A taste of Beaujolais

I’ve always envisioned myself living in a beautiful house in rural France, overlooking rolling fields and vineyards, eating croissants and cheese to my heart’s content (or until my waistline allows it), so I was delighted at the chance to visit Le Domaine de Vavril. This gorgeous 19th-century estate, nestled in the rolling Beaujolais hills, looks like it’s straight out of a postcard – complete with quaint shuttered windows and all.

From the get-go, Le Domaine was our luxurious home-away-from-home. With nine cosy bedrooms, a huge traditional kitchen with gorgeous original features, a separate ballroom, plus an outdoor heated swimming pool, it is the perfect setting for a destination wedding.

To make the process of getting married abroad a little easier, the estate’s very own event planner, Maud, is on-hand to help plan your day exactly as you want it. We experienced a little taster of the type of services that can be arranged, such as all-vegetarian catering (a rarity in France – but anything is possible at Le Domaine) from local company Feed Traiteur, hair and make-up for the bridal party from beauty experts at Beauty Art Coiffure and wine tasting at the on-site winery. We even got to venture out in an original Charleston 2CV car for a picnic in the surrounding fields – I felt like Brigitte Bardot, although the wind in my hair perhaps looked slightly less glamorous… Whatever your wedding-day needs, the staff will ensure they are a reality.

For couples seeking a weekend wedding takeover like no other, where you can relax and celebrate with your loved ones in total privacy, enjoying views of rolling fields and vineyards, this is the ideal setting.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to have their own French country house, even if it is just for a few days…?