Welcome Drinks

Wedding Day / Mariage

Chateau de Laubardemont

Sunday Brunch / Brunch de lendemain

Welcome to our wedding website! You have shaped our lives in ways big and small - whether you’ve known us for years or have come into our story more recently. However our paths crossed, you matter to us deeply, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this special occasion with you. We are always happy to help you work through details of your trip or answer any questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us. It means the world to us that you’re making the journey to join us.

Bienvenue sur notre site de mariage ! Vous avez façonné nos vies de mille façons, petites et grandes — que vous nous connaissiez depuis des années ou que vous soyez entré(e) dans notre histoire plus récemment. Quel que soit le moment où nos chemins se sont croisés, vous comptez énormément pour nous et nous sommes ravis de célébrer cette occasion si spéciale à vos côtés. Nous sommes toujours heureux de vous aider à organiser les détails de votre voyage ou de répondre à vos questions. N’hésitez surtout pas à nous contacter. Votre présence et le fait que vous fassiez le déplacement pour être avec nous nous touchent profondément.

Welcome!

Our Story / Notre Histoire

We met in an elevator, at work, many years ago in Washington DC. It was Aurelie’s first day at The Map Network in Dupont Circle and Jon loaded his bike into the elevator, said hello and mentioned that he had a college classmate named Aurelie. This struck Aurelie as she had never met a person in the US who knew another Aurelie. Over the months that followed, we became work spouses, swapping gossip and going on weekend adventures. And one day, we decided to become more than friends. Since then, we have weathered career changes, long stretches of distance for work and school, and built a life across four different states. We’ve traveled the world, become proud pet parents to a sassy peekapoo, and most importantly, welcomed two beautiful little girls into our lives. We can’t wait to begin this next chapter, surrounded by the family and friends who have brought so much color and joy to our world. Nous nous sommes rencontrés dans un ascenseur, au travail, il y a de nombreuses années à Washington DC. C’était le premier jour de Aurélie chez The Map Network lorsque Jon a fait entrer son vélo dans l’ascenseur, a dit bonjour et a mentionné qu’il avait une camarade de fac nommée Aurélie. Cela a surpris Aurélie, car elle n’avait jamais rencontré aux États-Unis quelqu’un qui connaissait une autre Aurélie. Au fil des mois, nous sommes devenus inséparables au bureau, échangeant des potins et partant à l’aventure le week-end. Puis un jour, nous avons décidé de devenir plus que des amis. Depuis, nous avons traversé des changements de carrière, de longues périodes de distance pour le travail et les études, et construit une vie à travers quatre États différents. Nous avons voyagé à travers le monde, sommes devenus les fiers parents d’un peekapoo plein de caractère, et surtout, avons accueilli deux magnifiques petites filles dans nos vies. Nous avons hâte de commencer ce nouveau chapitre, entourés de la famille et des amis qui ont apporté tant de bonheur à notre monde.

Getting to the Wedding Venue: The Chateau de Laubardemont, Abzac France The wedding venue is a private estate a little under 1 hr drive east from downtown Bordeaux city (50-55 mins without traffic), in the St Emilion wine region.&nbsp; Libourne, a larger regional town, is 20 mins south of the venue and has a train station with trains to Bordeaux and Paris. And the closest small town to the venue is Coutras (5 mins drive), which has a commuter train to/from the downtown Bordeaux train station.&nbsp; Bordeaux has an international airport and large train station. You will likely arrive through Bordeaux if flying. However, there is another option of flying into Bergerac, which has a smaller airport with flights from the UK and is about 1hr drive east of the venue in the Dordogne valley.&nbsp; Saturday and Sunday festivities will be at the Chateau de Laubardemont and the venue has parking on-site for those driving.&nbsp; On Saturday, depending on where guests are staying and interest, we can organize shuttle transportation between the venue and major lodging areas (Bordeaux-center, Libourne, Coutras). Please indicate in your RSVP or reach out to us. For Sunday brunch, you can park on-site, take a taxi/uber or arrive via train to the nearby Coutas train station and we can pick you up.&nbsp; For those coming from abroad joining us on Friday afternoon: you can drive, take a taxi/uber, or carpool with us/other guests. Please let us know in the RSVP if you need transportation assistance. Bordeaux Overview Bordeaux is the largest city just west of where Aurelie’s parents retired&nbsp;(they are about 2hrs east, in the Lot valley, just south of the well-known Dordogne valley). We’ve spent many trips enjoying the region’s history, natural beauty, and food and felt that it would be a wonderful opportunity to share this spot with those closest to us.&nbsp; On paper, Bordeaux is a charming city in southwest France known for its wine region and beautiful 18th-century architecture. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easily accessible by plane and high-speed train. Bordeaux is a great jumping off point to beaches, medieval villages, wine country and more.&nbsp;&nbsp; Check out the “Things to Do” page for attractions in the area.&nbsp; Getting Here - Plane The Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD) has direct flights from Paris (1h25) and other national and international airports (London, Madrid, Dublin, Barcelona, Amsterdam etc). The smaller Bergerac airport has some flights, including on Ryan Air from the UK.&nbsp; Getting Here – Train Bordeaux is very easy to get to by train from Paris. The TGV trains run throughout the day from Paris and it’s a short trip – under 2.5hrs. You can catch most trains from Gare Montparnasse in Paris and there are a couple daily options direct from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The Bordeaux train station is in the downtown area and close to sights &amp; hotels.&nbsp; If you’re coming to Bordeaux just for the wedding and want to make it a short trip, you could travel down Friday or Saturday morning and come back late Sunday or Monday morning.&nbsp;&nbsp; Another option is to take the train to/from Libourne. There are 2-3 daily trains that run direct between Libourne and Paris Gare Montparnasse. Other train options include a stop and change.&nbsp; Getting Here – Car Bordeaux is about a 6 hr drive from Paris and you can drive almost entirely by highway (A10). There are some cool places to stop along the way – Chartres, Loire Valley, Zoo Parc de Beauval, Cognac brandy region etc.&nbsp; Sample Bordeaux Region ItinerariesGiven its location, there are many great options for car or train trips. Bordeaux-French Atlantic: Head north and hit up the coastal Atlantic picturesque destinations of La Rochelle &amp; Ile de Re (French Nantucket) and surrounding beaches. Check out Puy du Fou medieval theme park and end in St Malo and Mont St Michel before heading back to Paris. Bordeaux-South West: Head east into the Dordogne valley, where you’ll find river/lake sports, perched medieval villages and several famous caves with prehistoric paintings, including the Lascaux Caves. We also really like the Peche-Merle Caves.&nbsp; Bordeaux-South/Spain: Head south into Basque country and travel along the Atlantic coast to famous beach towns Arcachon, Biarritz, San Sebastien (Spain) and Bilboa (Spain). You can keep going west across Spain &amp; into Portugal or veer east into the Pyrenees mountains.&nbsp; Bordeaux-South East/Spain: Head south east through the Dordogne and Lot Valleys, visiting the pink city of Toulouse and fortified medieval city of Carcassonne before crossing the Pyrenees into Spain, ending in Barcelona.&nbsp;

Getting Here & Around

Travel

ACCOMODATIONS There are several accommodation options depending on how close you want to be to the venue, if you’re renting a car and how much space you want (hotel room vs. Airbnb). This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means but provides some hotel options that we checked-out when we visited last August. There are many Airbnb and “Gîtes”(rental) options in the area near and around the venue too. If you’re interested in chatting more or seeing some pictures, please reach out – we’re happy to chat. Town of Coutras (4 mins from venue) This small town is the closest to the venue (4 mins drive). It’s quaint but has some basic services walking distance (bakery, restaurants etc) and has a commuter train that takes you directly into Bordeaux city center in about 40 mins. Hôtel Henri IV<a href="https://www.hotelcoutras.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel Coutras Henri IV Séjour proche St-Émilion Libourne</a>82-128 Euros per nightThis hotel is directly across from the commuter train station that takes you into Bordeaux. It has 12 rooms, all with A/C and different sizes and configurations. There are 3 family rooms for 3-4 people. If you stay here without a car, we can organize pick-ups to and from the venue. Taxi/uber options may be more limited. Rooms are blocked for our wedding guests until April 26 and cannot be reserved online unfortunately so as to keep the limited number of rooms available for our guests. To reserve, you can email the hotel at contact@hotelcoutras.com and mention that you are coming for our wedding and email or call. A 30% deposit is requested to reserve the room and can be done by phone or email via credit card. Aurelie can also assist with the reservation deposit if you email/text her with the room and nights you're interested in reserving. We included a chart below at the bottom of the page with all the room #s and details (click on the chart so that the full image is visible). City of Libourne (20 mins from venue) A historic and vibrant bastide town a 20 mins drive from the wedding venue. This mid-sized town is on the river and has a number of cute shops, restaurants and hotels. There are also tours of the town where you can learn more about the historic square and the town’s reputation as a gateway to the St Emilion and Pomerol wine regions. There is a commuter train that takes you into Bordeaux in about 45 mins. If you stay here without a car, we can organize a shuttle to and from the venue on Saturday for the reception. Uber/Taxi options also available. Hôtel Mercure<a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/6238/index.fr.shtml#origin=mercure" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hôtel 4 étoiles à Libourne - Mercure Libourne Saint-Émilion - ALL - ALL</a>90-140 Euros per nightThis is one of the larger hotels in town and walking distance to the river and downtown. All rooms have AC. The balcony rooms and suites were very recently renovated. The manager speaks English so you can call or email them. Logis Hôtel de la Tour<a href="https://hoteldelatourlibourne.fr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hôtel à Libourne centre ville - Hôtel de la Tour et Restaurant | Site Officiel</a>90-150 Euros per nightA charming hotel with 15 rooms very close to the hotel Mercure. The hotel is known for its restaurant and while we didn’t visit the rooms, the restaurant was packed when we stopped by! Hotel Ibis<a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/8510/index.en.shtml?_gl=1*b1vizz*_ga*MTAwMzI2NjU5Ny4xNzcwNjY2Njk3*_ga_SS2636QBDW*czE3NzA2NjY2OTUkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzA2NjY3MzYkajIxJGwwJGgxNTk3ODYxODU0*_fplc*Z09iaXROWnR3Q2l2c0U2Y003Yk5zOFhTSTRPclZVWWR3M2ZBd3ElMkYybjZHWmFrckdrbFRpVnJWb0FYeFhqNEslMkJLcXpnQ2JBdkl5RWQzMCUyQlJaS3dBR0t3ajUzZCUyQkZrNWQ3UmtVYlZjZmU0Q3QlMkZxWlNMQ3Jwa2s4U05mOVUxZyUzRCUzRA.." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ibis Bordeaux Saint Emilion - ALL</a>80-120 Euros per nightThis hotel is at the outskirts of Libourne on the road to St Emilion. We didn’t visit this hotel but Ibis is a reputable hotel chain. Parking is very convenient and a car is required as it's not located walking distance to a town. Town of Saint-Émilion (25 mins from venue) Saint-Émilion is a beautiful &amp; picturesque medieval village in the heart of Bordeaux’s wine country. A popular tourist destination, cobblestone streets are lined with wine bars/cellars and restaurants. We didn’t scope out any hotels here during our visit but you can find a variety of options online, including 4 and 5 star hotels like the beautiful Hotel de Pavie. If you have a car with you, just check that they have parking as the town gets busy and street parking can be challenging. City of Bordeaux (55 mins from venue) Bordeaux has a variety of hotel options, everything from modest boutique hotels to a 5-star InterContinental hotel. Here are a couple hotel options that we visited when we were in town. If you stay in downtown Bordeaux without a car, we can organize a shuttle to and from the venue on Saturday for the reception. Given the distance, it's worth considering if you want to get back so late on Saturday night. Uber/Taxi options available around town. Hotel Burdigala by Inwood Hotels<a href="https://www.burdigala.com/en/?param=1&amp;msclkid=0651d307e9d2192bbc24bbf0374b768f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Le Burdigala | Lifestyle Hotel Bordeaux | Official website</a>210-320 Euros per night83 rooms, a short walking distance to the heart of the Bordeaux city center. They have several room configurations, including doubles and suites for 4 people. All rooms have AC and the hotel is newly built. The Marty Hotel Bordeaux by Hilton Tapestry Collection<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bodeaup-marty-hotel-bordeaux/?msockid=18515e54e4c56ce730c84ac1e5c26d6d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marty Hotel Bordeaux, Tapestry Collection by Hilton</a>201-315 Euros per night61 rooms, also a short walking distance to the heart of the Bordeaux city center and very close to the Hotel Burdigala. Similar to the previous hotel, several room configurations with AC and is newly built. Hotel Madame<a href="https://www.hotelmadame.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel Madame | Official Website | Hotel in Bordeaux</a>150-182 Euros per nightA smaller boutique hotel with 18 rooms . Very centrally located in the heart of the downtown area. We didn’t have a chance to visit the rooms, but the manager was very friendly and shared an overview of the room options. Every room has a Dyson fan (no AC). Other Close-By Accommodations Recommended by Venue Domaine de Choisy (Abzac)2 Gites/rental (4 bedrooms)<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-four-a-pain-du-domaine-de-choisy.html?ssne=Abzac&amp;ssne_untouched=Abzac&amp;highlighted_hotels=6552929&amp;ss=Abzac&amp;dest_id=-1406563&amp;dest_type=city&amp;hp_avform=1&amp;origin=hp&amp;do_availability_check=1&amp;label=bin859jc-10CAsoTUIjbGUtZm91ci1hLXBhaW4tZHUtZG9tYWluZS1kZS1jaG9pc3lICVgDaKcCiAEBmAEzuAEXyAEM2AED6AEB-AEBiAIBqAIBuAK8_6jMBsACAdICJDNjOWJhNzAzLTUwODEtNDJiYy1iOGQ0LWJlMzA1ODcwMWYxOdgCAeACAQ&amp;sid=cf108a14357b53011df0101350e60dae&amp;aid=357028&amp;lang=en-us&amp;sb=1&amp;src_elem=sb&amp;src=hotel&amp;checkin=2026-06-26&amp;checkout=2026-06-30&amp;group_adults=2&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_children=0#availability_target" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Domaine de Choisy, Abzac (updated prices 2026)</a>Domaine Solaya (Coutras)Gite/rental with 2 bedrooms (5 people)<a href="https://domainesolaya.bookingturbo.com/fr/apartment/DOMAINESOLAYA/58359" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DOMAINE SOLAYA - DOMAINE SOLAYA</a>La Villa Bella (Abzac)Gite/Rental with 5 bedrooms (18 people)<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/la-villa-bella.html?aid=357028&amp;label=bin859jc-10CAsoTUIObGEtdmlsbGEtYmVsbGFIM1gDaKcCiAEBmAEzuAEXyAEM2AED6AEB-AEBiAIBqAIBuALKgKnMBsACAdICJGU4OTNkMWU3LWIwNzUtNGU2Ny05NzM3LWMyYzJkOGQzYzA3MNgCAeACAQ&amp;sid=cf108a14357b53011df0101350e60dae&amp;age=0&amp;checkin=2026-02-16&amp;checkout=2026-02-17&amp;dest_id=-1406563&amp;dest_type=city&amp;dist=0&amp;group_adults=2&amp;group_children=0&amp;hapos=1&amp;hpos=1&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;req_adults=2&amp;req_children=0&amp;room1=A%2CA&amp;sb_price_type=total&amp;soh=1&amp;sr_order=popularity&amp;srepoch=1770668112&amp;srpvid=2bdf8e66f981063a&amp;type=total&amp;ucfs=1&amp;#no_availability_msg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La villa bella, Abzac (updated prices 2026)</a>Domaine du Maine Blanc (Guitre)Gite/Rental with 5 bedrooms (19 people in 4 gites/rentals )<a href="https://www.rentbyowner.com/property/domaine-du-maine-blanc/AB-34048731" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Domaine du Maine blanc 【 FEB 2026 】 House in Bouex, France (2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom)</a>La Vielle Ferme (Coutras)Gite/Rental with 6 Bedrooms (12 people)<a href="https://www.lavieilleferme-holidayhome.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La vieille ferme | holiday home, maison de vacances | Coutras, France</a>Château Le Baudou (Coutras)Gite/Rental with 5 bedrooms (3 triples, 2 doubles)) and a heated pool.<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/631710148524478843?check_in=2025-08-25&amp;check_out=2025-08-29&amp;guests=12&amp;adults=12&amp;s=67&amp;unique_share_id=0797b82f-6210-4bcb-a720-b4658f8915a3&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1761332159_P3tsIO9DEInCha2N" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Château le Baudou, chambres d'hôtes avec piscine - Bed and breakfasts for Rent in Coutras, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France - Airbnb</a>Le Petit HavreLuxury glamping experience for two starting at 100 Euros.<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/940446595271143570?check_in=2025-08-25&amp;check_out=2025-08-29&amp;guests=2&amp;adults=2&amp;s=67&amp;unique_share_id=658b1570-912b-44ff-9579-42de4eb9123c&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1761332251_P3ghATpb8eOi_ytC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tente "Glamping " tout confort - Tents for Rent in Abzac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France - Airbnb</a> Lodging Tips: Hotel Room Occupancy: Europe in general is very strict about the number of people in a room, so, when you make your reservation, confirm how many will sleep in the room and what the room/rate allows. Children count and it’s rare to find a room that sleeps more than 3. Air Conditioning: It’s very possible that accommodations you are looking at don’t have AC. Generally speaking (unless there is a heat wave) the nights are cool and the weather is dry so the rooms stay comfortable. You can talk to the host about how hot the room/dwelling gets and if there are fans available. Obviously, if you prefer to have AC, this is something that hotels and Airbnb’s will list in the description so you can choose accordingly. Pool: If you’re renting a place with a pool, ask if the pool is heated. Nights can be cool, so the water may not stay at a comfortable temperature if not heated. Also, pools don’t all have the same level of child safety protocols (gates/alarms) etc, so, if you have little ones, stay vigilant. Bed Size: It’s common for hotel rooms to list bed size in centimeters. Here are some equivalencies:160x200: Between a US queen and a king size140x200: Between a US double and a queen size120x200: Slightly smaller than a US double90x200: US twin size

Where to Stay

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Below is a small sampling of interesting things to do in the area. We’ve also included some pictures from our visits! Libourne A taste of medieval France 20mins from the venue. Quaint bastide town at the doorstep of the St Emilion wine region alongside the Dordogne River. Beautiful public square, cobblestone streets, town tours, boutiques, cafes/restaurants, river strolls. Can be an easy morning or afternoon activity. St. Emillion Picturesque UNESCO-listed medieval village surrounded by world renowned wineries in stunning settings. Meander the streets, sit down for a glass of wine or a coffee, tour the Monolithic Church and King’s Tower, and enjoy the view of the rolling hillsides. Stop by the tourism office and join a walking tour in English. Can be an easy morning or afternoon activity. If you’d like to go wine tasting, there are a number of wineries close by that you can stop at and visit/taste. There are also many ½ day or full-day tours, including bike tours. Bordeaux City Center Stroll through this charming historic city. Take a historic city walking tour or meander through the neighborhoods. Check out the reflecting pools (Miroir d’Eau) – especially if you have small kids. Visit a museum, go shopping on Rue Sainte-Catherine, sit at a terrasse and enjoy a meal and try a canelé. Bordeaux Wine Museum - La Cité du Vin A modern museum &amp; wine culture center, dedicated to wine as a universal cultural heritage. Inside, there is an immersive, interactive experience that explores the history of wine, vineyards around the world, winemaking traditions, and the role of wine in different civilizations. There is a Belvedere on the top floor, where you can enjoy a glass of wine (or a non-alcoholic option) with panoramic views over Bordeaux. Les Sources de Caudalie This is the birthplace of the Caudalie skin-care brand (which Aurelie loves) that leverages grape antioxidants in its line. On site is a lovely vineyard and a hotel, spa and restaurant. You can spend a couple hours here getting a massage and having a delicious lunch at the outdoor terrasse (there are a couple restaurants including a 2-star Michelin restaurant). Arcachon Where Bordeaux summers. In under 1h from Bordeaux, take the train (or drive) to this chic coastal town right on the bay. Lay on the beach or take a dip (calm bay waters), order a seafood platter, stroll the boardwalk, hit the cute shops and enjoy the local Belle Époque architecture. You can do a day trip to the beach without a car – everything is walkable. Dune du Pilat The largest sand dune in Europe and directly south of Arcachon on the bay. Nestled in a beautiful pine forest. Climb up to the dune and admire the view or surf the sand dunes. We drove but there are a number of bike outfitters here if you want to bike around. Cap Ferret Wild beaches, pine tree forests, big Atlantic waves and a private residential feel. This is the “Cape Cod meets Hamptons” of France. You can take a ferry (one from Arcachon but there are others) or drive. The Atlantic side’s big waves make it a popular spot for surfing and kite surfing. The bayside is home to the “oyster villages” where you can find bayside huts to sample the fresh-caught oysters with a glass of white wine. Lacanau – Plage &amp; Lac West coast surfer vibes, very bike accessible and lots of fusion restaurants. The “Plage” or beach part of the town is right on the Atlantic and draws a large surfer crowd. The beaches are huge, windy with big waves - nice for a walk but not ideal for a swim. The downtown has a number of cute restaurants and beach shops.The “Lac” part of the town (about 15 mins drive away) is on the largest freshwater lake in France. Moutchic town is the closest. The lake is huge and very shallow and still and there is a big sandy beach. It’s pretty ideal for little ones who want to play in the water and those wanting to take a boat, kayak or windsurfer out. Fantastic area for cycling, with dedicated paths everywhere, fairly flat, and reasonably priced rentals if you want to stay after. Dordogne Valley Jon and I have spent much time in the Dordogne and adjacent Lot Valley where Aurelie’s parents live. This summary is from ChatGPT and pretty on the nose: The Dordogne Valley is one of France’s most picturesque regions, known for its rolling green countryside, dramatic river cliffs, and storybook villages. Winding along the Dordogne River, the area is dotted with medieval towns, golden-stone castles perched on hilltops, and prehistoric sites—including some of Europe’s most important cave art.For visitors, it’s a place to slow down and savor traditional French life: canoeing on the river, wandering weekly markets, exploring château-filled valleys, and enjoying hearty regional cuisine like duck confit, walnuts, truffles, and local wines. Here is a list of some places to visit that we’ve been to and enjoyed. Some of these could be done during a day-trip from the venue. -Sarlat-la-Canéda medieval town &amp; weekly market-Rocamadour perched village-Foret des Singes next to Rocamadour (animal sanctuary where the monkeys roam freely)-Cahors city (beautiful roman style city with cool fortified bridge and market day on Wed am)-Grottes des Peche Merle (smaller with original cave paintings) and Lascaux IV (new amazing museum and reproduction cave paintings). There are a couple others to visit too.-Gouffre de Padirac (underwater river cave with boat ride)-Medieval “fortified” Bastide towns (there are several including Montpazier)-St Cirq Lapopie (beautiful storybook village)-Château des Milandes (Josephine Baker's house - very cool visit with fun period decor)-There are all kinds of outdoors activities - hikes, kayaking, high ropes courses etc.-River Sports - kayaking, rafting, canoeing and boating on the Dordogne and Lot rivers-Swimming lakes with beaches and inflatable water toys in Montcuq and Catus

Things to Do

GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS FLIGHT TIPS: -Check regularly late night/very early morning (before 7am) on a weeknight (ideally mid-week like Tuesday/Wednesday) using an "incognito tab” as sites track you and can show you higher prices based on your search history. Clear your cash regularly for this same reason.-If prices have changed since you last checked, try waiting 72hrs and searching mid-week from a new device and new connection.-Leverage AI/ChatGPT sites to find the cheapest routes and prices. There are a number of prompts you can use for this if you do a Google search.-Check the time between layovers making sure that there is enough time (ideally 2 hrs for an international layover) and other flights that same day if ever you do miss your connection. FRENCH CARS: -If you can only drive automatic (not manual), make sure that you rent a car with an automatic transmission.-French cars sometimes use Diesel not Gas so confirm this with the rental company.-French cars are smaller than cars in the US so keep this in mind (especially if fitting more than just standard luggage - ex, strollers, pack n play etc).-If traveling with young children, give Aurelie or Jon a call for tips at the airport and hotels re. Stroller, car seats, crib/pack n’ play etc.-When driving in France, the "priorité à droite" rule means that vehicles approaching from the right have the right of way at intersections unless otherwise indicated.-France has Turo. We used it two years ago and rented a great car. We do have some tips to share to ensure that the process and communication with the renter goes smoothly, so, give us a call if you decide to go this route. JET LAG: -It takes about 1 day per 1hr of time difference to recover from jet lag. So, if you are coming from the East Coast, 6 days to fully adjust to France time.-The most important thing is to NOT sleep too much the first day when you land. This goes for you and the kids. Get to your hotel, take a quick shower and change, opt for a short 1-2 hour nap and get outside. Go to bed at a reasonable time (within a standard 8pm-12pm window) and don’t sleep more than 12 hours.-While it’s important to get on “France time”, it’s also ok to lean into the jetlag a bit. The sun sets late, dinner is usually after 8pm and the evenings are light out until 10pm, so, feel free to embrace the fact that you are waking up naturally at 9am and going to bed a little later. We use this to “flex” with the kiddos too- It’s so nice to have Chloe sleep in until 9am so that we can have a peaceful wake-up and child-free breakfast. FRENCH WEDDINGS: French weddings run later than American weddings. Dinner starts later, so get a good lunch and snack beforehand. Dancing runs to 2-3am, sometimes 4 or 5am. So, take advantage of the jetlag, and arrive a couple days before the wedding so that you still have plenty of energy at 1am (7pm EST). EATING &amp; SHOPPING: -Restaurant Tipping: All food and beverage prices are “TTC” (Toutes Taxes Comprises) which means that prices listed include taxes and a 15% service charge. As such, tipping isn’t at all necessary. But, if you were happy with your meal, you can tip a token amount (5% - this would be a couple euros or a 5 or 10 euro bill for a larger meal). Some restaurants will have a tip jar near where you pay.-Taxi Tipping: common tips for taxis are to round up (no need to add 10-20% on top of the bill)-If this is your first time in Europe and you’d like more information on cultural norms when dining, please reach out to us (ie timing, to go options, order customization etc).-If you’re making a purchase over 100 euros, you may be able to get the French tax back at the airport (10-13%), generally called tax-free or de-taxe. Talk to the shop owner about if they do this and what they need (usually passport information).-You should have no problem taking cash out at an ATM. If you pay with a credit card and the machine asks you to pay in EURO or USD, push the EURO button. The transaction rate your bank uses to convert to USD is generally better than the one advertised on the payment machine in the store. BATHING SUITS: If you’re going somewhere where this is a shared public swimming pool (hotel, resort etc), they sometimes have strict rules on bathing suits, specifically for men. They often don’t allow “baggy” swimsuits that you can wear as regular clothes throughout the day, specifically swim shorts/trunks. This is for hygiene reasons to keep the pool clean. So, they may require “speedo” or “speedo shorts”. You can check with your hotel and if you aren’t sure, bring a pair of the snugger variety just in case.

Travel Tips

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Accès au lieu du mariage : Château de Laubardemont, Abzac (France) Le lieu du mariage est un domaine privé situé à un peu moins d’une heure de route à l’est du centre-ville de Bordeaux (environ 50 minutes sans circulation), dans la région viticole de Saint-Émilion. Libourne se trouve à environ 20 minutes au sud du lieu du mariage et dispose d’une gare avec des trains Libourne/Bordeaux et Libourne/Paris. Il y a environ trois trains directs par jour entre Paris et Libourne. La petite ville la plus proche du lieu est Coutras (à 5 minutes en voiture), qui dispose d’un train de banlieue reliant la gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean. Les événements du samedi et du dimanche auront lieu au Château de Laubardemont, qui dispose d’un parking sur place.

Lieu & Accès

Hébergements Coutras (à 4 min du Château de Laubardemont) Cette petite ville est la plus proche du lieu de réception (4 minutes en voiture) et dispose d’un train de banlieue qui vous emmène directement au centre-ville de Bordeaux en environ 40 minutes. Hôtel Henri IV <a href="https://www.hotelcoutras.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel Coutras Henri IV Séjour proche St-Émilion Libourne</a> Cet hôtel se trouve juste en face de la gare. Des chambres sont bloquées pour nos invités jusqu’au 26 avril et ne peuvent malheureusement pas être réservées en ligne afin de préserver le nombre limité de chambres pour nos invités. Pour réserver, merci d’appeler ou d’envoyer un e-mail à <a href="mailto:contact@hotelcoutras.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">contact@hotelcoutras.com</a> en mentionnant que vous venez pour notre mariage. Un acompte de 30 % est demandé pour confirmer la réservation et peut être réglé par téléphone ou par e-mail via carte bancaire. Libourne (à 20 min du Château de Laubardemont) Ville bastide historique et animée située à 20 minutes en voiture du lieu du mariage. Un train de banlieue permet de rejoindre Bordeaux en environ 45 minutes. Hôtel Mercure <a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/6238/index.fr.shtml#origin=mercure" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hôtel 4 étoiles à Libourne - Mercure Libourne Saint-Émilion - ALL - ALL</a> Logis Hôtel de la Tour<a href="https://hoteldelatourlibourne.fr/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hôtel à Libourne centre ville - Hôtel de la Tour et Restaurant | Site Officiel</a> Hotel Ibis<a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/8510/index.en.shtml?_gl=1*b1vizz*_ga*MTAwMzI2NjU5Ny4xNzcwNjY2Njk3*_ga_SS2636QBDW*czE3NzA2NjY2OTUkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzA2NjY3MzYkajIxJGwwJGgxNTk3ODYxODU0*_fplc*Z09iaXROWnR3Q2l2c0U2Y003Yk5zOFhTSTRPclZVWWR3M2ZBd3ElMkYybjZHWmFrckdrbFRpVnJWb0FYeFhqNEslMkJLcXpnQ2JBdkl5RWQzMCUyQlJaS3dBR0t3ajUzZCUyQkZrNWQ3UmtVYlZjZmU0Q3QlMkZxWlNMQ3Jwa2s4U05mOVUxZyUzRCUzRA.." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ibis Bordeaux Saint Emilion - ALL</a> Hotel Ibis Budget<a href="https://all.accor.com/hotel/5979/index.en.shtml" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2-star hotel in Libourne - ibis budget Libourne - ALL - ALL</a> Autres hébergements à proximité recommandés par le lieu Domaine de Choisy (Abzac) 2 Gites/rental (4 chambres)<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/le-four-a-pain-du-domaine-de-choisy.html?ssne=Abzac&amp;ssne_untouched=Abzac&amp;highlighted_hotels=6552929&amp;ss=Abzac&amp;dest_id=-1406563&amp;dest_type=city&amp;hp_avform=1&amp;origin=hp&amp;do_availability_check=1&amp;label=bin859jc-10CAsoTUIjbGUtZm91ci1hLXBhaW4tZHUtZG9tYWluZS1kZS1jaG9pc3lICVgDaKcCiAEBmAEzuAEXyAEM2AED6AEB-AEBiAIBqAIBuAK8_6jMBsACAdICJDNjOWJhNzAzLTUwODEtNDJiYy1iOGQ0LWJlMzA1ODcwMWYxOdgCAeACAQ&amp;sid=cf108a14357b53011df0101350e60dae&amp;aid=357028&amp;lang=en-us&amp;sb=1&amp;src_elem=sb&amp;src=hotel&amp;checkin=2026-06-26&amp;checkout=2026-06-30&amp;group_adults=2&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;group_children=0#availability_target" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Domaine de Choisy, Abzac (updated prices 2026)</a> Domaine Solaya (Coutras) Gitel avec 2 chambres (5 personnes)<a href="https://domainesolaya.bookingturbo.com/fr/apartment/DOMAINESOLAYA/58359" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">DOMAINE SOLAYA - DOMAINE SOLAYA</a> La Villa Bella (Abzac) Gîte / location avec 5 chambres (18 personnes)<a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/la-villa-bella.html?aid=357028&amp;label=bin859jc-10CAsoTUIObGEtdmlsbGEtYmVsbGFIM1gDaKcCiAEBmAEzuAEXyAEM2AED6AEB-AEBiAIBqAIBuALKgKnMBsACAdICJGU4OTNkMWU3LWIwNzUtNGU2Ny05NzM3LWMyYzJkOGQzYzA3MNgCAeACAQ&amp;sid=cf108a14357b53011df0101350e60dae&amp;age=0&amp;checkin=2026-02-16&amp;checkout=2026-02-17&amp;dest_id=-1406563&amp;dest_type=city&amp;dist=0&amp;group_adults=2&amp;group_children=0&amp;hapos=1&amp;hpos=1&amp;no_rooms=1&amp;req_adults=2&amp;req_children=0&amp;room1=A%2CA&amp;sb_price_type=total&amp;soh=1&amp;sr_order=popularity&amp;srepoch=1770668112&amp;srpvid=2bdf8e66f981063a&amp;type=total&amp;ucfs=1&amp;#no_availability_msg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La villa bella, Abzac (updated prices 2026)</a> Domaine du Maine Blanc (Guitre) Gîte / location avec 5 chambres (19 personnes dans 4 gîtes / locations)<a href="https://www.rentbyowner.com/property/domaine-du-maine-blanc/AB-34048731" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Domaine du Maine blanc 【 FEB 2026 】 House in Bouex, France (2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom)</a> La Vielle Ferme (Coutras) Gîte / location avec 6 chambres (12 personnes)<a href="https://www.lavieilleferme-holidayhome.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">La vieille ferme | holiday home, maison de vacances | Coutras, France</a> Château Le Baudou (Coutras) Gîte / location avec 5 chambres (3 triples, 2 doubles) et piscine chauffée<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/631710148524478843?check_in=2025-08-25&amp;check_out=2025-08-29&amp;guests=12&amp;adults=12&amp;s=67&amp;unique_share_id=0797b82f-6210-4bcb-a720-b4658f8915a3&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1761332159_P3tsIO9DEInCha2N" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Château le Baudou, chambres d'hôtes avec piscine - Bed and breakfasts for Rent in Coutras, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France - Airbnb</a> Le Petit Havre Expérience glamping de luxe pour deux personnes à partir de 100 €<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/940446595271143570?check_in=2025-08-25&amp;check_out=2025-08-29&amp;guests=2&amp;adults=2&amp;s=67&amp;unique_share_id=658b1570-912b-44ff-9579-42de4eb9123c&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1761332251_P3ghATpb8eOi_ytC" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tente "Glamping " tout confort - Tents for Rent in Abzac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France - Airbnb</a>

Hébergements

Quelques idées de choses à faire dans la région Voici une petite sélection d’activités et de lieux intéressants à découvrir dans la région. LibourneUn petit aperçu de la France médiévale à seulement 20 minutes du lieu du mariage.Cette charmante bastide se situe aux portes de la région viticole de Saint-Émilion, au bord de la Dordogne. On y trouve une belle place centrale, des rues pavées, des visites de la ville, des boutiques, des cafés et restaurants, ainsi que de jolies promenades le long de la rivière. Une activité parfaite pour une matinée ou un après-midi. Saint-ÉmilionUn village médiéval pittoresque classé au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO, entouré de vignobles mondialement connus dans des paysages magnifiques. Flânez dans les ruelles, installez-vous pour un verre de vin ou un café, visitez l’Église monolithe et la Tour du Roi, et profitez de la vue sur les collines environnantes. Vous pouvez également passer par l’office de tourisme pour rejoindre une visite guidée à pied. C’est une excursion idéale pour une matinée ou un après-midi.Si vous souhaitez faire une dégustation de vin, plusieurs châteaux à proximité proposent des visites et dégustations. Il existe également de nombreuses excursions d’une demi-journée ou d’une journée, y compris des visites à vélo. Centre-ville de BordeauxPromenez-vous dans cette ville charmante et élégante. Participez à une visite guidée historique ou explorez simplement les différents quartiers. Découvrez le Miroir d’Eau (surtout si vous avez de jeunes enfants), visitez un musée, faites du shopping rue Sainte-Catherine, installez-vous en terrasse pour un repas et goûtez un canelé. La Cité du Vin – Musée du Vin de BordeauxUn musée moderne et centre culturel dédié au vin en tant que patrimoine universel. L’expérience immersive et interactive permet de découvrir l’histoire du vin, les vignobles du monde entier, les traditions viticoles et le rôle du vin dans différentes civilisations.Au dernier étage se trouve un Belvédère, où vous pourrez déguster un verre de vin (ou une option sans alcool) tout en profitant d’une vue panoramique sur Bordeaux. Les Sources de CaudalieC’est ici qu’est née la marque de soins Caudalie (qu’Aurélie adore), connue pour utiliser les antioxydants de la vigne et du raisin dans ses produits. Sur place, vous trouverez un magnifique vignoble ainsi qu’un hôtel, un spa et plusieurs restaurants. Vous pouvez y passer quelques heures pour un massage, puis profiter d’un délicieux déjeuner en terrasse. ArcachonÀ moins d’une heure de Bordeaux, vous pouvez rejoindre cette élégante station balnéaire en train ou en voiture. Profitez de la plage ou d’une baignade dans les eaux calmes du bassin, commandez un plateau de fruits de mer, promenez-vous sur la promenade du front de mer, découvrez les jolies boutiques et admirez l’architecture Belle Époque.C’est une excursion facile à faire sans voiture, car tout est accessible à pied. La Dune du PilatLa plus grande dune de sable d’Europe, située juste au sud d’Arcachon, au bord du bassin. Elle est entourée d’une magnifique forêt de pins. Grimpez au sommet pour admirer la vue ou amusez-vous à descendre la dune. Nous y sommes allés en voiture, mais il existe aussi plusieurs locations de vélos dans la région pour explorer les alentours. Cap FerretDes plages sauvages, des forêts de pins, les grandes vagues de l’Atlantique et une atmosphère résidentielle et paisible. Vous pouvez y accéder en ferry (notamment depuis Arcachon) ou en voiture. Le côté Atlantique est très apprécié des surfeurs et kitesurfeurs. Côté bassin, vous trouverez les villages ostréicoles, où de petites cabanes proposent des huîtres fraîchement pêchées à déguster avec un verre de vin blanc. Lacanau – Plage et LacUne ambiance surf sur la côte ouest, très accessible à vélo et avec de nombreux restaurants. La partie Lacanau-Océan est située directement sur l’Atlantique et attire beaucoup de surfeurs. Les plages sont immenses, souvent venteuses et avec de grosses vagues — parfaites pour une promenade mais moins idéales pour la baignade. Le centre possède des restaurants et boutiques de plage. La partie Lacanau-Lac (à environ 15 minutes en voiture) se situe sur le plus grand lac d’eau douce de France. Le village de Moutchic est le plus proche. Le lac est très grand, peu profond et calme, avec une grande plage de sable. C’est un endroit parfait pour les enfants qui veulent jouer dans l’eau ou pour ceux qui souhaitent faire du bateau, du kayak ou de la planche à voile.La région est également idéale pour le vélo, avec de nombreuses pistes cyclables plates et des locations abordables. La vallée de la DordogneNous avons passé beaucoup de temps dans la vallée de la Dordogne et la vallée voisine du Lot, où vivent les parents d’Aurélie.La vallée de la Dordogne est l’une des régions les plus pittoresques de France, connue pour ses collines verdoyantes, ses falaises spectaculaires le long de la rivière et ses villages dignes d’un conte de fées. Le long de la Dordogne, on trouve de nombreuses villes médiévales, des châteaux de pierre dorée perchés sur les collines et des sites préhistoriques, dont certaines des plus importantes grottes ornées d’Europe.Voici quelques endroits que nous avons visités et particulièrement appréciés. Certains peuvent être découverts lors d’une excursion à la journée depuis le lieu du mariage : Sarlat-la-Canéda – magnifique ville médiévale et son marché hebdomadaireRocamadour – spectaculaire village perchéLa Forêt des Singes – parc animalier à côté de Rocamadour où les singes vivent en libertéCahors – belle ville de style roman avec son pont fortifié emblématique et son marché le mercredi matinGrottes du Pech Merle (plus petites mais avec des peintures préhistoriques originales) et Lascaux IV (musée moderne avec reproduction spectaculaire des grottes)Gouffre de Padirac – rivière souterraine avec promenade en barqueBastides médiévales fortifiées (dont Montpazier)Saint-Cirq-Lapopie – superbe village classé parmi les plus beaux de FranceChâteau des Milandes – ancienne demeure de Joséphine Baker, visite très intéressanteIl existe également de nombreuses activités de plein air : randonnées, kayak, parcours d’accrobranche, etc.Sports de rivière : kayak, rafting, canoë et bateau sur les rivières Dordogne et Lot.Lacs de baignade avec plages et structures gonflables aquatiques à Montcuq et Catus.

Aurélie & Jonathan

Aurélie & Jonathan

Hébergements