The top 10 Provence chateau wedding venues
Ahh, Provence. You won’t find a more romantic destination. It’s a region famous for its radiant sunshine, azure skies, magnificent landscapes, fabulous food, and clear Mediterranean waters lapping against beautiful beaches and characterful coves. But more importantly, it also boasts an inimitable collection of picture-perfect chateau wedding venues that will really capture your imagination.
The author Peter Mayle famously wrote about spending A Year In Provence. More recently, Jamie Beck became a New York Times best seller with her book An American in Provence, a sumptuous piece of tangible of French living, part memoir, part cookbook, where painting-like photos exalt the simple pleasures of Provence.
Now, why not write your own story by tying the knot here? South of France wedding venues, and Provence wedding venues in particular, are idyllic and characterful – the perfect settings to make memories that last forever.
So, without further ado, here are our top 10 Provence wedding venues. We’ve carefully curated something for every budget and unearthed some real hidden gems for your big day…
Chateau des Dentelles
Grand yet homely, rustic yet chic, the elegant Chateau des Dentelles is an exclusive venue that holds only a limited number of weddings per year. It sits proudly amongst 35 acres of beautiful gardens, with a sun kissed southern terrace, a shady cypress alley, and a walled courtyard complete with a pond and fountain – the ideal spot to hold a bountiful wedding banquet.
Chateau des Dentelles perfectly embodies the region’s tranquillity and its relaxed tempo. There are 17 rooms to house your guests – seven in the chateau and 10 in the adjacent outbuildings. Enjoy.
Chateau les Crostes
Nestled between forests and hills, and just 40kms from St Tropez, lies the immaculate Chateau les Crostes. On approach, the attractive long ochre building with its characterful sage green shutters makes an immediate impression. And on entry, you’ll immediately be charmed by its bright, spacious rooms that feel uncluttered and sophisticated yet homely and comfortable.
Outside, you’ll relish its 220 hectares of vineyards and groves. Why not hold your ceremony in the stunning gardens, perhaps in the shade of olive trees or by the romantic lake lined with water lilies?
This quintessential South of France wedding venue sleeps 28 people in 12 rooms with extra accommodation nearby. There’s also a swimming pool, sauna, billiard room, and library to while away the hours.
Le Grand Banc
Le Grand Banc is an exclusive address with a bohemian style and a laid-back vibe. This beautiful wedding venue boasts a real sense of style with 60s and 70s curated art decorating its historic walls, and rustic furniture and unique antiques also providing plenty of personality. It’s easy to see why this privately-owned destination attracts so many celebrities.
Set in stunning countryside with jaw-dropping views, Le Grand Banc is the ideal spot for an al fresco wedding feast. The accommodation sleeps up to 24 guests in a range of large and small houses and studios with additional accommodation also available nearby.
Chateau des Lavandes
Imagine saying “I do” in a Luberon paradise – a luxury Renaissance-style Chateau wedding venue with beautiful manicured gardens all around. That’s why so many discerning couples choose Chateau des Lavandes. You’ll fall in love with its honey coloured stone buildings, opulent interiors, 70-hectare grounds, and numerous accommodation options.
This is an authentic chateau with so many possibilities. You can stroll through its vineyards, unwind by the lake, admire an historic windmill, and mingle in the shade of ancient magnolias and cedar trees. You can also dine outside under fairy lights – the finishing touch for a fairy-tale wedding nonpareil.
Chateau Duchesse
A chateau wedding venue that’s truly spectacular, the Chateau Duchesse was once home to dukes and duchesses of Provence. And it’s easy to see why. The palatial accommodation is grand and well-appointed while the gardens, which include a large woodland and 150 hectares of vineyards, boast splendid views of the Alpilles mountains.
You’ll feel like royalty on your wedding day and be treated as such as well. The historic chateau has vast reception rooms complete with period furniture, and the walls are decorated with antique objects as well as contrasting contemporary artwork. It’s a place where history meets modern hospitality. You can even admire the views from a hot tub inside one of the chateau’s distinctive towers.
Domaine de Canaille
If you’re looking for a blissful and contemporary Provence wedding venue, with perfect sea views and complete privacy, then Domaine de Canaille delivers on so many levels… literally. You can hold your ceremony on the front terrace, with panoramic views of the turquoise Mediterranean, before moving down a private pathway to have a secluded photo shoot on the beach. Then it’s back up to the sweeping 5000 square sq. ft. terrace for a delicious wedding breakfast. Parfait!
The modern accommodation sleeps up to 26 people in 12 comfortable rooms. What’s more, you’re only a short drive away from the breath-taking Calanques. However, what really sets Domaine de Canaille apart is the peerless sea views. Lap them up.
Mas de So
A gorgeous South of France wedding venue made of beautiful stone, Mas de So combines traditional Provencal character with contemporary design and modern luxuries. The highlights include an attractive swimming pool, gardens bursting with lavender bushes, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a cinema room, a snooker lounge, and chic salons.
Its unique selling point, however, has to be its incredible 540m2 organerie. This modern cathedral of glass, with its high ceilings and decorative wrought iron structure, is a wonderful space to hold your wedding dinner. Mas de So is also quintessentially laidback, although there’s a lively village nearby with shops, restaurants, and terraces to explore.
Chateau de Tourreau
Lying within a well-located Provencal village, Chateau de Tourreau is chateau wedding venue of distinction. It has a grand aristocratic feel from the start – the walk from the main entrance to the front of the chateau is lined with ancient plane trees – and you’ll immediately be struck by the building’s impressive traditional 18th century facade.
The interior is luxurious with traditional ornaments, refined furniture, and beautiful art underlining the Renaissance and Provence style. Meanwhile, the formal gardens, which are full of lovely ponds and fountains, provide plenty of heavenly spots to hold your ceremony. There’s even a gorgeous infinity pool and an exquisite consecrated chapel. This glorious Provence wedding venue sleeps up to 29 people and you can either dine al fresco or under a marquee.
Chateau d’Argent
Looking for a luxurious Provence wedding venue that’s private and secluded yet close to St Tropez? If so, the Chateau d’Argent can make your fairy tale a reality. It’s a real sanctuary nestled amongst vineyards with traditional turrets, extensive gardens, and spectacular views everywhere you look.
The Chateau itself is warm and comfortable with lavender shutters and honey coloured facades. You can either hold the wedding banquet outside, amongst the palms and mature trees, or within the impressive reception hall that caters for up to 140 people. Meanwhile, the ceremony can be held at the foot of the chateau’s rustic Provencal walls.
The Provencal Monastery
The final entry in our collection of unique Provence wedding venues is the exceptional Provencal Monastery, which lies in a charming corner of Provence that’s completely unspoilt by tourism. It’s a renovated 19th century monastery boasting a delightful courtyard with a mosaic-pebbled floor and central fountain – the ideal space for champagne and canapés.
The Provencal Monastery also charms couples with its traditional French chapel (complete with grand piano), swimming pool, beautiful gardens, a range of spaces for the wedding feast, and accommodation for up to 80 guests. Above all you’ll love the natural garden amphitheatre with rustic stone walls – a unique feature that creates a memorable setting for wedding ceremonies.
Do you need a hand to find that perfect wedding venue in France?
If you’d like to know more about French chateau wedding venues, and how we can help you find the perfect one, don’t hesitate to contact us on 00 44 (0)1481 234 442, email hello@thechateaubee.com or use our contact form. We visit chateaux and other wedding venues throughout France and we only add the very best to our special collection.
The Top 10 Provence wedding venues by Ingrid Chavez
Foodie, chateau hunter and founder of the Chateau Bee Selection.