10 French Wedding Venues Near the UK
Source: Chateau Bee
A destination wedding is always very tempting, but a big consideration is always whether people will be okay getting there and how much it might cost them. This is where a wedding in France in the regions close to the UK is really ideal, as you get the best of both worlds (and better weather!) and it’s only a Eurostar away. Plus you’ll often find that by hosting your wedding in France, you’ll get a fair bit more for your money too.
Below we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourites…
1. Large Chateau Near Calais
Set within 10 acres of parkland, this beautiful chateau can host up to 120 of your guest on your wedding day. They have a lovely stables in which you can hold your reception, that can be completely opened on one side if the weather is good, with beautiful views looking outwards. You can easily host your close wedding party on site with the chateau sleeping 26, with a big dining table for you to gather around on the days before and after the wedding. For your other guests, there is a nice hotel conveniently placed just 5 minutes away.
2. Chateau du Grand Val
Surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and just a short drive away from Brittany’s beaches, Chateau du Grand Val sits atop a hill with lovely views looking outwards. On the estate there is the 15th century chateau itself, three cottages for your guests, rivers, ponds, a heated swimming pool and a private chapel that can seat 50 of your guests. You can host your reception in the characterful reception hall which can seat up to 75, or you can have a marquee to host up to 125. The owners of the chateau speak fluent English and have hosted weddings for 14 years now.
3. Chateau de Josse
A Neo-gothic French chateau filled with a beautiful reception hall, crystal candelabras and polished wooden floors, Chateau de Josse forms a great blank canvas for you to bring your ideas to life. The owner is English and is very open to different ideas, so don’t be afraid to put forward your thoughts on how you want the wedding weekend to be. The venue is exclusively yours from Friday to Sunday, giving you and your guest plenty of time to make use of the tennis court and swimming pool too! It can host up to 140 people and can sleep up to 40.
4. Domaine du Pordor
Sitting at the waters edge of an impressive lake within 30 hectares of grounds, Domaine du Pordor is a beautiful boho-chic option for your wedding day. Idyllic and charming, the venue is covered in gorgeous wisteria and hydrangeas with the choice of getting married by the lake, where you can even arrive by boat! You can enjoy your reception drinks on the terrace overlooking the lake, and know you’re in safe hands with hosts that have been having weddings there for over 20 years.
5. Chateau Mathilde
Set within 22 hectares of parkland, you approach Chateau Mathilde through a peaceful alley of poplars that lead you up to the gatehouse, filled with opulent decor. You can host your ceremony in the on site chapel or in the garden, enjoy the characterful farmhouse courtyard for pre-dinner cocktails and then host your wedding breakfast in La Charcuterie, set with huge glass stable doors. The venue itself can seat up to 80, but you can extend it further with a marquee to seat a total of 200 guests. The venue has no curfew so you can party until the early hours, and you can sleep up to 45 of your guests across various rooms and cottages.
6. Chateau Beloire
Set in the beautiful Loire Valley, the 17th century Chateau Beloire surrounded by its own moat was made famous from featuring on the well known programme ‘Escape to the Chateau DIY’. The venue is a lovely mix of french country and contemporary, with its own on site chapel that can be used for a blessing or a nightclub if you fancy! Enjoy your reception in the banqueting hall which can sit up to 150 of your guests, and sleep up to 60 of your guests within the chateau too. Plus you can nurse any hangovers the next day with a relaxing BBQ by the pool.
7. 20th Century Chateau Near Calais
Set within 8 hectares of land, this sweet 20th century chateau located close to Calais can host between 100 - 200 of your guests. They have the option of two reception rooms and picturesque conservatory, or alternatively you can host your wedding within a marquee. Surrounded by whispering fountains and beautiful 100 year old trees, it makes for a great intimate setting.
8. Chateau des Contes
With the motto ‘where fairytales begin’, Chateau des Contes was recently voted 1 of the 10 best places to get married in France, so prepare to be impressed. With spiral staircases, wood carved furniture and ethereal taxidermy animals, the venue is a wonderfully unique space. Even the design of the chateau is magical, with 365 windows (one for each day), 52 fireplaces (one for each week) and 12 turrets (one for each month). The venue is owned by an American, Cynthia, who’ll be able to help you bring your ideas alive.
9. The Chateau and Orangery of the Nievre Valley
As a listed Historic Monument, this beautiful Chateau is located within 50 hectares of land filled with individual and uniquely themed gardens that your guests will love. The venue can seat 160 guests or alternatively 300 standing, and is filled with lovely light. It has a large orangery with a majestic fireplace that is ideal for the ceremony or cocktail party, enabling you to fully enjoy the building itself rather than a maquee. The venue has a heated swimming pool and watersports can be enjoyed nearby including fishing, kayaking, sand yachting and kite surfing.
10. The Secret Hamlet
Tucked away in the Loire Valley, The Secret Hamlet is a beautifully intimate space to hold your wedding. Situated on the tip of a hill and covered in fairytale creeping vines, the grounds of the venue extend down to a picturesque river that is perfect for photos or taking a boat out! It is situated within 35 acres and is surrounded by six other homes within the grounds in which your guests can stay. Host your reception in the lovely outdoor barn, host nice dinners before and after the wedding in the great big kitchen and really make the place a home. There’s plenty to do to entertain your guests in and around the wedding, from enjoying the swimming pool and a BBQ or taking a walk into the village.
