Advice on these 2 locations in France?
May 13th, 2020, 01:14 AM
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Advice on these 2 locations in France?
Hi everyone!
My fiancée and I are planning to have our wedding in France next year (most likely the end of June). We are looking at 2 venues, one near Valence D'agen (about 15-20 mins from villages like Montjoi and Mossiac) and one in Gréolières (about a 35-40min drive from Nice). We would hire out the venues for a full week. I don't know much about either of these areas and would like some advice. The venue near Valence D'Agen is a lot more affordable, but i'm worried it's a bit out of the way and that there might not be much to do around that area?
Half of our guests will be coming to France from overseas, so we really want a location with things to do & see around the venue (30 of the guests will stay with us onsite). I'm worried there's not much to see/do around Valence D'Agen, but of course maybe i'm wrong. And in terms of what we are looking for, anything from exploring interesting villages, to wine tasting, hiking, beach, rivers, etc. I imagine the interests of the group to be pretty broad! I know day trips to Toulouse and Bordeaux would also be possible from here.. but would there be more things to do/see near Gréolières? Is it much prettier on that side of France?
Accessibility is another concern, but both locations would really require hire cars. To get to the place near Valence D'Agen i imagine guests could fly/train to Toulouse or Bordeaux and then drive to the venue (about 1hr - 1.5hrs). For the place in Gréolières, they would have to fly/train to Nice and still need a car to get the venue. Apparently both locations have extra accommodation nearby for the remaining guests, so i suppose that side of it isn't an issue.
If i could get some advice on both these areas of France, that would be amazing! And which one you'd recommend for a group of tourists, and if the higher cost in Gréolières is worth paying for whatever reason.
Thank you!
My fiancée and I are planning to have our wedding in France next year (most likely the end of June). We are looking at 2 venues, one near Valence D'agen (about 15-20 mins from villages like Montjoi and Mossiac) and one in Gréolières (about a 35-40min drive from Nice). We would hire out the venues for a full week. I don't know much about either of these areas and would like some advice. The venue near Valence D'Agen is a lot more affordable, but i'm worried it's a bit out of the way and that there might not be much to do around that area?
Half of our guests will be coming to France from overseas, so we really want a location with things to do & see around the venue (30 of the guests will stay with us onsite). I'm worried there's not much to see/do around Valence D'Agen, but of course maybe i'm wrong. And in terms of what we are looking for, anything from exploring interesting villages, to wine tasting, hiking, beach, rivers, etc. I imagine the interests of the group to be pretty broad! I know day trips to Toulouse and Bordeaux would also be possible from here.. but would there be more things to do/see near Gréolières? Is it much prettier on that side of France?
Accessibility is another concern, but both locations would really require hire cars. To get to the place near Valence D'Agen i imagine guests could fly/train to Toulouse or Bordeaux and then drive to the venue (about 1hr - 1.5hrs). For the place in Gréolières, they would have to fly/train to Nice and still need a car to get the venue. Apparently both locations have extra accommodation nearby for the remaining guests, so i suppose that side of it isn't an issue.
If i could get some advice on both these areas of France, that would be amazing! And which one you'd recommend for a group of tourists, and if the higher cost in Gréolières is worth paying for whatever reason.
Thank you!
Last edited by Aerialyds; May 13th, 2020 at 01:17 AM.
May 13th, 2020, 01:24 AM
#2
Valence D'agen
Middle of nowhere, canal du midi, cycle rides walks, wine tastings in all directions, truffle tasting. I've done a bunch of holidays in this area, fantastic area for those who like small french towns roasting away under the sun, small chateau, cycling especially. Wonderful.
Gréolières
similar in a way but locally you have Nice and the hot spots. Personally not for me, but some people like the whole Cote d'Azur thing, money, casinos, fast yachts. If "bling is your thing" go there.
Either way you need a pool and a marriage licence.
Middle of nowhere, canal du midi, cycle rides walks, wine tastings in all directions, truffle tasting. I've done a bunch of holidays in this area, fantastic area for those who like small french towns roasting away under the sun, small chateau, cycling especially. Wonderful.
Gréolières
similar in a way but locally you have Nice and the hot spots. Personally not for me, but some people like the whole Cote d'Azur thing, money, casinos, fast yachts. If "bling is your thing" go there.
Either way you need a pool and a marriage licence.
May 13th, 2020, 03:21 AM
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It's a strange choice, IMO, given all the possible venues in France, but I agree with Bilboburgler.
Valence d'Agen isn't all that far from where I live, and I adore this part of France, but for guests from - where do they come from? - say, the USA, not sure they'd "get it." It's rural, it's entirely francophone (and that's discounting the local dialects), it's deeply traditional, fabulous local food if you like offal, absolutely brilliant if you're used to very rural France, lovely scenery and many attractive small villages around. But for visitors mainly from afar, ummmm....why?
Gréolières falls squarely into the category of places I just don't want to be in France. Yes, it's preciously self-contained but close enough to the fast life of the Côte d'Azur to draw the moneyed crowd, but that holds no appeal for me. I can't speak for your guests or you.
How on earth did you come up with these two places? You actually say you really don't know anything about either of these places, so....WHY? Especially given the constraints of traveling to and within Europe right now, and quite possibly well into next year..
As bilbo says, if you do follow through with these plans, and I would heartily recommend that you don't, be prepared for mountains of paperwork at considerable expense with roadblocks at every turn. And yeah, a pool.
Be sensible - elope.
Valence d'Agen isn't all that far from where I live, and I adore this part of France, but for guests from - where do they come from? - say, the USA, not sure they'd "get it." It's rural, it's entirely francophone (and that's discounting the local dialects), it's deeply traditional, fabulous local food if you like offal, absolutely brilliant if you're used to very rural France, lovely scenery and many attractive small villages around. But for visitors mainly from afar, ummmm....why?
Gréolières falls squarely into the category of places I just don't want to be in France. Yes, it's preciously self-contained but close enough to the fast life of the Côte d'Azur to draw the moneyed crowd, but that holds no appeal for me. I can't speak for your guests or you.
How on earth did you come up with these two places? You actually say you really don't know anything about either of these places, so....WHY? Especially given the constraints of traveling to and within Europe right now, and quite possibly well into next year..
As bilbo says, if you do follow through with these plans, and I would heartily recommend that you don't, be prepared for mountains of paperwork at considerable expense with roadblocks at every turn. And yeah, a pool.
Be sensible - elope.
Last edited by StCirq; May 13th, 2020 at 03:29 AM.
May 13th, 2020, 04:05 AM
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It's a strange choice, IMO, given all the possible venues in France, but I agree with Bilboburgler.
Valence d'Agen isn't all that far from where I live, and I adore this part of France, but for guests from - where do they come from? - say, the USA, not sure they'd "get it." It's rural, it's entirely francophone (and that's discounting the local dialects), it's deeply traditional, fabulous local food if you like offal, absolutely brilliant if you're used to very rural France, lovely scenery and many attractive small villages around. But for visitors mainly from afar, ummmm....why?
Gréolières falls squarely into the category of places I just don't want to be in France. Yes, it's preciously self-contained but close enough to the fast life of the Côte d'Azur to draw the moneyed crowd, but that holds no appeal for me. I can't speak for your guests or you.
How on earth did you come up with these two places? You actually say you really don't know anything about either of these places, so....WHY? Especially given the constraints of traveling to and within Europe right now, and quite possibly well into next year..
As bilbo says, if you do follow through with these plans, and I would heartily recommend that you don't, be prepared for mountains of paperwork at considerable expense with roadblocks at every turn. And yeah, a pool.
Be sensible - elope.
Valence d'Agen isn't all that far from where I live, and I adore this part of France, but for guests from - where do they come from? - say, the USA, not sure they'd "get it." It's rural, it's entirely francophone (and that's discounting the local dialects), it's deeply traditional, fabulous local food if you like offal, absolutely brilliant if you're used to very rural France, lovely scenery and many attractive small villages around. But for visitors mainly from afar, ummmm....why?
Gréolières falls squarely into the category of places I just don't want to be in France. Yes, it's preciously self-contained but close enough to the fast life of the Côte d'Azur to draw the moneyed crowd, but that holds no appeal for me. I can't speak for your guests or you.
How on earth did you come up with these two places? You actually say you really don't know anything about either of these places, so....WHY? Especially given the constraints of traveling to and within Europe right now, and quite possibly well into next year..
As bilbo says, if you do follow through with these plans, and I would heartily recommend that you don't, be prepared for mountains of paperwork at considerable expense with roadblocks at every turn. And yeah, a pool.
Be sensible - elope.
The majority of wedding venues are not in the cities itself, and those in say Provence, or right in the Côte d'Azur, are mostly out of budget and are not that much easier to get to than the ones i've listed, which are not too far from major cities that i've been to before and liked.
Where would you suggest then if you think those options i chose are so stupid? And i have been to France before, including the south (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nice, etc) but never specifically to these areas, hence why i asked the question.
And i am fully aware of the marriage laws in France (and my fiancée is French). This post wasn't and isn't about that.
Last edited by Aerialyds; May 13th, 2020 at 04:11 AM.
May 13th, 2020, 04:37 AM
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You do not just go to the Cote d'Azur 'if bling is your thing'. There is a reason why it is so popular. Lots of pretty villages, beautiful drives, history.
While I don't know Gréolières, it is not too far from Gourdon, Tourrettes sur Loup, Vence. All lovely places to visit. Not at all 'bling'
June is not high season yet, even early July is very do-able. Your guests could combine it with a stay in Nice.
I don't know the other location, so cannot compare.
Good luck in planning, make sure you can cancel if you have to.
While I don't know Gréolières, it is not too far from Gourdon, Tourrettes sur Loup, Vence. All lovely places to visit. Not at all 'bling'
June is not high season yet, even early July is very do-able. Your guests could combine it with a stay in Nice.
I don't know the other location, so cannot compare.
Good luck in planning, make sure you can cancel if you have to.
May 13th, 2020, 05:12 AM
#7
Ah, Tulips we normally agree, but Nice is not my prefered place. Some of the excesses of the incomers irritate me, but yes there are some lovely places.
I got married in Italy but with one party being French I'd start by asking where her family is from because really a girl likes to have family around her on the big day. I still think the cheaper area is a nice place to stay, I've stayed in a bunch of Chateau around there and you often find lovely interiors hidden behind less interesting exteriors.
Alternatives, further south towards the Pyrenees might also be worth a look, famous for having been a bit poverty-stricken years ago you may find the odd wine vineyard that also does weddings.
I think the real issue is what will your guests do. my advice is 1) it's your wedding, 2) you shouldn't care you should focus on you and your soon to be wife, 3) they should be happy if you are happy, 4) arrange to have a formal wine tasting, truffle tasting, olive tasting, offal tasting, BBQ etc over the period, 5) bring in a load of bicycles and give them maps to enjoy themselves, 6) picnic preparations, 7) tour of local vineyards, 8) cooking course, 9) Yoga course, 10) Petanque match, 11) Tennis match.... So plan a bunch of stuff and control the budget so you enjoy the time while they enjoy themselves. Finally, I found leaving a bottle of wine in their room and bringing two massive plastic cubes of wine in from a local vineyard meant that everyone could drink to their heart's content.
In Italy we planned two things a day for 4 days, plus pool, plus bikes plus a farm to walk in etc and everyone was very happy. Keep it bucolic.
I got married in Italy but with one party being French I'd start by asking where her family is from because really a girl likes to have family around her on the big day. I still think the cheaper area is a nice place to stay, I've stayed in a bunch of Chateau around there and you often find lovely interiors hidden behind less interesting exteriors.
Alternatives, further south towards the Pyrenees might also be worth a look, famous for having been a bit poverty-stricken years ago you may find the odd wine vineyard that also does weddings.
I think the real issue is what will your guests do. my advice is 1) it's your wedding, 2) you shouldn't care you should focus on you and your soon to be wife, 3) they should be happy if you are happy, 4) arrange to have a formal wine tasting, truffle tasting, olive tasting, offal tasting, BBQ etc over the period, 5) bring in a load of bicycles and give them maps to enjoy themselves, 6) picnic preparations, 7) tour of local vineyards, 8) cooking course, 9) Yoga course, 10) Petanque match, 11) Tennis match.... So plan a bunch of stuff and control the budget so you enjoy the time while they enjoy themselves. Finally, I found leaving a bottle of wine in their room and bringing two massive plastic cubes of wine in from a local vineyard meant that everyone could drink to their heart's content.
In Italy we planned two things a day for 4 days, plus pool, plus bikes plus a farm to walk in etc and everyone was very happy. Keep it bucolic.
May 13th, 2020, 05:22 AM
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Ah, Tulips we normally agree, but Nice is not my prefered place. Some of the excesses of the incomers irritate me, but yes there are some lovely places.
I got married in Italy but with one party being French I'd start by asking where her family is from because really a girl likes to have family around her on the big day. I still think the cheaper area is a nice place to stay, I've stayed in a bunch of Chateau around there and you often find lovely interiors hidden behind less interesting exteriors.
Alternatives, further south towards the Pyrenees might also be worth a look, famous for having been a bit poverty-stricken years ago you may find the odd wine vineyard that also does weddings.
I think the real issue is what will your guests do. my advice is 1) it's your wedding, 2) you shouldn't care you should focus on you and your soon to be wife, 3) they should be happy if you are happy, 4) arrange to have a formal wine tasting, truffle tasting, olive tasting, offal tasting, BBQ etc over the period, 5) bring in a load of bicycles and give them maps to enjoy themselves, 6) picnic preparations, 7) tour of local vineyards, 8) cooking course, 9) Yoga course, 10) Petanque match, 11) Tennis match.... So plan a bunch of stuff and control the budget so you enjoy the time while they enjoy themselves. Finally, I found leaving a bottle of wine in their room and bringing two massive plastic cubes of wine in from a local vineyard meant that everyone could drink to their heart's content.
In Italy we planned two things a day for 4 days, plus pool, plus bikes plus a farm to walk in etc and everyone was very happy. Keep it bucolic.
I got married in Italy but with one party being French I'd start by asking where her family is from because really a girl likes to have family around her on the big day. I still think the cheaper area is a nice place to stay, I've stayed in a bunch of Chateau around there and you often find lovely interiors hidden behind less interesting exteriors.
Alternatives, further south towards the Pyrenees might also be worth a look, famous for having been a bit poverty-stricken years ago you may find the odd wine vineyard that also does weddings.
I think the real issue is what will your guests do. my advice is 1) it's your wedding, 2) you shouldn't care you should focus on you and your soon to be wife, 3) they should be happy if you are happy, 4) arrange to have a formal wine tasting, truffle tasting, olive tasting, offal tasting, BBQ etc over the period, 5) bring in a load of bicycles and give them maps to enjoy themselves, 6) picnic preparations, 7) tour of local vineyards, 8) cooking course, 9) Yoga course, 10) Petanque match, 11) Tennis match.... So plan a bunch of stuff and control the budget so you enjoy the time while they enjoy themselves. Finally, I found leaving a bottle of wine in their room and bringing two massive plastic cubes of wine in from a local vineyard meant that everyone could drink to their heart's content.
In Italy we planned two things a day for 4 days, plus pool, plus bikes plus a farm to walk in etc and everyone was very happy. Keep it bucolic.
Those ideas of what to arrange for guests sounds awesome! I was definitely thinking of organizing some activities for the guests and those are great ideas. And yes, if we do choose the cheaper place, it's actually at a beautiful old chateau.
May 13th, 2020, 05:40 AM
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Anyway, I think the area of Provence you are looking at is not really touristy.
Planning a wedding like this now - you cannot take anything for granted, Be prepared to cancel the whole thing if the virus stays around. I'm sure you know this.
Get advice from the in-laws!
Planning a wedding like this now - you cannot take anything for granted, Be prepared to cancel the whole thing if the virus stays around. I'm sure you know this.
Get advice from the in-laws!
May 13th, 2020, 06:20 AM
#10
Thank you!! This was very helpful. I'm the girl by the way Those ideas of what to arrange for guests sounds awesome! I was definitely thinking of organizing some activities for the guests and those are great ideas. And yes, if we do choose the cheaper place, it's actually at a beautiful old chateau.
Those ideas of what to arrange for guests sounds awesome! I was definitely thinking of organizing some activities for the guests and those are great ideas. And yes, if we do choose the cheaper place, it's actually at a beautiful old chateau.
May 13th, 2020, 06:25 AM
#11
One of the things we did for our wedding was to get the planner to organise a fleet of small vans (10 people) to pick up from airports, take us to olive oil tasting, visit towns etc. There is little worse than travelling around the world to an airport like Bordeaux and then to have to dig out a taxi when you then discover people at the same venue came on the same plane etc. it meant that getting to a place took place altogether, rather than waiting for shuttle action and did not cost too much as the local taxi drivers all worked on the project, not just one guy.
May 13th, 2020, 06:28 AM
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I have no advice, apart from talk to your in-laws and see if they have suggestions. Good to have them involved too, whether fiancée or fiancé. Also make sure anything you book is fully refundable, just in case this virus screws things up one way or another.
May 13th, 2020, 08:45 AM
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My wife & I have vacationed for 5 weeks near Greolieres - 4 weeks in St Jeannet & 1 in Entrevaux. Beautiful region. That area is quite remote - with no "bling".
Attached is a 35 page itinerary I wrote for the Cote d'Azur & Provence. It has lots of suggestions for villages & scenic gorges to visit in that region.
Stu Dudley
Attached is a 35 page itinerary I wrote for the Cote d'Azur & Provence. It has lots of suggestions for villages & scenic gorges to visit in that region.
Stu Dudley
May 13th, 2020, 10:29 AM
#17
I have to say that I do not totally agree with bilboburgler saying that the Cote d'Azur bein very "bling"... Obviously there are areas like these such as Cannes, Saint Tropez and Nice, but there is so much more to it. Beautiful little villages, stunning sceneries and Provence nearby. Moreover, your location doesnt seem to be really in the Cote d'Azur meaning you could go down if you want to or explore your area as you wish.
Personnally I would go for the second option, but that is only my opinion...
Hope this helps
Personnally I would go for the second option, but that is only my opinion...
Hope this helps
May 13th, 2020, 12:35 PM
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You can't go wrong with either place, but if I had to choose I would go with Gréolières.
Certainly, the Côte d'Azur is not just about the bling. In fact, I think this comes under the category of Worst Travel Advice I Have Ever Heard.
I am not much a fan of Nice in particular, but the area has tremendous villages, art, traditions, and a unique culture. It has the sea and mountains and waterfalls and cliffs, twisting mountain roads and dramatic hiking, farmland and vineyard, but your guests will need a car to get around. It is a great area for a vacation with an almost endless parade of things to do and see.
Certainly, the Côte d'Azur is not just about the bling. In fact, I think this comes under the category of Worst Travel Advice I Have Ever Heard.
I am not much a fan of Nice in particular, but the area has tremendous villages, art, traditions, and a unique culture. It has the sea and mountains and waterfalls and cliffs, twisting mountain roads and dramatic hiking, farmland and vineyard, but your guests will need a car to get around. It is a great area for a vacation with an almost endless parade of things to do and see.
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