Weddings in the South of France

Are you thinking of getting married in the South of France?

Have you ever dreamed of getting married in a 17th Century Chateau with enough bedrooms for all of your guests? Or in a typical Provencal Mas surrounded by lavender scented countryside? Or perhaps the thought of a Wedding Ceremony in a Contemporary Villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea catches your imagination?
After all, Hollywood stars have had their wedding in the South of France – look at Angelina and Brad!

A Wedding in the South of France is not only incredibly romantic, it is also much simpler than it may seem.  

We have a carefully selected collection of Wedding Venues from a 19^thCentury Chateau in the Cote d’Azur, to a large informal beach-front Villa in the Languedoc Roussillon region of the South of France.

Do you need someone to help who knows exactly what is what and has immense local knowledge?  

 

We will be delighted to help you with your enquiry, we can help with your wedding accommodation along with putting you in touch with a specialist wedding planner. They can guide you through the process and arrange absolutely everything or just as much as you would like including caterers, wine, flowers, music and photographers!  

The facts: There are various scenarios for a Wedding in France, the Civil Ceremony, the Religious Ceremony, and the Humanist Ceremony.

You are not required to have a religious wedding in France, however you cannot get married in a church without firstly having a Civil Wedding.

Here is a useful guide to the different types of weddings, and the essential documents that you need to be able to marry in France.

Civil Ceremony

Only a Civil Ceremony is legally binding in France. (You must have been resident in the town/village for at least 30 days prior to the wedding.)

They are conducted by the Mayor, or their legally authorised representative in the Mairie (Town Hall). You will need two to four témoins (witnesses) for your civil marriage. They will need to be present at the wedding and sign the official register. The ceremony will be performed in French, however, it can be possible to make arrangements with the Mayor for a translator to be present.

Religious Ceremony

A Religious Wedding Ceremony is not legally binding in France. In order to have a religious ceremony, you must first have a civil ceremony, and your religious official will need to see your marriage certificate. It is a popular idea in France to have the civil ceremony the day before the religious ceremony, or have the civil ceremony in your country of residence prior to arriving in France.

Humanist Ceremony

Due to the residency requirements in France, and to makes things easier many foreigners to marry in their home country and then have a blessing, such as a Humanist Ceremony in France. This opens up the possibilities of dream locations as the ceremony can be conducted almost anywhere.

What Documentation is required for a Civil Wedding (Legally binding)?

All documents must be an original or official copy and endorsed with an Apostille Stamp/Apostille Certificate. This is obtainable from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK.  Also, any documents which are not in French must be officially translated, (by an agency verified by the French Consulate).

Valid Passports for both parties and also for the witnesses (les témoins), including photocopies of the front and back.

Justificatifs de Domicile – Proof of Address. You will need two documents showing proof of residence in the town/village where the ceremony will take place, for example; a gas/electriciy bill and a bank statement.  Both parties must be resident in the town or village for at least 30 days prior to the civil ceremony. If you have family are friends in the village they may be able to give you an Attestation d’Hebergement.

Official copies of your Birth Certificates. They must be translated into French by a certified translator and issued within three months of your wedding date.

Certificat de Celibat – This is a certificate which does not exist in the UK. It states that you are not married already. It can be obtained from your Consulate. 

Certificat de Coutume – A notarised statement of law by an attorney who has a licence both in France and in your home country. It certifies that both parties are free to marry and
 that your marriage will be recognised in your home country.

Certificat de Notaire –If you are planning to have a prenuptial agreement, this must be presented to the Mairie.

The Marriage Certificate

If you marry in France by way of the official Civil ceremony then you will receive a livret de famille. It is an official document which is used for all events concerning your new life together as a family. It will be a record of all births, deaths, divorce and name changes.

You can receive further copies of your marriage certificate by writing to the Mairie in the village where the wedding took place.

If you would like any further advice about rules and documentation required for getting married in France, you can contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK) or the French Consulate for your country.

Wedding Planners

At many of our venues the owners double up as wedding planners as they have made many contacts over the years. If you do not speak French then you may wish to recruit a professional wedding planner in France, they can do as little or as much as you would like. Quite often they can save you money as they may have negotiated discounts with suppliers in particular for wine and flowers.  We can help put you in touch with the correct people as South France Villas are rental specialists rather than wedding planners, and it is essential that your day runs smoothly.

General information and advice

Traditional French Weddings are a little different from British ones, straight after the ceremony and photos, it is the Aperitif or Apero as it is fondly known in the South of France. The Apero is similar to the “evening party” in the UK when all friends and relatives are invited and drinks and nibbles are provided. The evening meal and party for a French Wedding is for close friends and family, the meal would normally commence around 9pm and one would be lucky to finish eating by midnight! Live music or a DJ may play on into the early hours. (Certain venues, villages and towns have restrictions in place so do check this out).

A free bar is the norm, with a selection of wines and spirits or digestives as they are called in French.

The French don’t tend to have a wedding present list, and instead a boite is provided at the venue for guests to give money either by cheque or anonymously with cash.

Of course lots of Brides and Grooms to be, want their wedding to be influenced by their home country thereby having the best of both worlds.

There are 300 days of Sunshine in the South of France and the summer can be very hot, so do make sure that you have a back-up plan should it be too hot or should there be a drop or two of rain.

Accommodation

If you are renting one of the larger Châteaux or Villas and guests will be staying with you, do not be afraid to ask your guests to contribute to the accommodation costs. In your contract it will say the maximum number of guests allowed at the property and this must be respected outside of the wedding day (ensure you have agreed with the owner to a larger number on the day). We can help with alternative villa bookings or recommend local hotels and Chambre d’hotes for extra guests.

For further information please feel free to contact us or you can check out Weddings and Special Events page

 

 

Holiday Villa Scams

More Holiday Villa Scams in Spain and the South of France.

Last year alone, an estimated 5,000 holidaymakers lost millions when they discovered their rental homes in Spain, France and other European countries had not been booked.(Data from The Olive Press)

Unfortunately the Phishing scams are still happening especially on the big rental sites. This is a huge problem for clients and for owners of holiday villas.

This month South France Villas received 2 phone calls from people that had been scammed by using one of the large advertising sites, distraught as they had lost all their monies and had nowhere to go. 

One family had lost 10.000 Euro and the other 6000 Euro, both had transferred money to a Spanish bank account. One family had contacted the advertising company to check that the owner was legit as he was concerned about paying the large payment and they replied and said yes all was ok, so he paid his monies. These websites do say:

We make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, completeness, legality, performance or suitability of the adverts. We accept no liability arising from reliance upon this information made by any user of the site. You should conduct your own research and familiarise yourself with our terms and conditions.

Many websites are now charging a booking fee which the client has to pay, this ranges from 5% to 15%. This can be misleading if you have a set budget, they earmark your monies as soon as your request a booking even before the owner has agreed to the booking. The advantage though is that by paying this fee you have payment protection.

An owner also contacted us as her advert on one of these sites had been amended from a one bedroom to a four bedroom apartment, and her account had been hacked.

If you are looking to book a villa holiday in the South of France or anywhere else then please do take extra care and ensure that you make as many checks as possible. Agencies will completely understand and be happy to put you at ease.

South France Villas have been established for over 15 years and we pride ourselves on knowing all our houses and are committed to customer satisfaction, our team is always happy to go that extra mile for you. If you have a villa to rent in the South of France or if you are looking to rent one then please do not hesitate to contact us.

South France Villas guide to our favourite beaches on the Cote D’Azur the French Riviera.

From Monaco down to St Tropez, the Cote d’Azur beaches offer something for everybody on holiday in the South of France.

One imagines that all the beaches on this wonderful coast line are impeccable, with fine white sand, shallow waters and luxurious sun loungers. This is true for most of the beaches, however the Cote d’Azur coastline can also be rugged and au natural however still stunningly beautiful.

1. Paloma Plage - Saint Jean Cap Ferret 

 

Named after Picasso’s daughter Paloma, as they spent lots of family time on this beach. Nowadays it is one of the most popular and exclusive beaches around Cap Ferret and the place to be seen. The beach itself is shingle and not sand, however the picture perfect surroundings more than compensate for this. Eze, Cap d’ail and Beaulieu can all be seen from the beach and as the bay is sheltered it is just the perfect place to top up your tan.

The Paloma private beach restaurant pretty much takes over the beach, the menu is as you would expect on the beach, fresh fish, and salads etc along with being expensive! The service and yet again the view do make it worth every euro!

Our tip- Visit in May, June and September and don’t forget to ring and book your place either for a sunbed on the beach or for a lunch/dinner reservation.

2. Plage des Marinières - Villefranche Sur Mer 

 

A public beach with coarse sand and crystal clear blue sea, imagine yourself living the life of luxury on one the many super yachts which dock in the deep waters including cruise ships and the American Navy.
There are plenty of places to eat or just buy a sandwich, an ice-cream, or something to quench your thirst. Access is easy and there is a large carpark. The train line runs alongside the beach and the station is just a few minutes’ walk away, the downside of this is the sound of the trains may disturb your siesta!

Our Tip- A good old fashioned beach ideal for a family picnic.

3. Plage de la Garoupe- Cap d’Antibes 

 

This beach made the headlines last year when it decided to ban selfies or as they are now known braggies! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel

We can understand why you would want everyone to know you were here on this beach, but surely it is much better to just enjoy the moment! The beach is mainly private with dining tables and sunbeds covering most of the sand and some are actually in the water! A good choice of food and excellent wine and champagne lists can be found at the beach restaurants.

Our Tip- A great place for that special occasion, the place to be seen!

4. Beau Rivage - Nice 

 

This is the largest private beach on the Côte d'Azur and maybe even in France! Whatever your mood there is a corner for you. The Lounge Box for a VIP experience, the Ovale beach bar, the beach straw (bistro on the beach), restaurants both inside and on the terrace, cocktail bar.… The drinks menu ranges from 4.50 Euro for a beer to 400 Euros for a bottle of Cristal Champagne! Hungry? A wide range of tapas is available all day and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.

There are over 300 sun-loungers and they are famous for their “double beds”, daily packages can include champagne and strawberries.

Live Music and DJ’s in the evening turn the beach into a great party atmosphere.

Our Tip- This really is the place to people watch!

5. Plage des Salins - St Tropez 

 

Situated about 6 kilometres from St Tropez, this is not a star studded beach but offers more of a family atmosphere than the more famous Pampelonne beach in St Tropez.

It is perfect should you wish to escape the St Tropez lifestyle for the afternoon. The beach is about just over half a kilometre long and gets very busy in July and August, life guards are on duty, showers and toilets along with parking are available free of charge.

There is one beach restaurant with sun-loungers for hire.

Our Tip - Great place to escape to in June or September.


South France Villas have a good choice of  holiday villas near to the sea on the Cote d’Azur, we have been making holidays special for over 15 years.

So let us plan your holiday the way that you would plan your own...

 http://www.southfrancevillas.com/holiday-villas-in-cote-d-azur

South of France Villa Holiday, Eurostar or Budget airline?

Are you thinking of having a villa holiday in the South of France and wondering how to get there?

When booking a holiday to France, one wonders how should we travel. Train, Plane, or take the car?

Eurostar have announced a direct service from St Pancras to Avignon and Marseille in the South of France. The all year service starts on the 1st of May 2015, my initial thoughts are fantastic one no longer the needs to cross Paris with suitcases, or change platforms and hope the train is on time at Lyon or Lille...
Unfortunately this only works on the UK to France journey, immigration rules that on the France to UK leg one must leave the train at Lille (along with all your luggage!) pass through customs and then get back on the train. Not an ideal way to end your South of France holiday.

Prices for a one week holiday travelling on the 30th May are from £119 return, this price includes unlimited luggage and an allocated seat. Travelling for 2 weeks from the 25th of July and the price creeps up to £274 return.

Ryanair fly from Luton to Nimes and various other local airports in the South of France. Queue to check in, queue to pass through security and then queue to board the plane, however it is only a 90 minute flight.... Prices for a one week holiday travelling on the 30th May are from £87 return, this price includes 10 kg hand luggage and an allocated seat upon check in. The Business Plus option which includes a 20 kg
checked in bag, priority seat and boarding is from £172 return. Travelling for 2 weeks from the 25th of July the price creeps up to £260 for the basic option and £367 for the Business Plus.

So which one would I choose for a holiday to the South of France?

The train offers good value for money and a comfortable scenic journey, however depending upon where you live in the UK the flight can be the quickest and the cheapest option if you travel lightly.

After comparing the scenarios for my elderly parents, I have decided that I would use both services. The train for the journey down to the South of France, as they don't like all the hassle at the large UK airports and they would also enjoy admiring the French countryside. For the return journey I would choose the flight, the small local airports like Nimes and Beziers are so quaint that I can actually watch them board the plane and with no duty free shops at these airports any leftover Euros can be saved for the next trip to the South of France!

South France Holiday Villa

For more information on getting to the South of France, or for a villa holiday in the South of France check out the South France Villas guide

South of France - Sun, Sea, and Seafood!

The coastline of the Herault is abundant with fantastic restaurants and quirky spots to sample the gastronomic delights of the region. Especially if you are a seafood lover! The Etang de Thau has to be the epitome of oyster growing in the south of France, it is the largest and deepest of the lagoons in the Languedoc and has the widest variety of marine life.

The nearby villages of Bouzigues and Marseillan have the wonderful charm of ancient fishing ports and beautiful marinas lined by restaurants and cafes.
There could not be a more idyllic place to enjoy a platter of oysters and bottle of Picpoul de Pinet – the local classic combination.



The freshest oysters that are grown on the beds that stretch out into the Etang and the classic crisp, zesty and fresh wine grown in the vineyards surrounding the villages and mad only a few miles down the road….what could be more perfect?

If you are looking for a Fruit de Mer feast then look no further than La Ferme Marine.
A local favourite located in a rather unassuming plot right on the Etang and just 5 minutes out of Marseillan. When visiting in the day time you will get a spectacular panoramic view of the the Etang and and across the water the town Sète and the Mont St-Clair hill just above it.

The restaurants atmosphere is busy and convivial, so leave your airs and graces at the door and be ready to get stuck into a seafood fest of oyster slurping, prawn peeling and crab claw cracking. The all you can eat buffet has a plethora of seafood all waiting to be sampled, including oysters fresh out of the Etang, half crabs and crab claws, cockles, mussels and juicy pink prawns.

The greedy among us will rejoice to know that the buffet is “à volonté” meaning you can eat as much as you like! The restaurant also serves a variety of hot and cold à la carte dishes, a spectacular favourite of these is the Parillada which is a platter piled high with a variety of grilled fish, king prawns and scallops.

If you are looking for a holiday filled with gastronomic delights then a family holiday booked with South France Villas may just be exactly what you are looking for!

http://www.lafermemarine.fr/

Happy New Year from South France Villas

We wish you a very Happy New Year and we hope that 2015 brings you joy and happiness. 

After a wonderful break recuperating we are refreshed and raring to go, ready for our busiest time of the year!
New year is when the holiday dreams start, Christmas is forgotten and one starts dreaming of the sunshine, clear blue skies, sandy beaches, glorious Mediterranean food, and maybe a glass of wine by the pool… South France Villas can make these dreams come true.

What about a week or two in this fabulous villa which is directly on a beach, has its own private swimming pool, and  restaurants, bars and shops are within walking distance.
Villa Fabienne can sleep up to 10 people so there is plenty of room for 2 families or Grandparents!

For a Honeymoon or a romantic escape to the South of France, this beautiful villa  La-maniere is just wonderful with a large pool and garden.

What better way to start the New Year by booking your spring or summer holiday.





We now have over 250 holiday villas across the South of France; Languedoc, Provence and the Cote d’Azur and we are adding new villas every week. All our villas have a swimming pool or are directly on the beach. You will be spoilt for choice!