We're planning on hosting everyone at the Chateau, so you can plan on staying with us and accommodations will be provided. We will have the chateau from Monday, Sep 20 - Friday, Sep 24 (Mon-Thurs nights), so you're welcome to stay the whole time. The wedding will be on Tuesday (the 21st) in the late afternoon/evening. The room assignments are still somewhat in flux. There may be some shared/semi-private rooms and some shared. If rooms are shared, we'll definitely be trying to pair up people/couples that know each other. We very much looking forward to having you. There will be plenty of wine and food and we will have a few optional events/day trips/things to do outside of the wedding things. Otherwise, it's time to relax and explore the countryside. There are many charming medieval towns nearby, Dijon is a food mecca, and Burgundy generally makes some of the finest wines on earth. Should be a recipe for a fun week!
The easiest place to fly into for most people will be Paris. There are two airports (Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Orly), both of which have international flights. CDG is the larger of the two, and a little further out from the city. Orly is much smaller, but a little closer in to the city. Either airport will be easy to get to and from, so we recommend choosing whichever has the best time and price for your schedule. There are trains to Dijon or you can rent a car. You can also fly into Lyon, which has a small airport. Lyon is approximately 2 hours to the south of Dijon (and the chateau) by either car or train. There are car rentals at the airport or you can take a train to Dijon. Another option for flights is to fly into Geneva, Switzerland. Geneva is a smaller city on the border with France and has a train that goes to Dijon as well. The train is not a high speed train, so it takes a little longer and there are more limited departure times available (compared to Paris).
Most travelers recommend giving yourself at least 3 hours between your arrival and your train departure time. You can take a taxi, private transfer, or Uber from the airport to Gare de Lyon or the nearby Gare de Bercy. These are where most Dijon trains depart from and they are approximately 40 minutes from CDG airport or 25 minutes from Orly Airport. If taking a private transfer, best to book ahead. Make sure you know which train station you are departing from so you go to the right one. Train tickets can be booked in advance online (multiple sites, but raileurope.com or omio.com are popular choices). Try to book train tickets as early as possible (recommended at least 3 months out, or as soon as booking is available) so you have the best choice of departure times. Note that Europe uses 24-hour times. So if your train leaves at 6:00, that means 6 in the morning. If it's an afternoon time, it will say 18:00 (i.e., 6pm). Don't miss your train because you don't have the correct time!
We are getting a car at the airport in Paris, but another option would be to rent one in Dijon, which is 2 hours via train from Paris. There are car rental places right across the street from the train station (best to reserve before your trip, of course). If you're not planning on renting a car, we are going to try to coordinate some pickups to get people from Dijon to the Chateau and vice versa. You must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) at AAA. It takes about 20 minutes and costs ~$25. The IDP is required for each driver and if you are pulled over, the police will request it. You should plan on purchasing insurance from the rental company or online. Note that insurance purchased for rental cars often does not cover liability, only damage to your vehicle. Don't drink and drive! France has enacted stricter laws regarding drunk driving and it is not worth the risk of a fine, jail, or seizure of your rental car. Most cities have Uber and taxis if you need a lift.
The weather in Burgundy in September is typically cooler late summer weather. Highs are typically in the mid-high 60's and lows in the 40's (Fahrenheit). Dressing in layers is wise, as well as bringing a jacket. Definitely bring some warm clothes and a compact umbrella, just in case! Make sure your passport is current and bring it with you!!!!! EVERY person travelling must have their own valid passport. You do not need to get a visa prior to arrival if you are a US citizen, however you must have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of your trip. If you are in doubt, contact us and we can help figure out what you will need. Do this early, as the passport office is typically very slow. If you're coming from outside the US, check with your local government to see what is needed to travel to and from France.
France uses the Euro and you should be able to use your regular ATM card to withdraw currency at French ATMs. Check with your bank to see if there are foreign transaction fees and for how to get the best exchange rate. Normally, withdrawing in Euros (rather than converted USD) is best. It is wise to get a little bit of cash (Euros) at the airport when you arrive. This way you have some pocket money in case you need it. You can also go to your local bank before your trip and exchange for Euros, but it's best to call ahead, as they may have to order them. Contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know you are travelling. There's nothing worse than being overseas and not being able to use your ATM or credit card! Many places in France accept credit cards. If the merchant or credit card machine asks you to choose between USD and Euros, it's normally best to choose Euros for the best exchange rate. Again, check with your bank to see if there are foreign transaction fees.
Getting an international data plan for your phone is recommended. Most US cell companies offer plans (pricing varies). Having data is very useful for maps, directions, translations, etc. Plus you can use Whatsapp or Facebook for messaging. Voice and texting are not necessary, but nice to have as well. If you don't want to go through your phone plan, Alice and I have used a separate sim card from Google Fi when we travel in Europe. It's easy, as long as you get it set up before you leave. Once your account is setup and activated, you can simply turn on your service and insert the new sim card while you're at the airport in the US. Once you land in Europe, it automatically connects and works practically everywhere, with very reasonable rates. (fi.google.com)
France uses European style power outlets with 220 volts. You'll need a converter for most items, which you can pick up at a drug store or similar. If you need advice, just let us know. The Chateau is very old (with old wiring), so high power appliances are not recommended. If possible, try to avoid bringing hairdryers, curling irons, etc. as these are prone to causing issues. If you need to bring these types of items, let us know so we can make sure you have the correct type of converter. Tipping is different in France. When you shop or eat at restaurants, the price almost always includes tax and service. Thus tipping is not required like it is in America. It is customary to tip a few euros at a restaurant or cafe (rule of thumb: 1-2 Euro per person for regular restaurants). Fancier places, tipping 10-15% is more customary, when the service is excellent. In taxis, tipping 1-2 euros for a shorter rider is typical, more if the ride is longer. Most other places, tipping is not expected.
Your children are absolutely welcome to the wedding but unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate them at the chateau due to limited space. Please reach out to us if you need help finding accommodations nearby.