La Bastide de Gordes is an area so breathtakingly beautiful, it feels as though it was taken straight from the pages of a fairytale. At this cliffside hotel, lush gardens give way to ivy-draped stone walls to provide you with a setting that is nothing short of magical. As an English-speaking American photographer in France, I have been lucky enough to celebrate with countless couples as they exchanged vows in this space. Here is your guide to a La Bastide de Gordes wedding.
About The La Bastide de Gordes Wedding Venue
61 Rue de la Combe, 84220 Gordes, France
Just like the rest of the village of Gordes, La Bastide is a space rich in history. The town once housed the Romans until the fall of the empire. During the Middle Ages, it saw the construction of Castrum Gordone as well as the Senanque Abbey. As World War II ravaged the rest of France, the citizens of Gordes fought off the resistance, bravely standing against the Germans as they attacked the city. The reconstruction following the war brought in a new generation of artists whose works stand as a testament to the village’s proud past.
Built on 16th century ramparts, La Bastide first opened their doors in the 1980s before shuttering and reopening in 2015. During the renovation, the builders brought in artwork from the past while decorating the rooms with an 18th century motif. The result is a space that feels historic while bringing you the very latest in luxury. When it comes to planning your wedding in this space, you will love the timeless feel of getting married with the best accommodations in the entire village!
Details of the Grounds
La Bastide de Gordes gives you the ability to rent out the entire hotel so you can have a completely private wedding. They have 34 bedrooms and 6 suites as well as a spa and several swimming pools. You also have the ability to privatize only half the hotel so you will have access to 8 rooms as well as your own private garden. Whichever you choose, you will have plenty of space in your own suite ahead of the ceremony. The vintage decor will be the perfect accent throughout your get-ready pictures!
The hotel’s architecture is quite unique, with several tiers, each outfitted with lush gardens that overlook the village. Most of their ceremonies are held outside near the hotel’s outdoor pool. You will get married with the perfectly maintained hedges and the hillsides of Provence at your feet. If you choose, you can set up your archway in front of the clear blue pool, where it will glisten throughout all of your wedding pictures.
Once you make your way back down the aisle, your guests will be free to roam around and take in the views of the village. They can sip on premium cocktails and wines as the sun starts to set. Finally, your event will end with a dinner party either inside the gardens or at L’Orangerie, an outdoor restaurant with cafe-style tables situated on the cobblestone. As you feast beneath olive trees, you can share a toast to your future. La Bastide can host up to 120 guests. They have a number of indoor banquet rooms where you can move your celebration in the case of rain.
Photography Opportunities
On the morning of your La Bastide de Gordes wedding, you can get ready in the hotel room, where we can take candid pictures of you at your wedding party. The balconies and the gardens around the grounds will be dreamy spots for individual portraits. When it comes to your couple’s portraits, I highly suggest journeying out just outside of the hotel. Gordes is a ridiculously photogenic village with a little bit of magic hiding around each corner. As you walk through the stone streets of the town, you will stumble across quaint shops and centuries-old architecture. Throughout the summer, vibrant flowers bloom outside of buildings.
Throughout the autumn, the hillsides turn to rust. One of my personal favorite spots is the entrance of Gordes. There is a stone lookout where you can stand with the village just behind you. While it is beautiful at any time of day, as the sun starts to rise, it becomes downright transcendent. If you have a smaller wedding with fewer guests, you also might have the chance to sneak away to the lavender fields of Provence nearby. Throughout early July, these legendary fields start to blossom with vivid rows of purple. I have had couples take pictures in the fields before heading to Gordes for their elopement.
Wedding Details
La Bastide is a luxury hotel that will ensure your wedding is nothing short of a dream! While most people are worried about the accessibility of a hotel on a hill, the center has taken steps to make it available for all. A road leads directly to the turning circle right in front of the hill, where a valet can take your car. There are also elevators that will take you from one floor to the next. While booking rooms at the hotel is never a bad idea, they do not require you to book any to reserve the garden space. You can spend your day on the grounds before heading off to your accommodations of choice.
One of the best parts of this hotel is the kids’ area. This hotel is exceptionally family-friendly, with a Kids’ Club for children of every age. They have a summer camp where you can drop off your children, and trust they will be in safe hands. As your group celebrates, your child can play pool, compete in games, and unleash their inner artist. It’s a fabulous way to have a kid-free wedding while still giving families the chance to attend.
I Hope Your La Bastide de Gordes Wedding Is Absolutely Stunning
If you are looking for a stunning space for your hillside wedding, a La Bastide de Gordes wedding is going to be your spot! Now, you just need the right person to help you document your celebration. That’s why I am here! I am an English-speaking American photographer in France, and I adore working with couples to capture their weddings. I would love to be there for you so you can make memories throughout your adventure. If you would like to learn more, send me a message today so we can connect!
