Your guide to a Château Love Experience

A little preparation makes travelling to France wonderfully easy. Whether you’re joining us from the UK, North America, Europe or further afield, this guide will help you plan your journey, pack for the season and know what to expect when you arrive.

Getting to Château Love

Château Love is in the beautiful Pays de la Loire in western France, within easy reach of Paris and the Chateaux of the Loire. International guests may find it more relaxing to arrive in France a day before their experience begins.

Flying to France

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) offers the broadest choice of international flights. Paris Orly (ORY) is another good option, especially for European connections. Nantes (NTE) and Tours (TUF) may be convenient if a suitable flight is available. If hiring a car, book ahead, especially in summer.

Travelling by train

Eurostar connects London St Pancras with Paris Gare du Nord in a little over two hours. From Paris, onward trains serve the Loire Valley region. You may need to change stations in Paris, so leave plenty of connection time. We’ll provide the recommended arrival station and detailed directions for your stay.

Coming from the UK by car

Travel via LeShuttle between Folkestone and Calais or take a cross-Channel ferry. France drives on the right, distances are in kilometres and many motorways charge tolls (péage). Bring your driving licence, vehicle registration and insurance documentation; check the current rules on vehicle identifiers, safety equipment and emissions zones before departure. See gov.uk/drive-abroad.

What should I pack?

The golden rule is layers. Even summer evenings can be cool, while spring and autumn weather can change during the day.

Spring | March–May

Bring layers, a light waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes and something warmer for evenings. Expect sunshine mixed with showers.

Summer | June–August

Pack lightweight clothing, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen. A light sweater or wrap is useful for cooler evenings.

Autumn | September–November

September can still be warm; October brings beautiful colour and cooler days. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes suitable for damp ground.

Winter | December–February

Bring a warm coat, sweaters, scarf, gloves and sturdy shoes or boots. Expect cold nights, possible frost and occasional snow.

Typical weather

These are broad daytime ranges for packing, not a forecast. Check the weather shortly before you leave; rain is possible at any time of year.

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What to wear at the château

There is no formal dress code. For excursions, comfortable shoes are essential: historic châteaux often have stone floors, gravel paths, stairs and gardens. Smart casual is perfect for dinner. Feel free to dress up if you enjoy it, but there is no obligation. For creative workshops, bring something you won’t mind getting a little paint or dust on.

Money in France

France uses the euro (€). Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, including contactless payment, but we suggest carrying €50–€100 in cash for markets, brocantes and small cafés.

ATMs are called distributeurs automatiques de billets (DABs). Prefer machines attached to recognised banks. Check your bank’s foreign transaction and withdrawal fees. If offered a choice at a terminal or ATM, paying in euros rather than your home currency may give a better rate, depending on your card.

Phones, Wi-Fi & electricity

Wi-Fi is available at the château. Rural mobile signal can vary, so check roaming costs before travelling; an eSIM or travel plan may help. Download essential tickets, maps and insurance documents in advance.

France uses 230V electricity and Type C and E plugs. Visitors from the UK, North America and other regions may need an adapter. Check the voltage rating of hairdryers, curling irons and other high-powered appliances: an adapter does not convert voltage.

Passports, entry requirements & insurance

Check the official entry requirements for your nationality well before departure. British visitors can normally make short Schengen visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, subject to applicable entry rules. Border systems and authorisation requirements can change; consult official guidance before travel.

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance from the time you book, covering cancellation, medical care, disruption, baggage and any planned activities.

Medicines, health & accessibility

Bring enough prescription medication for your trip, ideally in its original packaging, and keep essentials in hand luggage. Carry documentation for medicines that may be restricted. French pharmacies are marked by a green cross.

Historic châteaux may have stairs, uneven floors, cobblestones, gravel paths and periods of walking. If you have mobility or accessibility requirements, contact us before booking so we can discuss the accommodation and itinerary.

Food, allergies & dietary requirements

Please tell us about allergies, intolerances or important dietary needs before you arrive. Advance notice helps us plan your meals. If you have a serious allergy, consider carrying a French-language allergy card for meals away from the château.

Shopping, brocantes & antiques

Leave a little room in your suitcase! Markets and antique shops are part of the pleasure of this region. Some smaller sellers prefer cash, and professional dealers can often arrange shipping for larger purchases.

A little French etiquette

You don’t need to speak French, but a few words go a long way: Bonjour (hello), Bonsoir (good evening), S’il vous plaît (please), Merci (thank you) and L’addition, s’il vous plaît (the bill, please). Always begin with “Bonjour” when entering a shop or asking a question.

Rural shops may close for lunch, on Sundays or on Mondays. France has a gentler rhythm outside the cities—enjoy it.

Time zone & emergency numbers

France uses Central European Time and observes daylight saving time. Guests arriving from North America may prefer to arrive a day early to recover from jet lag.

112 — European emergency number   |   15 — Medical (SAMU)   |   17 — Police   |   18 — Fire brigade

One last Château Love tip…

Don’t over-plan. Some of the loveliest moments in France happen unexpectedly: an antique shop, a beautiful village, a market or a glass of wine in the sunshine. Your Château Love Experience has been carefully planned, but we’ve left room for a little French spontaneity. Pack comfortable shoes, bring your curiosity and leave a little space in your suitcase. We’ll take care of the rest.

Before you leave home

Passport  •  Travel insurance  •  Tickets  •  Driving documents (if applicable)  •  Prescription medicines  •  European plug adapter  • Comfortable shoes  •  Seasonal layers  •  Bank cards  •  Room in your suitcase

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Useful official resources:

eurostar.com

gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france

gov.uk/drive-abroad

france-visas.gouv.fr