• 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 close-up portrait of a man with white curly hair, a gray beard, and dark-rimmed glasses, wearing a dark navy shirt against a warm orange curtain background.
  • 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 person outdoors by a campfire holds a long wooden beam over a rustic woodstove, with additional logs stacked nearby and trees and hills in the background.
  • 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 rustic workshop or storage room filled with vintage wooden furniture, including a distressed green cabinet, a small wooden chest, two wooden chairs, and stacks of raw lumber and wood panels leaning against the walls.
  • A person outdoors using a black heat gun to apply heat to a large, dark brown wood board resting on a wooden stand.
  • A man with white hair is sanding a long, dark wood plank resting on wooden trestle legs outdoors on a tiled patio next to a white wall and a flower bed.
  • 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 compact outdoor kitchen setup with a rustic wooden cabinet base, dark countertop, stainless steel sink and faucet, a built-in gas stove, and a small white refrigerator. Open wooden shelves above hold dishes and glassware, with a bamboo fence visible in the background.
  • 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 bubbling hot tub with dark wood sides and cream trim, set in a tropical patio environment with palm trees, a mirror, and a starfish wall decor.
  • A rustic wooden dining table with matching benches in a warmly lit outdoor patio setting, decorated with white lace table runners, candles, and a vase of red roses. White sheer curtains hang from wooden beams, and string lights illuminate the space.
  • 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 brick outdoor pizza and grill oven with a wood-fired fire on the right and a charcoal grill on the left, with a long wooden peel leaning against the brick structure.
  • A rustic lodge-style living room with exposed dark wood ceiling beams, a large stone fireplace with a visible fire, a wooden coffee table, and a low sofa with neutral-toned cushions. Large windows look out onto a forest.
  • A rustic three-drawer wooden dresser in a distressed whitewash finish with dark metal handles, styled in a warm, cabin-like interior with a ceramic vase, books, and a lantern on top.
  • A rustic wooden outdoor kitchen and bar shelter with a slatted roof, wooden walls, and a small table with stools, set in a garden with plants and trees in the foreground.
  • 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

€1.200,00 EUR (VAT calculated at checkout)
€1.200,00 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 retreat led by French Maître Artisan (Master Craftsman) Bernard. Hosted at A Encantada, a charming mountain sanctuary in the Serra do Açor, this experience goes beyond technical woodworking. It is a sensory immersion into fire, wood, traditional craftsmanship, regional gastronomy, and mountain nature.

The retreat includes 4 full days of practical workshops, from Monday to Thursday, with plenty of time to relax, enjoy the surroundings, and absorb the unique atmosphere of A Encantada.

What You Will Do and Experience

  • Master the Fire: Learn to control the flame and explore different levels of burning, from lighter burns to deep, highly textured "crocodile skin" surfaces.
  • Discover the Memory of Wood: Work with different types and forms of timber and learn how fire reveals the grain, knots, tension, and natural character hidden within each piece.
  • Experience Bernard's Unique Method: Discover Bernard's distinctive approach to charred wood, in which the wood is neither cooled with water nor brushed after burning. Instead, the charred surface is preserved and finished through his own carefully developed process.
  • Explore Finishing Techniques: Experiment with different finishes, oils, and stains to discover how they interact with the charred surface, light, colour, and texture.
  • Create Your Own Piece: Each participant designs and creates their own wooden piece during the retreat, putting the techniques learned into practice in a personal creation.
  • Learn in an Intimate Setting: Work directly alongside a recognized Master Craftsman in an ultra-small group of just 1 to 4 participants, allowing for highly personalized guidance.
  • Rest and Recharge: Stay at a peaceful mountain retreat with panoramic valley views, a private spa, and traditional Portuguese cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients and wood fire.
  • Take Home a Memento: At the end of the retreat, each participant receives a small A Encantada plaque, hand-painted in gold, together with a small retreat booklet.

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 materials against Atlantic moisture, rain, and insects over years of real-world use, Bernard developed and refined his distinctive approach to working with fire and timber.

A particularly important part of his method is what happens after the burning process: the wood is not cooled with water and is not brushed afterwards. Rather than removing the charred surface, Bernard preserves the character created by the fire and works with the material as it is. His approach focuses on understanding the wood, observing how it reacts to the flame, and allowing the fire to reveal its natural character.

Today, Bernard shares this philosophy with participants, encouraging them to see the beauty in simple materials and to develop their own understanding of the dialogue between fire and wood.

The Retreat Journey: Day-by-Day

Sunday – Arrival & Discovery of A Encantada

  • From 2:00 PM: Arrive at A Encantada in the Serra do Açor mountains and settle into your private bedroom.
  • Take time to discover the retreat, enjoy the panoramic views, and relax in the peaceful surroundings.
  • Evening: Meet Bernard and the team over a welcome drink, followed by a traditional Portuguese dinner.

Monday – The Language of Fire

  • Morning: Begin your first workshop day at Bernard's studio in Sarnadela. Learn the fundamentals of fire control, flame movement, burner distance, and safety.
  • Afternoon: Experiment with different levels of burning and discover how variations in flame, heat, and timing transform the surface of the wood.
  • Begin developing an understanding of how different types of wood respond to fire.

Tuesday – The Wood's Memory

  • Morning: Continue exploring different types and forms of timber and discover how fire reveals the natural character hidden within the wood.
  • Afternoon: Experiment with different pieces and surfaces, observing how knots, grain, density, tension, and imperfections influence the result.
  • Develop a more intuitive understanding of the relationship between the flame and the material.

Wednesday – Different Burns & Finishes

  • Explore different levels and intensities of burning and the visual and tactile effects they create.
  • Experiment with finishing possibilities, including oils and stains, and discover how they interact with charred wood.
  • Prepare a selected piece for the water test, an important part of understanding how the finished surface behaves.

Thursday – Creating Your Own Piece

  • Morning: Carry out the water test and observe the results of the different burning and finishing approaches explored during the week.
  • Throughout the day: Create your own personal wooden piece, applying the techniques and knowledge gained during the retreat.
  • Bernard provides individual guidance as you develop and complete your creation.
  • Afternoon: If weather and trail conditions allow, enjoy a gentle walk to the beautiful Pena de Fraga waterfall in the Serra do Açor. The excursion may be adapted or cancelled depending on the conditions of the day.
  • Evening: Celebrate the end of the workshop days together with a relaxed farewell dinner at A Encantada.

Friday – Closing & Departure

  • Enjoy a final breakfast at A Encantada.
  • Receive your small A Encantada plaque, hand-painted in gold, together with your retreat booklet.
  • Departure before 9:00 AM.

The Sanctuary in Serra do Açor: A Encantada

Nestled in the peaceful hills of the Serra do Açor, A Encantada is more than accommodation – it is an integral part of the retreat experience.

Built with natural stone, traditional Portuguese details, and charred-wood architectural elements, the house offers a peaceful mountain refuge where participants can slow down and enjoy the surroundings between workshop days.

  • Panoramic Terrace: Overlooking the lush valley, perfect for outdoor dining, conversations, and taking in the mountain landscape.
  • Private Bedrooms: Each participant has their own private bedroom. Bathrooms are shared.
  • Private Spa & Wellness: A peaceful place to relax and unwind after a day working with wood and fire.
  • Authentic Regional Cuisine: Meals feature traditional Portuguese recipes, locally sourced ingredients, and dishes prepared using wood fire.

All You Need to Know

  • Location: A Encantada in the Serra do Açor, Central Portugal. The workshop takes place at Bernard's studio in Sarnadela, with accommodation at A Encantada. Exact location details are provided after booking.
  • Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights (All-Inclusive).
  • Workshop Days: 4 full workshop days, Monday to Thursday.
  • Group Size: 1 to 4 participants.
  • Accommodation: Private bedroom for each participant; shared bathrooms.
  • Languages: French, English, and Portuguese.
  • Experience Level: Open to all levels. No previous woodworking experience is required.
  • Seasonality: Available on request between October and May.
  • Booking Deadline: Bookings are possible up to 5 days before the start of the retreat.

What's Included

  • 4 Full Days of Masterclass Instruction: Hands-on guidance with Maître Artisan Bernard from Monday to Thursday.
  • All Materials & Tools: Wood, torches, finishing oils, stains, and protective equipment required for the workshops.
  • Your Personal Wooden Creation: Each participant creates their own wooden piece during the retreat.
  • 5 Nights Accommodation: Private bedroom at A Encantada; bathrooms are shared.
  • All Meals & Drinks: Daily breakfasts, lunches near the studio, family-style dinners, welcome drinks, and wine with meals.
  • Spa Access: Access to the private spa facilities at A Encantada.
  • Nature Excursion: A gentle walk to the Pena de Fraga waterfall, weather and trail conditions permitting. The excursion may be adapted or cancelled depending on the conditions of the day.
  • Retreat Keepsake: A small A Encantada plaque, hand-painted in gold, and a retreat 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.
  • Warm outdoor clothing for the 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 & Design Enthusiasts: Architects, interior designers, carpenters, makers, and anyone curious about working with charred wood and traditional craftsmanship.
  • Creatives & Artists: Anyone seeking an inspiring hands-on experience working directly with raw elements such as fire and timber.
  • Mindful Travelers: People looking to slow down, disconnect from everyday noise, spend time in nature, and experience authentic Portuguese mountain hospitality.
  • DIY & Home Builders: Anyone interested in learning practical techniques for working with charred wood, architectural surfaces, furniture, and other wooden creations.

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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