10 Best French Château Wedding Venues, From Bordeaux to Burgundy
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The French countryside is a Beauty and the Beast scene come to life. Drive in almost any direction and you'll come across tiny hamlets and hillside villages crowned with a cathedral or remnants of regal castles. Each region offers tons of French château wedding venues, from estates sprawling across vineyards in the South of France to castles in the Loire Valley that resemble a mini Versailles. Or, better yet, why not tie the knot in Versailles itself at the only hotel to grace the grounds of the former palace?
If you're planning a destination wedding in France. In that case, we've scoured the country to narrow down the top French château wedding venues catering to all styles and budgets, from modest mansions to lavish, gilded castles with murals by painters whose works hang in the Louvre. Plus, we've compiled everything you need to know about getting married in Europe so you can focus on the fun part—the wedding itself. Get ready for the ultimate royal treatment!
Château de La Messardière, Saint-Tropez
Tie the knot in a 19th-century château that was originally a wedding gift to the namesake Officer Henry Brisson de La Messardière and his wife before it transformed into a hotel hotspot on the Riviera during the Roaring Twenties. The palace overlooks Pampelonne Bay, so you'll have more than enough scenic spots for photos and wedding events. Encompassing nearly 30 acres, you can privatize the entire estate for the big day and throw the wedding of your dreams with everything from parties in the garden overlooking the Mediterranean to dinner at one of the gorgeous al fresco restaurants like Nobu's Matsuhisa Saint-Tropez.
Guest Activities: The hotel really has it all in terms of amenities, from one of the best kid's clubs in France (if parents want time to explore on their own, this truly is a perk) to a terrace pool overlooking the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, an adults-only lap pool tucked in the garden, and a private beach club a quick shuttle ride away.
Accommodations: In addition to 86 rooms and suites—which include three- and four-bedroom residences—couples or groups can book the four-bedroom La Bastide, a villa spread over two levels that has a sprawling terrace showing off views of the bay.
Château de Varennes, Burgundy
Recently renovated and transformed into a luxury resort and wedding venue, the Château de Varennes dates back 400 years (the 15th generation is now at the helm). Since the weather is almost guaranteed to be rain-free from early April to late October, the majority of events are fully outdoors in the gardens, with more formal sites like the Orangery accommodating up to 180 guests. Couples can also exchange vows in the chapel, which fits up to a hundred standing, while larger parties can hold the ceremony inside the main château or at a church in a nearby village.
Guest Activities: Cycle or cruise through the vineyards in a vintage car; visit nearby wineries for a tasting; spend the morning in Beaune at the Saturday market; dine at legendary farm and restaurant La Ferme de la Ruchotte; and take time to stroll through the Hospices de Beaune, a hospital-turned-museum whose architecture is legendary.
Accommodations: Spend your wedding night in the Honeymoon Suite, which is also a favorite for wedding party prep photos. Two family suites open up to five bedrooms, or guests can choose between a variety of suites and cozy rooms in the château or the neighboring building.
Château de la Ballue, Brittany
This 17th-century castle near Mont Saint-Michel has hosted the likes of literary legends like Balzac and Victor Hugo, yet it still flies quietly under the radar—so when your friends and family arrive in the beautifully manicured Italian gardens (listed as a historical monument), they'll definitely be blown away. The family-run château's salons are just as charming a locale for intimate meals or cocktail hour. While there isn't a restaurant on site, the facilities can accommodate caterers and the owners can prepare indulgent French breakfasts and cheese and charcuterie plates.
Guest Activities: Go horseback riding; take a horse-drawn carriage ride around Mont Saint-Michel Bay; visit the oyster market on the water in Cancale; and indulge in sweet crêpes and savory galettes in the walled city of Saint Malo.
Accommodations: The castle is a cozy one, with just four rooms and one suite—all decked out with four-poster beds and 17th- and 18th-century wooden paneling.
Château Gassies, Bordeaux
Call this stunning Bordeaux estate your own for the festivities, exchanging vows under the ancient oak trees or arched windows of the 19th-century covered courtyard. Then, head to the terrace as the sun sets, admiring views of the Bordeaux countryside over cocktails before dinner and dancing in the antique mirror-filled reception room, which can seat up to 150. The château's largest suite can also be converted into a getting-ready suite and offers plenty of natural light through the large arched window, making it a great spot for photos.
Guest Activities: Visit the interactive la Cité du Vin in Bordeaux; stroll around Saint-Émilion; set off on a wine tasting tour; day trip to Arcachon and climb the Dune du Pyla; slurp oysters along the water in Cap-Ferret; or eat your way around Bordeaux on a food and wine tour.
Accommodations: The property features five, antique-filled suites and three huge cottages—the largest of which can sleep up to 13 guests.
Château de Berne, Provence
The five-star Relais & Château property in Provence may be most famous for its rosé, but once you stumble upon the 1,200-acre hideaway's winding paths through forests and olive groves, you'll see why this gem has "dream wedding" written all over it. The most challenging decision you'll make? Whether dinner should unfold under the glass-encased atrium nestled among the vines and pine trees or beneath the arches in the Salle de Bacchus, which offers a glimpse into the winery. As for the ceremony, what could be a better photo opportunity than exchanging vows on a round stage floating on a pond?
Guest Activities: Road trip to the lavender fields in Valensole; hike or boat through the Gorges du Verdon; spend a day at one of the beach clubs in Saint-Tropez, like Le Club 55 or Indie Beach; continue the wine theme on winery visits and tastings throughout Provence; and sightsee around some of the historic landmarks dotting the area, like the 12th-century monastery La Chartreuse de la Verne.
Accommodations: The 34 rooms look out over the vines and feature a contemporary take on Provençal countryside-chic. For larger groups, five secluded private villas offer tailor-made services and 24/7 butlers, plus access to all of the luxe amenities available at the hotel.
Château L'Hospitalet Wine Resort Beach & Spa, Languedoc
For a wine-focused wedding in France, couples may think Bordeaux, but in the Languedoc region (considered the true South of France), you'll find gems like wine resort Château L'Hospitalet, the flagship estate from pioneer winemaker Gérard Bertrand. Located near the old Roman capital of Narbonne, in the Narbonnaise Regional Natural Park, the estate can host outdoor or tented weddings, plus indoor ceremonies and events for up to 130 people. The onsite team can help with everything from selecting the perfect venue for cocktails (perhaps a jazz band in the vines?) or an intimate ceremony by Villa Soleilla's pool overlooking the Mediterranean.
Guest Activities: Cruise by e-bike around the estate before touring the cellar and tasting a few of the château's wines; take a trip to Narbonne's morning covered market, Les Halles; tour the fortified city of Carcassonne; and bask by the beach in nearby Gruissan.
Accommodations: Stay in one of the more modest rooms in the château or splash out for a super-modern suite in the Villa Soleilla, which are outfitted with wine fridges and terraces perched over the vines.
Château de la Chèvre d'Or, French Riviera
One of the best panoramic views in the French Riviera, Château de la Chèvre d'Or can plan the most scenic of ceremonies on one of its many terraces overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Up to 80 guests can sit on the Rose Terrace—the same capacity as restaurant Les Ramparts—but if you want a gastronomic feast to follow, two-Michelin-starred La Chèvre d'Or seats 50.
Guest Activities: There's plenty to explore in the perched village of Èze, from botanic gardens to artisan shops to hiking trails to even more scenic viewpoints. Definitely plan to lunch at hotspot Anjuna Plage on the beach or spend the day by the water at nearby beach club Eden Plage Mala in Cap d'Ail.
Accommodations: Rooms are carved into the village and feature plunge pools perched over the Mediterranean, which double as scenic spots for couples and their parties to prep with Champagne preceremony.
Château La Coste, Provence
Located about 20 minutes from Aix-en-Provence (an easy and convenient city for guests to find affordable hotels and Airbnbs), Château La Coste is a design-lover's dream (and, technically, château refers to the centuries-old wine estate and not a castle). The estate includes vineyards, lawn sculptures, a contemporary art center, a super-high-end hotel and restaurants sporting big names like Francis Mallmann. Plan a more casual cocktail party at La Terrasse by the fountain or a formal dinner at the glass-encased Restaurant Hélène Darroze at Villa La Coste. While you may want something on the more intimate side, the property has plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces accommodating up to 2,000 people.
Guest Activities: Book a private wine workshop learning about and tasting wines from the region; admire the installations on an art and architecture walk at the château; visit the Hôtel de Caumont Art Center, housed in a private mansion; sip coffee at a café on the Cours Mirabeau; or peruse the market in Aix-en-Provence.
Accommodations: You won't want your honeymoon to end once you step inside one of the 28 Villa Suites at the onsite Villa La Coste—especially when you see the private plunge pool and massive marble soaking tub in the Pool Villa Suite.
Airelles Le Grand Contrôle, Versailles
The only hotel located in Château de Versailles, Airelles Le Grand Côntrole was built by Louis XIV's favorite architect and is still dripping in 18th-century opulence. Privatize the property for up to 36 guests and live out your royal fantasies with views that overlook the palace, which neighbors the hotel. Feast like they did during the days of the King's Court with cuisine overseen by multi-Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.
Guest Activities: Guests staying at the hotel get VIP behind-the-scenes access to the Palace of Versailles, meaning they'll stroll through the famous Hall of Mirrors on an after-hours guided tour and visit rooms not normally open to the public.
Accommodations: The 11 rooms and two signature suites are outfitted with carefully curated period furniture and fabrics that create a feel that's gilded and opulent but also refined and inviting. Suites are on the spacious side (some can sleep six!), and you can combine a few to form Le Grand Appartement, which sprawls across the first floor of the hotel.
Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, Loire Valley
If the 80 acres of Versailles-inspired gardens haven't convinced you, just wait until you glance at the hand-painted walls by the same artist behind the work at the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette's private garden paradise at Versailles. Once a fortified castle, the Baron du Lucé converted the estate into a modern palace that stands today as one of the finest remaining examples of French Neoclassical architecture. Couples tying the knot at Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé will have 45,000 square feet to play with in the 18th-century stunner—including a ballroom with original, 12-foot-high windows draped in custom Pierre Frey velvet that's done in the same shade of green to match the garden.
Guest Activities: Cycle along the river pausing at wineries and castles; day trip to the largest of the Loire's castles, Chambord, where pieces from the Louvre are hanging; and picnic in the vines.
Accommodations: The château's 19 rooms and suites blend modern and historic touches, outfitted with original oak flooring, clawfoot tubs and gilded canopied beds. The most lavish room? The Baron's Suite, a corner bedroom with 17-foot ceilings, huge windows looking out to the gardens, a private library and a sitting room with a fireplace and hand-painted murals.
How to Plan a French Château Wedding
When planning a destination château wedding in France, look for ways to complement—not compete—with the décor. Ornate frescoes or rich textiles could inspire your color palette and florals could accent design highlights like a stunning spiral staircase. And if you're buying out a French château wedding venue, make the most of the lavish estate and its grounds, whether that be through pre- and postwedding parties in the gardens or on the patio, or walking down a gorgeous, tree-lined lawn that can be morphed into a makeshift aisle.
Pro Tip: Invite a destination wedding planner to join your vendor team. Browse travel specialists near you on The Knot Vendor Marketplace for reviews, testimonials and more.