Wedding at Château de Villette: a photographer’s guide
A 17th-century château attributed to Mansart, in a 75-hectare park forty minutes north-west of Paris
By Marion Pinel, destination wedding photographer · Updated
Château de Villette is a 17th-century château in Condécourt, in the Val-d’Oise, about 40 minutes north-west of Paris, attributed to François Mansart and set in a 75-hectare park with French gardens and water features. It is hired exclusively for weddings of about 80 seated indoors and 500 or more outdoors, with 14 suites and rooms sleeping 27. The best months are May, June and September.
- Location
- Condécourt, Val-d’Oise
- Access
- Paris ~40 min
- Rooms
- 14 suites and rooms, 27 guests
- Guests
- 80 in, 500+ out
The venue: a Mansart château in the Vexin
Château de Villette was built between 1663 and 1669 for Jean II Dyel, comte d’Auffay, and is attributed to François Mansart, with Jules Hardouin-Mansart overseeing the works. The philosopher Condorcet married Sophie de Grouchy there, and the château appeared in the film The Da Vinci Code. It is a listed historic monument, restored by Jacques Garcia between 2013 and 2018.
Its 75-hectare park, its French gardens, its water features and its classical façade make it one of the grandest private châteaux near Paris.
Where the ceremony and reception take place
According to The White Edit, the château is hired exclusively for weddings:
- The park and gardens: ceremonies and receptions for 500 guests or more outdoors.
- The salons: about 80 seated indoors, for an intimate dinner.
- The terraces: cocktail hour facing the gardens and the water.
- The suites: 7 suites in the château and 7 rooms in the wing, sleeping 27.
The White Edit lists the whole property from €9,000 per night with a two-night minimum, and an 11 pm curfew. Check current terms with the château.
Photo spots to plan for
When I prepare a wedding at a venue, I study its layout, its orientation and its light beforehand, so that the day flows without anyone waiting for photos. At Château de Villette, these are the places I would build the day around:
The façade and the water
The classical façade and the water features of the park: the signature frames of the estate.
The French gardens
Clipped parterres and long perspectives for wide editorial portraits at golden hour.
The salons
Restored by Jacques Garcia, with rich fabrics and gilding, for getting ready and indoor portraits.
Light and timing
The château stands in open countryside in the Vexin, so the park gets long, warm evening light. The salons are rich and darker, which suits soft window light for portraits.
In late June the sun sets around 21:55 north-west of Paris, and around 19:35 by the end of September.
A wedding day here, hour by hour
An example timeline I would suggest for a late-June wedding:
- 14:00
- Getting ready in the suites
- 16:00
- First look in the French gardens
- 17:00
- Ceremony by the water
- 18:00
- Cocktail on the terraces, family photos
- 20:30
- Golden-hour portraits in the park
- 21:00
- Dinner
- 23:00
- Cake and first dance (the venue lists an 11 pm curfew for music)
Getting there and where to stay
Condécourt is about 40 km north-west of Paris, around 40 minutes by car, and about 45 minutes from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
The château sleeps 27 guests; others can stay in Pontoise or in Paris. Nearby, see my guide to Château du Prieuré, where I have photographed.
Editorial wedding photography in Paris
See a wedding at the Ritz Paris and a wedding at Château du Prieuré, and my guides to the Ritz Paris and Château de Nainville, where I have photographed.
Paris wedding photographer →Questions about a wedding at Château de Villette
Where is Château de Villette?
At 1 rue de la Maison Blanche in Condécourt, in the Val-d’Oise, about 40 minutes north-west of Paris.
How many guests can Château de Villette host?
According to The White Edit, about 80 seated indoors and 500 or more outdoors.
Can guests stay on site?
Yes. According to The White Edit, 7 suites in the château and 7 rooms in the wing sleep 27 guests.
How much does a wedding at Château de Villette cost?
The White Edit lists the whole property from €9,000 per night with a two-night minimum. Check current rates with the château.