John & Elena

Useful Information

Everything you need for three days in Provence

The Essentials

When?

1

Tue · June

Welcome Party

2

Wed · June

The Wedding

3

Thu · June

Farewell

We'd love for you to be with us for the whole celebration. It's a midweek wedding, so plan to arrive by Monday, May 31 (or earlier) and depart Thursday.

Where?

Domaine des Barrenques, a 15th-century château in Lamotte-du-Rhône, in the Vaucluse region of Provence, southern France. It sits in a 6-hectare park with views toward Mont Ventoux, about 40 minutes from Avignon.

Dress code?

Black tie / formal. We'll share more specific guidance per event closer to the day. Two practical notes: it will be hot, so lean toward lightweight, breathable formalwear — and the ceremony and cocktails are partly on grass and gravel, so stilettos may sink.

Getting There

This is a destination wedding, and most of you are travelling a long way — so here's the lay of the land.

Which airport?

The closest major airport is Marseille Provence (MRS), about 50 minutes from the venue. Avignon TGV station is the other key hub, around 40 minutes away, and is the easiest rail gateway into the region.

Coming from New York?

The simplest route is a flight to Paris (CDG), then a high-speed TGV train south — direct trains run from CDG straight to Avignon without going through central Paris, taking roughly 2 hr 40 min to 3 hr 20 min. Or connect through Paris or another European hub to Marseille (MRS) and drive from there.

Coming from Australia?

You'll connect through a major hub (Dubai, Doha, Singapore, or a European city such as Paris or Frankfurt). Easiest is to route through to Marseille (MRS) and drive the final leg, or fly into Paris (CDG) and take the TGV down to Avignon. Given the distance, consider arriving a day or two early to shake off the jet lag.

On the ground?

You'll want a car. The venue is in the countryside and everyone is self-driving, so we recommend booking a rental at your arrival airport — from Marseille it's roughly a 55-minute drive. Sat-nav address and parking details will follow closer to the date.

Want to carpool?

You don't all need your own car. If you'd like to carpool, tell us — we're happy to pair people up by arrival airport and timing so you can share the drive (and the rental).

Where to Stay

We want this to feel like a relaxed few days together, not a scramble. There's a range of lovely accommodation nearby — from charming guesthouses to hotels in Avignon and the surrounding villages, at a mix of price points. We'll post a curated list of recommendations (with booking links) here soon.

If you'd like a hand sorting out where to stay, just reach out — we're more than happy to help. And if you're open to sharing an Airbnb or bunking up with other guests to split costs (and make it more fun), let us know and we'll connect people who want to share.

The Area

If you've never been to this corner of Provence, you're in for a treat. The château sits in the Rhône valley, where Provence meets the Occitanie region — a quieter, less touristy stretch than the lavender-postcard south, full of Roman ruins, medieval villages, and some of France's most famous vineyards. A few places worth the drive:

  • Pont-Saint-Esprit The nearest town and your closest spot for groceries, cafés and essentials. A characterful old river town named for its 700-year-old medieval bridge across the Rhône — the oldest of them all. Its Saturday-morning market is one of the best in the region.
    10 min
  • Orange Home to a spectacularly preserved Roman theatre (a UNESCO World Heritage site) that still hosts concerts today, plus a Roman triumphal arch. An easy, atmospheric half-day out.
    25 min
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape One of the world's great wine villages, set among the southern Rhône vineyards. Tasting rooms abound — book ahead if you'd like a proper cellar visit. The ruined papal castle above the village is worth the climb for the view.
    35 min
  • Avignon The historic walled city of the popes, who ruled here in the 14th century. See the vast Gothic Palais des Papes and the famous half-bridge of the nursery rhyme. The biggest town nearby for shopping, dining and sightseeing.
    40 min
  • Pont du Gard A breathtaking three-tiered Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon river — nearly 2,000 years old and one of the best-preserved in the world. You can swim in the river below it on a hot day.
    45 min

A note on the weather

Early June in inland Provence is hot and sunny — expect low-to-mid 30s°C (high 80s to mid 90s°F) by day, occasionally hotter, with warm evenings that cool pleasantly after dark. Bring strong sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and breathable fabrics. The venue has two pools, so pack swimwear.

A Few More Things

Can I bring a plus-one or my kids?

Please refer to your invitation — your RSVP will reflect exactly who we've reserved a place for. If anything's unclear, just ask.

RSVP?

We'll send formal invitations with full details closer to the day. For now, save the dates and start thinking about flights — booking early makes a real difference on both price and availability.

Gifts?

No gifts, please — truly. Your presence in Provence is the only gift we want. If you'd like to do something anyway, the best thing is simply to come and celebrate with us.

✦

We can't wait to celebrate with you in Provence.