In short: in France, a legal (civil) wedding must take place at the town hall of a commune where one of the spouses, or one of their parents, has their home or has lived continuously for at least one month. A foreign couple who does not live in France generally cannot marry legally at a French town hall. The usual solution is to marry legally in your home country, then celebrate in Provence with a symbolic ceremony. Domaine du Bijoutier, in Grignan, hosts these weddings over a full weekend, with 89 beds on site.
Who can get legally married in France?
According to Service-Public.fr, the French government’s official information site, a wedding is celebrated in a commune with which at least one of the spouses has a lasting connection:
- the home or residence of one of the spouses;
- or the home or residence of the father or mother of one of the spouses.
Residence must be established by at least one month of continuous living in the commune on the date the banns are published. Being born in a commune without living there is not enough.
If both of you are foreign nationals living abroad
A civil wedding at a French town hall is generally not possible. Service-Public.fr states that a foreign couple not living in France may marry at the consulate of either spouse’s country of origin, or in certain French overseas territories. Specific rules apply to same-sex couples whose country of residence does not allow their marriage.
In practice, most international couples choose this approach:
- a legal wedding in their home country, a few days or weeks before;
- a symbolic ceremony at Domaine du Bijoutier, with vows, the couple’s entrance and speeches from loved ones.
A symbolic ceremony has no legal value, but it gives you complete freedom: language, length, setting, rituals and celebrant.
If one of you is French and lives abroad
You can marry at the town hall of the commune where your parents live (with proof of their address dated within the last month), or marry in your country of residence and have the marriage registered by the French consulate.
This information is for general guidance only. Rules may depend on your nationality: please check with the relevant town hall, your consulate or a legal adviser.
Where to hold your ceremony at Domaine du Bijoutier
- Under the great oaks, in the shade behind the glasshouse;
- in the park, in front of the pool and the manor house;
- in the Lavender Alley, 50 metres long, in the heart of the lavender field;
- by the river, below the estate, in the shade.
Planning your wedding from abroad
- Virtual tour of the estate on our website, followed by a call to answer your questions.
- A single point of contact, Yohan, with more than ten years of experience in weddings, available before and during your stay.
- A dedicated wedding app to manage your budget, guests and room allocation, seating plan and weekend schedule.
- Free choice of suppliers: caterer, florist, photographer, DJ. No corkage fee.
- Exclusive use of the estate, from Friday afternoon to Sunday, with 89 beds: guests travelling from abroad stay on site all weekend.
Why choose the Drôme Provençale for a destination wedding?
- The Provence your guests dream of: lavender, vineyards, olive trees and hilltop villages, without the crowds of the Riviera.
- Easy access: A7 motorway, Valence TGV and Avignon TGV stations, Marseille and Lyon airports.
- Renowned food and wine: Tricastin black truffles and Rhône valley wines.
- The village of Grignan, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France, a few minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
Is a symbolic wedding in France legally binding?
No. A symbolic ceremony has no legal value. The legal wedding takes place at a French town hall or in your country of residence.
Can the ceremony be held in English?
Yes. A symbolic ceremony can be led in English, French or several languages.
How far in advance should we book?
For a wedding between May and September, couples usually book 12 to 24 months ahead.
Can our guests stay at the venue?
Yes. The estate has 89 beds, across Le Hameau and the Maison du Bijoutier.
Is Provence expensive for a destination wedding?
Rates vary by season. Winter and shoulder months (March, April, October) are more accessible than June to August. Contact us for the current brochure.
Read more: how to get to Domaine du Bijoutier, getting married in Grignan and the history of the estate. Start the conversation: contact or +33 6 31 73 74 59.
Source: Service-Public.fr, “Mariage : lieu de célébration”.