Christmas is a fine time to be at Château Bouffémont for more than one reason. The noble stone-built residence truly lives up to its reputation as a fairytale venue at this time of year, with the snow settling beautifully across its extensive manicured grounds and, on the inside, the fireplace crackling away amid the most refined decor.
Winter weddings have long been associated with a certain magic – after all, they take place at a time of year that is already pretty special given the ongoing Christmas celebrations. However, it’s also true that every little touch or adjustment can help so much to make an already heart-warming and inspiring occasion even more so.
There can be few more special or important times of year than the New Year period – a time when many of us reflect on events over the past 12 months, including the good and the bad, before contemplating what we wish to experience and achieve over the next year.
Getting married in France is a dream of many couples. This is in largely because of the many
fascinating wedding traditions that have contributed to the country’s reputation as the
epicentre of romance. Continue reading
The term ‘seminar’ is a broad one – the Cambridge Dictionary, for instance, simply defines it as “an occasion when a teacher or expert and a group of people meet to study and discuss something”.
This means that if you are reading this article with a view to booking an elegant and luxurious venue for your own working-day, your requirements may greatly differ from even many other individuals, groups, institutions or businesses.
Nonetheless, the following are the most important broad steps that you can take to organise a seminar at the enchanting stone-built residence that is Château Bouffémont, and even more crucially than that, ensure that it is a success.
For so many couples, it is a lifelong and heartfelt dream to get married in France. This may be due to an enduring love of French culture, or perhaps a family or ancestral connection to the country. Alternatively, you may simply be looking to tie the knot abroad and have considered France due to its strong associations with all things romance.
However, there is much more to the organisation of a French wedding than simply finding the prettiest and most enchanting backdrop on which to confirm one’s union. Here are some of the other factors that demand consideration.
Romance. The word itself provokes intense feelings and thoughts, good and bad because it is such a crucial concept for the human soul. So many of the world’s greatest achievements in art, literature, music and sculpture have been created because of it. Many of them had significant movements ordained under their name – the romanticists or the romantic style.
It resonates because of the strength of its connotations. When we start to think about the ingredients of a perfect setting for the ultimate romantic occasion – a wedding – then we are led inexorably to one place. France.
Hugo, Rousseau, Delacroix, Rostand, Courbet and Gautier. So many of the names associated with romance are French. Even the word Romance is French. It is not surprising that so many world luminaries flocked to France in the hope that its romantic essence would rub off on them. Hemmingway, Fitzgerald and Grace Kelly became part of the tapestry that stretches throughout time enticing modern lovers to have their marriage ceremony in France.
The epitome of French wedding ceremony must be a chateau. Their design, history and surroundings all provide unique mystique and inspire the heart and mind of any fiancé and fiancée.
Unlike functional British châteaux and fortifications, French chateaus were designed as places for families to live and entertain their guests. Chateau Bouffemont, just to the north of Paris is an excellent example.
The preponderance of windows and lights testify that the views are of paramount importance both inside and out. Even on rare overcast days, the chateau itself is always a beautiful and noteworthy backdrop to any activity with its 5-hectare estate.
France is also rightly renowned for gastronomic excellence and the food at a chateau wedding could rightly grace any romantic novel or fairy tale. Staff will have long-standing contacts and friendships with the local food and drink suppliers to ensure the best and freshest food in season will be served for the couple and their honoured guests and the perfect wine and champagne to accompany the occasion will be served naturally.
Weather and external conditions cannot be guaranteed but an estate such as Chateau Bouffemont has four floors of salons, terraces, suites and rooms to accommodate indoor or outdoor ceremonies with a minimum of fuss. Regardless of your own preference, they will readily be able to accommodate your wishes.
A French wedding also makes economic sense. The average UK wedding cost is now over £30,000 and it can rise above even this figure. A fairytale chateau wedding is within your budget for you and your guests to enjoy.
The cost would also cover expert services to make your day even easier and more memorable including the services of an expert wedding planner to look after the myriad of small details and decisions that can cause big worries if left unattended to. Experienced and helpful staff at the Chateau Bouffemont will also be able to look after the other details that will make a wedding more memorable such as the decoration, flowers, cake, music, photography, video and more. Even more unusual requests and services such as children’s entertainers can also be accommodated.
The age of Romance may have passed historically but its ideals and ideas live on and are personified in a wedding ceremony held at a French chateau. Honour your dreams and follow your hearts desire to France and its citadels of romance.
Whether money is tight or flowing freely, everybody wants to get the most out of it. The most enjoyment, the most fun and the most wonderful experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
The unique idea that more and more people are sharing is to catch a flight or the Eurostar to a French Chateau near Paris and make the short trip to its delightful leafy green surroundings.
Chateau Bouffemont is a romantic idyll welcoming visitors from around the world since it’s construction in the 19th century by noted industrialist Edouard Empain. Set in stunning grounds taking up five hectares, the Chateau has a well-deserved reputation for its warm welcome and romantic charm.
One of the best ways to take full advantage of the Chateau’s breathtaking salons, suites and rooms is to consider one of their sought-after special offers. These exclusive and bespoke deals offer the best experiences available at reasonable competitive rates. Whether on vacation or celebrating a special occasion, there is a deal that’s just right for you.
The perfect chance to relax and unwind with close friends and family or live the life of one of one of the Barons of Empain at their traditional seat. The Baronial Vacation Retreat is based on six nights staying at the Chateau with several of the rooms occupied based on the number of accompanying guests.
Think of it. Your own private Chateau for a week. A full-board gourmet experience includes the exclusive use of the Chateau and its grounds for you and your guests.
These include the five grand halls, bar and games room; nine suites and rooms for accommodation and an additional separate guest kitchen accessible 24 hours a day during your vacation.
To complete the experience a dedicated full-service team is assigned during your stay including housekeeping, concierge, chef and of course, a private butler.
All meals – breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner – are served with the most appropriate paired wine and champagne is always available for adults on arrival; with special home-made cookies for children.
Alternatively, if a week is impractical or too long then you can also enjoy The Perfect Long Weekend at Chateau Bouffemont.
Whether it’s just the two of you away for a romantic break in the City of Lights or a family trip, take advantage of the same luxurious location and amenities.
The same rooms and suites and the same personal service of professionals including a private butler are at your disposal for the length of your weekend stay.
If you have made the excellent decision to get married at Chateau Bouffemont then you can take advantage of another incredible offer.
If you choose to Tie the Knot on a Weekday then you and your guests can enjoy the exclusive use of the chateau with nine suites and rooms available for accommodating up to 30 of them along with our excellent complimentary breakfast for all staying guests. There is a 20% reduction from the regular nightly rate and a late check-out for the day after the wedding of 4pm as we understand that it can take a longer time to say goodbye to your loved ones and get ready to set off on your honeymoon or journey home.
It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas and New Year and spending some of the Festive Season at Chateau Bouffemont. From December 1 2018 to January 10 2019, the Chateau becomes a winter wonderland with spectacular decorations and floral arrangements, roaring fires and cosy seats to settle down in on a winter’s night.
All the areas of the Chateau are available for exclusive use along with the personal service staff and additional 24-hour guest kitchen. For two nights, you can enjoy the perfect holiday season activities and amusements and relax in the most sumptuous of surroundings.
The first night features a festive five-course dinner with wine, following pre-dinner drinks and canapés followed by more drinks by the fireplace of the charming Salon du Baron. The second day starts with a savoury brunch followed by a choice of winter activities such as horseback riding, a cycling trip around the village or a relaxing stroll in the park.
A three-course lunch follows with the best locally sourced ingredients followed by movies and games in the Dandy Lounge, a champagne afternoon tea and a four-course dinner with a Chef’s surprise.
However or whenever you choose to spend your time at the Chateau Bouffemont, you can be assured of the warmest welcome, the best food, the most peaceful surroundings and hopefully the happiest memories of your life.
The task of selecting the most befitting venue for your brand’s planned fashion show may seem a deeply unenviable one, on account of the wealth of factors and priorities that must be borne closely in mind. There are certainly not only one or two aspects that may guide your choice of venue for a high-profile fashion event.
We, therefore, decided to take a closer look at some of the reasons why your brand could stand to make the greatest impact by staging its next show at Château Bouffémont.
You are a stone’s throw from the world’s undoubted fashion epicentre
The world of fashion may have evolved considerably in recent years, with the traditional big-name fashion magazines and designers not dictating the tempo of every element of the industry in the way they once did, but some things don’t change over the centuries. One of those is the continued pre-eminence of Paris as the fashion capital to which everyone looks.
Even amid the inevitable, but also unpredictable shifts inherent to fashion, the City of Lights continues to wield considerable clout and hosts many of the world’s most eagerly watched catwalks. As explained by the Culture Trip website, for all of the competition and challenges of successive generations, Paris retains its status as the place to be seen for all things fashion.
Furthermore, by selecting Château Bouffémont in France as the site for your fashion show, you can be sure of the festivities being held a mere 30 kilometres from the centre of Paris, and 20 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport. That has to be conducive to luring many of the biggest hitters and most important customers in your corner of the fashion industry to attend your event.
Even by the standards of a chateau in France, Château Bouffémont utterly resplendent
If there is any reason why you may be averse to contemplating the hire of a French chateau for your next fashion event, it may simply be that it appears too obvious an option.
However, there are very sound justifications for the sustained evergreen appeal of such historic and idyllic venues as the Château. Château Bouffémont resoundingly redefines the term ‘impressive surroundings’ with its spectacular manicured French gardens to the exterior, as well as internal furnishings that speak of refined elegance for the most sophisticated clientele.
There can simply be no finer – and no more indelibly haute-couture – backdrop on which to host a prestigious fashion exhibition than the splendid halls and suites of the Chateau in France. That is not least the case as these spaces are also flexible enough to lend themselves to a kaleidoscope of inspiring and stimulating atmospheres within a single well-attended event.
The right venue will serve as an integral focal point for your show
One other serious factor to consider when on the lookout for a fashion event venue, is that the most suitable site will play a key role in setting the tone and narrative for the day or weekend’s festivities, effectively tying every element together into a coherent whole.
Château Bouffémont accomplishes this in part by appealing to the ardent fashionista’s well-honed visual and atmospheric sensibilities, providing a unique and luxurious setting for the shows of unique and luxurious brands.
However, the chateau in France also connects this requirement for romance and decadence to more practical considerations, such as the possibility for guests to spend the daytime hours marvelling at the presentations of your brand’s latest collections, followed by a delightful dinner party into the evening.
We are proud to declare that the noble, historic and perhaps surprisingly versatile property affords your brand the maximum opportunity to make the finest impression with its next fashion show – whether at a modest or magnificent scale.
So, why not enquire to our corporate events team today to learn more about our venue’s suitability to stage a truly magical fashion exhibition.
Few group get-togethers can surely be as depended-on to produce consistent moments of magic as a family reunion. After all, it’s not the kind of event that is exactly held every day, so it probably goes without saying that you will wish to make the next time your family meets up in such a fashion an occasion to remember, for all of the finest reasons.
We admittedly may be just slightly biased here at Château Bouffémont, but the below are the elements that we feel you should especially look out for when comparing family reunion venues.
Just how much of a family reunion is it?
If your intended family reunion will entail little more than catching up with siblings who you see reasonably often regardless, it might be understandable to simply arrange the celebrations for home or a venue in your local area.
Alternatively, you may be holding your fifth or 10th family reunion in as many years – or another similarly important milestone – or you may be set to welcome relatives who you haven’t come face to face with for many years.
In the latter case, the circumstances may be just right to be ambitious, by investigating chateau rentals in France such as the acclaimed service that the prestigious, refined and elegant Château Bouffémont provides.
How easy will it be for everyone to reach the venue location?
One factor that may initially deter you from any thought of renting out such a seemingly extravagant venue as a French chateau is the apparent difficulty of getting there and back home for all of your attendees. However, very few French chateaus can claim to be as conveniently situated for travel as the splendid Château Bouffémont.
While this historic stone-built property’s surroundings may seem to be the epitome of a rural idyll – or the Montmorency Forest, to be exact – it is also only 20 minutes away from Charles de Gaulle Airport, and a 40-minute drive from central Paris.
Nor does such close proximity to the City of Lights simply give you access to well-developed transport connections. That’s because there is also a wealth of exciting things to do with children in the French capital, as explained by the Tripsavvy website, which renders our chateau excellently placed for family day trips.
What activities are on offer in and around the venue?
Once the novelty of coming face to face once more with someone you may not have been in much contact with for years wears off, your family reunion may be at risk of feeling like a slightly austere meeting, rather than the fun opportunity to make new memories that you might have hoped it would be.
This won’t be a concern if you rent out the fairytale venue for your get-together, however. This magnificent property’s three dining halls, dancing hall and lounge area – not to mention the jaw-dropping manicured grounds outside – beg for exploration.
But even more than that, you and your family can also partake in all manner of other activities – from golf, tennis and horse riding to mountain biking, food and wine pairing and even chocolate workshops – that are a guaranteed source of thrills and giggles.
There’s also live entertainment, arts and crafts workshops and gardening activities on offer to delight the little ones, enhancing still further the remarkable credentials of Château Bouffémont as a family reunion venue.
If you would like to hold your upcoming reunion with us here at Château Bouffémont, we would be pleased to be able to help you to make it a reality; feel free to get in touch with us to find out more.
