Nestled in the heart of the Loire Valley, Château du Grand-Lucé stands as an epitome of elegance and timeless romance. This enchanting estate offers a perfect blend of history, luxury, and unparalleled beauty. It’s an ideal destination for couples seeking a truly once in a lifetime wedding experience. In this comprehensive venue guide, we’ll delve into the rich history of the château, explore its exquisite location, and highlight the luxurious amenities it offers. We’ll also share why this venue is perfect for intimate destination weddings and provide suggestions and tips for your celebration.
Welcome to the Château!
The Château du Grand-Lucé is a masterpiece of 18th-century architecture, originally commissioned by the Baron Jacques Pineau de Viennay. Completed in 1764, the estate was designed by renowned architect Mathieu de Bayeux. Over the centuries, the château has been meticulously preserved, maintaining its original charm and grandeur. Notable figures such as Voltaire and Rousseau were drawn to the château’s serene beauty and intellectual allure.
The château’s grounds are a marvel of symmetry. Each space is meticulously crafted to enhance the natural beauty of the estate. The classical gardens feature perfect rows of manicured boxwoods, stately topiaries, and expansive lawns. The lower garden is home to a grand swimming pool and original working greenhouses. Additionally, the orangerie provides shelter for citrus trees during colder months and is a quaint lunch locale for your guests.
Beyond the formal gardens, the chateau’s extensive grounds include a potager garden and orchards. A statue of Proserpine, a gift from King Louis XV, welcomes you to the estate’s forest paths.
Château du Grand-Lucé also houses the original stables, which have been transformed into a grand ballroom, and the laundry house, which now houses a luxurious spa and fitness center. These authentic structures provide a unique glimpse into the past, offering a museum-like experience for guests who appreciate the château’s noble history.
Another fabulous amenity on the Chateau grounds is it’s delightful farm to table restaurant Le Luce. Headed by chef Maxime Thomas, Le Luce creates authentically French yet modern dishes that focus on locally sourced organic ingredients. Chef Thomas even sources many of his seasonal dishes from the Chateau’s own potager garden.
Chateau du Grand Luce Location & Travel
Château du Grand-Lucé is located just a few hours south of Paris in the town of Grand-Lucé. It is easily accessible by private car service or train. For those seeking comfort and convenience, private car service offers a seamless, personalized journey through the picturesque countryside of the Loire Valley. Alternatively, the high-speed TGV trains depart regularly from Paris to nearby Le Mans, the journey takes about 90 minutes.
Château du Grand-Lucé Address: 7 Place du Chateau 72150LE Grand-Luce France
Phone Number for Château du Grand-Lucé: +33 (0)2 55 48 40 40 International: 011 33 2 55 48 40 40
Staying On Site
Château du Grand-Lucé offers its guests a truly unforgettable stay. The on-site amenities are designed to indulge, from the private valet service to the exquisite dining options available at the Le Lucé restaurant. Guests can also enjoy an array of leisure activities. These include bike rides through the surrounding forest, relaxing spa treatments, and guided tours of the estate’s historic gardens and grounds.
Each of the Château’s 19 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites features unique decorations with period furnishings and sumptuous fabrics. Guests can enjoy modern amenities such as plush bedding, en-suite bathrooms, and breathtaking views of the surrounding gardens and countryside. Here are a few of our favorite rooms:
Superior King Room Scenic View: This chic and elegant room boasts a view of the cour d’honneur and the village of Le Grand-Lucé. The stunning Manuel Canovas Jardin du Luxembourg wallcovering and matching canopy over the king-sized bed add to the room’s sophisticated charm. With original oak floors and a luxurious sitting area, this room provides the perfect retreat after a day spent exploring the château.
Superior King Room Garden View: With its fresh floral wallcovering and striking citron drapes, this room reflects the natural beauty of the expansive gardens outside. The king bed, with its exquisite canopy crown, creates an enchanting enclave, while the original oak flooring and luxurious bathroom featuring European marble make this room a true haven.
Corner King Room Garden View: This room offers spectacular views of the gardens, including the statue of Ceres, a gift from King Louis XV. The classic French toile, in shades of blue, adorns the walls, while the original oak flooring adds to the room’s historical appeal. The grand bathroom features a clawfoot tub, marble shower, and stunning views of the estate.
Weddings at Château du Grand-Lucé
Château du Grand-Lucé is the ideal setting for couples seeking an intimate destination wedding that focuses on creating life long memories with cherished loved ones. Whether exchanging vows in the meticulously designed gardens, hosting a cocktail hour in the orangerie, or celebrating into the night in the grand ballroom, Château du Grand-Lucé offers a variety of spaces that cater to both large and small gatherings.
The property’s private nature ensures that each wedding is an exclusive and tailored experience. It’s perfect for couples who want a celebration that is as unique as their love story.
Here are a few tips inspired by my experience photographing at Château du Grand-Lucé:
- Create a schedule for your guests with a plethora of both activities and rest time. Your guests are likely traveling a long way so provide structure while also giving room for rest. Similarly, keep in mind the variety of personalities you’ll have. Are some of your guests early risers? Others late sleepers? Provide opportunity for both, perhaps an early morning forest walk and a late morning picnic. One of the joys of an intimate wedding is making it a truly unique experience specifically for you and your guests. Lean into that as you craft your itinerary.
- Plan with the chateau to have snack trays on hand. The French typically eat dinner quite late from an American standpoint, so ask your venue coordinator to provide afternoon snacks to help tide your guests over.
- Personalized details go a long way towards a luxurious experience. Have your stationer craft unique elements like room tags and welcome notes. These become instant keepsakes and infuse more of your wedding design into the weekend.
Things to Do Around Château du Grand-Lucé
Beyond the château’s stunning grounds, the Loire Valley offers a wealth of activities and attractions for guests to explore. The region is renowned for its historic châteaux, vineyards, and charming villages, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Guests can embark on wine tours to sample the region’s finest vintages. Visit nearby châteaux such as Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. Guests can also enjoy leisurely walks through the picturesque village of Grand-Lucé or visit local antique markets. For those seeking outdoor activities, the surrounding countryside offers hiking and cycling trails that showcase the valley’s natural beauty.
Château du Grand-Lucé Wedding Cost
Weddings at Château du Grand-Lucé are a luxurious affair, with bespoke packages designed to meet each couple’s unique vision. The cost of hosting a wedding at the château varies depending on the services and the season. Couples can expect to invest a starting price of approximately $30,000 for exclusive use of the château and its grounds. This includes accommodations for up to 34 guests, use of the Grand Salon and gardens, and the château’s amenities. Additional costs include photography, planning, catering, floral design, rentals, stationary, and other personalized services to ensure a bespoke wedding experience.
For your Château du Grand-Lucé Wedding, you’ll want to plan for three to four days of activities. Start with a welcome luncheon upon your guests arrival, ideally in the garden taking in the magnificence of the grounds together. Next, your rehearsal dinner either that night or the next day in the grand pink salon with warm candlelight and ample local wines. The following day, you will hold your wedding ceremony amid the gardens with the grandeur of the Chateau behind you as you walk down the aisle. That evening, your al fresco reception could be amid the fragrant roses. Finally, on your last day, a farewell brunch picnic in the fields or casual breakfast in the dining room as you reminisce and say goodbyes.
I highly recommended working with an experienced wedding planner to coordinate events. I’m always happy to share planner recommendations who can craft enchanting celebrations. Here’s an example of a stunning event designed and produced by Rachael Ellen Events that I photographed in 2024. Rachael truly inspired everyone with her coquette-themed Marie Antoinette Welcome Dinner!
Château du Grand-Lucé Wedding Photography
The importance of capturing the beauty and emotion of your wedding day with artistry and authenticity cannot be overstated. As a film destination wedding photographer, my style ideally complements the enchanting and timeless feel of Chateau du Grand Luce. Meanwhile, our heartfelt approach ensures we capture every moment with authenticity and intention. For more details on my destination wedding photography services, please visit my International Experience page. You can also see more of my work at Chateau du Grand Luce here.
I hope this post was as helpful as it was inspiring for your next journey to the Loire Valley!
