Chateau de Varenne
A COUNTRY CHIC ABODE THAT INSPIRES ROMANCE
With its pale blue shutters and rambling ivy-clad walls, the Chateau de Varenne is more quintessentially French than any photo could convey. Brides looking for a countryside retreat will find the property exceeds every expectation, offering charm and comfort in abundance. The hotel was purchased in 2017 by Emma and Paul Radford, creating the perfect happily-ever-after moment for the Irish couple, who had visited and gotten engaged at the Chateau de Varenne ten years prior. Their family is dedicated to maintaining the beauty and romance of the property, ensuring that fairytale moments will remain possible for more couples visiting in the years to come.
There is a historic chapel located just behind the estate that could be used for a ceremony, with the grounds of the chateau offering outdoor gardens and enough rooms for up to 38 guests. We’ve also never seen a sweeter backdrop for bridal portraits than the hotel’s suites, which feature matching floral bedspreads and wallpaper that hit just the right note of country chic. Treat your guests to an authentic Provençal retreat and start your forever in the spot that has seen so many love stories begin.
Photography by Claire Macintyre Photography
Visit Website
Provence, France
Phone: +33 (0)4 66 82 59 45
Email: info@chateaudevarenne.com
@chateaudevarenne
Sorting Out The Details
Ceremony and Reception Spaces: We couldn’t think of a lovelier backdrop for a ceremony and reception than the charming grounds of the Chateau de Varenne. A historic chapel is located just behind the estate, surrounded by secluded gardens that offer breathtaking views of the Rhône Valley and Mont Ventoux. By privatising the venue, couples are granted exclusive access to the grounds and terrace, which provide the perfect setting for an intimate celebration with your closest family and friends. Should the weather force your party indoors, the chateau also boasts delightful interiors and a basement-level cave that is perfect for dancing the night away.
Guest Capacity: The Chateau de Varenne is best suited for intimate gatherings, accommodating up to 38 guests.
Budget: Privatised packages vary on the time of year, and please note that the chateau does not book weddings in July–August or October–March. Packages start at €12,000 for two nights and additional add-ons such as a catered brunch or BBQ can be requested.
Accommodations: Book a long weekend at the chateau with family and friends and take advantage of 13 air-conditioned rooms that can be privatised for your wedding party. The venue is decorated with sumptuous, elegant French furnishings that call to mind the country’s most famous estates. A magnificent honeymoon suite boasts a spiral staircase and private rooftop terrace with 360 degree views. Extend your stay for a few days to enjoy all the delights of the nearby town, including excellent dining, shops, and markets.
Honeymooners: Start your day off with a delicious buffet breakfast before driving to Avignon for a day of adventure. As the evening winds to a close, we suggest bringing home a bottle of local wine and settling into one of the many quiet, beautifully preserved nooks located both indoors and outdoors around the estate.
The Inside Scoop
In search of some first-hand knowledge, we sat down with Chateau de Varenne’s Wedding Planner Alexis Spooner of Willow & Oak, and gleaned her exclusive tips on planning an unforgettable soirée at Chateau de Varenne…
What do you love most about Chateau de Varenne as a wedding destination? Château de Varenne truly is a hidden gem amongst the Provençal countryside, one of the most desirable wedding locations in the world. Its convenient proximity to Avignon not only makes it the perfect destination for all of Provence but also easily accessible for all of your international guests. What we love the most however, is how Château de Varenne makes you feel as a couple. It has all of the luxuries you would find in your favorite hotel whilst also staying true to its classic French charm.
What is your favourite time of year to book your Provence wedding? Every season brings unique life to the grounds at Château de Varenne so truly, each month is special in its own way. However, to us, it is hard to beat a June or September wedding especially during dinner as the sun sets with views over the Rhône Valley.
Do you have a personal favourite spot at Chateau de Varenne for ceremonies, for receptions, for photos? You can’t go wrong with the château as your backdrop, but our favorite would have to be the steps leading up to the terrace. The climbing greenery invites couples up traditional Provençal stone to the façade of the château, a true dream and a spot that is so hard to beat.
Another really unique feature to Varenne is a photographers' access to the balcony attached to the De Varenne room, which is normally perfectly positioned above the center of the couples reception table. This view allows such a unique perspective for photographers that normally wouldn’t be possible- a true capture of the perfect moment in time.
Who are your go-to recommendations for vendors at Château de Varenne please? Trusting your wedding planner and designer to recommend vendors who are familiar and experienced in the region you are marrying is so very important. For a wedding in Provence, planners have to be considerate of not only traditional factors but also environmental influences so things like heat, wind, the sun and so many other variables. Claire Macintyre is our go-to photographer, catering by La Vallergue, classic cars through Provence Classics and florists include the likes of Capucine Atelier Floral, Floresie, Laetitia C and Peonies Paris.
Do you have any tips for couples planning to marry in Provence? One of our biggest tips would be to consider a more intimate wedding in Provence. When keeping your guest count on the lower end, you are able to invest more in other aspects of the day such as catering or design as well as spend more intentional time with all of your guests who have made the journey for you. Perhaps you could consider arranging a morning hot air balloon ride, tour around Provence in a classic car or wine tasting.
