecture and painting preservation. Tuition €2885 per course. €4900 program fee includes room, board, weekend excursions, and museum admissions.
The Marchutz School, 1830 Sherman Ave., Ste. 402, Evanston, IL 60201, USA (☎+1-800-221-2051; www.iaufrance.org/marchutz). Run by the Institute for American Universities. Interdisciplinary programs in various media on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence. Classes, seminars, private instruction, painting supplies, and excursions included. In English. Summer courses US$5615; semester courses US$15,555.
Painting School of Montmiral, rue de la Porte Neuve, 81140 Castelnau de Montmiral (☎05 63 33 13 11; www.painting-school.com). 2-week classes at student or professional levels in English or French. €1304, including accommodations and half board. €500 deposit required.
Pont Aven School of Art, 269 S. Main St., Providence, RI 02903, USA (☎+1-401-272-5445; www.pontavon.org). French location at 5 pl. Paul Gaugin, 29930 Pont-Aven (☎02 98 09 10 45). English-speaking school in Brittany offers courses in art history and studio art. 4- and 5-week summer sessions €6200-7780.