Top 11 wedding venues in Southwest France

Choosing to get married in the southwest France is a brilliant idea because it offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, exceptional local cuisine, and renowned vineyards create an exquisite backdrop for your wedding day.

On the other hand, finding wedding venues in Southwest France involves many considerations. Will the venue accommodate all your guests? Or at least a significant portion of them? Is it conveniently accessible from airports and train stations? These are the questions likely racing through your mind.

But fear not! This article is your ultimate guide, presenting exquisite French wedding venues along with essential practical information. Say goodbye to the stress of searching endlessly!

Wedding venues in Bordeaux and around

Chateau de Garde

image via Château de Garde

If you’re drawn to the Bordeaux region for its wines, Chateau de Garde is the perfect choice as it’s located in the middle of vineyards. Despite its proximity to Saint-Emilion, the wines produced around the château bear the esteemed Entre-Deux-Mers designation, which happens to be my personal favorite white wine to pair with oysters. This 18th-century château has been thoughtfully renovated, emanating timeless elegance and charm, making it an ideal wedding venue in Southwest France for you and your guests to savor the weekend of a lifetime. Plus, if you appreciate the monochromatic aesthetic of Burren’s column in Paris, you’re certain to I’m certain you’ll love the chateau’s courtyard…

Getting there: Located 10km from Saint-Emilion. By car, it will take you 40 min both from Bordeaux train station and Bordeaux Airport.

Accommodation: Located in the château and the “Maison du Métayer”. 13 rooms, sleep up to 40 people.

Facilities: Modern kitchens in each building, French garden and a swimming pool.

Capacity: Up to 120 guests

Catering: No, recommendations are available

Price: Starting from 6,500€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Château de Garde’s website.

image via Villa La Tosca

Finally, we come to the last, but certainly not the least, of the wedding venues in the Bordeaux region – the exquisite Villa Tosca, located in the stunning Bay of Arcachon (known as Bassin d’Arcachon in French). Frontline to the beach, you will appreciate the particular architecture of the villa, dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century, very typical of the area around the bay, especially in the town of Arcachon – that I highly advise you to visit. This place makes a perfect wedding venue if you dream about getting married by the sea, but still fancy that French garden vibes.

Getting there: By car, it takes 40 min from Bordeaux Airport and 1h from Bordeaux train station.

Accommodation: 5 rooms, sleeps up to 15 people

Facilities: All household appliances, natural swimming pool, private access to the beach and a boule/petanque court

Capacity: Up to 120 guests

Catering: No, recommendations are available

Price: Between 9,900€ and 24,900€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Villa Tosca’s website.

Château Sentout

image via Château Sentout

The owners of the Château Sentout seem to have a passion about flowers because this wedding venue is an absolute charming mix of a French rustic architecture and a rose garden. You will love to host an outdoor dinner under the fairy lights in the courtyard surrounded by charmingly preserved ruins. This place offers a very atypical scenery, where you could fully go with old barn vibes or embrace what mother nature has lovingly reclaimed.

Getting there: Conveniently located at the gates of Bordeaux: 25 min from Bordeaux train station and 35 min from Bordeaux airport.

Accommodation: 24 rooms, sleeps up to 50 people. 1 room on the ground floor for a person with disability.

Facilities: a small chapel and a swimming pool.

Capacity: Up to 100 guests

Catering: No, recommendations are available

Price: Starting from 11,500€ (high season) and 7,850€ (mid-season)

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Château Sentout’s website.

Château Couffins

image via Château Couffins

The Château Couffins, a splendid 19th-century French chateau built in the characteristic white stone blocks of Bordeaux architecture, stands as a picturesque testimony of its era. Constructed in 1874, it once held a prestigious status as a renowned wine estate, though its reputation declined during the 1920s. Today, under family ownership, it has undergone extensive renovation and transformed into a thriving cattle and cereal farm, and, most importantly, a remarkable wedding venue. Situated just at the outskirts of Bordeaux, it continues to enjoy the tranquility offered by its vast park and the serene surroundings of open fields.

Getting there: The château is located at the gates of the city of Bordeaux, and is as close as it gets:

• 35 minutes from Bordeaux train station
• 30 minutes from Bordeaux-Mérignac airport

Accommodation: Sleeps up to 20 people

Facilities: a vast park and a swimming pool

Capacity: Up to 120 guests

Catering: No, recommendations available

Price: Starting from 5,700€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Chateau Couffins website.

Wedding venues in Dordogne

Château La Durantie

image by Joanne Rabenarisoa Photography

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Dordogne, in the southwestern France, the Château La Durantie stands as an exquisite testimony of the 19th-century architecture, meticulously preserved to become a stunning wedding venue. What captivates me most about this splendid estate is its expansive and enchanting garden, providing a diversity of options for outdoor wedding ceremony locations. Furthermore, the presence of a swimming pool and a well-appointed tennis court will keep your guests entertained during their stay at the chateau.

Looking for more inspiration on this venue? Check out Danielle & Stephen’s wedding here.

Getting there: The château is located at the heart of the Dordogne region and at the crossroads of important French towns that are Bordeaux, Toulouse and Limoges. Having a car is required to reach the chateau.

Here’s the driving time from different stations:

• Limoges airport: 50 min
• Brives airport: 50 min
• Bergerac airport: 1h30
• Bordeaux airport: 2h
• Toulouse airport: 3h
• Limoges train station: 1h

Accommodation: Rooms in the chateau, the coach house and the cottage. Sleep up to 44 people

Facilities: a beautiful vast garden, a swimming pool and a tennis court

Capacity: Draped marquee hosts the party night, 18*9 meters, with a wooden floor for up to 150 guests

Catering: No, recommendations available.

Price: Starting from 15,000€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Chateau La Durantie website.

Château de La Valouze

image by Joanne Rabenarisoa Photography

Among my selection, Château La Valouze stands as the most recent wedding venue in Southwest France since it has “only” been built in the mid-20th century, under the ownership of Earl Gustave Arlot de Saint-Saud. Although limited historical information is available about this exquisite château, you will be pleased to know that one of its former owners played a significant role in popularizing the Impressionist movement on a global scale. Each room in the château has been meticulously and uniquely designed, striking a harmonious balance between history and modernity, showcasing impeccable taste in every detail.

Personal favorite: The bridal suite’s private balcony provides the perfect spot for the bride and her bridesmaids to relax, and enjoy some quality moments together before the wedding ceremony.

Getting there: Located at the frontier between the Gironde and Dordogne region, surrounded by the beautiful forests of the Périgord Vert, the Chateau la Valouze is only reachable by car. Car rentals are easily accessible in the hub points.

Here’s the driving time from different places:

• Bordeaux train station: 1h
• Bordeaux airport: 1h
• Bergerac airport: 50 min

Accommodation: Rooms in the château and surrounding buildings. Sleep up to 61 people.

Facilities: 34 hectares of park, 3 lakes, a swimming pool and a bamboo forest

Capacity: The spacious old stable (converted into a ballroom) can accommodate up to 150 seated guests (perfect in case of rain). However, having an outdoor dinner is also possible on the terrace under the string lights.

Catering: No, recommendations available.

Price: Starting from 12,000€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Chateau La Valouze website.

Chateau du Raysse

image by Joanne Rabenarisoa Photography

This unique château has a history that traces its origins to the 12th century when the Raysse family built the tower, back when the western half of what is now France was owned by the crown of England. Today, as a distinguished wedding venue in Southwest France, this château takes pride in offering a captivating setting for your special day. You’ll find yourself charmed by the numerous locations available for your wedding ceremony, completed with contingency options in case of rain. With its aged grey stone architecture, the Château du Raysse is certain to infuse your event with the ambiance and allure of the French Middle Ages.

Getting there: The château is only accessible by car since it’s nestled in the middle of the Perigord but still easily reachable:

• Brive Airport: 25 min
• Bergerac Airport: 1h40
• Toulouse Airport: 1h45
• Bordeaux Airport: 2h30
• Angoulème Airport: 2h40

Accommodation: 3 lodgings: The Château, the Pigeonnier and the Maison du Parc, sleep up to 37 people

Facilities: 2 swimming pools, a kitchen in each lodging

Capacity: Up to 100 guests

Catering: No, recommendations are available.

Price: Quotation available on demand

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Château du Raysse’s website.

Wedding venues near Toulouse

Château de Fajac La Relenque

image by Joanne Rabenarisoa Photography

Originally, the chateau was a 16th-century building perched atop a hill, in a state of considerable disrepair. It was in the late 1980s that the current owners’ mother acquired it and embarked on a journey of restoration. Today, the inviting charm of its weathered brick walls has won the hearts of countless couples who have chosen this distinctive yet enchanting wedding venue to exchange your vows. The moment you step inside, a warm, a true family home atmosphere envelops you, as you are greeted by the true master of the place: the cat.

Getting there: The château is located at 45min from Toulouse airport and train station. You will need a car to get there.

Accommodation: Rooms and suite in the chateau, the loft and the dormitory. Sleep up to 32 people

Facilities: parkland on a hill and stretch tent

Capacity: Up to 100 guests

Catering: No, the venue has great partners (tried and tested).

Price: Starting from 3,000€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Chateau de Fajac website.

Château Engalin

image via Château Engalin

Located in the picturesque Gascony countryside, the Château Engalin is a true gem built with a harmonious blend of light bricks and white stone, stands as a testament to the past. What sets the Château Engalin apart is its careful and subtle indoor modern renovation. It creats a captivating contrast that seamlessly marries old-world charm with contemporary elegance. One of the highlights of this wedding venue is the preserved ruins of an ancient church, the perfect backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

Getting there: By car, you will get there in 1h from Toulouse International Airport and Montauban train station, and 1h15 from Toulouse train station.

Accommodation: Up to 30 people

Facilities: A swimming pool, a small chapel and rooms on the ground floor for people in wheelchair.

Capacity: Up to 120 guests

Catering: Yes, the château has its own chef.

Price: Starting at 30,000€ (mid-season) and 40,000€ (high-season)

Find more information and pricing guides directly on the Château Engalin’s website.

Wedding venues in the Basque Country

Emak Bakea

image via Emak Bakea Zankyou

Emak Bakea (“Give us peace” in Euskara) used to be a small Basque family farm before undergoing a remarkable transformation to become a captivating wedding venue. Perched on a picturesque cliff, it offers a breathtaking view on the Atlantic Ocean. The house has a very typical Basque architecture, with its white-washed walls and vibrant red beams, encapsulating the spirit of the region. In the backyard, you’ll discover a lovely corner that sets the stage for a perfect wedding ceremony, providing an unobstructed view of the ocean. This venue is a place where you can say your vows with the ocean as your witness and celebrate with your loved ones against a backdrop of natural beauty that is both serene and awe-inspiring.

Personal note: Since it’s basically like having a backyard wedding (with a view), I highly suggest you getting help from a local wedding planner since a lot of furniture rental will be needed.

Getting there: The villa is located 20 min from Biarritz Airport and the closest train station is Guéthary (with a direct train from Bordeaux). From Spain, Emak Bakea is located 30 min from San Sebastian Airport.

Accommodation: 3 rooms

Facilities: A real home kitchen and cliff garden.

Capacity: Up to 90 guests

Catering: No, recommendations available.

Price: Quotation available on demand

Find more information and pricing guides directly on Emak Bakea’s page.

Gaztelur

image via Gaztelur

As the only actual restaurant in this collection of wedding venues in the Southwest France, Gaztelur offers an unparalleled gastronomic experience, characterized by its unwavering commitment to culinary excellence. This ancient mansion, dating back to 1401, is a true testament to history and heritage. This remarkable wedding venue is enveloped by the region’s abundant natural splendor, featuring extensive fields and majestic mountains. For me, what sets Gaztelur apart is its enchanting green house, a haven for flower enthusiasts and those who appreciate the beauty of botanical decor. This vegetal space provides an idyllic setting for a wedding dinner in the middle of the vibrant colors and fragrant blooms of nature, creating an atmosphere that’s both elegant and enchanting.

Getting there: Here are the durations to reach the restaurant by car from different arrival platforms:

• San Sebastian Airport: 35 min
• Biarritz Airport: 10 min
• Biarritz train station: 5 min

Accommodation: No rooms.

Facilities: A vast parkland with a flower garden, a greenhouse, and a restaurant led by 1-star Michelin chef Fabrice Idiart.

Capacity: Up to 150 guests

Catering: Yes, for less than 60 guests the restaurant will provide the food. Above 60 guests, they will recommend you caterers.

Price: Start at 16,000€

Find more information and pricing guides directly on Gaztelur’s website.

Final words

To conclude, I’d say that Southwest region does really offers a rich diversity of marvellous backdrops to celebrate your wedding in France, from the charming Atlantic coast farm house to the romantic brick château overlooking the Gascony valley. Whether you dream of saying “I do” in a centuries-old estate or amid the picturesque gardens, this region provides a tapestry of options to make your wedding in France a truly unforgettable experience. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking natural beauty, Southwest France promises to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. So, embark on this enchanting adventure, and let the French magic weave its charm into the tapestry of your love story. As a local -check out my details page, I promise I’ll help you make the most of your photography time in the beautiful French venue you’d have chosen.

If you’re still not sure about where to get married in France, check out My Top 10 Wedding Venues in France.