• A person's hands applying a dark wood finish or varnish with a brush to a long dark wooden plank on a workbench, with metal cans and a rag nearby in a rustic workshop setting.
  • A black three-drawer nightstand with a distressed gold crackle finish and round brass knobs, styled in a rustic room with a potted plant and bowl on top.
  • A man stands in a room with dark stained wood floors and light natural sunlight streaming in from a window, using a torch flame spray gun to apply stain to the floor.
  • Three three-drawer nightstands shown side by side in different finish options: natural raw wood, light shou slagi ban with linseed oil and turpentine, and a black crocodile effect with gold lines. Each nightstand has three drawers with round knobs, and labels at the bottom describe the finishes.
  • A person outdoors using a black heat gun to apply heat to a large, dark brown wood board resting on a wooden stand.
  • Five vertical wooden boards in different rustic finishes mounted on a concrete wall, showing natural wood, charred brown wood, black bark-textured wood, dark brown wood, and very dark stained wood.
  • A luxury outdoor patio overlooking a lush green mountain valley, furnished with wicker furniture, blue and green pillows, and a covered hot tub under a wooden pergola.
  • Outdoor dining setup on a stone patio overlooking a lush green mountain valley under a bright blue sky. A wooden table is set with bread, fruit, and drinks, with rustic wooden beams and a woven pendant light overhead.
  • A scenic view of a hillside village with white houses, terracotta and dark tiled roofs, dense green trees, and distant mountains under a soft sunset sky.
  • A misty mountain landscape with green and golden forested hills, low-hanging clouds, and terracotta tiled rooftops in the foreground.
  • A styled living room featuring a dusty rose velvet sofa with patterned throw pillows, including a heart-shaped pillow, set against a white wall with framed art. The room has terracotta tiled floors, a turquoise wooden dresser on the left, and a large wooden hutch on the right.
  • A spacious kitchen with sage green cabinets and matching green island, featuring a wood-look floor, white tiled backsplash, and a central stone chimney stack.
  • A long hallway with decorative patterned tile wainscoting, dark green trim, a corrugated metal ceiling, and a hanging lantern light. The floor is reddish-brown tile, and an open doorway on the right reveals another room with framed wall art.
  • A styled bedroom interior featuring a bed dressed in white bedding, a green patterned wallpaper accent wall, matching green and white curtains, white tiled walls, and a window on the right side.
  • A bedroom interior featuring a bed dressed in white bedding, a floral wallpaper accent wall, a light wood nightstand with a lamp, and a green paneled ceiling.
  • A styled bedroom interior featuring a bed with white bedding and a gold metal frame, set against a wall with colorful tropical floral wallpaper. The room has green trim, a green paneled ceiling with a hanging crystal chandelier, and a wooden nightstand in the foreground.
  • A tropical-themed bathroom featuring a pink pedestal sink, a green palm-patterned rug, a green and yellow cushion on a white bathtub, and a light green ceiling.
  • A rustic, warm-toned living room featuring dark stained hardwood floors, a cream-colored sofa, a brown leather armchair, and a wooden coffee table, with sunlight streaming in from a window on the left.
  • A rustic kitchen interior with dark green wooden cabinets and matching lower kitchen units, a wooden dining table with chairs, a crystal chandelier, tiled walls, and a countertop with food and dining items.
  • A rustic elevated wooden hunting blind or cabin made of dark weathered wood, set in a dense pine forest with a small wooden ladder leading up to the door. A coat hangs on the doorframe, and boots are visible inside.
  • A rustic outdoor shower enclosure with a galvanized metal tub, wooden walls and floor, and a wire mesh screen overlooking a forest.
  • A scenic view of a large blue lake with floating docks, numerous small yellow and blue boats, and forested hills under a clear blue sky.
  • A scenic landscape photograph of a waterfall cascading into a clear turquoise pool, surrounded by mossy rock cliffs and a large moss-covered boulder in the foreground.
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subcultours

Immersive Shou Sugi Ban 6 Day Art Retreat "Le Feu du Phénix" with Bernard in Serra do Açor, Coimbra, Portugal

Immersive Shou Sugi Ban 6 Day Art Retreat "Le Feu du Phénix" with Bernard in Serra do Açor, Coimbra, Portugal

€1.800,00 EUR (VAT calculated at checkout)
€1.800,00 EUR
Sale Sold out
Portugal

Disconnect from the noise, reconnect with raw materials, and discover the transformative art of Shou Sugi Ban in the tranquil mountains of central Portugal.

Over 6 days and 5 nights, "Le Feu du Phénix" invites you into an all-inclusive, hands-on masterclass led by French Maître Artisan (Master Craftsman) Bernard. Hosted at "A Encantada", a charming mountain sanctuary in the Serra do Açor, this retreat goes far beyond technical woodworking. It is a sensory immersion into fire, wood, traditional craftsmanship, regional gastronomy, and mountain nature.

What You Will Do And Experience

  • Master the Fire: Learn to control flames to create light, deep, and heavily textured ("crocodile skin") charred wood surfaces.

  • Transform Everyday Timber: Work with reclaimed, ordinary, and rough-cut wood, discovering how fire reveals hidden grain, knots, and organic character.

  • Hands-on Building and Finishing: Learn deep saturation with protective oils and custom wood stains.

  • Intimate Guidance: Train directly alongside a recognized Master Craftsman in a ultra-small group of just 1 to 4 participants.

  • Rest and Recharge: Stay in a mountain haven featuring a panoramic terrace overlooking the valley, a private spa, and traditional Portuguese wood-fired cuisine.

  • Take Home a Souvenir: Craft and hot-iron brand your own custom wooden keepsake plaque.

About Your Host and Master Artisan: Bernard

"You do not need expensive or exceptional wood to achieve spectacular results. The point is to learn to understand the material, observe how it reacts to fire, and master the gesture. It is not the fire that we impose on the wood; it is the wood that we learn to listen to through the fire." - Bernard

Officially recognized in France as a Maître Artisan (Master Craftsman), Bernard brings decades of hands-on expertise in construction, woodworking, and interior design. His personal journey with Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi) began in the Landes region of France, where he built outdoor lodges, kitchens, and architectural elements using charred formwork, pallets, and reclaimed wood.

By testing these pieces against Atlantic moisture, rain, and insects over years of real-world use, Bernard perfected his signature technique: Deep burning followed by saturation without water-cooling or sanding. Today, Bernard shares his philosophy of seeing beauty in simple materials and mastering the dialogue between fire and timber.

The Retreat Journey: Day-by-Day

Sunday - Arrival & Immersion

  • From 2:00 PM: Arrive at the retreat in the Serra do Açor mountains. Settle into your room, explore the panoramic views, and relax in the private spa.

  • Evening: Enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace overlooking the valley, followed by a traditional, family-style Portuguese welcome dinner.

Monday - The Language of Fire

  • Morning: Head to Bernard’s studio in Sarnadela. Watch a live demonstration on flame control, burner distance, and safety principles.

  • Afternoon: Hands-on practice! Experiment with different transformation levels: Light burns, deep structure burns, and extreme charring.

  • Evening: Return to the retreat for spa relaxation and a home-cooked dinner.

Tuesday - The Memory of Wood

  • Morning: Work with large, rough timber beams. Learn how fire reveals tension, knots, and natural shapes hidden inside raw wood.

  • Afternoon: Practice burning boards intended for real architectural uses - walls, fences, furniture, and decorative panels.

  • Evening: Enjoy a special fire-themed dinner cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven and outdoor barbecue.

Wednesday - The Water Test and Finishes

  • Morning (Practical Build): Collaborate with the group to construct a real charred-wood outdoor shower structure.

  • Afternoon (Oils & Stains): Master the deep-saturation oil process without water cooling. Experiment with wood stains and colored finishes to play with light and contrast.

  • Evening: Compare three levels of wood transformation across finished furniture pieces. Unwind in the spa followed by dinner.

Thursday - Signature and Waterfall Excursion

  • Morning: Complete your wood projects and craft a personal wooden plaque, custom-branded with a hot iron stamp.

  • Afternoon: Take a guided nature walk to the stunning Fraga da Pena waterfall in the Serra do Açor.

  • Evening: Celebrate your journey with a festive farewell dinner at the retreat.

Friday - Departure

  • Morning: Enjoy a final shared breakfast on the terrace with Bernard and Maria, receiving your retreat booklet and personal branded plaque before departure.

The Sanctuary in Serra do Açor:

Nestled high in the peaceful hills of Serra do Açor, the retreat is more than accommodation - it is an living extension of the retreat. Built with natural stone, traditional Portuguese detailing, and Bernard’s own charred-wood architectural accents, the house provides a peaceful mountain refuge.

  • Panoramic Terrace: Overlooking the lush valley, perfect for sunset discussions and outdoor dining.

  • Private Spa and Wellness: Ideal for soothing muscles after a day working in the studio.

  • Authentic Regional Cuisine: All meals are included, featuring traditional Portuguese recipes, locally sourced ingredients, and dishes prepared over wood fire.

All You Need To Know

  • Location: At the artist's place in Serra do Açor, Central Portugal (Workshop in Sarnadela, accommodation at the retreat). Exact location provided after booking.

  • Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights (All-Inclusive).

  • Group Size: 1 to 4 participants (ultra-intimate, personalized instruction).

  • Languages: French, English, and Portuguese.

  • Experience Level: Open to all levels (No previous woodworking experience required).

  • Seasonality: Available on request between October and May.

  • Minimum advance booking time: 7 days

What’s Included

  • 6 Days of Masterclass Instruction: Full practical guidance with Maître Artisan Bernard.

  • All Raw Materials and Tools: Wood, torches, saturating oils, stains, and protective gear.

  • 5 Nights Accommodation: Private or shared room at the retreat.

  • All Meals and Drinks: Daily breakfasts, lunches near the studio, family-style dinners, welcome drinks, and wine with meals.

  • Spa Access: Full access to the private spa facilities at the retreat.

  • Excursion: Guided trip to the Fraga da Pena waterfall.

  • Keepsakes: Your personal hot-iron branded plaque and official retreat course booklet.

What to Bring

Work clothing that you don't mind getting dirty or singed:

  • 1–2 pairs of heavy work trousers or durable jeans.

  • Sturdy work boots or old closed-toe shoes ("sacrificial shoes").

  • Comfortable, breathable layers (and warm outdoor clothes for cooler months).

"In short: come with your old jeans and your sacrificial shoes... Bernard will take care of the rest!"

Who Is This Art Retreat For?

  • Craft and Design Enthusiasts: Architects, interior designers, carpenters, and makers curious about Japanese wood preservation techniques.

  • Creatives and Artists: Anyone seeking an inspiring hands-on experience working directly with raw elements (fire and timber).

  • Mindful Travelers: People wanting to slow down, disconnect in nature, and enjoy authentic Portuguese mountain hospitality.

  • DIY and Home Builders: Anyone looking to gain real-world structural skills in charred-wood architecture, cladding, and furniture finishing.

RETREAT CALENDAR — OCTOBER 2026 TO MAY 2027

• October 2026: 4 → 9 October · 18 → 23 October

• November 2026: 1 → 6 November · 15 → 20 November

• December 2026: 29 November → 4 December · 13 → 18 December

• January 2027: 10 → 15 January · 24 → 29 January

• February 2027: 7 → 12 February · 21 → 26 February

• March 2027: 7 → 12 March · 21 → 26 March

• April 2027: 4 → 9 April · 18 → 23 April

• May 2027: 2 → 7 May · 16 → 21 May

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