Elopement Packages

No other chateau in France has the elegance, jaw-dropping beauty or fairytale architectural design than Chateau Challain. It really does feel like being in a princesses castle.

 

With its’ towering spires, marble spiral staircases, echoing hallways, ornate wood panelling, period furniture, objets d’art, manicured lawns, mature woods, sparkling lakes, turreted gatehouse and it’s setting in a picturesque French village, you really won’t find a more "French" chateau. All our suites have been lovingly restored to the highest standard. Each bedroom has it’s own unique character, absolutely brimming with high quality period furniture and fittings, gloriously comfortable four-poster beds, modernised bathroom facilities, wifi and everything else you’d expect in a high-class wedding establishment.
At Chateau Challain we pride ourselves on our ability to cater to the wide variety of requests we receive from brides and grooms. A traditional French chateau wedding isn’t complete without the best cuisine and wine, and with our large roster of chefs boasting menus ranging from delicately prepared French specialities to hearty BBQs you won’t be disappointed.

 

But the choices don’t stop there, we can offer any menu your hearts (or stomachs) desire. With a large gothic cathedral directly outside our gates, a small chapel within the chateau itself, our purpose built wedding gazebo, our fairytale turreted Memorial Tower, woodlands, bridges and gardens, there’s a huge choice of locations for your ceremony. But the options don’t stop there, for your reception dinner you could choose an all inclusive chateau wedding package with exclusive use of the chateau, and for your wedding reception seat 70 people in our grand dining room, another 50 in the adjoining dining room. Or if you prefer to be outside, we can lay carpet on our rear courtyard, decorated with flowers, fairy lights, candelabras and whatever else you can imagine and seat 120 people comfortably, or for even larger parties specialist marquees can hold well over 250 seated guests.

Chateau Challain has one thing that other chateaus in France don’t, Cynthia Nicholson. Cynthia is the owner and principal wedding planner at Chateau Challain and she has planned, organised, designed, and hosted hundreds of weddings over the years, not just at Chateau Challain but at locations all over the world. What this means for you is simple, Cynthia has the experience and knowledge needed to make your chateau wedding dreams come true. With her extensive knowledge of how to make the most complex of days easy for you, and her long list of local and international wedding vendors at hand, she can provide anything you want. Horse and carriage, you’ve got it. Floral decorations to make your heart sing, check. Advice on the logistics of getting all your guests to the chateau and accommodated, no problem. Unicorns, fireworks, themed parties, musicians, and a party to remember, it’s all in a day’s work for Cynthia.

 

Cynthia will guide and support you from the moment you choose to hold your special day at her French chateau, during your planning and budgeting, when you arrive at the airport, as you drive through our gatehouse, as your tour the chateau, throughout the rehearsal dinner, at your wedding breakfast, and from ceremony to reception and beyond. Cynthia is without doubt, 100% committed to ensuring your wedding at Chateau Challain will be the most memorable it can be

With so much on offer, you might think that a wedding at Chateau Challain will be beyond your budget. Well, our weddings range in price, as you would expect, but are probably more affordable thank you think. Many factors can determine the cost of a wedding, for example if you choose an all inclusive chateau wedding package with exclusive use of the chateau the cost will reflect that. The four things that will have the biggest impact on the price of your wedding at Chateau Challain are the time of year, the number of wedding guests, the number of suites you hire and the choice of food and drinks for your wedding reception. A one-night, mid-week, low-season wedding at the chateau with around 50 guests having a cash bar and three course meal can easily be accomplished for what most people would consider to be the “average” price of wedding. Add wedding planning and design, wedding photography, videography, additional nights accommodation, horse and carriage, make-up, entertainment and all the trappings of a lavish wedding and of course the costs will add-up. But if your heart is set on a French chateau wedding it can be accomplished within a reasonable budget range.

Chateau Challain is a large castle with 20 period-design suites within the main chateau building, and more modernised, yet elegantly decorated suites and bedrooms in the Coach House and Gate House. This means we can accommodate around 50 guests for your wedding. Book an all inclusive chateau wedding package and you’ll have exclusive use of the chateau and can take full advantage of all the wedding services on offer, and that includes accommodation at the chateau for your guests. We also have close ties with lots of local hotels, B&Bs and establishments and can arrange accommodation for all your guests if you chose to have a larger party. The benefit of hosting your wedding at Chateau Challain is that your guests will be treated to the same luxuries as you. And with all your guests staying under the same roof, a wedding at Chateau Challain means you can celebrate and party with your closest friends and family for the entire duration of your stay. You’ll be giving your guests THE most memorable wedding party and exiting adventure, they’ll be eternally grateful of your choice to hold your wedding at the chateau.

Chateau Challain is in the idyllic rural setting of the Loire Valley. Famous for it’s rolling landscapes, traditional vineyards and clement weather. Despite it’s location in the deep countryside, Chateau Challain is remarkably well connected with an international airport just 45 minutes drive away in Nantes. We can transport you and all your wedding guests, and even help you book flights and rental cars if you desire. Many of our brides and grooms choose to hold their wedding at the chateau, then spend a day or two afterwards in Paris, or exploring the nearby attractions in the Loire. And with so much to see and do in France, who could blame them? It really is one of the most beautiful, romantic places in the world. Absolutely perfect for weddings! So if you’re looking for a chateau in France for your wedding, look no further. We really are proud of what we’ve built over the years and we invite you to host your special day in the fairytale castle that is Chateau Challain. French chateau weddings are our speciality, and we welcome you with open arms.