Abbaye de Valsaintes

A wedding in a remarkable Luberon garden

The Jardin de l’Abbaye de Valsaintes hosts weddings in Boulinette, in the village of Simiane-la-Rotonde in France’s Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. This former Cistercian site combines a restored abbey church, a rose garden, reception spaces and accommodation. It suits a celebration centred on gardens, historic stone buildings and an overnight stay. The team offers Saturday and weekday weddings and considers events throughout the year. Reception hire and ordinary garden admission are different services: establish which spaces and periods are reserved for your group.

Philanthropia room, church forecourt and ceremony

The Philanthropia room provides approximately 120 square metres, air conditioning, a sound system, a kitchenette and a catering backroom. The official wedding page states up to 80 people without defining the layout. Event profiles list 65 seated and 80 standing, while another mentions 70 seated. These capacities are not interchangeable: request a dated plan allowing for tables, circulation and dancing before fixing your guest count. The forecourt can host an outdoor ceremony, drinks reception or brunch. A secular ceremony may also take place inside the restored church. Do not assume that a religious blessing is authorised. Published forecourt and terrace areas vary with the space described; identify the exact setting and wet-weather alternative in your booking.

Catering, dining and drinks

Couples may choose their wedding suppliers: the venue describes its recommended partners as suggestions. The kitchenette and backroom support catering arrangements; check electrical supply, refrigeration, delivery access, crockery and staffing with your caterer. The on-site restaurant offers seasonal local cooking and welcomes groups, but its service and menus are not automatically included in wedding hire. Its published menu includes a five-course discovery meal at EUR 60 excluding drinks, a restaurant price rather than a wedding package. Agree children’s meals, allergies, dietary needs, cake, drinks and brunch. Event profiles advertise no corkage charge; confirm that provision in your contract.

Group accommodation, bedrooms and overnight stays

Two arrangements are advertised: reception spaces alone, or spaces with the group accommodation for one or two nights. Official bed capacities differ: the general page states up to 30 people, while the detailed accommodation page states 26. Do not add the individual bed descriptions to create a guaranteed capacity. The listed accommodation includes Fleur de Lys, Terre de Feu, Améthyste and Méditation rooms, Rêve de Nacre and Sophos dormitories, and a small attic room. Three additional rooms, Cassis, Havane and Sahara, are in the hamlet’s former school; the general presentation describes each as sleeping up to two people. Confirm allocation, bathrooms and available nights. Shared facilities include an equipped kitchen, veranda, pergola and activity room with internet. Final cleaning is included; linen, towels, made beds, breakfasts and meal plans are optional according to the booking.

Getting there, parking and accessibility

The address is Lieu-dit Boulinette, 04150 Simiane-la-Rotonde, France. A large free car park accommodates coaches and allows them to turn. The map marker identifies the establishment; arrange event access and deliveries with the team. The upper garden terrace and church are described as wheelchair accessible, with adapted toilets; the restaurant and shop are also accessible. This does not establish accessibility across all garden paths or upstairs bedrooms. Check the route from parking to ceremony and reception room, thresholds and toilets for your guests. Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden; agree their presence in accommodation and during a private event separately. Bicycle racks, a Bosch charger and a repair kit are listed.

Prices, exclusive use and booking conditions

Obtain a dated quotation to establish the current budget. Undated event offers show EUR 2,000–2,750 for venue-only hire and EUR 4,750–5,250 for packages whose inclusions need checking; other, older price lists show different amounts. These figures are not guaranteed official rates for 2026 or 2027. Ask for applicable VAT, duration, minimum guest count, furniture, technical equipment, accommodation, catering, cleaning, damage deposit, booking payment and cancellation terms. An event presentation mentions a 5 a.m. finish, without confirmation on the current official page: agree music, noise, setup and dismantling hours in writing. Garden opening hours and admission prices apply to visits, not private reception hire.

Published individual accommodation prices

The bedroom page, without a rate year, lists EUR 115 for one person or EUR 130 for two for a single night with private bathroom; for stays of two nights or more, EUR 90 or EUR 105 per night. Rooms with shared bathroom facilities are listed at EUR 105 or EUR 120 for one night, then EUR 80 or EUR 95 per night for stays of at least two nights. Dormitory beds are EUR 45 per person for one night or EUR 40 for stays of at least two nights. Linen and breakfast are included in these individual rates. A EUR 20 supplement per additional person per night is displayed, plus EUR 10 for a 180-centimetre bed in single occupancy. Confirm availability, tourist tax, VAT and group conditions; these individual prices are separate from wedding exclusive-use hire.