I am looking to rent a chateau in France for my wedding next June 2008 for about a week for about 30-35 people traveling from the US. I am planning on renting the chateau and paying for the week's stay for my guests. I am open to any area but would like to be within walking distance of a town or village. It would also be nice if the travel from the airport was not too difficult as this may be the first trip to Europe for many of my guests. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have searched online some and found several chateaux that cost from $5000 to $10,000 a day! I am looking to spend that much for the entire week plus food, etc. Any suggestions re: lodging or wedding planning would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
525 posts
Hi Stephanie. Look at L'Abbaye-Chateau de Camon in Ariege,France. It is close to Touslouse (airport nearby and Carcassone.
Our friend's granddaughter and her husband (Katie and Peter Lawton)own and run this Chateau. They also have opened and cook in the restaurant. I don't know what the rate would be but it depends on the time of year - high season will be higher. I'd be interested in what you decide. Happy Planning.
Posted by
LaGrange, Ga, USA
1178 posts
I had the pleassure of attending a wedding in France last August. The party and friends for the main part stayed at Chateau d' Iland, near Avallon, France, in the wine country. The Chateau was enjoyed by most of the guests, but a couple decided it was not 'up to snuff' for them. Those that stayed there enjoyed it. It is not a five star, and the rooms range from very nice to common, but the grounds and setting were outstanding. The chateau is not within walking distance of a town, however. Avallon is a 10 minute drive. Vezelay (a must see!) is about 25. The wedding itself was in a small chapel in Montreal, about 1/2 hour. You will discover that it is all but impossible to have a non-Catholic wedding in a church in France. Also, you must have a civil ceremony before you can have a church ceremony.
The auto drive from Paris is about 3 hours (I came from Nice on the train and met friends in Beaune, about 1 hour from Chateau d' Island.)
Good Luck. If you have questions,write-
Posted by
CARACAS, VENEZUELA
1 posts
Hii!!!! I'm exactly looking for the same!!! But my wedding will be on april 2009 and we'll be flying from caracas-venezuela, please could you tell me if you found something interesting for your wedding?
I'll really appreciate it!!!
THANS A LOT!!!
Ana García
Posted by
OP
Chapel Hill, NC, USA
2 posts
We did find something great in St Julien l'Ars. There is a chateau in this town and it sleeps up to about 35 people. We had 25 people and had plenty of room for that many people. We did the ceremony and reception at the chateau; although, there is a Catholic church right outside the grounds of the chateau. The place is called Chateau St Julien l'Ars and is located near Poitiers. The total cost for the week was about 10,000 euros. Here is the webpage: http://chateaustjulien.com/. Let me know what other questions you have.
Posted by
Bordeaux, gironde, France
1 posts
Hi
We have a chateau in Bordeaux, but we limit the number of weddings to 7 a year, we currently have 5.
Check out our site : www.vacationchateauforrental.com
I've got lots of past clients that can give you feedback regarding holding a Wedding at Chateau Lagorce.
I'll soon be making a dedicated weddings section of my site, but for the time being I've got lots of photos.
Hope you like the look of Lagorce - our families chateau!!
Edward
mail: [email protected]
Blog of one of my last weddings of 2008: http://www.vacationchateauforrental.com/castleforrental/?p=50
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Thanks for your information about chateaux in France for weddings. Even though the original poster asked her question in June 2007 and planned to get married in June 2008, I'm sure the information will be useful for someone.
Posted by
Chandler, AZ, USA
13 posts
My fiance and I have decided to marry in Paris, France in November. We will be having a symbolic ceremony. We are traveling to Europe in a party of 11. Since I do not speak French, I have contacted several wedding planners (including a popular Parisian wedding planner) as well as the American Church in Paris. Nobody ever replies to my e-mails. It's been over 2 weeks and no replies. Could I be doing something wrong? Should I be translating my messages into French? Does anyone have any advice or can anyone refer me to a planner who can assist me with a very small wedding in a park or a church in Paris, for 9 guests + bride/groom? We won't be holding a full reception, just having a private dinner at a good restaurant in Paris. I need help securing venue, celebrant, flowers and stylist/make-up artist for the bride. Any help would be appreciated. As it stands, I feel like I'm getting nowhere on my own.