Eloping in Provence, in southern France, is absolute magic, an incredible dream. Stunning landscapes, charming villages, lavender fields, olive trees, vineyards, and incredible, soft sunlight. It’s an incredibly romantic place to say your “I do’s”.
As wonderful as Provence is, it can be intimidating eloping in a foreign country. You may not know the laws regarding weddings or speak French very well or at all. Planning your happily ever after can be confusing, not knowing where to elope or what to watch out for, or even how to plan. But no worries, I have you covered! Eloping in Provence doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated.
Legally Getting Married in Provence
Can you legally get married in France? Yes, but it requires establishing residency, and most people don’t have the time or desire to do that. Instead, couples take care of the legal part in their home country, say at the courthouse. An elopement in Provence is a symbolic ceremony with no legal bearing, but is incredibly romantic, personal and meaningful. Not to mention, unforgettable.
What Kind of Ceremony Can I Have in Provence?
You can have the ceremony of your dreams in Provence! Some couples love to just read their vows to each other, without anyone else present. Other couples love the services of a celebrant or officiant, who will custom craft a ceremony based on your unique wishes. These ceremonies can be religious, spiritual, modern, contemporary—anything goes, as it’s your wedding day! Celebrants and officiants work with you very closely to understand your wishes and ensure that your ceremony is meaningful to you both.
What Time of Year Should We Elope in Provence?
While summers are quite hot in Provence, it’s also the time when the lavender blooms and the best time for swimming and outdoor activities. In addition, there are a lot of activities going on that can be super fun. All you need to do is stay somewhere with a pool to keep cool! The best summer months are June and July, August is doable but gets very hot.
If cooler weather is more your style, then the early autumn of September into mid-October could be ideal. The summer crowds are now gone, along with the stifling heat. It’s a lovely time to elope in Provence. Alternatively, the spring months of mid-April to May are also delightful, before it gets too hot and before the summer visitors descend on Provence.
The best months in Provence are May, June, July and September.
Where to Elope in Provence
Provence is so beautiful, and has so much to offer, it can be difficult to hone in on an area, but here are some of the very best places in Provence to elope.
Lavender Fields
The world-famous Provence lavender fields bloom in late June to mid-July, so if a lavender field elopement is something you dream of, plan your elopement around the first week of July.
Chateaux Weddings
There are some beautiful chateaux in Provence, and some of them are wonderful places to elope and stay, too. Have a look at Chateau d’Estoublon, a gorgeous estate outside of Saint Remy de Provence or the Hostellerie du Chateau des Fines Roches, outside of Avignon near Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Historic Provençal Villages
The most famous village in Provence is Gordes. It’s featured on the list of France’s most beautiful villages for good reason, it’s an absolutely stunning hillside village and its narrow cobblestone streets and stone buildings feels like walking through the pages of a fairy tale. Gordes has wonderful places to stay, to dine, and many activities in the area, as well. It’s a short 45-minute drive from Avignon, and Avignon is easy to get to as well from Paris, just 2 ½ hours by high-speed train.
Not far from Gordes is the unique village of Roussillon, which is built from the orange ocre that surrounds it. Also, on the list of the most beautiful villages, Roussillon is incredibly scenic and a great place for a unique Provence elopement.
Another gorgeous town in Provence is Les Baux de Provence, which is near Saint Remy de Provence, a town made famous as painter Vincent Van Gogh painted there. The mountains surrounding Saint Remy are incredible for hiking, and Les Baux, a gorgeous village on a rock (and yes, also on the list of the most beautiful villages in France), is surrounded by olive trees and vineyards. It’s so incredibly scenic, and there’s a lot to do here, including a golf course just down the road!
What Can We Do After Our Elopement?
The beauty of Provence is there is so much to do, but if you’d rather just relax, you can do that too!
- There are incredible dining options in Provence, one of the best dining experiences is in Gordes at Airelles La Bastide. This restaurant was even featured in an episode of Emily in Paris on Netflix!
- In addition to fine dining, you can also have a picnic in the olive groves, with incredible French wine and cheese, and of course, the best bread in the world!
- If you love to bike or hike, you’ll love Provence. There are so many great trails to get out in nature and breathe fresh air.
- Hot air ballooning is also possible in Provence, imagine seeing this stunning landscape from the sky!
- Wine tasting is a favorite pastime of many visitors, tour one of the local wineries and sample the wines produced in this area.
- Provence is one of the major producers of olive oil in France and many olive oil producers offer tastings and tours of their facilities.
- During lavender season, it’s fun to visit a lavender distillery and learn more about how the lavender is harvested and used in products like perfumes and soaps.
- Golf isn’t a big sport in France, but there’s a gorgeous golf course near Les Baux de Provence at the Domaine de Manville, as well as a driving range.
- Visit a local market, for super fresh produce and local specialties. Most Provence villages have weekly markets, and it’s a fun way to mix with locals, too!
Where to Stay in Provence
There are amazing and memorable places to stay for your elopement in Provence. Here are a few to consider.
Domaine de Manville – Maussane-les-Alpilles, outside Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence, 5-star hotel with spa and golf course
Baumaniere – just outside Les Baux, 5-star hotel with spa and dining
Airelles La Bastide – 5-star property in Gordes, with fine dining and spa, right in the heart of Gordes
Chateau des Fines Roches – this beautiful castle is in the middle of a vineyard, not far from Avignon and the famous Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and features charming rooms and grounds
Booking Your Wedding Vendors
There are wonderful vendors that you should consider for so that your elopement day in Provence is super special. You’ll want to remember every precious moment, so a great English speaking elopement photographer is essential. Additionally, you may like the services of an officiant or celebrant, and maybe you’ll love a flower bouquet. There are also some fantastic makeup artists in Provence to help you look and feel your very best. Try to reserve your vendors at least three months out, six months is even better.
As one of the best elopement photographers in Provence, I’ll help you plan your wonderful day in Provence, give you loads of advice, coordinate with your other vendors, and of course, capture stunning images of your wedding day that you’ll treasure forever. Don’t hesitate to reach out for more information, I look forward to helping make your Provence elopement dreams come true!
