An adventure and a wedding in one!

Although the criteria for weddings that we do changes constantly as the styles and trends for marriages continually alters, one element never changes. The desire to find a location where family and friends can relax, enjoy and share in the happiness of a newly wedded couple. These days, to fulfill that requirement and entice you to into their abode, many chateaus can organise group activities for you and your guests to partake in during your stay….. an adventure and a wedding in one!

This beautiful Chateau is located in the “golden triangle” of the Dordogne region (think medieval villages, evergreen & oak tree woods, gastronomic delicacies such as foie gras & exquisite wines…) which has activities that appeal to all tastes. You can visit the medieval markets at Sarlat, wonder around the box-tree garden at the Monastery of Marqueyssac, canoe down the Dordogne river, or if you’re feeling a little more energetic even try your hand at spelunking (even just hearing the name makes us want to have a go!)

Aside from all these outdoor adventures the Chateau is also fully equipped to host your wedding. This summer we have had several weddings at this Chateau and each one was personalised to reflect the couple’s ideas for their big day. The Chateau has a lovely small chapel in their grounds where you can have your ceremony or you can take advantage of the gorgeous panoramic views and set the ceremony outside. For a reception meal there are various options which range from a relaxed BBQ right through to a sumptuous dinner. To sum up, it’s a wonderful location where all your friends and family can take pleasure in the beautiful surroundings and gastronomic delights of the region. And if all that adventure wears you out, then we suggest nothing better than a wander over to take a dip in the infinity pool….

If you like what you’ve read don’t hesitate to get in touch at contact@feteinfrance.com. Thanks to Kevin and Katie at KHulett Photography for passing on their beautiful pictures of the wedding we did at the Chateau this summer. They got some fantastic shots and we look forward to working with them again on future weddings.

Wed among fine wines in a traditional french vineyard…

Set amongst the flourishing vines that soak up the year-round Languedoc sunshine, this charming old vineyard was once a large domain for wine production. Today, its owners have renovated the Chateaus’ old ‘Cave’ (cellar) into a beautiful wedding venue. It’s a perfect setting for any couple that would like to marry in a place soaked in the history of wine production, a culture that the French hold dear.

For a winter wedding you might like to hold your reception inside the grand walls of the Old wine hall; not only are you surrounded by the ancient cuve’s (barrels) once used by the chateau but the staff can also serve you a glass of the delicious local Coteaux du Laguedoc wine from the original wine press that has been transformed into the bar.

For a summer ceremony, the garden or vineyards make a wonderful setting from where to receive your wedding blessing. If you’d prefer a church wedding, the village church is approachable by horse and cart.For an evening celebration, the candelabras and Chinese lanterns adorning the sheltered courtyard provide an ambient, inviting atmosphere in which to receive your guests for your reception.

The house and its cottages (which sleep up to 38 guests in total) are perfectly equipped to suit your needs. On sight chefs cater for all evening dining, which can range from intimate family BBQs to larger style banquets depending on your wishes. Whilst you’re there, you and your guests can take art courses in the grounds, play a round of tennis on the courts, or simply soak up the sun relaxing by the pool.

Why not let a beautiful setting, some fine wines and the glorious south of France sunshine provide the backdrop for your big day?

For any further information on this venue or any other please contact us at contact@feteinfrance.com

 

 

Travel info: Girls’ Guide to Paris

Part travel guide, part arbitor of taste, the Girls’ Guide to Paris has a little bit of something for everyone who loves Paris. Bloggers post about Parisian style trends, new restaurant openings, and must-visit spots for locals and tourists alike!

Fête in France was recently invited to guest blog so we showed off some of the fabulous weddings we’ve done in the city of light!

Voulez-vous… dîner avec moi ce soir?

As longtime residents of Paris, we know that even with a carte de séjour and a mastery of la langue de Molière, it can still sometimes be difficult to overcome cultural barriers and find French acquaintances. So obviously it’s that much harder for visiting tourists to get a peek into the real France, and the locals who inhabit it.

Enter Voulez-Vous Dîner, a new twist on social networking which mixes travel, cultural exchange, and a home-cooked dinner with strangers.

The idea is that visitors to Paris (tourists, expatriates, business travelers) can connect with Parisian locals in their homes over a home-cooked gourmet dinner. Hosts are carefully selected based on several criteria, including their residence, cooking ability, cultural openness and of course, fluency in English! Hosts and guests sign up via the Voulez-Vous Dîner website and both are able to specify their areas of interest, providing assured dinner conversation topics.

So whether you’re a visitor to Paris looking for a change from the traditional French brasserie or a local Parisian interested in showing off your hospitality and mastery of French gastronomy, there’s just one simple question:

Voulez-vous dîner?

Your fairytale castle…

… with practical advantages!

Everyone knows that we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to chateaus in France. They come in every shape and size, every state of repair (or disrepair). So it’s always a pleasure to discover a place that ticks all of the boxes our clients have when looking for a chateau for their wedding venue.

Easily accessible from Paris via TGV or from London via Ryanair, this chateau is located just a short 20 minute drive from Poitiers. The chateau was originally built in the middle ages, and like many other structures, was added to and modified over the centuries. While many of the guestrooms still have some of the surprising details left over from the medieval period, all of the bathrooms have been elegantly updated! The chateau comfortably sleeps 34 and can accommodate up to 45 if need be – a real plus!

The grounds of the chateau present a variety of choice for your wedding festivities. Will you have your ceremony on the veranda or in the beautiful gothic church just steps away? Will the cocktail be in front of the chateau or in the rustic “chai” (refurbishment planned for 2012)? Will the dinner be in the reception room or outdoors in long tables in the tree-lined alley? So many possibilities to make a memorable day for you and your guests (and always with ample possible back-up solutions in case of inclement weather!)

Nous, on adore!

Le Perche – a great escape only 2 hours from Paris

Le Perche is a little known area of Normandy but it’s an area of France that is near and dear to our hearts here at Fête in France.  Last weekend we got the opportunity to visit a new wedding venue in the area so faster than we could say oui, we had our car keys in hand and our golden retriever in the backseat for a spin out over the rolling green hills of the countryside of lower Normandy.

We pulled up at the chateau and immediately liked what we saw – a long drive, a big parc, a pond and a pretty turreted chateau.  The chateau has been beautifully maintained and features exposed stone walls in many of the rooms.  It’s cozy, bright and welcoming.  For the moment there are 4 very large bedrooms in the chateau and then there are numerous outbuildings which house additional accommodation and a theater.    After a nice visit with the owner and a delicious lunch of homemade soupe de poisson the crowd began to arrive for a traditional English tea dance, which you can read more about in Fête Notes!

It’s almost like being (t)here…

Eiffel Tower playing the “A” in Paris?  Check.

Iconic music from a charming French movie?  Check.

High-def monument-porn photos?  Check.

Should you check it out?  Definitely.

http://www.paris-26-gigapixels.com

Breathtaking luxury château…only 35 minutes from Paris

We were recently lucky enough to visit a truly fabulous château (and trust us, we see a lot of fabulous places!). So what sets it apart you ask? Let us count the ways…
1) located only 35 minutes from Paris so you’re there before you have time to make it through your favorite ipod playlist
2) A grand entrance to greet you with a large gate and cobblestoned drive
3) Beautiful grounds with a lake, forest and elegant French gardens designed by no other than the master of the art – Le Nôtre
4) Chapel for a wedding ceremony of up to 100 guests
5) A reception room ideal for 60-70 guests
6) Guest accommodation site for up to 30 people in rooms decorated with French antiques and modern bathrooms (the best of the past and present!)
7) Period costumes on hand…gentlemen, start powdering your wigs and ladies, start channeling your inner Marie Antoinette.

Interested? More information and pricing upon request.

And the winner is…

…France!

International Living has posted its 2010 Quality of Life Index and France is on top!

Read the article and see how other countries ranked.

Your Paris apartment

You’re planning a trip to Paris and have consulted guidebooks and travel blogs galore.  What you’ve probably universally read is that the way to really appreciate the fair “City of Lights” is to experience it as a Parisian.  And what better way to do so than rent your own centrally located, decorator-designed pied à terre?

Newly renovated and full of amenities, this charming apartment in the 7th arrondissement is your perfect home base. In the heart of Paris and walking distance from almost everything worth seeing, you can be a Parisian (or at least pretend for a while).

The apartment is also a great place to get ready on your big day, away from the rest of the wedding party and snooping eyes!

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