8 Romantic French Wedding Venues in the Loire Valley

FranceSouth of FranceWedding VenuesChateau WeddingDestination Weddings

31 Jan

A breathtaking and beautiful spot in the centre of France, the Loire River Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason. With the area filled with stunning old chateaus (in fact there’s 300 of them!) and amazing gardens that rival the main buildings themselves, first and foremost it is a truly lovely backdrop to your wedding day. Add to that the fact the region is known for it’s incredible vineyards that produce popular dry white wines including Sancerre, Puilly-Fumé and Chenin Blanc, their delicious food and the pretty Loire River running through the middle, it’s a pretty hard location to beat.

Below we’ve listed 8 of our favourite wedding venues there, to get you inspired.

1. Chateau De La Chance

Dating back to the 11th century and located on the pretty banks of the River Layon, Chateau de la Chance is a lovely medieval wedding venue filled with lots of charm. From classic beams, high ceilings and tiled floors to a grand piano and large 17th century fireplace, it’s a beautiful backdrop for an intimate wedding day. It can host up to 60 reception guests and can sleep 40 guests within the chateau, with the Great Hall and outdoor courtyard being great places for saying your vows and hosting your reception. You and your guests can also make the most of the spacious grounds and large swimming pool.

Visit website

2. The Secret Hamlet

Positioned at the top of a hill with beautiful views down to the River L’Anglin, this fairytale wedding venue covered in vines is understated yet grand, with the interiors perfectly epitomising the easy chic sophistication of ‘art de vivre à la Française. The grounds are home to six houses that surround the main chateau, each with their own private gardens and unique personalities. We particularly love the Honey House which used to manage beehives and extract honey, now a 2 bed haven for you or your guests. The venue is situated within a 35 acre hamlet with two swimming pools, and with it being situated right by the river, you can easily paddle or walk to the nearest town.

Visit website

3. Chateau des Marquis

Approached via a long avenue, this large palatial country residence is located in the heart of the Loire Valley, just 19km from Saumur. After years of neglect, this 16th century venue was restored to its former glory with the aim of providing elegant living within a beautiful old building. With a private chapel in the grounds, it can host up to 150 guests for a seated meal in the Banqueting Hall or an unlimited number outside. It can sleep up to 39 guests within their 13 lovely apartments spread over three floors. The grounds are also home to orchards, a forest and pretty formal gardens that house a swimming pool and chickens!

Visit website

4. Chateau de Joyaux

Known in the Loire Valley as ‘Petit Chambord’ for its resemblance to the royal palace in Loir-et-Cher, this venue is a real fairytale with 45 metre high limestone walls containing 365 windows and 12 turrets. Owned by Cynthia who also acts as the on-site concierge, this venue is known for her warm and friendly presence, that will really put you at ease on your wedding day. The venue can host up to 120 guests within the chateau surrounded by hand carved wood panelling and hand painted ceilings, or over 120 outside. The venue also has its own private chapel as a lovely option for your wedding ceremony, along with a private lake in it’s pretty grounds. The chateau can also sleep up to 50 of your guests too.

Visit website

5. Chateau Crystal

Located in a huge 105 acre estate, the 19th century Chateau Crystal is surrounded by palatial lawns, gardens and woodlands full of wildlife. Host your wedding ceremony within their small private chapel or have an outdoor ceremony on their own private island, nestled within their 22 acre private lake, that looks magical lit up. Enjoy cocktail hour on their lakeside terrace and for the reception, and move to the Grand Salon that is a luxurious yet relaxed wedding venue for a sit down meal or choose to host outside for a larger number. Expect grand interiors that still feels relaxed, from their beautiful antiques and rich fabrics to their dramatic double carved stone stairway in the entrance hall. It can sleep up to 38 guests and you can all make the most of the nearby activities including wine tasting, golf, horseback riding, cycling, hot air ballooning and river boat tours.

Visit website

6. Luxury Forest Chateau

Nestled within 23 hectares of grounds and parkland with hundred year old trees, this beautiful exclusive hire chateau from the 15th and 16th century can be yours for the full weekend. It can host up to 200 guests for cocktails or 130 seated, and is really flexible with you choosing your suppliers and no corkage. Enjoy their lovely inner courtyard that frames a pretty french garden with avenues of roses, which is perfect for pictures and welcome drinks. They can sleep up to 60 of your guests for one night with breakfast included and they also have an on-site restaurant that you can make the most of on the days around the wedding.

Visit website

7. Sustainable Chic Chateau

Built in 1780 by the Decroix family, this beautiful chateau is classified as a historic site with a focus on sustainability and being eco-friendly. With 9 hectares of land including 3 hectares of meadow land that you can host your ceremony and reception within, the grounds are filled with lots of gems. From two Roman bridges to remains from the Middle Ages and a slightly more modern swimming pool! there’s plenty for you and your guests to explore. The venue has capacity for up to 500 guests and accommodation for up to 41 guests within the chateau.

Visit website

8. Historic Chateau

Located South of the Vendée, this historic chateau was built between the 15th and 16th century and boasts floor to ceiling windows, exposed stone walls and cathedral height ceilings to really bring some grandeur to your wedding day. It’s beautiful architecture even means that it’s reception porch is the most majestic in the Vendée and is a listed Historic Monument! The venue has 200 square metres of reception space to host up to 200 of your guests along with 10,000 square metres of gardens that are perfect for cocktail hour. Host your reception within their Stable Room or in their lovely French-style garden. Guests will also love the large heated 10 metre long swimming pool too!

Visit website