In 2026, we’re feeling that weddings are going to be filled with emotion, connection, and atmosphere. Weddings that span weekends which provide quality over quantity, special time with family and friends, and oozing personal flair. In this blog we’re going to delve into our French wedding venues that we believe live up to the 2026 vibe, as well as the hotlist wedding trends for the upcoming year. 

The venues we are showcasing here don’t just show themselves through how they look, but the experience they create. 

Without further ado, we present to you the 2026 wedding venue hotlist:

“My sense is that couples are increasingly choosing weddings with deeper meaning – celebrations shaped by values like environmental awareness, the quality of the overall experience, and a genuine sense of togetherness for their guests. They want a wedding that feels personal and authentic, where it’s truly about quality over quantity.“

Ingrid, intrepid explorer and Chateau Bee co-founder

Venues for Connection – Where Families and Friends Come Together

Now more than ever people are looking for connection. With technology playing such a crucial role in our lives, we are finding solace within connection, whether that be with family, friends, or even nature. At Chateau Bee we choose venues that can host weddings that span over a full weekend or longer, allowing perfect quality time with those you love. 

These venues will often be more intimate, can potentially host everyone on-site, and prioritise personal, relaxed, and informal dinners with the guests. 

Here are some example venues from Chateau Bee…

Village Castelnau des Fieumarcon

This wedding venue is its own village perched on a hilltop surrounded by the untouched beauty of the Gascony countryside. Dating back to 1143 AC, the sixteen carefully renovated houses reside within the fortress walls, so you can inhabit entirely your own village wedding venue and let the outside world wait for your return for a few magical days. 

Wander the village streets, hopping between the intimate independent gardens of each house, relax around the swimming pool, and bring people together to share time, ideas, and joy.

Be part of the 800-year history by making your very own story here…

• Up to 200 guests
• Sleeps 86
• Gers, South of France
• Price on request 

Beau Moulin

The Moulin is your home away from home for the entire week, a little heaven, magical and unpretentious, where you will be treated like long-time friends. Enter by the tree-lined drive and discover the blue shuttered Moulin, a historic French watermill of traditional Charentaise architecture.

Have your welcome drinks by the mill pond before making your way through a little gate… to discover, hidden away, the secret riverside garden. In this natural amphitheatre with its soothing tones of rippling water, you will meet to say your “I-do’s”.

The owners, who are as friendly and accommodating as can be, have a long experience in event planning and will be by your side from day one to help you create your dream wedding in France…

• Up to 75 guests
• Sleeps 20
• Charente, South of France
• Inclusive package from 10,000€ for 4 days, 3 nights

Venues for Celebration – Epic Party Settings for 2026 Weddings

If your dream wedding is also your dream party, these venues highlight spaces that are made for entertaining. Late-night celebrations, loud music, and nights spent outdoors under twinkling stars let you make the most of living it up.

Let us indulge you with these venues…

Domaine Le Mezo

Set within an extraordinary 25-hectare natural environment, the estate, centred around the main chateau, boasts flower-filled meadows, orchards, ancient forests, secular trees, serene ponds, and picturesque walking trails. You’ll discover a wealth of spaces to choose from for your wedding festivities, ranging from the charming 19th-century greenhouse to the sun-drenched 400-square-meter terrace.

When the time comes to dance the night away, reveal to your guests “Le Club”! Complete with a custom bar, a spacious 90-square-meter dance floor, and a dedicated space for your DJ, it truly sets the stage for unforgettable party moments. Even better, when the night ends (or morning begins!) you can accommodate 240 people on-site.

• Up to 400 guests
• Sleeps 240
• Brittany, Northern France
• Price on request

Chateau de Roussillon

If you’re looking for a dramatic venue with both captivating outdoor and indoor spaces, look no further than Chateau de Roussillon. Sitting atop a mountain and surrounded by a lush forest, there is no curfew for the venue, and the night sky is lit with endless stars.

The beautiful courtyards offer panoramic views of the valley, providing an enchanting setting for alfresco drinks and dining. As the night progresses, venture into the two large vaulted cellars that can be used for dancing and partying the night away!

Should you desire assistance in crafting a bespoke wedding that reflects your personalities and fits your budget, an English-speaking wedding planning service is at your disposal.

• Up to 120 guests
• Sleeps 20
• Dordogne, South of France
• Rental from €4,000 for 3 nights from Monday 6 p.m. to Thursday 8 a.m., and €6,000 for 4 nights from Thursday noon to Monday noon

Venues for Serenity – Peaceful, Private Retreats in the French Countryside

Heading deep into nature, from the sea to the mountains, to the vineyards, to the countryside, we have secluded, calm, and private venues all over France. In a similar way to spending quality time with friends and family, people in 2026 also want to escape to nature and disconnect. Here are some of our favourite venues that host peaceful and private retreats…

Chateau d’Aynac

Weddings at Chateau d’Aynac are stylish yet totally unpretentious. With 8 hectares of parkland dotted with century-old trees, this extraordinary six-storey chateau rises from the landscape with four round towers, dungeons, and a storybook silhouette that feels straight out of a fairytale.

There’s ample space to host a laid-back outdoor ceremony and to relax with a Sunday brunch, complete with an outdoor pool and the opportunity to enjoy massages in the peaceful surroundings.

• Up to 250 guests
• Sleeps 55
• Dordogne, Lot, South of France
• From €9,000 for a 3-day weekend rental

Chateau des Girards

Set in the mountains, Chateau des Girards offers the kind of destination-wedding magic that feels genuinely rare – full of soul and character. Mountain serenity, sophisticated design, and genuine hospitality are blended perfectly together in the heart of the French Alps.

Picture yourself exchanging vows in the park, framed by sweeping alpine views of the Vercors; enjoying cocktails on the terrace beneath crystal-blue skies; and dining in the dazzling wedding hall. With its oak flooring, the reception hall can host up to 100 guests in style. The day after your celebration, imagine a relaxed BBQ on-site followed by a refreshing dip in the gorgeous indoor pool.

• Up to 120 guests
• Sleeps 42
• French Alps
• From €6,400 for 2 nights

The 2026 Experience Forecast – How Couples Are Redefining French Destination Weddings

In a fast-paced world, people are searching for ways to slow down, savour the simple, and enjoy the small things. Destination weddings give you a chance to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect to what’s important to you, whether that be friends and family, nature and sustainability, good food, or slow travel and wellness.

We think that the following themes are going to be prominent in 2026, and with each theme we’ve paired a venue that exudes the concept at hand.

2026 Wedding Venue Hotlist Theme: Personal

In a world filled with trying to distinguish AI from human, people are wanting personal touches, personal experiences, and personality in everything. Essentially, people want “personal in 2026”. Which is why the word Personal is our first theme. This will mean something different to everyone but ask yourself this, how do you picture your big day unfolding? Is it grand or humble? Simple or extravagant? Large or intimate? It’s important to think about how you want your special day to feel, not just what is expected by guests or what is dictated by trends.

A venue that we feel allows you to be completely creative and unique in the planning process is this Manoir…

Manoir Lebeau

Your wedding at the Manoir could span four or more days, offering an immersive wedding experience that combines quality, good vibes, and uniqueness.

What captures our admiration at Chateau Bee is the personalised attention each couple receives at the Manoir. This venue shies away from assembly-line weddings, ensuring unwavering support from start to finish while granting you the freedom to mould the venue into your unique vision.

• Up to 60 guests
• Sleeps 12
• Charente, Dordogne, South West France
• From €8,700 for a 3-night inclusive package

Personal – Style Guide

Looking at style for the theme of Personal, we’re highlighting the touches that seem right or “on point” for you and your partner. That could be homemade wedding invites, DIY place cards, or quirky wedding favours.

Some ideas to get you started…

• Hand-made scribbled menu’s, place cards, invites
• Experiences either dining, or during the event: wedding crosswords or ‘place your bets’
• Choose a glass wall, doubles up as wedding favour

We’ve created a 2026 hotlist mood board on Pinterest to help inspire you…

2026 Wedding Hotlist Venue Theme: Sustainability & Nature

With weddings having a large impact on carbon dioxide emissions (in the UK, weddings alone contribute an average of 14,500kg of CO₂e), many are trying to find a way to reduce this impact. Most of these emissions come from transport and food, but venues can also have a large impact.

Here is a venue that is prized for sustainability…

La Belle Eco

This tranquil haven in South West France is lovable for its artistic charm, warm hospitality, and dedication to eco-friendly practices. With solar panels and natural insulation, a chemical-free garden and biodiverse permaculture practices, and even a naturally purified swimming pool, the venue is a beacon of sustainability.

Situated in a serene, ancient woodland acting as a nature reserve, this boutique hotel boasts exquisite Art Deco features, and the on-site chef specialises in organic, homegrown, or locally sourced cuisine, all offered at a very accessible price.

• Up to 200 guests
• Sleeps 38
• Near Carcassonne, South of France
• From €10,000 for 4 days

Sustainability – Style Guide

Often, when making parts of your life more sustainable, the cost of things also decreases, because you either cut them out or are more crafty with what you need or use. With weddings, this can often be the case too. In 2026, let’s re-use what we already have or use natural materials.

Wedding ceremonies in 2026 are increasingly taking place outdoors, where the landscape shapes the aisle and nature itself becomes the centerpiece.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Try to find a second-hand wedding dress and suit; you can get it tailored to fit perfectly (this is often cheaper than buying new!).
• Encourage your guests to do the same: wear clothes they already have. There’s no need for a new dress for every wedding.
• Plan for home-made wedding favours.
• Natural decorations – such as driftwood, florals, and greenery (avoid plastic and single-use items).
• Try to organise group transportation for your guests from and to the wedding.
• Ask caterers where they source their ingredients and what is their waste policy.

Find all of our ideas on our 2026 Wedding Style Pinterest board.

2026 Wedding Hotlist Venue Theme: Good Food & Experiential Dining

Weddings and food come hand in hand. Whether it is hors d’oeuvres, a full sit-down meal, or a late-night snack, food is often a centrepiece of the event. In 2026, we’re seeing a mix between intimate sit-down meals, experiential dining, and simple crowd-pleasers.

Chateau Naudou

Located in South West France, this romantic venue has the air of a classic Italian chateau. We are particularly fond of its picture-perfect courtyard, beautifully lined with cypress trees, and its impressive 19m² turquoise pool.

The Chateau has a fantastic in-house wedding planning service, and you can have your wedding meal outdoors beneath twinkling fairy lights, with the in-house chef whose mission is to offer you and your guests an unforgettable French feast!

• Up to 100 guests
• Sleeps 26
• Near Toulouse, South of France
• From €15,950 for 3 nights, including the wedding planner

Good Food & Experiential Dining: Style Guide

The style for food is very much a matter of personal preference, but we see these trends slowly popping up: experiential dining, chefs cooking in front of guests, and performance-style presentations. Intimate dinners beneath string lights never go out of style and always create the perfect atmosphere. Sharing platters are also becoming more popular, so that there is no sit-down meal and dining feels more casual.

Check out our 2026 wedding style hotlist moodboard for more ideas.

2026 Wedding Hotlist Venue Theme: Wellness & Slow Travel

Choosing to slow travel is often more of a lifestyle than a holiday. Instead of cramming sightseeing and travelling into a few days, people are pausing to absorb culture, food, and simple moments in new places. This comes hand-in-hand with wellness, choosing to live more purposefully and with intention. In 2026, we’re seeing venues that encourage long weekends and offer wellness experiences in all their forms.

Take a look at this venue, complete with its own spa…

Chateau Gassies

Nestled in a magnificent 14 hectare park and standing on high grounds, Chateau Gassies provides exceptional views over Bordeaux and the river Garonne. As soon as you and your guests set foot on the estate, you will fall under the spell of the venue. We love how the main chateau and its two symmetric wings frame a beautiful pond with stepping stones.

The Chateau also has a spa onsite, which includes massages, a sauna, a steam room, a gym, a tennis and basketball court, and two heated pools. Imagine having a relaxing massage the day before your wedding!

• Up to 150 guests
• Sleeps 43
• Bordeaux
• From €22,500 for 3 days, 2 nights

Wellness & Slow Travel: Style Guide

Drinking tea and coffee in the morning sun with cherished loved ones, yoga, meditation, sport, and fun group activities could all contribute to a wellness wedding. Spending time around a pool both before and after the wedding, and long weekends in the sun, help create the slow travel vibe. Weddings lasting a few days or more are also on-trend for 2026.

The 2026 Wedding Venue Hotlist – Style Guide

Colour Trends: The 2026 Palette

Pantone recently revealed their 2026 colour of the year, which is Cloud Dancer, a delicate white hue, which is already a traditional wedding colour, with many brides choosing white and its many hues for their wedding dress. This hue also pairs wonderfully with all shades of pastel, which for bridesmaids could match the Cloud Dancer effortlessly. Simple whites could also dominate table spreads, flowing linen drapes, and minimalist decor.

If you’re looking for bolder colours, here’s what’s in trend…

The Spring/Summer collection unveiled at New York Fashion Week mainly saw colours in the lilac, purple, and pink range, with a few brighter yellows and blues thrown into the mix. Pantone’s official colours resemble lavender hues, airy blossom pinks, and tranquil sky tones with a handful of bold brights woven in. These colours lend themselves beautifully to French destination weddings, and would pair perfectly with Provençal stone, chateau gardens, or rustic tablescapes.

Photos: How We’re Capturing Memories in 2026

We’re seeing a resurgence of 2000s digital cameras and old-school style. Pictures that don’t just capture people, but emotions and feelings. Sometimes blurry, candid shots that express the love between both the couple and their guests. Dreamlike, nature-filled photos are in for 2026.

Outfits: What to Wear in 2026

Outfits are taking on the same dreamy, ethereal feel as photos in 2026. Mixing shades, fabrics, and style that feels personal to the individual. It’s less about co-ordination and more about reflecting the mood, and palettes that blend in with nature, and the surroundings of the wedding. For more inspiration, take a look at our 2026 Wedding Style Pinterest board.

Décor & Details: Embrace Local and Personal

Fun, bright, and eye-catching florals are in. Immersive weddings in nature are in, and 2026 is the time for clever, simple, and joyful stationery. Make it homemade, DIY, and add a touch of personal flair. At Chateau Bee, we love wedding newspapers and personal handmade touches.

If you’re having a French destination wedding, we also love when couples incorporate French wedding traditions into their big day. Whether it’s the Croquembouche, a champagne tower, the late-night onion soup, or simply playing some French songs, they all add a lovely touch to your wedding day.

Your 2026 French Wedding Starts Here

As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: couples are choosing experiences over expectations. Weddings are becoming slower, more intentional, more personal, and deeply connected to place. From multi-day gatherings filled with connection, to eco-conscious celebrations, wellness-infused weekends, and food-focused feasts, France offers a backdrop where every wedding can become a meaningful, immersive story. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate countryside retreat, a dramatic mountaintop celebration, or a venue where family and friends can settle in for an unforgettable weekend, the right French venue can bring your vision to life.

If you’re a foreign couple planning to marry in France, we’re here to guide you—every step of the way. Explore our wedding packages for 2026, discover how to get married legally as a foreigner in France, or dive straight into our handpicked collection and explore all of our French wedding venues to find the one that feels like yours. Your 2026 wedding adventure begins with a single click… and we can’t wait to help you create something extraordinary.

Contact us today to start your French Destination Wedding journey!

The 2026 Wedding Venue Hotlist: Venues Built for Experience, Not Just Events by Olivia