The Best Wedding Venues in Vendée

The venues I keep coming back to

I have photographed weddings at dozens of estates across the region. A few I know intimately, because I have spent multiple full weekends working in them:

Domaine de l'Etablière
A Tuscan-style palazzo fifteen minutes from the ocean and from my studio, which makes it the venue I know in every light of every season. Warm ochre façades, an orangerie, a recently added hamlet of on-site lodging, and a rare privilege: it is one of the only Vendée venues where beach photos are possible on the wedding day itself. I shoot here constantly, in photo and film, including a gloriously colorful celebration. [E+A's colorful wedding there]

Château de la Flocellière in the Vendée hills, on the region's northeastern edge. Eleventh-century origins, a keep, formal gardens, and one of the warmest owner families I have met. I have shot at least four weddings here, including a three-day black-tie celebration for a Los Angeles couple and an intimate transatlantic wedding for a pair from Newport Beach. [A+A multi day celebration there]

Chateau de la Corbe
One of my favorite estates in Vendée, and the list's freshest news: for years weddings enjoyed the full domain, the glasshouse orangerie, the pool, the formal garden, the courtyard buildings and the park, without entering the château itself. It has just been renovated, and its salons and bedrooms are now open, magnificent, and ready for intimate wedding dinners inside. I knew the before; I can't wait to photograph the after.

Domaine de Brandois
A small château with a freshly renovated reception hall, polished service and a restaurant on site, which quietly removes a whole layer of logistics from your day. It suits open-air ceremonies particularly well, and I have photographed on multiple occasions here that ran with the smoothness the house is known for, and one editorial recently published in a magazine.

Domaine de la Chopinière
The venue whose four seasons I can prove: summer evenings, winter weddings with frost on the ground, spring ceremonies under cherry blossom, all in my archives, in photo and film. Two of its weddings live in my portfolio through their sequels, one continued to the Seychelles, the other to Norway's northern lights. [M+A's Seychelles honeymoon] [S+A's aurora elopement]

Chateau de la Barbinière
Near the Puy du Fou, and the modern counterpoint to Flocellière's period rooms: renovated contemporary interiors behind historic walls, helicopter arrival if your entrance demands it, and, to my knowledge, the only air-conditioned orangerie in the Vendée, a detail summer weddings learn to worship. I have photographed weddings here, including international couples, and editorial work for the magazine Se Marier en Vendée.

Domaine de la Gerberie
Deep countryside, with resident animals as part of the scenery and an owner I know well, having shot the estate's official photographs. Its signature is a superb oak allée where open-air ceremonies happen to birdsong; around it, yurts and a gîte for lodging, a handsome reception hall and shaded grounds for the cocktail hour. For couples who want to marry among trees rather than walls, this is one of the Vendée's loveliest answers.

We can also mention the stunning Villa Océan, overlooking the ocean with a breathtaking view, Domaine de la Moinardière and her two lovely managers Fanette & Vanessa, Restaurant Cayola for its acclaimed cuisine and views, as well as Orangerie du Chateau, Domaine de la Gautronniere, Domaine du Bois des Lys, Logis des Fougères and Villa Cristal

A word on vendors

Vendée has an impressive roster of seasoned wedding vendors experienced in working with international clients… and I know all of them. You'll find English-speaking planners, floral designer and caterers who rotate through various estates throughout the season. As someone permanently based here, I'm fortunate to have established relationships with exceptional professionals I'm confident recommending to my couple, feel free to ask about my favorites during our video call.