FAQs

Question

What is the dress code?

Answer

Formal / Black-Tie Optional. For the ceremony: The bride and groom kindly request that all guests respect the Catholic church's guidance on modest dress during mass. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions! https://latinmasshelper.com/latin-mass-dress-code/

Question

HOW DO WE GET TO THE CEREMONY AND/OR THE VENUE?

Answer

We are providing bus transportation. Two buses will be made available (near Château de Rouffillac in Carlux) to take you, our guests, from Carlux to Martel for the church ceremony, and afterwards back again from Martel to Carlux for the reception. From there, guests will then be shuttled up the hill to the Chateau in a small mini-bus. Note: Public parking is available in Martel, for those who wish to drive themselves to the church ceremony. However, to all our guests, please do not drive up to the Chateau itself for the reception, as there is no available parking there. Again, access to the Chateau is by mini-bus shuttle only, and one will be driving all our guests from the Rouffillac / Carlux parking lot to the Chateau, and back down again to our cars at the end of the reception / party. BUSES FOR THE CHURCH CEREMONY WILL LEAVE FROM CARLUX AT 1PM (13h00) and no later. MEETING POINT / PICK-UP & DROP-OFF / BUS STOP: Rouffillac Bourg-Carlux Bus Station (near the 'Pont de Rouffillac' Bridge, address: 29 Imp. des Ombrages, 24370 Carlux) PARKING: There is a Rouffillac-Carlux Parking Lot very near to the bus stop, right across the street from the Hôtel-Restaurant Le Rouffillac, 24370 Carlux Please park your cars in the above-mentioned parking lot, and then make your way to the buses by 12h45 pm. Again, BUSES WILL LEAVE FOR MARTEL AT 1PM (13h00). REMINDER: DO NOT DRIVE UP TO THE CHATEAU // NO PARKING AT THE CHATEAU.

Question

I've never been to a Catholic mass - is there anything I need to know?

Answer

If you've never been to mass, not to worry! The most important thing to know is that when it is time to receive communion, the Eucharist is only to be consumed by a Catholic in good standing with the Church and in a state of grace. If this is not you, you are still most welcome to receive a blessing! Should you choose to do so, please cross your arms across your chest to show the priest your intention as you approach the altar. Otherwise, you can, of course, remain in your pew. Different parts of the mass necessitate different postures - standing, kneeling, and sitting. Do not worry if you're not sure what to do, but if you wish to try to follow along, cues will be noted in the booklet and you're also welcome to follow those who are more familiar.

Question

Are my children invited to the wedding?

Answer

We are so happy to see so many of our friends and family blessed with children, but due to numbers, please note that only those children specifically addressed by invitation can be accomodated at the ceremony and reception. We do, however, look forward to seeing any and all children who are able to join outings during the preceding week! If you need help sourcing childcare at your accomodation for Saturday the 12th, please see: https://www.sillybillyschildcare.com/babysitter

Question

I'm traveling to Paris before or after - any suggestions?

Answer

For those traveling to Paris, we suggest finding lodging in the 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissements. You will be steps away from the most beautiful places and monuments that Paris has to offer. As a general rule, districts 5, 6, and 7, along with central parts of Paris along the Seine, are the safest to spend time in. Arrondissements 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 16, and 17 are also nice, safe neighborhoods. Paris districts are numbered 1 to 20 and spiral clockwise from the center like a snail's shell so you could be in the 3rd arrondissement and find yourself in the 12th at the next block.  If you are traveling to the South West / the wedding from Paris by train and looking for accomodation, the 5th near Jardin des Plantes is the best way to go as it will ensure you're close to Gare d'Austerlitz. The 5th also offers great places to eat / hang out / walk around. Look for Rue Mouffetard and the Place De La Contrescarpe (idyllic and a favorite area of ours). The 7th arrondissement is another great neighborhood located between the Eiffel Tower and Invalides. It's home to The American University of Paris (Robin's alma mater), very clean, and offers great places to eat. It's also very anglophone friendly. Prices are on the higher end, but reasonable and certainly not at tourist trap rates.  Per tourist traps, be wary of establishments at the foot of/right near any major monument or building (eg restaurants or shops next to Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, etc.). Do yourself a favor and walk at least a block or two away to avoid overly abusive prices. Paris is a city best discovered and enjoyed by walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes! Some of Robin's recommended places to see in Paris and additional info can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1413LHRO0L4Gidz7Ie_quh2PDQFtBa-WUrfLypMVxU8o/edit As for tips on remaining safe in Paris, this website is very useful: https://thesavvybackpacker.com/city-guide/is-paris-safe/

Question

What are some French words/phrases I should know?

Answer

Most French people very much appreciate it if you try even a little French before speaking English. If you don't start with at least 'Bonjour Madame' or 'Bonjour Monsieur', they will likely think you impolite. 1. Hello = Bonjour 2. Do you speak English? = Parlez-vous Anglais? (pah-lay-voo Ahnglay) 3. Excuse me / pardon me = Excusez-moi (ex-cue-zay-mwa) / Pardon (Pah dohn) 4. Where are the bathrooms? = Où sont les toilettes? (ooh sohn lay twahlet) 5. Please = Sil-vous-plait (see-voo-play) 6. Thank you = Merci (mehr-see) 7. Can you help me? = Pouvez-vous m'aider? (pooh-vay-voo mEHday) 8. Help! = Au secour (oh suh-cuhr) 9. Goodbye = Au revoir (oh ray-vwah)

Question

What should I know about driving in France?

Answer

1. Driving is on the right side of the road 2. Roads can be narrow and locals drive fast, so just take your time and pull over if a passing car has not already done so (expect that they won't) 3. 'Sortie' is the french word for 'Exit' 4. 'Interdit' is the french word for forbidden. If you see this word or a solid red circle with a white bar, that means you cannot drive in that direction down that road Here's a link to some other helpful road signs https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-in-europe/guide-to-french-road-signs-useful-phrases-for-your-road-trip/

Question

What are the closest cities / airports / train stations?

Answer

The closest city to Carlux with an airport (small) and a major train station is Brive-la-Gaillarde Airport: Brive-Souillac (BVE) (Aéroport de Brive Souillac - https://maps.app.goo.gl/nPGuLSG2tsf6p9YH9) Train Station: Brive-la-Gaillarde (Gare de Brive-la-Gaillarde - https://g.co/kgs/LLUCrCv) Closest major cities / international airports to Carlux are: TOULOUSE 185 km / 115 miles (2 hr drive; 2.75 hr train direct) - capital of the region/state - best option Airport Name+Code: Toulouse–Blagnac (TLS). BORDEAUX 192 km / 119 miles (3 hr drive; minimum 5 hrs train, multiple changes) Airport Name+Code: Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) PARIS 550 km / 341 miles (5 hr drive; 5hr train direct). Airport Names+Codes: Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) / Paris Orly (ORY). Though the longest by car/train, from the US this offers a good option for people who prefer direct flights / no layovers. NOTE ON PARIS AIRPORTS: Two airports in Paris (opposite sides of Paris). Paris-CDG is a major international airport, while Paris-ORY is more focused on domestic and European flights. Paris ORY offers direct flights to Brive (BVE) airport. To transfer from CDG to ORY, the easiest is by taxi, but there is no flat rate like there is for taxis from CDG into the inner city of Paris. You can also transfer from CDG to ORY via RER / Metro public transportation. GETTING THERE (in short): By CAR: Carlux sits right off the A20 highway (Souillac exit). By TRAIN: Brive sits on the Paris-Toulouse railway line. As a major stop on that line, it is served several times a day by trains coming from Paris or Toulouse. By AIR: Only Paris Orly (ORY) offers flights to Brive, there are no flights from Toulouse or Bordeaux. People in Toulouse or Bordeaux must fly to ORY, then transfer unto a flight to Brive from there.

Question

What are the best ways to get there?

Answer

FROM TOULOUSE BY CAR - Rent a car at Toulouse airport upon arrival, and drive north by taking the A621 to the A620 to the A62/E72/E9 to reach the A20 highway towards Paris. Get off the highway at exit 55 toward Sarlat/Souillac. FROM TOULOUSE BY TRAIN - Make your way to the Toulouse Train Station (Gare Toulouse Matabiau), and get on a train for Brive-la-Gaillarde (Direction Paris-Austerlitz). Get off at Brive. - reserve your tickets / look for train times here: www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/ FROM PARIS BY TRAIN - Paris Train Station: Gare d'Austerlitz (85 Quai d'Austerlitz, Paris, 5th arrondissement/district) - Rail Line: Paris-Toulouse - Stop/Direction: Brive-la-Gaillarde (or) Souillac (not all trains offer a Souillac stop) - Website: https://www.sncf-voyageurs.com/en/travel-with-us/booking-and-itinerary/book-tickets/ Getting from CDG Airport to Gare d'Austerlitz: RER/Metro: - GO TO: Charles de Gaulle Airport 1 - Terminal 3 If you need help, ask for the RER station (RER is a bigger metro/subway serving stops further away from each other) - GET ON: RER B - Direction: « Robinson » (or) « Orsay – Ville » - GET OFF AT: Paris Gare du Nord Train Station TRANSFER FROM: RER to Metro (within the station) - GET ON: Metro Line #5 - Direction « Place d'Italie » - GET OFF: Gare d'Austerlitz - Walk within the metro station to the Train Station part, follow signs for « Trains Grandes Lignes » Taxi: Flat fee of €65 between Paris-CDG airport to Gare d'Austerlitz FROM PARIS BY PLANE - Paris Airport name: Paris Orly (ORY) - Destination: Brive-La-Gaillarde (BVE) - https://www.aeroport-brive-vallee-dordogne.com/ FROM PARIS BY CAR - Rent a car at CDG and drive south by taking the A3 and A10 to reach the A20 highway towards Toulouse. Get off at exit 55 toward Sarlat/Souillac. RENTAL CARS - Car rentals can be found at the Brive airport or Brive train station, and at CDG or TLS airports.