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.

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?

A touch of red wedding

Carla and Morgan, both from Florida, came to celebrate their special day in Paris with a couple of close friends.  They exchanged vows in a small garden, near the Eiffel Tower followed by lots of little French treats.

Photos courtesy of One & Only Paris Photography

Gourmet nights: there’s a chef in the kitchen!

A friend of Fête in France’s recently hosted a dinner party at his apartment – a pretty standard occurrence in Paris – except for the fact that a professional chef prepared all the food and wine pairings.

Whatever you call them – “hidden kitchens” or “secret supper clubs” or “gourmet nights” – they are a great way to spend an evening with friends in a nice, homey setting.

Our menu included two different amuse gueules, a delicious velvety asparagus & leek soup, wonderfully seasoned lamb chops, a selection of the *best* cheese I’ve had in a long time, and a decadent chocolate semi-freddo for dessert.  Throughout the dinner we were bien arrosé with champagne and wine and finished off the evening with digestifs of Calvados and Croatian liqueur.

A gourmand way to start the year – balanced out by healthy eating the rest of the week!

Tip: If your group is vacationing in Paris and your vacation rental has the kitchen space, hiring a chef for a private meal can be a memorable part of your trip!